Onsite PFAS Removal with Ozone Foam Fractionation (FF)
BREAK FREE FROM PFAS™
The Olift™ Continuous Foam Fractionation 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 Foam Fractionation employs both ozone and air to create microbubbles 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 Foam Fractionation 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 E2METRIX’s Obreakt® Electro-Oxidation (EO) process designed for onsite PFAS destruction. The retentate can be set to discharge or go through a media polishing step.
The Olift Foam Fractionation 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.
The E2METRIX 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 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 ObreakTM Electro-Oxidation (EO) process for onsite PFAS destruction.
The Continuous Olift Foam Fractionation process is unique among air-only foam fractionation methods.
Ozone, selectively used, creates microbubbles with more surface area than air bubbles, enhancing PFAS removal efficiencies.
Ozone oxidizes co-contaminants, reducing competition for downstream treatment such as polishing and destruction.
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
