TREATING UNSATURATED HYDROCARBONS

摘要

A method and apparatus for treating an aquaeous waste solution containing hydrocarbons in which the solution is mixed with an OH radical producer, preferably hydrogen peroxide. The mixture is introduced into one end the reaction tube (14) through inlet (11). An ultraviolet laser beam (16) is directed through a quartz window (18) in the other end of the reaction tube. The mixed hydrocarbon-OH radical producer is irradiated as it flows through the tube (14). The irradiated solution exits from the tube (14) through an outlet (20) into a holding tank (22) in which it undergoes degradation reactions. Typically, the hydrocarbon solution is pretreated to remove particulate material, and hydrogen peroxide, in not less than about a stoichiometric amount, is added to the solution. The hydrogen peroxide is subjected to ultraviolet radiation to produce OH radicals, either before or after it is added to the waste solution.