Impact of effluent organic matter on perfluoroalkyl acid removal from wastewater effluent by granular activated carbon and alternative adsorbents

Tajdini, Bahareh; Vatankhah, Hooman; Murray, Conner C.; Liethen, Alexander E.; Bellona, Christopher

doi:10.1016/j.watres.2023.120105

Cited by 11 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 56 publications

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“…In some treatment scenarios where PFAS breakthrough and adsorbent PFAS loading are achieved in a similar timeframe, utilities may even go so far as to preemptively changeout their media based on spent adsorbent PFAS concentration in order to reduce disposal costs associated with more restrictive disposal requirements. Concentrations of PFAS on adsorbent materials will vary as a function adsorption effectiveness which can be attributed to differences in influent PFAS concentration, operating conditions, changeout thresholds, and concentrations of other competing adsorbates (Boyer et al, 2021;Murray et al, 2021Murray et al, , 2023Park et al, 2020;Tajdini et al, 2023;Vatankhah et al, 2022). PFAS concentration factors in membrane concentrate were much lower than those predicted for spent absorbent materials.…”

Section: Pfas Partitioning Into Treatment Residualsmentioning

confidence: 93%

Characterizing PFAS concentrations in drinking water treatment residuals

Murray,

Gorzalski,

Rosenfeldt

et al. 2024

AWWA Water Science

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While drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs) are not considered a source of per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), PFAS concentrate in treatment residuals relative to their source water concentrations. Regulatory actions considered for PFAS‐impacted residuals could affect the cost and viability of conventional residual management practices. This study estimated the annual quantity of residuals generated in the United States and presents a framework for understanding how PFAS may concentrate in these residual streams. Findings of this work indicate that PFAS may substantially impact DWTP residuals management, especially coagulation and softening solids, at concentration factors greater than 100 and spent adsorbents at PFAS concentration factors greater than 10,000. If potential regulatory actions were to apply to coagulation and softening residuals, those regulations must consider impacts on disposal of more than 420,000,000 wet tons of at‐risk DWTP residuals which are generated annually.

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Section: Pfas Partitioning Into Treatment Residualsmentioning

confidence: 93%

Characterizing PFAS concentrations in drinking water treatment residuals

Murray,

Gorzalski,

Rosenfeldt

et al. 2024

AWWA Water Science

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“…9 A comparative study evaluating the efficacy of GAC, AERs, and FS in removing PFAS from wastewater effluent has also been recently completed. 10 These studies highlight the promise of FS as an effective treatment alternative to GAC and AER.…”

Section: ■ Introductionmentioning

confidence: 94%

“…A recent field pilot study comparing various adsorption media also showed that FS outperformed several commercially available GAC and AER products with respect to removal of long-chained PFAS from a groundwater that had approximately 1 mg/L of dissolved organic carbon . A comparative study evaluating the efficacy of GAC, AERs, and FS in removing PFAS from wastewater effluent has also been recently completed . These studies highlight the promise of FS as an effective treatment alternative to GAC and AER.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Application of Rapid, Small-Scale Column Tests to Assess Treatment of Perfluoroalkyl Acids in Groundwater Using A Novel Modified Clay Sorbent

Nguyen

Schaefer

2023

Ind. Eng. Chem. Res.

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Rapid small-scale column tests (RSSCTs) are often used to assess the efficacy of adsorption media, such as granular activated carbon (GAC) and anion exchange resin (AER) in removing perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) from impacted waters. By reducing GAC and AER particle sizes via grinding, RSSCTs allow for enhanced mass transfer and simulation of long-term field or pilot testing in a much shorter time frame under controlled laboratory settings. Fluoro-Sorb (FS), a novel surface-modified organoclay sorbent, has recently been used for removal of PFAAs in drinking water applications and is receiving increased attention as an alternative to GAC or AER. However, unlike GAC and AER products, the appropriateness of employing RSSCTs for assessing PFAA removal from impacted water using ground versus unground (i.e., as-received) FS has not been assessed. Herein, bench-scale column experiments were conducted using FS to preliminarily determine the scaling relationship needed to properly design RSSCTs and to compare the PFAA removal effectiveness to GACs and AERs. With respect to scaling, results indicated that an RSSCT approach assuming constant diffusivity was appropriate for FS. In general, FS outperformed GAC and AER with respect to treatment of long-chained PFAAs. No desorption of organic carbon or quaternary amines or leaching of metals was observed from the FS. However, a slight change in chloride to sulfate mass ratio (CSMR) and high pH excursions were observed, highlighting the need for proper monitoring immediately following FS startup to avoid unwanted changes in water quality.

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