The Problem
“Emerging Contaminants of Concern”, is what PFAS was called just a few years ago. Today they have emerged to the forefront of the fight for clean water. It is everywhere, in drinking water, municipal water systems, landfills, airports and military bases. Recent reporting indicates PFAS contamination has impaired over 50% of the Nation’s drinking water supply. PFAS represents an existential threat to our health and the health of future generations.
The Solution
NuQuatics proven Galvanic Collection, Concentration and Destruction (CCD) technologies are the low-cost wholly effective solution. The NuQuatic Advantage process leverages the simple, natural galvanic properties of dissimilar metals to collect and concentrate PFAS effluent from 1,000 to 5,000 times influent water volume, which is then processed through our electrochemical destruction process. This large concentration step dramatically reduces the cost of destruction, making the overall CCD process a solution for PFAS removal and destruction.
How It Works
INTRODUCTION
When two dissimilar metals are connected or in an electrical circuit with one another, an electrochemical reaction occurs. One metal protects the other and becomes a sacrificial anode similar to how zinc anodes protect sensitive electronics on a marine vessel. Early on, our scientists recognized the potential of this naturally occurring reaction to intentionally introduce specific metal ions into solution without having to use a salt of that metal. The patented NuQuatic process has been developed and designed to control and manage the galvanic reaction to treat efficiently and effectively for a host of containments, including PFAS. The full PFAS treatment is accomplished in a series of elegantly simple, designed process steps.
COLLECTION
In the case of PFAS chemicals, initial collection or removal from the water is accomplished by introducing charged Aluminum ions into solution. These ions in water are hydrolyzed to Aluminum Hydroxide forming nearly invisible particulates. The resultant micro-particulates are presented in a highly electrically and physically adsorbent state, thus readily available for attachment to alternatively charged PFAS molecules.
CONCENTRATION
When the optimum conditions are reached, the PFAS containing particulates are flocculated with a polymeric flocculant which gathers all the particulates together in a coagulation or agglomeration process. These agglomerates settle and a purpose-built clarifier is utilized to separate the solids and the water. This results in a concentration ratio of 1000 to 5000 times the original PFAS concentration contaminated influent waters.
DESTRUCTION
Upon the completion of the consolidation process, the PFAS laden slury is then treated in our proprietary electrolytic process. This process utilizes condition specific electrode materials for maximum efficiency and performance With the addition of minor dosing of supportive chemistry, sulfate and hydroxide radicals are formed assisting in the destruction of PFAS and related byproducts. Validated performance has reflected full destruction and mineralization of PFAS and its byproducts.
TECHNOLOGY + PERFORMANCE COMPARISON
See how our technology and performance compares to industry options.
Removal & Complete Destruction | (3) | (3) | (3) | (3) | (3) | (3)(5) | (3) |
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Low Cost Solution | (1) | (2) | ||||||
Low PPT Effluent | ||||||||
Compact Footprint | ||||||||
Scalable: Leachate to Potable | (5) | |||||||
Rapid Deployment | ||||||||
Minimal Waste Generation | (4) |
(1) Including Cost of Carbon Disposal
(2) Including Cost of IX Resin Disposal
(3) No Destruction
(4) No PFA Waste
(5) No PFA Removal
Meets Criteria
Meets Some
Does Not Meet
(1) Including Cost of Carbon Disposal
(2) Including Cost of IX Resin Disposal
(3) No Destruction
(4) No PFA Waste
(5) No PFA Removal
Meets Criteria
Meets Some
Does Not Meet