Peroxone

Description

Peroxone is an Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP) used to treat soil and groundwater contaminated with volatile organic compounds (VOCs), semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs), polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), petroleum hydrocarbons, metals, and materials used in the manufacture of explosives. The Peroxone process is based on the use of ozone in conjunction with hydrogen peroxide to produce highly energetic particles called hydroxyl radicals. These radicals react with and oxidize most organic contaminants in solution. Peroxone is a class of oxidizers described in reduction/oxidation.

Limitations and Concerns

For explosive compounds, not enough is known about the byproducts that will be produced by this process.

As injection occurs in situ, the spread of contamination through the soil or lateral movement of the plume should be monitored.

Special precautions should be made for handling bulk quantities of hydrogen peroxide. Spills could endanger workers.

Applicability

The technology treats VOCs, PAHs, petroleum hydrocarbons, chlorinated solvents, munitions, diesel fuel, Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE), and Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, and Xylene (BTEX) in soil and groundwater. The Peroxone process can be applied in situ or ex situ.

Technology Development Status

Overall, the Peroxone process is well developed and documented. For explosive compounds, the most recent reports (circa late 1990s) indicate that the technology was in the pilot test stage.

Web Links

http://www.epa.gov/safewater/mdbp/pdf/alter/chapt_7.pdf

http://www.frtr.gov/matrix2/section4/4_4.html

Other Resources and Demonstrations

See the technology description of Reduction/Oxidation and In-situ Chemical Oxidation.