Demonstration projects are sought for technologies that can be utilized for the destruction of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) concentrates. Given the complex composition of AFFF, combined technologies or treatment train approaches are of interest. The following issues must be addressed in the proposal and during the demonstration: 

• Proposals must clearly state performance metrics. Proposers must include a completed Table 1 from the ESTCP Demonstration Plan Guidance. At a minimum, performance metrics associated with the following metrics must be included:
  • A fluorine mass balance assessment based on measured per- and polyfluoroalkl substance (PFAS) concentrations
  • Destruction efficiency based on mass removal
  • General unit cost estimates to include all utility requirements
  • Technology specific operational metrics
• Analytical methodologies must be clearly delineated in the proposal. Utilization of EPA Method 1633 by an ELAP-certified laboratory is required for all PFAS analyses. For any technology that may generate vapors, EPA Method OTM 45 and OTM 50 must be utilized.
• Technologies must be demonstrated at near commercial-scale; small-scale efforts are not of interest.
• Relatively rapid demonstrations (<24 months total period of performance) are of most interest. 

Demonstrations should address technical and/or regulatory issues that inhibit the widespread use of the proposed technology across the DoD enterprise. Proposals should address the federal, state, and local regulatory issues applicable to the demonstration technology. All proposals should have a clear statement as to the final disposition of the treatment residuals from the project. ESTCP supports demonstrations at a scale sufficient to determine the operational performance of the remediation technology and to estimate its expected full-scale capital and operation and maintenance (O&M) costs. Full-scale cleanup of specific sites is not performed under ESTCP. Specific DoD demonstration site(s) may be suggested in the pre-proposal, but are not required.

Results from this work will provide the DoD with an improved capability to cost-effectively manage legacy AFFF concentrates.

ESTCP has supported the demonstration of a number of technologies and combined technologies designed for management and treatment of PFAS-impacted soils and waters. While specific ESTCP projects related to the destruction of AFFF concentrate are limited, proposers should be familiar with the ESTCP portfolio of technologies and tools in order to avoid duplication of previous efforts and expand upon previous research both in terms of scope and scale. Project descriptions are available on the ESTCP website.