Grantee Research Project Results
An Enhanced Contact Plasma Reactor: A Competitive Remediation Technology for Per- and Perfluoroalkyl Substance (PFAS) Contaminated Water
EPA Contract Number: 68HE0D18C0022Title: An Enhanced Contact Plasma Reactor: A Competitive Remediation Technology for Per- and Perfluoroalkyl Substance (PFAS) Contaminated Water
Investigators: Multari, Nicholas
Small Business: DMAX Plasma LLC
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: I
Project Period: October 1, 2018 through March 31, 2019
Project Amount: $98,991
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I (2018) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: SBIR - Water , SBIR - Water Quality , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
Description:
Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have received considerable attention due to their toxicity,
ubiquitous presence and recalcitrance. Manufacture and disposal of PFAS-containing products has
resulted in PFAS contamination of numerous water supplies. Recent reports indicate the Air Force
alone is expecting to spend > $2.25 billion for cleanup for PFAS-contaminated sites. Thus, there is a
huge market for technologies that can help remediate sites contaminated by PFASs. Our technology
called an enhanced contact electrical discharge plasma reactor generates aqueous electrons which
chemically reduce PFASs. Recent experiments on PFAS-impacted groundwater from a Department of
Defense site demonstrated that the technology is capable of reducing perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)
and perfluorooctyl sulfonate (PFOS) concentrations to below regulatory limits within 1 minute of
treatment at 1 gallon per minute flowrate. These removal rates are significantly better than those of
leading alternative treatment technologies and treatment costs are significantly lower. Funding has
been obtained to field demonstrate the reactor and two consulting firms active in PFAS remediation
are strong supporters of the technology. This proposal is aimed at eliminating the final hurdles towards
a commercially viable reactor: improving the design of the plasma producing electrical circuit so it can
operate more efficiently and continuously with minimum downtime.
Supplemental Keywords:
PFAS, technology, remediation, groundwaterProgress and Final Reports:
SBIR Phase II:
An Enhanced Contact Plasma Reactor: A Competitive Remediation Technology for Per- and Perfluoroalkyl Substance (PFAS) Contaminated Water | Final ReportThe 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.