Effects of electron-beam radiolysis on formaldehyde water solution

Objective To explore the effects of radiolysis by electron-beam on formaldehyde water solution. Methods Electronbeam radiolytic processes and reaction kinetics of formaldehyde solutions with three different concentrations(25, 500 and 11 000 mg/L) were studied. The effects of adding strong alkali and strong acid on the formaldehyde degradation were also discussed. Results The radiolytic degradations of formaldehyde solutions followed the apparent first-order reaction kinetics. Besides, the rate constant decreased as the increase of initial formaldehyde concentration. However, after adding NaOH,the removal rate of formaldehyde ascended faster with higher initial concentration of formaldehyde. But the removal rates of formaldehyde received little effect with the addition of H2SO4. Conclusion The electron-beam radiation can decompose formaldehyde solution(under 500 mg/L) effectively without any addictives. However, adding NaOH is necessary in radiolysis of the formaldehyde solutions with higher concentrations.