Electrically Assisted Sorption and Desorption of PFAS
Abstract
There are more than 4,000 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), many of which have been used in aqueous film-forming forms (AFFF) for firefighting activities at DoD sites across the US. The growing presence of PFAS in surface and groundwater is raising concern due to their potential toxicity to humans. As a result, the US EPA and several states have set health advisory goals or regulatory limits on many PFAS. Since PFAS are stable and persistent in the environment, contaminated sites face numerous remediation challenges. Among ex situ treatment options, granular activated carbon (GAC) adsorption is a widely used approach, wherein groundwater is pumped through beds of GAC before being reintroduced into the aquifer. Many long-chain PFAS adsorb well to GAC because of their moderate to high hydrophobicity. Some PFAS, especially short-chain species, do not adsorb well to GAC, resulting in limited removal if treatment criteria are based on long-chain PFAS removal or high GAC use rates if short-chain PFAS removal is targeted. The objective of this limited-scope project was to determine if PFAS adsorption to activated carbon (AC) by applying low levels of electricity.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 29, 2020
- Accession Number
- AD1134342
Entities
People
- Detlef R Knappe
- Douglas Call
Organizations
- North Carolina State University