Grantee Research Project Results
Microwave Irradiation-enabled Household On-site Regeneration of Activated Carbon for Sustainable Point-of-Use Removal of PFAS in Drinking Water
EPA Grant Number: SU840408Title: Microwave Irradiation-enabled Household On-site Regeneration of Activated Carbon for Sustainable Point-of-Use Removal of PFAS in Drinking Water
Investigators: Deng, Yang
Current Investigators: Deng, Yang , Lin, Qiufeng , Yang, Lisitai
Institution: Montclair State University
EPA Project Officer: Spatz, Kyle
Phase: I
Project Period: July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023 (Extended to June 30, 2025)
Project Amount: $25,000
RFA: 18th Annual P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition Focusing on People, Prosperity and the Planet (2021) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: P3 Awards , Water
Objective:
Millions of the U.S. people across this country rely on household water treatment (HWT), accomplished by deploying point-of-use (POU) or point-of-entry (POE) devices, for drinking water. However, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) broadly found in the U.S. drinking water are challenging established HWT technologies. Some of them (e.g., ceramic filters) poorly alleviate PFAS, while others (e.g., RO filtration and granular activated carbon (GAC)), though effective, remained challenged due to inherent technical and economical restrictions. Particularly, they cannot destruct toxic PFAS to provide an ultimate solution to PFAS pollution. Challenges for POU removals of PFAS in drinking water include: 1) trace concentrations; 2) low lifetime health advisory or maximum contaminant levels; 3) persistence; 4) prevalence; and 5) fewer technology options available for the POU scenario. Therefore, development of innovative POU treatment methods for PFAS in water is urgently needed.
This project aims to validate, optimize, and demonstrate microwave (MW) irradiation-enabled thermal destruction of PFAS sorbed on activated carbon, thereby enabling a design capable of demonstrating long-term performance for cost-effective POU removal of PFAS in drinking water. Although GAC-based POU filters have proven for effective removal of PFAS, this option is unsustainable due to the lack of on-site adsorbent regeneration. Here, a household microwave oven will be applied to treat PFAS-spent GAC, for thermal destruction of PFAS (detoxification); and recovery of GAC adsorption (regeneration), to achieve a cyclic POU treatment approach.
Novelty of this project is embodied in five interrelated domains, including: a) Treatment quality (MW thermal regeneration permits recurring GAC adsorption of PFAS, while chemically destructing toxic PFAS). b) Environmental friendliness (low energy footprint due to rapid MW regeneration; less GAC wastes; and minimal leaching from GAC). c) User experience (household MW ovens makes the operation easy). d) Economic viability (no financial needs for additional equipment except MW ovens (a common kitchen appliance); repeated use of GAC; and lower expenses for less waste disposal). And e) Social acceptance. The above-stated merits foster public acceptance and market adoption. The problem-driven research will have profound, long-term, and multiple benefits to the U.S, such as reduction of POU costs, protection of environmental and human health, and decrease of the POU treatment residuals.
Approach:
A student-centered, faculty-led, and interdisciplinary collaboration research plan is proposed with the cooperation of our industry partner. Task 1 aims to select 2-3 GAC candidates from commercial products in terms of PFAS adsorption and GAC resistance to MW irradiation. MW regeneration tests for spent GAC will be subsequently performed in Task 2 in a full factorial scheme to determine the optimal GAC for Task 3, in which cyclic adsorption-regeneration tests will be carried out at the POU treatment-related conditions. Finally, the data will be input to lifecycle assessment in Task 4. Comprehensive assessments will also be made in terms of treatment viability, cost/energy reliance, and user experience. Meanwhile, education activities will be launched to integrate the P3 approach into a MSU's multidisciplinary PhD program, PSEG Institute for Sustainability Studies' Green Teams Program, and high school summer research projects. The efforts will produce multiple educational benefits for college students, pre-college students, and general public (particularly the POU users).
The P3 approach is achieved through integration of laboratory tests, engineering design, economic analysis, and lifecycle assessment. Detoxification eliminates PFAS from our water cycle and safeguards ecological systems. GAC regeneration decreases the adsorbent wastes and minimizes environmental footprints. Economic viability is pursued via recycling of GAC, less waste for prohibitive disposal, and minimal investments on the regeneration devices. Moreover, social impacts include to improve health of U.S. POU users, support equitable water right, and enhance the sustainability education and participation.
Expected Results:
Outputs include the inventive POU treatment approach, with GAC adsorption and regeneration designs for PFAS removal in water. Design ranges for major parameters will be recommended, while preliminary economic and environmental analyses will be provided. Findings will be reported in a peer-reviewed journal and 2022 National Student Design Expo. Outcomes are multifold and intersecting in the environmental, economic, and social aspects. The proposed technology will protect ecological and human health, reduce the POU treatment expenses, and decrease the quantity of treatment residuals. Friendly operation, affordable costs, and technical robustness will encourage public acceptance and market adoption. This will also allow the people with unimproved water sources or unsafe/unreliable piped water supplies for having right to access sufficient and safe water in dignity, safety, and equitability. To track and measure these project outputs and outcomes, this project will be evaluated through two levels of evaluation strategies, i.e. formative evaluation and summative evaluation. Finally, the project will be disseminated through different channels, including public presentations, peer-reviewed publications, scientific seminars, and lab tours to different audiences.
Supplemental Keywords:
Drinking water; PFAS; Innovative technology; Human health; EngineeringProgress 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.