This project will establish the Center for PFAS Remedial Technology Engineering (Center) to address critical needs in implementing screening and treatment technologies for environmental sites impacted by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The Center will coordinate efforts among academic research groups, industry, and engineering consulting firms to evaluate both established and novel PFAS treatment technologies for their field performance readiness at various scales. Building from relevant Department of War (DoW) and Environmental Protection Agency guidance, this effort will provide an independent assessment of the field performance readiness (FPR) classes of PFAS treatment technologies using a detailed and peer-reviewed assessment protocol. The Center will provide testing and validation opportunities for PFAS technologies while serving as an incubation space for novel technologies.

In close collaboration with DoW PFAS subject matter experts, extensive dossiers on various PFAS treatment technologies will be compiled, a standardized evaluation matrix and technology readiness evaluation protocol will be developed, data gap assessments will be performed, and, when possible, additional bench and/or pilot-scale testing to address critical data gaps needed to move technologies to higher FPR classes will be conducted. The Center will seek input and feedback from outside experts and field practitioners, and will disseminate findings through user-friendly, web-based platforms that can be easily updated as new information becomes available. The formal and independent review of PFAS technologies will validate and advance the readiness of promising technologies and support their successful commercialization. The formation of this Center will provide a collaborative framework for rapid development and assessment of cost-effective and scalable technologies, and a roadmap for metrics needed for technology vendors and start-ups to advance and commercialize their products. Anticipated products include compendiums on various PFAS treatment and management technologies, assessments of their current FPR classes, and a path for technological advancement. The Center will initially focus on PFAS treatment technologies for aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) concentrates as well as groundwater and soil impacted by AFFF, though it will also explore the potential for existing technologies to be applied to PFAS-impacted wastewaters and biosolids.

The Center will establish an applied technology readiness evaluation protocol to enable the practical assessment and deployment of products designed to treat PFAS-impacted media. While the Center will primarily work with technologies that are already developed, opportunities to validate technologies at a bench or pilot scale will be a significant contribution of the Center. The developed compendiums will include data from the bench to field-scale, and while prior DoW-funded technologies will be a focus, a much broader survey of PFAS treatment technologies will be completed. Technology development and validation efforts will enable more rapid and cost-effective commercialization of promising products for assessment and treatment of PFAS-impacted installations.

Expected benefits of the Center are enhanced technology development and validation for commercialization. Numerous PFAS treatment technologies exist at various stages of readiness. Some are still in the development stage and require demonstration and validation through benchtop or pilot-scale testing. Others are currently operating at field scale, but face special challenges with various matrices or operating conditions. The initiatives of this project are designed to advance products at all stages of readiness, while providing the DoW and other stakeholders with a compendium of products that are currently available and a clear path for increasing field performance readiness. This effort will also provide the DoW with a higher level of confidence related to performance claims made by technology developers. Successful completion of this project will ultimately lead to more cost effective PFAS management, directly benefiting the warfighter and installation communities. (Anticipated Project Completion - 2028)