Grantee Research Project Results
Final Report: Advanced Plasma Vortex Equipment for the Destruction of PFAS Contaminants in Water
EPA Contract Number: 68HERC20C0024Title: Advanced Plasma Vortex Equipment for the Destruction of PFAS Contaminants in Water
Investigators: Cho, Daniel
Small Business: Onvector LLC
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: I
Project Period: March 1, 2020 through August 31, 2020
Project Amount: $99,838
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I (2020) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) , SBIR - Clean and Safe Water
Description:
The purpose of this SBIR Phase I project was to demonstrate the technical capability and potential economic attractiveness of a novel plasma reactor, the Plasma Vortex reactor, for destruction of PFAS compounds in water. The experimental program involved sequential laboratory trials of ca. 30-L batch treatments of synthetic contaminated groundwater containing perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) typically at initial concentration levels of 50 to 200 µg/L. Experimental parameters that were varied in the trials included hydraulic and gas flow operational parameters for the Plasma Vortex reactor, gas composition used in the reactor, use of oxidation catalysts/reactants added to the reactor to assist in degradation of PFOA and PFOS, and plasma energy density (plasma current and electrode voltage).
Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):
Under the most optimized of test parameter sets used in the Phase I program, destruction of both PFOA and PFOS exceeded 99% at energy efficiency levels deemed to be within commercially attractive ranges by prospective users (energy efficiency defined by either EEO - electrical energy in kWh required to degrade a specific contaminant by one order of magnitude in 1 m3 of contaminated water - or EEA - plasma power multiplied by time divided by total volume of water being treated). Use of sodium persulfate in the reactor was found to provide, under some conditions, synergistic effects in promoting PFOA destruction, whereas hydrogen peroxide was not found to provide any significant destruction capabilities.
Conclusions:
Onvector's proprietary plasma reactor was demonstrated to have both technical capability and likely economic attractiveness for commercial applications involving destruction of key PFAS compounds. These results derive from both the unique qualities of the reactor and also from application of oxidative reactants in the destruction process.
Onvector's current commercialization plan is to establish two different revenue streams by selling the Plasma Vortex technology to our customers: (1) end-users, and (2) network of distributors.
(1) End-users: During the Phase I program, Onvector continued to expand its discussions with environmental remediation firms. These discussions have improved Onvector's understanding of required costs for PFAS destruction technologies for both groundwater remediation and drinking water treatment. In addition, this on-going dialogue has led to identification of specific opportunities for piloting of the Plasma Vortex technology.
(2) Network of distributors: Also, Onvector has continued to progress with discussions with multiple distributors in the water treatment space.
As part of the Phase I effort, Onvector engaged with Foresight Science and Technology (Hopkinton, MA) for commercialization assistance. This involved Foresight interviews with industry experts, product end-users and prospective targets for the new technologies, in order to confirm the market potential of the subject technology and to better understand potential competitive technologies and user requirements. This effort confirmed the significant market potential of Onvector's Plasma Vortex technology for PFAS destruction and, in particular, resulted in improved understanding of probable energy efficiency requirements to assure commercial viability. Onvector is continuing to interact with some of the contacts initiated by Foresight.
The 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.