EBeam Irradiation for Water Reuse: Removal of Bromate

Abstract

Bromate (BrO3-) is a disinfection by-product that primarily results from ozonation of bromide-containing waters. Many studies have been launched to suppress BrO3- formation and to decontaminate BrO3- after its formation. Electron beam (eBeam) irradiation has been investigated in areas including both bacterial/viral disinfection and chemical contaminant removal. However, eBeam research on BrO3- removal is limited. Particularly, the application of eBeam to water reuse has not been investigated. Therefore, the goal of this research was to determine the feasibility of eBeam irradiation on BrO3- removal and to test the factors affecting the removal in a matrix simulating reclaimed water.

Experiments were conducted in Milli-Q water and the synthetic reclaimed water. The influences of nitrate, organic matter, dissolved oxygen, pH and alkalinity were studied. A model was developed to describe the relationship between BrO3- concentrations and absorbed eBeam doses. The dose constant was introduced and compared at different conditions to evaluate the effects.