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Grantee Research Project Results

Plasma-Enhancement of Absorbers for Improved Removal of PFOS and PFOA from Water

EPA Contract Number: 68HE0D18C0025
Title: Plasma-Enhancement of Absorbers for Improved Removal of PFOS and PFOA from Water
Investigators: Bailey, Charles
Small Business: AAPlasma, LLC
EPA Contact: Packard, Benjamin H
Phase: I
Project Period: October 1, 2018 through March 31, 2019
Project Amount: $100,000
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I (2018) RFA Text |  Recipients Lists
Research Category: SBIR - Water , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)

Description:

New regulations and advisory levels for perfluoroalkyl substances have resulted in increased drinking water treatment costs or abandonment of drinking water sources. Treatment technologies are needed that can achieve low parts-per-trillion levels. Presently, there are insufficient treatment technologies that can destructively remove perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and/or perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS). AAPlasma proposes a novel process using a non-thermal plasma treatment to regenerate activated carbon. The proposed system offers water filtration technology that can be used indefinitely and requires only electricity to operate. Advantages of our proposed system exist in reduction of capital/operational expenses and reduced environmental impact. AAPlasma, with the support of Drexel University’s Nyheim Plasma Institute, will use this SBIR funding opportunity to develop technology to remedy the shortcomings in existing water filtration technology in the removal of PFOA/PFOS from drinking water. Previous research performed by members of the project team are promising. In Phase I of this SBIR project, AAPlasma will verify this technology’s feasibility though several research objectives: (1) demonstrate surface amination via plasma, (2) demonstrate plasma removal of PFOA/PFOS, (3) demonstrate advantages of plasmaenhanced activated carbon, (4) perform regulatory pathway and lifecycle analysis, and (5) prepare a detailed plan to scale-up this technology in Phase II.

Supplemental Keywords:

PFAS, drinking water, technology

Progress and Final Reports:

  • Final Report
  • SBIR Phase II:

    Plasma-Enhancement of Absorbers for Improved Removal of PFOS and PFOA from Water  | Final Report

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    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.

    Project Research Results

    • Final Report
    • SBIR Phase II | Final Report

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    Last updated April 28, 2023
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