Removal and destruction of PFAS from contaminated water streams by adsorption onto activated carbon and subsequent reactivation of the saturated activated carbon

The interaction between PFAS, the water matrix, and activated carbon is discussed, and design criteria for the filtration stage are developed. Compared to the more conventional adsorption of volatile organic compounds, a contact time of at least 30 minutes should be provided. Highly microporous activated carbons are effective for short-chain PFAS, and agglomerated activated carbons for long-chain PFAS. The reactivation of saturated activated carbon in Desotec's industrial reactors is highly efficient and acts as a PFAS pollutant sink. The destruction and removal efficiency of PFAS was measured at over 99.97%, based on a mass balance with 24 PFAS species on the activated carbon, ash, and scrubber phase, and 39 species in the gas phase, including products of incomplete combustion. The corresponding fluorine mass balance across the industrial reactor and flue gas aftertreatment was within 96%. Finally, practical case studies are explained.