Grantee Research Project Results

2020 Progress Report: Electron Beam Technology for Destruction of Short-Chain and Perfluoroalkyl Substances in Groundwater, Wastewater, Sewage Sludges, and Soils

EPA Grant Number: R839650
Title: Electron Beam Technology for Destruction of Short-Chain and Perfluoroalkyl Substances in Groundwater, Wastewater, Sewage Sludges, and Soils
Investigators: Pillai, Suresh D , Staack, David , Sharma, Virender , Houtz, Erica
Current Investigators: Pillai, Suresh D , Staack, David , Sharma, Virender , Houtz, Erica , Juriasingani, Purshotam
Institution: Texas A&M Agricultural Research and Extension Center , Arcadis U.S. Inc.
Current Institution: Texas A&M Agricultural Research and Extension Center , Arcadis U.S. Inc. , Tetra Tech Inc.
EPA Project Officer: Hahn, Intaek
Project Period: September 1, 2019 through August 31, 2022 (Extended to February 29, 2024)
Project Period Covered by this Report: September 1, 2019 through August 31,2020
Project Amount: $899,164
RFA: Practical Methods to Analyze and Treat Emerging Contaminants (PFAS) in Solid Waste, Landfills, Wastewater/Leachates, Soils, and Groundwater to Protect Human Health and the Environment (2018) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Drinking Water , Water Quality , Human Health , Water , PFAS Treatment

Objective:

The specific objectives are:

To characterize and quantify the effectiveness of eBeam technology at degrading short-chain and perfluoroalkyl substances in PFAS-contaminated groundwater, wastewater, sewage sludges and soils

To develop a mechanistic understanding of eBeam-mediated breakdown of short chain PFAS eg., perfluoroheptanoate (PFHpA) in a groundwater and drinking water matrix

To perform an economic and technology feasibility analyses for a transportable eBeam treatment technology platform for ex-situ PFAS remediation

Progress Summary:

The post-doctoral research associate and a M.S. graduate student has been hired to work on the project.

The QAPP document was prepared and has been approved.
Preliminary studies show that eBeam doses of 1000 kGy can break down all reportable PFAS in landfill leachates except PFBS.
Data from mechanistic studies indicate that the 7-carbon PFHpA degradation by eBeam irradiation conditions follows a first order kinetics and that aqueous (solvated) electrons are the principle radiolytic species influencing PFHpA breakdown.
A provisional patent application has been submitted.

Future Activities:

Continue mechanistic studies to understand the breakdown kinetics, breakdown products of PFHpA
Initiate studies to understand whether PFAS degradation products during eBeam irradiation are toxic
Initiate high dose eBeam irradiation studies to identify efficiency of PFAS degradation in biosolids, landfill leachates, soils, and groundwater

Journal Articles:

No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 10 publications for this project

Supplemental Keywords:

ionizing irradiation, high-energy electron beam, eBeam, pFHpA, linear accelerator, dose

Relevant Websites:

none to date; website will be constructed and launched soon

Progress and Final Reports:

Original Abstract

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.