Problem

The PFAS Destruction Dilemma

PFASs (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a group of over 10,000 man-made fluorinated chemicals whose widespread use has led to environmental contamination around the world. The chemicals remain in the environment, are called “forever chemicals” and accumulate in our bodies. PFASs exposure has been linked with low birth weight, cancer, immune system disruption, organ damage, infertility, and other health issues. Widespread contamination of drinking water sources has been detected in the U.S. and millions of Americans may have PFAS-contaminated drinking water.

PFASs cannot be broken down with conventional water treatment processes. Current commercial processes adapted for PFAS treatment are carbon adsorption, single-use anion exchange and reverse osmosis (RO). The RO process generates a membrane reject that is typically 10- 15% of the total treated water volume. The carbon and anion- exchange filtration processes are non-destructive, expensive, not effective for all PFAS chemicals and simply transfer the PFAS and other contaminants to a media. This media waste then needs to be transported off- site for high temperature regeneration, disposal at a suitable landfill or high temperature incineration. Due to the uncertainty of PFAS destruction, incineration is being banned in many locations. Many landfills are refusing to accept PFAS waste due to leaching concerns and possible CERCLA classification. Thus, there is an immediate need for on-site PFAS destruction provided by OXbyEL’s Electrolyzer technology that is effective for all  chemicals including PFAS, does not generate a secondary waste stream or harmful emissions, and is low cost.

OXbyEL uses conventional low-pressure reverse osmosis processes in combination with its proprietary and proven electrolyzer resulting in zero liquid discharge.  OXbyEL treats the membrane reject with its Electrolyzer completing on-site destruction of the contaminants, and returning the treated reject as added water to the treatment process, or it can be allocated as a side stream for an intended beneficial use.