PERFLUOROALKYL AND POLYFLUOROALKYL ABSORBENT MATERIALS AND METHODS OF USE

Abstract

Absorbent materials treated with ions, salts, oxides, hydroxides, or carbonates of calcium, magnesium, strontium, or barium are described. These materials are useful for removing perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoro-2-(heptafluoropropoxy)propanoate, and 1,2,2,2-tetrafluoroethyl heptafluoropropyl ether, and similar compounds, from liquids and gases. The absorbent materials with the described treatments offer improved performance compared to untreated absorbent materials.

Description

PERFLUOROALKYL AND POLYFLUOROALKYL ABSORBENT MATERIALS AND METHODS OF USE RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority over the United States provisional application serial number 62 / 828,790 filed on April 3, 2019, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. BACKGROUND Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of compounds that include perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), and compounds produced by the GENX process, such as 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoro-2-(heptafluoropropoxy)propanoate and 1,2,2,2-tetrafluoroethyl heptafluoropropyl ether. These highly fluorinated compounds enjoyed widespread industrial use for many years due to their chemical durability, excellent surfactant properties, and key role as precursors to fluoropolymers, including polytetrafluoroethylene. Unfortunately, these same properties make PFAS resistant to degradation in the environment, while simultaneously leading to bioaccumulation when ingested over time. Some recent studies have linked PFAS to several adverse health effects, particularly elevated cholesterol levels, but also kidney cancer, testicular cancer, thyroid disease, and pregnancy-induced hypertension. To date, several technologies have been used to remove PFAS compounds from the environment and drinking water. These technologies include granular activated carbon (GAC), ion exchange resins, and reverse osmosis. GAC has emerged as a leading solution, but there is a continuing need for performance improvements to make GAC even more effective at removing PFAS compounds from the environment and drinking water. SUMMARY The description outlines absorbent materials that have improved performance in the removal of PFAS, including, but not limited to, PFOA, PFOS, and similar compounds from liquids and gases. The described modalities include: In one embodiment, there is a method for removing perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from a liquid or gas. The method comprises providing a first absorbent material that includes approximately 0.5% by weight to approximately 25% by weight of an ion, salt, oxide, hydroxide, or carbonate of magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium, or a combination or compound thereof, thereby increasing the absorbent material's capacity to absorb perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) relative to the absorbent material that does not include the ion, salt, oxide, hydroxide, or carbonate; and contacting the first absorbent material with a liquid or gas containing the PFAS. In another modality, the first absorbent material includes one or more carbonaceous materials, activated carbon, reactivated carbon, and carbon black. MA / I / UOÓ4OZ In another form, carbonaceous material, activated carbon, reactivated carbon, or carbon black are formed from at least one of bituminous coal, sub-bituminous coal, lignite coal, anthracite coal, wood, wood chips, sawdust, peat, nut shells, bones, coconut shell, babassu nut, macadamia nut, dende nut, peach pit, cherry pit, olive pit, walnut shell, lumber, lignin, polymers, nitrogen-containing polymers, resins, petroleum pitch, bagasse, rice hulls, corn husks, wheat husks and straw, greasenes, carbon nanotubes, or polymer fibers. In another modality, the first absorbent material is reactivated carbon. In another modality, the first absorbent material is a re-agglomerated activated carbon. In another modality, there is an additional step of providing a second absorbent material that includes one or more of carbonaceous materials, activated carbon, reactivated carbon, carbon black, natural zeolite, synthetic zeolite, silica, silica gel, alumina, alumina clay, zirconia, diatomaceous earth, and metal oxides, and bringing the second absorbent material into contact with the liquid or gas containing the PEAs. In another embodiment, the first absorbent material includes one or more of a magnesium oxide, a calcium oxide, a strontium oxide, or a barium oxide. In another modality, the first absorbent material includes one or more MgO or CaO. In another embodiment, the ion, salt, oxide, hydroxide or carbonate of the first