Speaker
Description
Global attention is increasingly focused on the challenges of environmental damage and the depletion of natural resources. Factors such as population growth, rising living standards, rapid urbanisation, and intensified industrial activities have collectively contributed to a significant increase in water pollution.
Radiation technologies have emerged as powerful tools in industry, agriculture, and scientific research. Ionising radiation, in the form of accelerated particles (electron beams), possesses the capability to ionise water molecules. This process generates active radicals from water molecules, which in turn react with harmful organic contaminants present in wastewater. These contaminants undergo degradation and transform into simpler chemical forms, making them more amenable to treatment through conventional methods.
The earliest studies on radiation treatment of waste materials primarily focused on disinfection, dating back to the 1950s. In the subsequent decade, these investigations expanded to include the purification of water and wastewater. Building upon laboratory research conducted in the 1970s and 1980s, the 1990s saw the establishment of several pilot plants dedicated to extended research. A ground-breaking milestone was achieved in 2005 with the construction of the first full-scale application, aimed at treating textile dyeing wastewater (10,000 m3/d) in the Republic of Korea, supported by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This success was followed by the commissioning of a similar plant in China in 2020 (30,000 m3/d) to address the needs of textile industries. Practical applications of this technology have consistently affirmed its ease of use and effectiveness in treating large volumes of wastewater.
Furthermore, electron beam treatment demonstrates its utility in addressing emerging organic pollutants found in groundwater, such as fertilisers, pesticides, and pharmaceutical residues, which can lead to groundwater pollution and the subsequent contamination of water resources. A significant advantage of radiation technology lies in the fact that reactive species are generated in-situ during the radiolysis process, eliminating the need for the addition of chemicals. Moreover, these reactions can be conducted at relatively low temperatures, resulting in lower energy costs, minimal thermal damage to the system, and its products.
The IAEA is steadfast in its commitment to supporting non-power nuclear applications in its member states. This commitment includes organising Coordinated Research Projects (CRPs) and technical meetings with a specific emphasis on the preservation of water resources and environmental sustainability.
