Grantee Research Project Results
2021 Progress Report: Electron Beam Technology for Destruction of Short-Chain and Perfluoroalkyl Substances in Groundwater, Wastewater, Sewage Sludges, and Soils
EPA Grant Number: R839650Title: Electron Beam Technology for Destruction of Short-Chain and Perfluoroalkyl Substances in Groundwater, Wastewater, Sewage Sludges, and Soils
Investigators: Pillai, Suresh D , Staack, David , Sharma, Virender , Houtz, Erica
Current Investigators: Pillai, Suresh D , Staack, David , Sharma, Virender , Houtz, Erica , Juriasingani, Purshotam
Institution: Texas A&M Agricultural Research and Extension Center , Arcadis U.S. Inc.
Current Institution: Texas A&M Agricultural Research and Extension Center , Arcadis U.S. Inc. , Tetra Tech Inc.
EPA Project Officer: Hahn, Intaek
Project Period: September 1, 2019 through August 31, 2022 (Extended to February 29, 2024)
Project Period Covered by this Report: September 1, 2020 through August 31,2021
Project Amount: $899,164
RFA: Practical Methods to Analyze and Treat Emerging Contaminants (PFAS) in Solid Waste, Landfills, Wastewater/Leachates, Soils, and Groundwater to Protect Human Health and the Environment (2018) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Drinking Water , Water Quality , Human Health , Water , PFAS Treatment
Objective:
1. To characterize and quantify the effectiveness of eBeam technology at degrading short-chain and perfluoroalkyl substances in PFAS-contaminated groundwater, wastewater, sewage sludges and soils
2. To develop a mechanistic understanding of eBeam-mediated breakdown of short chain PFAS eg., perfluoroheptanoate (PFHpA) in a groundwater and drinking water matrix
3. To perform an economic and technology feasibility analyses for a transportable eBeam treatment technology platform for ex-situ PFAS remediation
Progress Summary:
High dose (2000 kGy) eBeam experiments have confirmed that high eBeam doses are capable of completely degrading all reportable PFAS including PFOS and PFOA in sludges and composted sludges.
Ionization chemistry and temperature are both involved in the eBeam-mediated degradation of PFAS in sludges and composted sludges at high doses. PFOA is an intermediate by-product of eBeam-mediated PFOS degradation
Detailed life cycle analysis has been completed documenting the value of incorporating eBeam technology into a wastewater treatment plant. The design features of a portable eBeam platform customized for PFAS degradation has been completed
Future Activities:
1. Complete the 2000 kGy high dose experiments (single exposure and incremental dosing) for PFAS-contaminated soils, groundwater, landfill leachates, and sewage sludges
2. Perform detailed F mass balance calculations in experimental systems
Journal Articles:
No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 10 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
high-energy electron beam, eBeam, PFAS, dose, sludge, composted sludgeProgress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.