absorbent material is included in the first absorbent material by one or more of the following methods: dry mixing, wet impregnation, chemical vapor deposition or physical vapor deposition. In another embodiment, the first absorbent material includes approximately 1% by weight to approximately 20% by weight of an ion, salt, oxide, hydroxide or carbonate of magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium or combinations or compounds thereof. In another embodiment, the first absorbent material includes approximately 2% by weight to approximately 8% by weight of an ion, salt, oxide or carbonate of magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium or combinations or compounds thereof. In another embodiment, the first absorbent material is a reactivated carbon comprising ions, oxides or carbonates of calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium and zinc, and the reactivated carbon has not undergone any process to remove or reduce the amount of ions, oxides, or carbonates of calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium and zinc. In another form, the reactivated carbon has not undergone any acid washing to remove or reduce the amount of ions, oxides or carbonates of calcium, magnesium, sodium and zinc. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The aspects, characteristics, benefits, and advantages of the modalities described herein will be evident with respect to the following description, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawings where: Figure 1 is a graphical representation of the results of small-scale rapid tests on activated carbon and reactivated carbon columns that have a high calcium content. MA / I / UOÓ4OZ Figure 2 is a graphical representation of additional results from small-scale rapid tests on activated carbon and reactivated carbon columns that have a high calcium content. Figure 3 is a graphical representation comparing the test results of activated carbon, reactivated carbon with a high calcium content, and activated carbon with a high magnesium content. Figure 4 is a graphical representation of the test results for activated carbons and reactivated carbons that have a high calcium content. Figure 5 is a graphical representation of the additional test results for activated carbons and reactivated carbons that have a high calcium content. Figure 6 is a graphical representation of the additional test results for activated carbons and reactivated carbons that have a high calcium content. Figure 7 is a graphical representation of the test results for activated carbons based on virgin carbon, acid-washed reactivated carbon having a high calcium content, reactivated carbon having a high calcium content, activated carbon with a high magnesium content, and activated carbon with a powdered magnesium oxide content. DETAILED DESCRIPTION This description is not limited to the specific systems, devices, and methods described, as these may vary. The terminology used in this description is for the purpose of describing only the particular versions or modalities and is not intended to limit its scope. As used herein, the singular forms a, one, and the include plural references unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as those commonly understood by a person skilled in the art. Nothing in this description should be construed as an admission that the embodiments described herein are not entitled to precede such description by virtue of a prior invention. As used herein, the term comprising means including, but not limited to. As used in this description, the term approximately means plus or minus 10% of the numerical value of the number with which it is used. Therefore, approximately 50% means within the range of 45%–55%. As used in this description, the term absorbent material means all known materials from any source that are capable of absorbing or adsorbing liquids and / or gases. For example, absorbent materials include, but are not limited to, activated carbon, reactivated carbon, natural and synthetic zeolite, silica, silica gel, alumina, zirconia, and diatomaceous earth. As used in this description, the term perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) means any perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substance, mixture of such substances, or derivative of one or more of such substances. Examples of PFAS include perfluoroalkyl sulfonates, perfluoroalkane sulfonic acid (PFSA), N-butyl perfluoroalkane sulfonamide (BuFASA), N-butyl perfluoroalkane sulfonamidoethanols (BuFASE), and N-butyl MA / I / UOÓ4OZ perfluoroalkane sulfonamide acetic acid (BuFASAA), N-ethyl perfluoroalkane sulfonamide (EtFASA), N-ethyl perfluoroalkane sulfonamide ethanol (EtFASE), N-ethyl perfluoroalkane sulfonamide acetic