Numerous treatment technologies for the destruction of PFAS have been and are currently being developed for a variety of PFAS-impacted matrices. These technologies are at varying stages of development ranging from bench-scale (e.g., microcosms, columns, single reactors) to field-scale units (e.g., mobile treatment trailers, packed bed systems, etc.). Many of these technologies have proven to destroy PFAS, but primarily in the laboratory and under a limited set of conditions.
To move these technologies forward to larger scales, additional research is needed. Laboratory and pilot-scale studies conducted under a range of solution and geologic conditions will aid in identifying which technologies are best suited for a full field demonstration alone or as part of a treatment train. Data collected in these studies will also identify parameters within those technologies that can be optimized to allow more effective and efficient treatment at the field scale. Technology evaluations and their role within a treatment train need to include quantifying fluorine mole balances and consider formation of secondary byproducts (e.g., perchlorate, chlorate), ease of implementation, technical and economic scalability, and energy requirements.
In addition, it is critical to gain a fundamental or holistic understanding of how these technologies function for a variety of PFAS-impacted sources including i) aqueous streams (groundwater, surface water), ii) soils and sediments, and iii) concentrates (AFFF, reject water, regenerants, and still bottoms). By using consistent sources of PFAS-impacted matrices to test these technologies, comparison of treatment technologies will be more effective. The benefits of this approach include facilitation of greater inclusivity of new technologies, avoiding hurdles related to site access, and avoiding inconsistencies between comparisons due to different sources.