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SERDP PFAS Thermal Treatment Project Call: Multi-Scale Evaluation of PFAS Thermal Destruction Requirements (ER21-1288)
Citation:
Shields, E., Jonathan D. Krug, AND B. Gullett. SERDP PFAS Thermal Treatment Project Call: Multi-Scale Evaluation of PFAS Thermal Destruction Requirements (ER21-1288). SERDP PFAS Thermal Treatment Update Call, NA, NC, November 18, 2021.
Impact/Purpose:
PFAS are a unique and stable class of compounds that are useful in a large number of applications. These traits have led to PFAS being present in numerous waste streams and products, like aqueous film forming foams (AFFF). It has been found that PFAS can bioaccumulate and can have harmful effects in humans and other animals. PFAS in the gas phase also can contribute to global warming. It is important to find methods to destroy PFAS without emitting harmful PFAS or products of incomplete destruction. A short project udate about current investigations into the incineration of PFAS and the development of a method to help determine incinerators' efficacies for PFAS destruction are outlined here, and some preliminary results are shown. Determining the temperatures and residence times needed to completely destroy PFAS is vital to ensure PFAS and PFAS by-products are not released into the environment. This information is important for the Department of Defense, local communites, and the general public.
Description:
ORD/CEMM received funding from SERDP, project ER21-1288, to investigate the time and temperature requirements to completely destroy PFAS, mineralization. For this project update call, a brief update on the technical approach, current results, and other news is presented. General experimental planning and analytical methods are explained to inform SERDP and other researchers the ORD's approach to this investigation. The surrogate method, using a substitute molecule to determine how well the incinerator will destroy PFAS, is explained too. Preliminary data about the destruction of fluorocarbons, tetrafluoromethane and hexafluoroethane, in the Rainbow furnace are shown along with initial observations from burning AFFF.