acid (EtFASAA), perfluoroalkane sulfonamide (FASA), perfluoroalkane sulfonamide ethanol (FASE), perifluoroalkane sulfonamido acetic acid (FASAA), N-methyl perfluoroalkane sulfonamide (MeFASA), N-methyl perfluoroalkane sulfonamido acetic acid (MeFASAA), N-methyl perfluoroalkane sulfonamido ethanol (MeFASE), N-methyl perfluorooctane sulfonamide (MeFOSA), perfluoroalkane sulfonyl fluoride (PASF), 4,8-dioxo-3H-perfluorooctanoate, perfluoroactanoate ammonium (APFO), fluoroprotein (FP), fluorotelomer carboxylic acids (FTCA), fluorotelomer alcohol (FTOH), fluorotelomer sulfonate (FTS), fluorotelomer sulfonic acid (FTSA), perfluoroalkyl acid (PFAA), perfluoroalkylsulfonamidoethanol (PFOSE), and derivatives thereof. These include, for example and without limitation,perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonate, perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoro-2-(heptafluoropropoxy)propanoate, ammonium 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoro-2-(heptafluoropropoxy)propanoate, 1,2,2,2-tetrafluoroethyl ether, 4:2-fluorotelomer sulfonic acid (4:2 FtS), 6:2-fluorotelomer sulfonic acid (6:2 FtS), 8:2-fluorotelomer sulfonic acid (8:2 FtS), perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA), perfluorobutane sulfonate, perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS), perfluorohexane sulfonate, perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluorohexanoate, perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) 4,8dioxo-3H-perfluorononanoate, ammonium perfluoroctanoate (APFO), N-ethyl-perfluoroctane sulfonamide (EtFOSA), N-ethylperfluoroctane sulfonamido ethanol (EtFOSE), perfluorooctane sulfonamide (PFOSA), perfluorooctane sulfonamido acetic acid (FOSAA), perfluorooctane sulfonamido ethanol (FOSE) perfluorobutanoate, perfluorobutanoic acid, perfluorobutyrate,perfluorobutyric acid, perfluoroalkyl carboxylate, perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acid (PFCA), perfluorodecanoate, perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), perfluorododecanoate, perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA), perfluorododecane sulfonate (PFDoS), perfluorododecane sulfonic acid (PFDoSA), perfluorodecane sulfonate, perfluorodecane sulfonic acid (PFDS), perfluoroheptanoate, perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA), perfluoroheptane sulfonate, perfluoroheptane sulfonic acid (PFHpS), perfluorononanoate, perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorononane sulfonate, perfluorononane sulfonic acid (PFNS), perfluorooctanoate, perfluorophosphonic acid (PFPA), perfluoropentanoate, perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA), perfluoropentane sulfonate, perfluoropentane sulfonic acid (PFPeS), acid perfluorophosphine (PFPIA), perfluorotetradecanoic acid (PFTeDA), perfluorotridecanoic acid (PFTrDA), perfluoroundecanoate, perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnA), perfluoroundecane sulfonate (PFUnS),perfluoroundecane sulfonic acid (PFUnSA) or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Absorbent materials The description provides a variety of absorbent materials, including, but not limited to, carbonaceous material, activated carbon, reactivated carbon, carbon black, natural and synthetic zeolites, silica, silica gel, alumina, alumina clay, zirconia, diatomaceous earth, or metal oxides. Absorbent materials may be used alone or in combination. In some embodiments where absorbent materials are used in combination, multiple treated absorbents are mixed together; such treated absorbents may be the same or different. In other embodiments, an absorbent material that is treated as described herein is combined with an untreated absorbent material. For example, in one embodiment, a first absorbent material that is treated according to the description ML / I / UOÓ4OZ and is one or more of carbonaceous material, activated carbon, reactivated carbon or carbon black and is mixed with a second absorbent that is not treated according to the description and is one or more of carbonaceous material, activated carbon, reactivated carbon, carbon black, natural and synthetic zeolite, silica, silica gel, alumina, alumina clay, zirconia, diatomaceous earth or metal oxides. In some embodiments, the absorbent material is activated carbon or reactivated carbon. In such embodiments, the activated or reactivated carbon is prepared from any known precursor carbonaceous material, including, but not limited to, bituminous coal, sub-bituminous coal, lignite coal, anthracite coal, wood, wood chips, sawdust, peat, nut shells, bones, coconut shell, babassu nut, macadamia nut, dende nut, peach pit, cherry pit, olive pit, walnut shell, lumber, lignin, polymers, nitrogen-containing polymers, resins, petroleum