PFAS and it’s limits
As PFAS dangers become clearer, global regulatory bodies are intensifying efforts to limit and treat contamination. The EU plans to ban non-essential PFAS uses by 2025, Germany has set strict drinking water limits, and the Netherlands aims to phase out PFAS by 2030.
In the US, the EPA has proposed new regulations to limit PFAS levels in drinking water, specifically targeting two of the most studied chemicals, PFOA and PFOS, aiming for near-zero limits. Despite progress, high costs and technical challenges hinder effective treatment. Increased federal funding and research are addressing these issues.
Industries like chemical manufacturing, metal plating, petroleum refining, and the military face significant challenges due to evolving regulations and costly litigation. Stricter directives for managing discharges and contamination have heightened the demand for effective PFAS treatment solutions.
So what can be done to remove PFAS from our environment?
Step 1: Concentrating PFAS
First, PFAS needs to be concentrated from the water. PFAS molecules are highly stable, with strong carbon-fluorine bonds, making them resistant to breakdown by conventional treatment processes. Traditional methods like coagulation and filtration can work, but are less suitable due to the chemical nature of PFAS. Alternatives, such as activated carbon, ion exchange, and reverse osmosis, are used by Nijhuis Saur Industries. These methods remove PFAS effectively, though they leave a water stream with residual PFAS, and issues such as the need to replace carbon regularly and the resulting high CO2 footprint make them less practical long-term.
Step 2: Oxidation
The second step involves oxidizing PFAS. However, this is a challenging task because of the stability of the carbon-fluorine bond. High temperatures or strong oxidizing or reducing conditions are required. Electrochemical oxidation and supercritical water oxidation show promise for breaking down PFAS more efficiently. These technologies are actively being tested and a demo unit is being build by Nijhuis Saur Industries.
Incineration or alternatives
An alternative to these methods is incinerating the PFAS, but to be able to achieve this, the temperature must be over 1,200°C. Currently, only a few American and European facilities can handle this. If North America and Europe were the first to suddenly remove PFAS from all water, the existing incineration infrastructure wouldn’t suffice. Just like the early days of electric cars without charging stations, there’s a need to invest in new incineration plants to fully address the PFAS destruction challenge.
In parallel, new destruction technologies are being tested to destruct PFAS at the source and prohibit transport of concentrated PFAS over long distances to incineration facilities.
Nijhuis Saur Industries is progressing despite infrastructure and regulatory challenges. We operate mobile systems for PFAS removal using activated carbon or ion exchange and are testing resin regeneration methods. We’re also investing in destruction methods for concentrated PFAS streams and exploring selective adsorbents for various water types.
Get to know our Mobile Water Solutions for PFAS Removal
“Our mobile plug-and-play systems target specific PFAS compounds and contamination levels,” says Stef de Buck, Sales & Business Development Manager Belgium at NSI Mobile Water Solutions. “We collaborate closely with clients to develop tailored treatment approaches.”
NSI offers an extensive range of services, including:
Water sampling and analysis: Real-time monitoring to ensure regulatory compliance.
Advanced treatment technologies: Using granular activated carbon (GAC), ion exchange (IX) resins, dissolved air flotation (DAF), Ultra filtration (UF) or Reverse Osmosis (RO) to remove PFAS from various water sources.
Pilot testing services: Evaluating and optimizing treatment solutions before full-scale investment.
End-to-end solutions: System sizing, equipment provision, installation oversight, operational support, and regulatory compliance assistance.
Facing PFAS challenges head-on, NSI offers proactive and proven treatment solutions as global regulations tighten. With the EU potentially banning all intentionally added PFAS, industries are significantly impacted. NSI stands out with innovative technologies, rapid deployment, and global expertise.
From pilot testing to full-scale implementation, NSI integrates seamlessly into clients’ operations, providing tailored, site-specific strategies. As public scrutiny intensifies, NSI helps companies meet environmental obligations while maintaining operational continuity. Partnering with NSI ensures compliance without compromising business needs.