Decomposition of sulfur compounds by radiolysis: II. By-products and mechanisms

• Four representative odorous sulfur compounds can be completely removed by EB.
• Ozone formed by EB enhanced the removal rate of the target compounds.
• Most of the sulfur compounds were converted to SO2 and aerosols.

This study was carried out to identify by-products generated during the decomposition of sulfur compounds using electron beam (EB) irradiation. We also estimated the effect of O3 on the reaction. As a result, ozone was generated during the decomposition reaction of sulfur compounds by EB and enhanced the removal rate of the target compounds. H2S was converted into SO2 and H2SO3 by reacting with OH, HO2, and various radicals formed through EB irradiation. SO2, (CH3)2S, (CH3)2S2, (CH3)2SO2, C3H8S2 and R–O–SO2–O–R′ were by-products generated from the CH3SH decomposition process. (CH3)2S was converted to SO2, (CH3)2S2, R–O–SO2–O–R′, R–SO3− and R–SO3H. Finally, H2SO3, CH3SH, (CH3)2S, CS2, R–O–SO2–O–R′, R–SO3−, R–SO3H, and R–O–SO2–R′ were detected as by-products of (CH3)2S2.