pitch, bagasse, rice hulls, corn husks, wheat hulls and straw, greasenes, carbon nanotubes, polymer fibers, and any other carbonaceous material or combinations thereof.In some embodiments, the carbonaceous material may be derived from activated carbons produced from various precursors that have been used and subsequently reactivated and / or regenerated. In some embodiments, the raw material of the absorbent material is provided in a pre-oxidized state. In other embodiments, the raw material of the absorbent material is provided in a non-oxidized state. When the absorbent material is activated carbon or reactivated carbon, it is of various grades and types selected based on performance requirements, cost, and other considerations. In some embodiments, the absorbent material is activated carbon or reactivated carbon in powder form. In other embodiments, the absorbent material is activated carbon or reactivated carbon in granular form, where such granular activated carbon or reactivated carbon is formed by pulverizing a precursor carbonaceous material, forming the resulting pulverized material into briquettes, and subsequently pulverizing the briquettes to the appropriate size. The resulting granular material is then heated to perform various operations, including the removal of volatile compounds and the activation of the precursor carbonaceous material contained therein.In other embodiments, the absorbent material is activated carbon or reactivated carbon in pellet form. In such embodiments, the absorbent material is formed by pulverizing a precursor carbonaceous material and extruding the pulverized material along with the binding material into granules. Subsequently, the granules are heated to perform various operations, including the removal of volatile compounds and the activation of the precursor carbonaceous material contained within them. The absorbent material made of activated carbon and / or reactivated carbon is formed by any useful process. In some embodiments, activated carbon and / or reactivated carbon are formed by carbonization, activation, and / or reactivation. In some embodiments, activated carbon and / or reactivated carbon are formed by the oxidation and devolatilization of carbonaceous material, using steam and / or gasified carbon dioxide to form the pore structure in the activated carbon or reactivated carbon that gives it the properties of an absorbent material. The initial oxidation and devolatilization process may include chemical treatment with a chemical MA / I / UOÓ4OZ dehydrating agent, such as phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide and combinations thereof. In some forms, activated carbon is granular activated carbon (GAC), which is defined as activated carbon particles sized to be retained on a 50-mesh sieve (holes approximately 0.300 mm). In other forms, activated carbon is powdered activated carbon (PAC), which is defined as particles that pass through an 80-mesh sieve (holes approximately 0.180 mm). While these particle size ranges are mentioned for activated carbon absorbent materials, it is also understood that any of the absorbent materials described can be measured using the 50-mesh and 80-mesh sieve sizes mentioned above. In some embodiments, the absorbent material is a reactivated absorbent material that had previously exhausted its absorption capacity and has been reactivated to restore at least some of its original absorption capacity. Any of the absorbent materials listed above can be reactivated after service, and reactivation can be accomplished by heat, pressure, chemical exposure, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the reactivated absorbent material is reactivated carbon. Reactivated carbon is manufactured by heating spent and exhausted activated carbon in oxygen-free furnaces using steam as a selective oxidant. During reactivation, the adsorbed and absorbed organic compounds are either volatilized from the activated carbon or pyrolyzed to form charred material.In some embodiments, heating takes place above approximately 700 °C, and the resulting reactivated carbon can be subsequently reused for various purposes, including water treatment. In some embodiments, the heating temperature is approximately 500 °C, approximately 550 °C, approximately 600 °C, approximately 650 °C, approximately 700 °C, approximately 750 °C, approximately 800 °C, approximately 850 °C, approximately 900 °C, approximately 950 °C, approximately 1,000 °C, approximately 1,050 °C, approximately 1,100 °C, or any interval consisting of two or more points in the above list. In some embodiments, the absorbent material is used in applications that expose it to water containing minerals. In some embodiments, the mineral content includes calcium carbonate, which