Compact high power, medium energy electron accelerator for treatment of per- and polyfluoroalkyl contamination in water

Abstract

Electron beam water treatment (EBWT) is a promising approach for remediating water contaminated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). In this study, we assess the feasibility of using a compact, high-average-power superconducting radio-frequency (SRF) photoinjector as a source for delivering the electron beam parameters required to initiate PFAS degradation. Our goals are twofold: first, to determine whether such a system can achieve the necessary dose and dose rate through sufficient beam energy and power; and second, to establish an experimental platform for investigating how different beam conditions affect degradation pathways. We envision a compact and mobile SRF-based accelerator that can be deployed at contamination hotspots - such as the former Berlin airport Tegel - offering significantly faster and potentially more effective treatment than conventional remediation methods. Based on theoretical analysis and computational modeling, we identify the SRF photoinjector at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB) as a suitable R&D platform. To support experimental validation, we developed a proof-of-concept in-air beamline optimized for balancing dose deposition and thermal management. This setup will enable the systematic study of key operational parameters, including dose rate, energy deposition, and thermal stability, under controlled beam conditions.