Journal of the Korean Geo-Environmental Society ISSN:1598-0820(Print) 2714-1233(Online) 한국지반환경공학회 논문집

This study focuses both on the quantitative measurement of hydroxyl radicals formed by an electron beam (E-beam) process and on the decomposition of pentachlorophenol(PCP) in the presence of H2O2 and Fe3+-EDTA as additives. To attain this objective, the quantitative measurement of hydroxyl radical was performed with the hydroylation of benzoic acid (BA), producing hydroxybenzoic acid (OHBA). As a result, the concentrations of hydroxyl radical measured were lower than those of hydroxyl radical predicted. Probably, it indicates that the reactive species generated during E-beam irradiation are able to scavenge the hydroxyl radicals. In particular, the degradation of PCP was promoted by the addition of H2O2 (< 1mM). On the other hand, its degradation as well as the generation of chloride ions as a by-product was inhibited by the addition of H2O2 (> 1mM), and thus carbon yield(%) of oxalic acid as a by-product was increased. During E-beam irradiation the addition of Fe3+-EDTA effectively decomposed the PCP, thus increasing the G-values. Considering the formation of OHBA and the decomposition of PCP, these results suggest that the addition of Fe3+-EDTA in the E-beam process can produce the further hydroxyl radicals and enhance the efficiency of PCP decomposition at low dose.