This technology has been successfully applied at more than 200 sites throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe. The units at these sites have treated groundwater, industrial wastewater, landfill leachates, potable water, and industrial reuse streams.

The technology was demonstrated at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Site 300 Superfund site. The results of the demonstration successfully reduced trichloroethene and tetrachloroethene to below analytical detection limits. Currently, the concentration of contaminants is much lower than when the system was originally put in place. For this reason, the technology will be discontinued due to its high cost. However, the technology is appropriate at other facilities.

UV light catalyzes chemical oxidation of organic contaminants in water by its combined effect upon the organic substances and reaction with hydrogen peroxide. First, many organic contaminants that absorb UV light may undergo a change in their chemical structure or may become more reactive with chemical oxidants. Second and more importantly, UV light catalyzes the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide to produce hydroxyl radicals, which are powerful chemical oxidants. Hydroxyl radicals react with organic contaminants destroying them and producing harmless carbon dioxide, halides, and water byproducts. The process produces no hazardous by-products or air emissions.

The hydrogen peroxide oxidation equipment includes circular wipers attached to the quartz tubes. These wipers periodically remove solids that may accumulate on the tubes; a feature designed to maintain treatment efficiency.

The chemical oxidation process in the hydrogen peroxide oxidation system is dependent upon a number of reaction conditions that can affect both performance and cost. The process variables that are related to the contaminated water condition are:

• the type and concentration of organic contaminant,
• total organic substances present,
• light transmittance of the water (turbidity or color),
• type and concentration of dissolved inorganic substances (e.g., carbonates and iron), and
• pH.

The process variables that are related to the treatment process design and operation are:

• UV and hydrogen peroxide dosage,
• pH and temperature conditions,
• use of supplementary catalysts, and treatment mode (batch, recycle, or continuous).

The compliance benefits listed here are only meant to be used as a general guideline and are not meant to be strictly interpreted. Actual compliance benefits will vary depending on the factors involved, e.g. the amount of workload involved.

Consult your local industrial health specialist, your local health and safety personnel, and the appropriate MSDS prior to implementing this technology.

• Treats wastewater contaminated with a variety of pollutants, including: chlorinated solvents, pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls, phenolics, fuel hydrocarbons, cyanides, and other organic compounds ranging from a few thousand milligrams per liter to less than 1 microgram per liter.
• In some cases, the process can be combined with air stripping, activated carbon, or biological treatment for optimal treatment results.

• High capital cost.
• High operational cost (energy intensive).

The cost comparison presented below is based on a report from Malcolm Pirnie, "Technical Memorandum - Estimates of annual costs to remove MTBE from water for potable used," provided by Calgon Carbon Advanced Oxidation Technologies. The cost comparison is based on the following assumptions:

Assumptions:

• Flowrate = 600 gpm
• Influent MTBE concentration = 700 ppb
• Effluent concentration = 35 ppb
• Removal efficiency = 95%
• Operation and Maintenance Costs include 2 hrs/day labor at $45/hour
• Power rate = $0.08/kWh
• The traditional activated carbon treatment system is already in place.

Cost Comparison for UV treatment vs. a Traditional GAC System

Economic Analysis Summary

Annual Savings for UV: $463,000
Capital Cost for Diversion Equipment/Process: $439,000
Payback Period for Investment in Equipment/Process: 1 year

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*There are multiple MSDSs for most NSNs.
The MSDS (if shown above) is only meant to serve as an example.