Removal of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Using Regenerable Resin Technology
Rebecca Dietz
(Arizona State University)
Contamination of groundwater and other drinking water sources by Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) associated with aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF) is of growing concern. These substances have been reported to bioaccumulate, are potentially carcinogenic, and can also cause various other health risks for humans and animals. Due to the increase of PFAS present in groundwater, this study will aim to evaluate ion exchange as an effective removal technology. Currently, there has been limited researched focused on adsorption of PFAS onto ion exchange resin that has been converted from the chloride form. Additionally, research on regeneration efficiency is still conducted in batch and research conducted in column experiments can still be explored for these converted forms of ion exchange resin. In this column study, two columns in parallel were used to evaluate the adsorption of six PFAS chemicals on regenerable resins that have been converted to sulfate form. Furthermore, two regeneration solutions, ammonium sulfate/ammonium hydroxide and ammonium sulfate/methanol, will be studied to evaluate the efficiency to desorb PFAS and regenerate the resins. The two regenerant solutions studied are expected to remove and regenerate the resin with an efficiency greater than 70% due to the combined effects of mixing a salt brine and alcohol, and the mixing of a salt and base brine solution.