PFAS Removal Technologies
Mapping next-generation adsorbents and catalytic deconstruction methods to help a major municipal water authority achieve regulatory compliance for "forever chemicals" at scale and sustainable cost.
Client
Major Municipal Water Authority
Objective
Identify Performant & Cost-Effective Solutions
Timeline
10-Week Program
Key Focus
Safe Water Supply
The Challenge: Eradicating "Forever Chemicals"
Traditional methods struggle to remove persistent PFAS compounds to the required parts-per-trillion levels. Meeting stringent new regulations demands breakthrough materials and processes that solve three key problems.
Sorbent Regeneration & Disposal
Spent filter media must be regenerated or safely destroyed without re-releasing captured PFAS back into the environment.
PPT-Level Removal at Scale
Solutions must deliver consistent parts-per-trillion removal across high-throughput municipal treatment plants (50–200 ML/day).
Cost Competitiveness
Operational costs, including energy and media replacement, must be competitive with legacy activated carbon systems.
Execution Strategy in 5 Phases
Weeks 1-2: Technology Scan
Reviewed 3,200 patents and 850 articles to shortlist 45 candidate technologies.
Weeks 3-5: Technical Dossiers
Compiled performance data and built comparative scoring templates for capacity and regenerability.
Weeks 6-7: SME Interviews
Conducted 12 in-depth interviews with water-treatment engineers, chemists, and regulators.
Weeks 8-9: Economic & Operational Modelling
Developed lifecycle-cost models for top 15 technologies and simulated performance in a reference plant.
Week 10: Final Prioritisation
Delivered ranked recommendations for the top 8 solutions with a phased deployment plan.
Strategic Impact: A Clear Roadmap to PFAS-Free Water
Armed with our findings, the water authority initiated pilot installations of the top two regenerable adsorbents and an electro-Fenton module. Early data shows >99% PFAS removal to non-detectable levels with a 50% reduction in media replacement frequency, positioning the authority as a leader in safe water delivery.