Field Demonstration of Infrared Thermal Treatment of PFAS-Contaminated Soils from Subsurface Investigations
Abstract
This study evaluated infrared heating in a small, mobile thermal desorption unit to separate per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from soil. Indirect infrared heating relies on radiant heating and does not require the production or circulation of a carrier gas to heat the soil. Heated gasses were piped through impacted soil. Once gasses cooled, the PFAS were treated on vapor-phase activated carbon (VGAC). The VGAC was returned to the vender for regeneration and PFAS in the VGAC was destroyed during regeneration. Vapors were monitored using C-18 vapor adsorption cartridges. The test demonstrated that thermal desorption at a temperature above 350C is a viable technology for removing PFAS from soil. The removal process is temperature dependent and does not work if the temperature is too low. The test also indicated that VGAC is not suited for treating the air stream from this process. To use VGAC, the vapors must be cooled and dried, and the PFAS appears to drop out the vapor phase in this process. This means that a treatment process for the PFAS needs to maintain the temperature of the gasses throughout the process to keep the PFAS mobile.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 30, 2019
- Accession Number
- AD1134391
Entities
People
- Christopher P Higgins
- James Hatton
- Kavitha D. Jacobs
- Roger Richter
- Tim Fitzpatrick
Organizations
- Battelle Memorial Institute
- Colorado School of Mines