Grantee Research Project Results

An Enhanced Contact Plasma Reactor: A Competitive Remediation Technology for Per- and Perfluoroalkyl Substance (PFAS) Contaminated Water

EPA Contract Number: 68HERC20C0008
Title: 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: II
Project Period: November 1, 2019 through October 31, 2021 (Extended to October 31, 2022)
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase II (2019) Recipients Lists
Research Category: SBIR - Water Quality , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)

Description:

Manufacture and disposal of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) containing-products including the historical use of aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) formulations containing PFAS 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. Our technology, based on the generation of electrical discharge plasma, is the most effective and efficient destructive technology available today for degrading PFAS. Recent experiments on PFAS-impacted groundwater from a Department of Defense site demonstrated that the technology (current treatment capacity is 0.1-2 gallon per minute (gpm)) is capable of reducing perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctyl sulfonate (PFOS) concentrations to below regulatory limits within 1 minute of treatment at 1 gpm flowrate. These removal rates are significantly better than those of leading alternative treatment technologies and treatment costs are significantly lower. The plasma-based treatment generates aqueous and hot electrons which chemically reduce PFAS with terminal byproducts that include fluoride ions, inorganic carbon and smaller organic acids thus generating no waste that requires further treatment.

The SBIR Phase II work is aimed towards developing a commercially viable plasma-based PFAS treatment system. The goal of the project is to increase the treatment capacity of the current plasma system that was optimized as part of our Phase I SBIR work from 2 to 10 gpm in an easily reproducible modular design and to develop guidelines for further system scale up from 10 to 100 gpm. Expanded R&D activity performed under the Commercialization Option will include the integration of our scaled-up 10 gpm system into a mobile trailer and its field demonstration.

DMAX Plasma LLC is currently working with partners to validate the 2 gpm plasma reactor system through pilot projects at military installations with PFAS contamination issues. The company’s goal is to prove the efficacy of the treatment technology in these pilot projects and through Phase II work develop a larger capacity PFAS treatment system. Based upon successful execution of these projects, DMAX Plasma LLC will employ a direct sales model to sell units to its initial target market, environmental engineering firms involved in remediation projects, for the period 2019 – 2021. Marketing will leverage industry conferences, existing relationships, and outbound sales efforts. Beyond 2021, DMAX Plasma LLC will continue to directly sell units to environmental engineering firms and this source of revenue will be augmented by sales through channel partners.

Supplemental Keywords:

PFAS, technology, remediation, groundwater

Progress and Final Reports:

Final Report

SBIR Phase I:

An Enhanced Contact Plasma Reactor: A Competitive Remediation Technology for Per- and Perfluoroalkyl Substance (PFAS) Contaminated Water  | Final Report