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Technology Evaluation Report - SITE PROGRAM DEMONSTRATION OF THE ULTROX INTERNATIONAL ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION OXIDATION TECHNOLOGY
Citation:
Welshans, G. AND K. Topudurti. Technology Evaluation Report - SITE PROGRAM DEMONSTRATION OF THE ULTROX INTERNATIONAL ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION OXIDATION TECHNOLOGY. EPA/540/5-89/012 (NTIS 90-198177), 1990.
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Description:
In support of EPA's Superfund Innovative Technology Evaluation (SITE) Program, this report presents the results of the Ultrox International technology demonstration. The Ultrox® technology (a registered trademark of Ultrox International) simultaneously uses ultraviolet (UV) radiation, ozone, and hydrogen peroxide to oxidize dissolved organic contaminants, including chlorinated hydrocarbons and aromatic compounds, found in groundwater or wastewater. Experiments were conducted in which hydraulic retention time, ozone dose, hydrogen peroxide dose, UV radiation intensity, and influent pH level were varied over a wide range to evaluate the ability of the technology to treat contaminated groundwater at a Superfund site at different operating conditions. Under the SITE program, the Ultrox technology demonstration was conducted at the Lorentz Barrel and Drum (LB&D) site, San Jose, California, in February and March of 1989. The objectives of the demonstration were to: (1) evaluate the Ultrox technology's ability to treat organic contaminants found in the groundwater at the site; (2) evaluate the effects of major process parameters on the technology's performance; (3) evaluate the efficiency of the ozone decomposer (Decompozon) unit in treating the off-gas from the Ultrox reactor; and (4) develop information useful for evaluating whether this technology is suitable for other hazardous waste sites with similar conditions. Liquid samples were collected from various locations of the Ultrox system to assess its ability to remove groundwater contaminants. Air samples were taken to measure the effectiveness of the Decompozon unit in reducing ozone levels in the reactor off-gas prior to venting it to the atmosphere. Liquid samples were analyzed for volatile organic compounds (VOC), semivolatile organics, pesticides, metals, and other constituents in the groundwater. Air samples were analyzed for VOCs and ozone. The Ultrox system achieved VOC removals greater than 90 percent. The majority of VOCs were removed through chemical oxidation. However, stripping also contributed toward removal of a few VOCs, such as 1,1,1-trichloroethane (1,1,1-TCA) and 1,1-dichloroethane (1,1-DCA). The treated groundwater met the applicable National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) standards for discharge into a local waterway at the 95 percent confidence level. There were no harmful air emissions to the atmosphere from the Ultrox system, which is equipped with an off-gas treatment unit.