accumulates in the absorbent material during its use for water filtration. In such embodiments, reactivation of the spent absorbent material results in the following reaction: CaCO3 (s) → CaO (s) + CO2 (g). As will be seen in the Examples, this regeneration technique results in a reactivated absorbent material that has improved absorption performance for PFAS compounds, which include PFOA and PFOS. It is envisaged that the same performance improvements will apply not only to PFAS compounds but also to other chemically similar or related compounds. In some formulations, the absorbent material is treated with an ion, salt, oxide, hydroxide, or carbonate from Group 2 of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC), the alkaline earth metals. Of these compounds, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, and combinations thereof are considered useful. Illustrative oxides include MgO, CaO, SrO, BaO, and combinations thereof. The combination can be achieved by mixing the ions, salts, oxides, hydroxides, or carbonates listed above, or by chemically combining the ions, oxides, hydroxides, or carbonates listed above in any stoichiometry. Each of the compounds mentioned above can MA / I / UOÓ4OZ can be used alone or in combination, and can be used in any possible stoichiometry. Combinations of one or more ions, oxides, hydroxides, and carbonates from IUPAC Group 2 are also permitted. The combination can be achieved by mixing, stoichiometry, or by doping the metals into the oxides used to treat the activated carbon. The absorbent material can be treated with one or more treatment materials by any suitable method, including dry mixing, wet impregnation, chemical vapor deposition, physical vapor deposition, or combinations thereof. Furthermore, the same or different treatments can be used to deposit more than one material onto the absorbent material. The treatment can also be achieved as a byproduct of using the absorbent material without a separate treatment step.For example, in some applications, the absorbent materials used in active service, which are loaded with minerals naturally present in water, include ions, oxides, and carbonates of calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, and zinc. Examples of such minerals include, but are not limited to, calcium ions, calcium oxides and hydroxides, calcium carbonate (CaCO3), magnesium ions, magnesium oxides and hydroxides, magnesium carbonate (MgCO3), sodium ions, sodium oxides and hydroxides, sodium carbonate (Na2CO3), potassium ions, potassium oxides and hydroxides, potassium carbonate (K2CO3), zinc ions, zinc oxides and hydroxides, zinc carbonate (ZnCO3), and combinations thereof. The treatment is intended to improve the absorbent performance of the absorbent materials.It is envisaged that the same performance improvements will be applied to PFAS compounds, including PFOA and PFOS, as well as to other chemically similar or chemically related compounds. The amount of the ion, oxide, hydroxide, carbonate, or combination of these materials is measured by weight with respect to the total weight of the treated absorbent material and the ion, oxide, hydroxide, carbonate, or combination of these materials. The amount of ion, salt, oxide, hydroxide, or carbonate is not limited and in some forms is less than approximately 25% by weight, less than approximately 20% by weight, less than approximately 15% by weight, less than approximately 10% by weight, less than approximately 8% by weight, less than approximately 6% by weight, less than approximately 4% by weight, less than approximately 2% by weight, less than approximately 1% by weight, less than approximately 0.9% by weight, less than approximately 0.8% by weight, less than approximately 0.7% by weight, less than approximately 0.6% by weight, less than approximately 0.5% by weight, less than approximately 0.4% by weight, less than approximately 0.3% by weight, less than approximately 0.2% by weight, or less than approximately 0.1% by weight. In some embodiments, the amount of the ion, salt, oxide, hydroxide, or carbonate is approximately 25% by weight, approximately 20% by weight, approximately 15% by weight, approximately 10% by weight, approximately 9% by weight, approximately 8% by weight, approximately 7% by weight, approximately 6% by weight, approximately 5% by weight, approximately 4% by weight, approximately 3% by weight, approximately 2% by weight, approximately 1% by weight, approximately 0.9% by weight, approximately 0.8% by weight, approximately 0.7% by weight, approximately 0.6% by weight, approximately 0.5% by weight, approximately 0.4% by weight, approximately 0.3% by weight, approximately 0.2% by weight, approximately 0.1% by weight, or any interval formed by any two of the