Applications of ionizing radiation to environmental conservation

Hirota, Koichi

Ionizing radiation is one of the advanced technologies for treating environmental pollutants. The technology is based on oxidation reactions with active species produced by the irradiation to media. When air is irradiated, many active species such as OH, O, and N are produced. Among them, OH is the most important radical that can effectively oxidize harmful chemicals. On the other hand, OH and hydrated electron play roles in oxidation and reduction while treating organic compounds in water. Although ray irradiation is also an option for the treatment of various kinds of environmental pollutants, electron beam is preferable because maintaining an electron accelerator is easier and has better radiation security. On the basis of basic experiments, the pilot-scale and full-scale plants have been constructed around the world for the treatment of environmental pollutants such as NO and SO, dioxin, VOC, and pollutants in wastewater.