PFAS Reductive Defluorination: A Scalable Solution for Permanent Destruction

Witt , Suzanne

Permalink

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/121787 Copy

Description

Title

PFAS Reductive Defluorination: A Scalable Solution for Permanent Destruction

Author(s)

Witt , Suzanne

Issue Date

2023-04-19

Keyword(s)

• PFAS
• forever chemicals
• defluorination

Abstract

Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) are ubiquitous in the environment due to decades of widespread commercial use. Technologies that permanently destroy PFAS at the source area are highly sought for their ability to meet increasing regulatory pressure on these ‘forever chemicals’ and mitigate future related liabilities. In this talk, case studies will be presented that demonstrate the effectiveness of a new PFAS destruction technology for waters: reductive defluorination. PFAS destruction by reductive defluorination is safe, highly efficient, and amenable to a wide range of environmental conditions and water types. Inexpensive reagents that act to sequester PFAS in a reactive cage are added to a wastewater solution. Upon exposure to ultraviolet light, solvated electrons that have sufficient energy to defluorinate PFAS are generated in solution, resulting in free fluoride ions, non-toxic carbon compounds, and water. Permanent destruction of PFAS by this process eliminates the cost to dispose of or further treat spent media that is generated using current filtration and adsorption remediation strategies.A discussion of scalability and limitations of the destruction process will also be included.

Has Part

https://youtu.be/PWFIwK-NSJg

Series/Report Name or Number

2023 Emerging Contaminants in the Environment Conference

Type of Resource

• text
• moving image

Language

eng

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