Grantee Research Project Results
Removing PFAS in Investigation Derived Wastes (IDW) with Electrocoagulation and Electrochemically Activated Persulfate
EPA Contract Number: 68HERC20C0033Title: Removing PFAS in Investigation Derived Wastes (IDW) with Electrocoagulation and Electrochemically Activated Persulfate
Investigators: Christenson, Mark
Small Business: AirLift Environmental, LLC
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: I
Project Period: March 1, 2020 through August 31, 2020
Project Amount: $99,004
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I (2020) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: SBIR - Mining , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) , SBIR - Mining and Mine Waste Management
Description:
Repeated use of aqueous firefighting foams containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has contaminated hundreds of sites. To delineate the extent of contamination, many of these sites are undergoing intensive site investigations and generating large quantities of investigation derived wastes (IDW). Current disposal practices of landfilling or incineration are costly and burdensome. This proposal will develop an ex situ remedial treatment for PFAS and associated co-contaminants. Based on current research, we propose using electrocoagulation (EC) combined with chemical oxidation and electrochemically activated persulfate (EAP) to remove PFAS and associated co-contaminants. While we will focus on treating containerized wastes, we will also be evaluating these technologies as possible innovations to merge with Airlift's patented groundwater modular delivery system. Thus, the ultimate goal is to fine tune the proposed EC and EAP technologies so that they can eventually be used in situ to treat PFAS-contaminated groundwater.
Airlift's current prototypes have the capacity to recycle and treat multiple pore volumes of IDW per day (20-27 times per day), are highly mobile and can be setup to treat soil or groundwater in numerous 55-gallon drums or larger roll-off dumpsters. Treatment costs are conservatively estimated to be 50% less than incineration.
Publications and Presentations:
Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 2 publications for this projectJournal Articles:
Journal Articles have been submitted on this project: View all 2 journal articles for this projectProgress and Final Reports:
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.