Enhanced Oxidative Destruction of PFAS in Investigation Derived Waste Soil and Water
Abstract
Our team tested an ex-situ, on-site destructive technology for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) present in soil and water investigation-derived waste (IDW). Our proof-of-concept study demonstrates that PFAS, including recalcitrant compounds such as PFOS and PFBA, can be destroyed by chemical oxidation with OxyZone(registered trademark) when combined with foamation/UV irradiation. The treatment is further aided by a low cost, patented non-toxic, biodegradable XCTe(registered trademark) solution which promotes the desorption of PFAS from soil. Our approach not only addresses PFAS in soil and water but has also been found to degrade co-contaminants in prior studies, such as 1,4-Dioxane, polynuclear aromatics, chloroethenes, chloroethanes. Importantly, there is evidence that this technology also mineralizes a broad range of currently difficult to quantify PFAS compounds. Further, we examined the cost effectiveness, including potential limitations and risks of our treatment approach and compared it to current disposal methods, mainly incineration. Our estimates indicate that our technology likely is less costly and has a lower ecological footprint relative to incineration. However, no full-scale tests have been performed so far to back-up our estimates. Potential limitations of our combined soil/water treatment approach include: 1) soil treatment is not applicable to high organic content soils, such as peat or clayey soils 2) water treatment is not applicable to high salinity or high alkalinity water, and 3) treated water may not be discharged back into a drinking water supply aquifer, but could be discharged to the wastewater stream, depending on local regulations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2020
- Accession Number
- AD1134375
Entities
People
- Raymond Ball
- Thomas B Boving
Organizations
- University of Rhode Island