above endpoints. In some forms, the amount of ion, salt, oxide, hydroxide or carbonate. MA / I / UOÓ4OZ is approximately 1% by weight to approximately 10% by weight, approximately 2% by weight to approximately 10% by weight, approximately 4% by weight to approximately 10% by weight, approximately 6% by weight to approximately 10% by weight, approximately 1% by weight to approximately 8% by weight, approximately 2% by weight to approximately 8% by weight, approximately 4% by weight to approximately 8% by weight, approximately 4% by weight to approximately 6% by weight, or approximately 6% by weight to approximately 8% by weight. The absorbent material can be formed using various techniques. In one embodiment, the absorbent material includes activated carbon that is reagglomerated activated carbon. In reagglomerated activated carbon, the precursor carbonaceous material, which is usually coal, is pulverized into a powder. The powder is then mixed with a binder, and subsequently, the powder and binder mixture is reagglomerated into briquettes. The briquettes are then crushed and sized. The crushed and sized briquettes are carbonized to harden the binder, and finally, the materials from the crushed, sized, and carbonized briquettes are thermally activated. This process forms granulated activated carbon. During this process, one or more ions, salts, oxides, hydroxides, or carbonates of the elements in IUPAC Group 2, which include Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, and combinations thereof, may be added.In one embodiment, powders of ions, salts, oxides, hydroxides, or carbonates are mixed with pulverized coal before being mixed with a binder. In another embodiment, a liquid solution of the ions, salts, oxides, hydroxides, or carbonates is applied to the crushed and sized briquettes before the carbonization stage. In yet another embodiment, a liquid solution of the ions, salts, oxides, hydroxides, or carbonates is mixed in after the carbonization stage but before the activation stage. In some embodiments, the absorbent material is formed from a precursor that is spent activated carbon previously used for water filtration, which is then reactivated. Specifically, the spent activated carbon used in point-of-use filters, point-of-entry filters, portable filters, and municipal drinking water filtration often contains significant amounts of inorganic minerals residing on the surface of the activated carbon materials. In other embodiments, the precursor carbonaceous material is spent activated carbon not previously used for water filtration but used for other applications. These other applications include food processing, beverage processing, sugar refining, wastewater treatment, exhaust gas treatment, tank cleaning, tank degassing, and combinations thereof.In some forms, the spent activated carbon that is previously used for water filtration contains one or more inorganic materials that are present in groundwater, including ions, oxides, and carbonates of calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, and zinc. In some embodiments, the absorbent material formed from a spent activated carbon precursor is not treated to remove any of the inorganic materials present in the groundwater. This means that the absorbent material will include ions, oxides, and carbonates of calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, and zinc. In other embodiments, the absorbent material formed from a spent activated carbon precursor is not treated by acid washing to remove any of the inorganic materials present in the water. MA / I / UOÓ4OZ underground. In such modalities, one or more ions, salts, oxides, hydroxides or carbonates that are present in the groundwater have been slowly impregnated onto the surface of the spent activated carbon and are retained during reactivation to thus form an absorbent material. Uses The absorbent materials described are useful whenever necessary for removing PFAS, PFOA, PFOS, or chemically similar or related compounds from liquids and / or gases, including water. Removal may be for human or animal consumption, or for environmental remediation. Specific applications include point-of-use filters, point-of-entry filters, portable filters, municipal drinking water filtration, municipal wastewater filtration, and industrial wastewater filtration. In some embodiments, the absorbent materials described are used alone, without any other absorbent material. In some embodiments, the absorbent materials described are used in combination with other absorbent materials. Although the absorbent materials described here are primarily intended for removing PFAS, PFOA, PFOS, or chemically similar or related compounds, their use is not so limited. In other, more extensive applications, these