Onsite PFAS Removal with Ozone Foam Fractionation (FF)

BREAK FREE FROM PFAS™

 

The Continuous Foam Fractionation Olift™ System uses a patented process for cost-effective onsite removal and concentration of PFAS from contaminated waters, including reverse osmosis concentrates, wastewaters, groundwaters, and landfill leachates.

Olift™ employs both ozone and air to create smaller bubbles (micro-bubbles) that have a higher surface area and electrostatic charge compared to systems using only air, improving PFAS removal and concentration factors. Ozone and/or air bubbles are introduced into a PFAS-contaminated water stream inside an Olift column, specifically designed and optimized for PFAS removal. Each PFAS molecule has a hydrophilic head and a hydrophobic tail, causing alignment and concentration at the gas-water interface on the bubble surface.

These small bubbles, containing PFAS, rise to the water surface and form a concentrated foam at the top of the column, leaving behind relatively PFAS-free treated water (retentate) with up to 99% targeted PFAS removal. The foam is then separated, collapsed and concentrated, allowing for a more economic destruction. The foam enriched with PFAS typically constitutes between 1% and 10% of the treated influent, which reduces the size and energy requirements for Obreak™, E2METRIX’s Electro-Oxidation (EO) process designed for onsite PFAS destruction. The retentate can be set to discharge or a media polishing step.

These small bubbles, along with the PFAS, rise to the water surface and form a concentrated foam, or foamate, at the top of a column, leaving relatively PFAS-free retentate (up to 99% removal of targeted PFAS). The foamate is separated and collapsed, and can be sent for more economical destruction. The small volume of foamate enriched with PFAS is generally between 1% and 10% of the influent treated, significantly reducing the size and energy requirements of Obreak™, E2METRIX’s Electro-Oxidation (EO) process for onsite PFAS destruction.

The Olift™ Process

Integrated PFAS Destruction Solutions for Municipalities and Industries

Common treatments for removing PFAS from water include separation (reverse osmosis) and adsorption (granular-activated carbon or ion exchange resin). However, these approaches merely capture PFAS from water into reverse osmosis concentrate or into PFAS contaminated media, resulting in PFAS waste streams that must be dealt with separately. These approaches are proving to be expensive and come with additional risks, including potential release of captured PFAS back into the environment.

Municipalities and industries must plan for the final disposal of captured PFAS. Onsite destruction offers greater confidence by minimizing exposure and risk. E2METRIX’s Olift™ Continuous Foam Fractionation process can be integrated into most flow sheets for PFAS removal and concentration. When combined with Obreak™ Electro-Oxidation, it provides complete onsite removal, concentration, and destruction. Our engineers and field technicians are ready to help develop optimal treatment approaches to eliminate PFAS from waste streams and water supplies while reducing solid waste liabilities.

The Olift™ Continuous Foam Fractionation process is unique amongst air-only foam fractionation methods:

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Ozone, selectively utilized, creates smaller micro-bubbles with more surface area than air bubbles enhancing PFAS removal efficiencies.
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Ozone oxidizes co-contaminants, reducing competition for downstream treatment like polishing and destruction.
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The process operates continuously rather than in batches for uninterrupted and steady state operations.
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Fully automated with remote operation and monitoring.
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Effective for removing PFAS from various water sources including reverse osmosis concentrates, landfill leachates, industrial wastewater, military wastes, groundwater, and drinking water.

Comparison of Air Vs. Ozone
in Continuous Foam Fractionation

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