Degradation of Transformer Oils by Photolysis in order to Reduce Occupational and Environmental Hazards

Background and Objective: Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic, persistent, bio-accumulate and pose a risk of causing adverse effects on human health and to the environment. PCB compounds exert varios impacts on human depending upon age, route of entry, intensity and frequency of exposure. This study was conducted to determine the effect of UV-C, hydrogen peroxide and solvent on the photodegradation of PCBs. Materials and Methods: The photochemical reactor was of annular geometry (۵۰۰ ml volume) with a cylindrical low-pressure mercury lamp emitting at ۲۵۴ nm. The power emitted by the lamp was ۶ W. The whole lamp was immersed into a reactor with temperature of ۳۲ ± ۲ C. The PCBs were analyzed by GC/ECD equipment. Results: The degradation of total PCBs in terms of one, two and three lamps was ۷۷.۵%, ۸۲.۹% and ۸۵.۲% respectively. The degradation of total PCBs in terms of not using of H۲O۲ and using ۱۰% and ۲۰% of H۲O۲ were ۷۴.۵%, ۷۹% and ۹۴.۵% respectively. Conclusion: The results of this experiments showed that UVC-photolysis of H۲O۲ leads to a degradation efficiency of PCBs only in the presence of ethanol.

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Key words: Askarel , Photolysis , Solvent , Degradation , UV/H۲O۲