absorbent materials are suitable for removing any compound and / or byproduct that causes taste and odor problems in water. Such compounds are referred to as taste and odor compounds throughout this application. Examples of such flavor and odor compounds include one or more of trans-1,10-dlmethyl-trans-9-decalol (Geosmin), 2-methylisoborneol (MIB), isopropylmethoxypyrazine (IPMP), isobutylmethoxypyrazine (IBMP), methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), 2,4-heptadienal, decandienal, octanal, chlorine, chloramine, chlorophenols, iodoform, hydrocarbons, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), iron, iron oxides, copper, copper oxides, zinc, zinc oxides, manganese, and manganese oxides. In some embodiments, the absorbent materials are provided within a container. The container holds the absorbent materials and allows the liquid or gas to flow over or through it, thereby bringing the liquid or gas into contact with the absorbent materials. In some embodiments, the container is a permanent vessel installed within a process device or facility and connected by piping or other fluid conduits to allow the liquid or gas to flow through the container. Occasionally, the spent absorbent materials are emptied from the container and replaced with virgin absorbent materials or reactivated absorbent materials, or both, to ensure that the absorbent materials remain effective in removing PFAS, PFOA, PFOS, or chemically similar or related compounds from the liquid or gas flowing through the container.The physical form of the absorbent materials within the container is not limited, and the absorbent materials may be provided loose (loos) or formed as a cartridge with other structural materials that hold it in place or which are mixed as a binder. In some embodiments, the container itself is designed to be quickly replaced with minimal change to external components such as pumps and tubing that carry liquids or gases to the container. In such embodiments, the container is referred to as a cartridge and can be connected and disconnected from surrounding components. In some embodiments, the cartridge is disposable, such as in potable water applications. MA / I / UOÓ4OZ consumers. In other embodiments, the cartridge is designed to be reconditioned, and the cartridge containing the spent absorbent is returned for cleaning or reactivation of the absorbent material, is refilled with fresh or reactivated virgin absorbent material and is put back into service immediately after the reconditioning operation is completed. The absorbent materials described above can be used alone or in combination with other materials. In some embodiments, a composition is formed where an absorbent material is combined with a binder and molded, extruded, or otherwise shaped into forms or granules. The binder is not limited and includes both inorganic and organic binders. Examples of inorganic binders commonly used are metals, ceramics, clays, glasses, or combinations of one or more of these. Examples of organic binders include petroleum resins and / or pitches, natural resins and / or pitches, polymers, or combinations of one or more of these. EXAMPLES Although several experimental examples are considered, these examples are not intended to be limiting. Example 1 A granular activated carbon (GAC) column was constructed to test the adsorption of PFAS compounds. First, a stock of spent FILTRASORB 400 (F400), previously used to filter municipal drinking water, is provided. Such materials are available from Calgon Carbon Corp. of Moon Township, PA. FILTRASORB F400 is a coal-based granular activated carbon with a maximum moisture content of 2% by weight, an effective particle size of approximately 0.55 mm to approximately 0.75 mm, and a bulk density of approximately 0.54 g / cm³. The spent F400 is reactivated at elevated temperatures with steam in a rotary kiln to restore its surface activity and decompose any organic compounds. The now-reactivated F400 is designated as F400 CMR (Custom Municipal React). Reactivated F400 CMR is similar to virgin F400 material, but because the reactivated F400 CMR was previously used to treat groundwater with elevated calcium levels, it has a higher calcium content than virgin F400 activated carbon. In Example 1, the F400 CMR had a calcium content of approximately 0.36 wt% compared to 0.05 wt% for virgin F400. Referring now to Figure 1, the results of a Rapid Small-Scale Column Test (RSSCT) for PFAS are shown using a PFOA saturation curve. The test was performed according to ASTM D6586-03 (2014) but scaled down to a column diameter of 0.62 cm. The inlet concentrations were approximately 0.9 pg / L of PFOA and approximately 1.7 pg / L of total PFAS, and the data were recorded to produce a