Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are extremely resistant to chemical reaction due to the strong C−F bonds they contain, implying that no practical treatment technologies based on destructive methods are available. We have developed a way to integrate various potentially effective technologies into one engineered system, including physical adsorption, reductive defluorination, and advanced oxidation. The porous structure of granular activated carbon is impregnated with nanoscale zerovalent iron, so-called reactive activated carbon (RAC). The RAC system in the presence of injected oxidants such as hydrogen peroxide and persulfate is believed to effectively adsorb PFAS and decompose them via reductive pathways employing electrons, hydrogens, and superoxide radical anions and oxidative pathways employing hydroxyl and sulfate radicals. Due to the flexibility and versatility of the system, it might have high potential to treat various environmental media contaminated with PFAS and respond to different treatment conditions and scenarios. In the presentation, we will introduce the concept of the integrated system and discuss preliminary results for the successful adsorption and decomposition of various PFAS.

Concept development for physical adsorption combined with chemical decomposition of PFAS on reactive activated carbon

2019 Spring National Meeting

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