ABSTRACT
This chapter compares the spectra and energy efficiencies of lamp systems with those of pulsed xenon lamps that have a peak emission near 230 nm. It summarizes the usefulness of the pulsed lamps for direct photolyses of chlorinated volatile organic compounds in addition to H2O2-induced photolyses in terms of rates, quantum efficiencies, and products and compares the costs of Ultraviolet (UV) photons with those of chemical reagents commonly used for treatment. UV-induced and other radical oxidation processes are of interest for the onsite destruction of organic contaminants in environmental media. Excimer lamps are another source of low-wavelength UV light, among the most efficient of which is the 172-nm emission from the excited xenon dimer. The chapter also compares the advantages and disadvantages of carrying out the photooxidation processes in air vs water. The concentration of trichloroethene was determined by head space analysis, followed by capillary gas chromatography with electron capture detection.
