An Overview of PFAS Removal
August 15, 2024 | 4 minute read
Concerns relating to public health and PFAS [per-and poly-fluoroalkyl substances] continue to increase as the general public awareness of these ‘forever chemicals’ grows and regulations come into play across the United States and Europe. This short blog outlines why PFAS removal is critical and what removal options are available.
Why Is PFAS Removal Critical?
These chemicals have been used in everyday products since the 1940s, primarily as coatings that help products ensure they are resistant (be that to water, heat, or oil to name a few). As a result, they are used in household and consumer goods ranging from clothing to soft furnishings to cooking utensils. Even contact lenses and fast food packaging.
PFAS impacts us all and is present in the blood-stream of countless millions of people.
“More than 99% of Americans have been found to have PFOS and PFOA (two well-known, harmful forms of PFAS) in their blood, and the numbers are thought to be similar all over the world.” Source PFAS Free
In short, there is no getting away from them. They are everywhere. Studies have shown that these versatile chemicals can be carcinogenic. As a result, the EPA has been leading the charge in regulating.
“Current scientific research suggests that exposure to certain PFAS may lead to adverse health outcomes.” Source EPA
Given the omnipresence of these chemicals, regulations are trying to tackle both ends of the production cycle i.e. via both manufacturers and landfill operators.
“With mounting state and federal regulations, oversight, and compliance, all eyes are on industry to eliminate PFAS – before it pervades our drinking water even further and leads to serious long-term health complications to those exposed.
From traditional removal and disposal methods, such as granular activated carbon (GAC) or ion exchange (IX) to newer PFAS destruction technologies, there are many nuances when approaching a PFAS mitigation strategy.” Leanne Hersey, VP of Marketing, Aclarity
So what can be done?
What Is PFAS Removal?
PFAS removal is the primary route through which landfill operators have traditionally sought to manage the problem. However, critics argue that this is a form of ‘kicking the ball down the road’ where they note that PFAS are merely removed but still need to be disposed of.
Common forms of PFAS removal include:
- Granular Activated Carbon
- Ion Exchange
- Foam Fractionation
Common forms of PFAS disposal which is required after the above steps are:
- Incineration- burning substances containing PFAS
- Deep Well Injection - storing waste liquids deep underground
- Solidification - encapsulation of the waste into a monolithic solid with structural integrity i.e. usually concrete.
Issues with PFAS Removal
These approaches represent historic ways that have been used to tackle waste problems. However, the drawbacks to these approaches are all too apparent.
With incineration, concerns exist that harmful byproducts may be formed during the process of incineration. Air particles may still contain PFAS and thus the problem is not really getting solved. The process may also result in the release of emissions posing other environmental issues.
The other two methods are very labor-intensive, and expensive not least due to the transportation costs. Similarly, neither are satisfactory ways to deal with PFAS at scale, and local communities are increasingly resistant to burying stuff in their backyards.
“It is recognized that removing PFAS from drinking water can be an expensive proposition. It is currently known that three treatment processes can be effective for PFAS removal: granular activated carbon, ion exchange resins, and high-pressure membrane systems. The optimal choice between these technologies is a balance between many factors.” Source EPA
In short, the name ‘forever chemicals’ illustrates how hard PFAS is to remove. They don’t break down naturally and are extremely resilient. Not only does this make them hard to destroy, but the associated costs are significant. This is why a lot of the focus on new technologies is to destroy PFAS at source. After all, the traditional removal approaches may no longer be credible options (like all emergent regulations some states regulate earlier than others).
The Definitive Guide to PFAS Technology Whitepaper
Comprehensive guide to understanding PFAS management strategies to reduce risk and safeguard environmental and public health.
Stay current on advantages and disadvantages of technologies available for PFAS:
- Removal
- Disposal
- Destruction
PFAS Destruction
PFAS destruction on the other hand is designed to deal with PFAS at source, without seeking to take it off-site for it to be buried or burned.
There are three dominant approaches at present:
1- Hydrothermal Alkaline Treatment (HALT)
With this approach, compressed water and high temperatures are used to break the carbon-fluorine bonds.
2- Supercritical Water Oxidation (SCWO)
With this approach, chemical oxidation is accelerated via heated water and high pressures also.
3- Electrochemical Oxidation (EOx)
With this approach, an electrical current is passed through a liquid solution to mineralize PFAS compounds. The Aclarity system destroys PFAS using a proprietary electrochemical process to break down contaminants.
There are pros and cons with all of these, however, when set against PFAS removal there are several attractive advantages.
“Dozens of start-ups are hoping to assist by supplying new technologies capable of destroying the carbon-fluorine bond. Once thought to be impossible to degrade, PFAS are proving to be no match for powerful techniques like electrochemical oxidation and supercritical water oxidation. Companies are also demonstrating that emerging technologies for PFAS destruction, like those that rely on the subcritical process hydrothermal alkaline treatment, plasma, ultraviolet light combined with photocatalysts, and sonolysis can break apart PFAS. When combined with technologies that concentrate PFAS on the front end, destruction technologies could provide a cost-effective way to eliminate PFAS in the environment and stop them from ending up in drinking water.”
Source: Chemical & Engineering News
Summary
In short, when it comes to PFAS, removal has been the most popular route to deal with PFAS problems in recent years. However, increasingly PFAS destruction is becoming the preferred route, and the source of significant investment as companies innovate.
Nature is better off without PFAS. And so is your business.
The future of waste management starts now. Destruction beats disposal so we created an on-site solution that puts an end to PFAS for good. When our EOx process meets forever chemicals, the environment is not the only winner. Get a free evaluation for your PFAS destruction needs today.