It is widely known that the class of chemicals known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) leads to persistent contamination in water and soil ecosystems, creating one of today’s most pressing environmental challenges. Now, recently published research findings from Texas A&M University have shown that the filtration systems often used in wastewater-recycling processes for drinking water are prone to detrimental PFAS accumulation at higher rates than previously thought. These findings have broader implications beyond primary water treatment processes — PFAS accumulation on end-of-life filters and other treatment media produces a separate, recalcitrant waste stream that must be dealt with. This accumulation also affects long-term filter performance.
Engineers are up for the challenge
As with many other environmental issues over the decades, chemical engineers, chemists and environmental scientists are rising to the challenge, arduously working to develop novel mechanisms for PFAS destruction and water purification, new PFAS-free materials and advanced methods for water monitoring and analysis. Chemical Engineering is covering the surge of innovation surrounding PFAS mitigation from a variety of angles.
Treatment innovations. A number of new technologies aimed at destroying PFAS have emerged in recent years. Chemical Engineering has recently detailed numerous advances in PFAS treatment, including: foam-fractionation for PFAS removal from sewage; PFAS treatment using unique granular-activated-carbon systems; electrostatic PFAS capture; simultaneous removal of PFAS and perchlorates via electro-oxidation; hydrothermal technology for PFAS mineralization; and many more. Underlining the importance of continued PFAS-related innovation, Colorado School of Mines in May launched the $7-million PFAS Remedial Technology Engineering Center, which will bridge academia, industry and federal efforts to “serve as a national hub for the evaluation, validation and advancement of PFAS treatment technologies.” There are also several projects utilizing generative artificial intelligence (AI) to pinpoint new remediation materials, such as catalysts and advanced ion-exchange resins.
Materials science. Despite their environmental impact, PFAS compounds’ stability and durability make them desirable in a number of end-use applications. Now, many producers are looking at ways to decrease their reliance on PFAS through the development of new processes and materials-science breakthroughs that mimic PFAS performance, including: proprietary non-fluorinated textile coatings by AGC Chemicals Americas; PFAS-free photoresist materials for semiconductors by Fujifilm Corp.; new processing technology for PFAS-free piping materials by Sekisui Chemical Co.; a PFAS-free polyamide for engineering plastics by Asahi Kasei Corp.; and more. Additionally, earlier this year, the University of Southern Denmark and TU Graz launched a three-year research initiative to develop a PEM (proton exchange membrane) electrolysis process that requires no PFAS-based membranes and significantly less iridium.
Chemical Engineering will continue to stay abreast of the latest advances and state-of-the-art technologies being developed to help alleviate environmental issues caused by PFAS.
Mary Page Bailey, Senior Editor