VAlue proposition
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are manmade chemicals used in various industrial and consumer products such as firefighting foams, household cleaners, and vapor suppressants. They have a unique property in being able to repel both oil and water due to their hydrophilic and hydrophobic components. While there are hundreds (if not 1000s) of PFASs and potential precursor compounds, the commonly known groups are the perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs), the perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs) and the perfluorosulfonic acids (PFSAs). Within these are 13 different carbon chain lengths with the 8 carbon chains constituents, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) being of most interest in the recent years due to their concerns on the environment and human health. Improved methods of remediation are desired to reduce exposure to these chemicals.
Description of Technology
For remediation, unlike other oxidative techniques, electrochemical oxidation (EO) does not involve the use of additional chemicals or pH adjustments. EO works by direct and indirect oxidation of pollutants in solution using an applied current to an electrode surface. To break down these contaminants, high current and voltage is needed; limiting the availability of electrode materials. One of the most commonly explored electrode materials for EO is boron-doped diamond (BDD). BDD can withstand the required high current and potential while also behaving as a weak absorber of hydroxyl radicals. This can be especially beneficial in indirect oxidation processes.
One main concern of the EO process is the high energy consumption and its associated costs. In general, EO requires a larger capital investment compared to other technologies as well (primarily due to electrode cost). Considering this and the implications for scale-up, all possibilities to reduce operating costs (energy consumption, efficient reactor design, ect.) must be investigated.
This technology is a combined current density technique for EO treatment and subsequent degradation of PFOA. Because the current density can be reduced throughout EO treatment of PFOA, overall energy consumption decreases without compensating performance. Consequently, this increases current efficiency while creating a more economically stable EO procedure for degradation of PFOA and other PFASs.
Benefits
Applications
IP Status
US Patent# 12,391,583
LICENSING RIGHTS AVAILABLE
Full licensing rights available
INVENTORS: Thomas Schuelke, Mary Ensch, Michael Becker, Cory Rusinek
Tech ID: TEC2019-0112