Environmental and industrial applications of pulsed power systems

Summary form only given. Non-thermal destruction of organic contaminants using the free radicals produced by e-beam interactions has been demonstrated in stimulated mixed-waste radiolyzed material. Cleanup of organic contaminants in ground waters can also be accomplished using e-beams. Pulsed-power-driven ion sources can effectively couple to large surface areas to achieve amorphous layer formation, formation of surface alloys, and surface hardening. Ceramics and carbon composites may be candidates for e-beam treatment and bonding where energy is delivered to a high-Z interlayer. High-average-power systems, based on saturable magnetic switching, are now entering the operational phase at several facilities. These facilities, coupled with single pulse accelerators, can be used in an application development process to acquire feasibility demonstration data and to develop the necessary interdisciplinary teams with pulsed power, materials processing, medical effects, and radiochemistry experience.