saturation curve. The advance was measured as the concentration in pg / L that passed through a virgin F400 or F400 CMR column. Also shown in Figure 1 is the EPA Health Warning Limit of 70 parts per trillion, which is equivalent to an advance concentration of 0.07 pg / L. The plotted amounts are the quantities of PFOA in the water. MA / I / UOÓ4OZ As shown in Figure 1, virgin F400 carbon began to show elevated concentrations at approximately 10,000 bed volumes of water passing through the carbon in the bed, indicating an initial breakthrough of PFOA. In contrast, Figure 1 shows that F400 CMR resisted PFOA breakthrough until at least approximately 20,000 bed volumes of water passed through the carbon in the bed. The bed volume equivalents at the greatest breakthrough indicate that a filter constructed using an F400 CMR activated carbon bed can absorb and adsorb greater quantities of harmful PFAS compounds than the same filter constructed with virgin F400 activated carbon. Example 2 Using the same procedures as in Example 1, a GAC ​​column was constructed and tested using the same virgin F400 activated carbon and F400 CMR reactivated carbon with elevated calcium levels as in Example 1. The resulting columns were tested with an inlet concentration of approximately 230 ng / L of PFOA in water, which is approximately 230 nanograms per liter of PFOA. The total concentration of perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) in the inlet water was approximately 1.2 pg / L, which includes the above PFOA concentration. The results from Example 2 are shown in Figure 2. In Figure 2, the strength of the GAC column is again shown by advancement in bed volume equivalents. The virgin F400 began to show signs of advancement at approximately 70,000 bed volumes, while the reactivated F400 CMR only showed signs of advancement at approximately 95,000 bed volumes. Example 3 A coal agglomerate containing MgO was prepared. The MgO agglomerate coal is manufactured from re-agglomerated metallurgical-grade bituminous coal. During the re-agglomeration process, the pulverized coal was impregnated with magnesium oxides added in a dry state. An additional CMR reactivated carbon was also prepared and is referred to as high-Ca CMR. High-Ca CMR reactivated carbon is similar to virgin F400 carbon and the CMR reactive carbon described previously, except that high-Ca CMR has a higher calcium content. The high-Ca CMR reactivated carbon as tested had a calcium content of approximately 2 wt% compared to approximately 0.36 wt% for CMR and 0.05 wt% for virgin F400 carbon. The F400, MgO agglomerate, and high-Ca F400 solutions described above were tested to determine simulated operating days. In these tests, the inlet concentration of PFOA + PFOS was 345 ng / L, the inlet concentration of PFOA was 185 ng / L, and the inlet concentration of PFOS was 160 ng / L. Bed volumes were tested until they exhibited a breakthrough concentration of 70 ppt of PFOA, PFOS, or both PFOA and PFOS (shown as PFOA + PFOS). The results of these tests are described in Table 1 below. MA / I / UOÓ4OZ Table 1 PFOA + PFOS Sample PFOA PFOS Days Bed Volumes Days Bed Volumes Days Bed Volumes F400 90 12,851 140 19,990 251 35,839 MgO Agglomerate 174 25,282 230 33,419 549 79,770 CMR High in Ca (approximately 2 wt% Ca) 133 19,066 172 24,657 402 57,628 MA / t / ZUZ I / UOÓ4OZ The specification characteristics of the same three activated carbons listed in Table 1 were also tested. This testing includes results for the apparent density of the carbon when measured using ASTM 2854-09 (2014). The results of this test are provided below in Table 2. Table 2 Apparent Density (g / cm3) Days at 70 parts per trillion (ppt) of PFOA + PFOS F400 0.54 90 MgO Agglomerate 0.51 174 CMR High in Ca (approximately 2% by weight of Ca) 0.59 133 Test results demonstrate that treating activated carbon with various components has a significant effect on the performance of activated carbon used as an absorbent for PFOA, PFOS, and / or combinations of these two classes of compounds found in drinking water applications. Example 4 Using the same procedures as in Example 1, a GAC ​​column was constructed and tested using the same F400 and CMR F400 discussed earlier. The results from Example 4 are shown in Figures 4-6. Figure 4 shows the adsorption results for different PFOA compounds. The strength of the GAC columns is shown by the progression of the PFOA effluent concentration in bed volume equivalents. The columns were tested with an inlet concentration of approximately 153 ng / L of PFOA in water, which is approximately 153 nanograms per liter of PFOA. Figure 5 shows the results for the adsorption of 4:2 FtS (6:2-fluorotelomer sulfonic acid). The strength of the GAC columns is shown by the progression of the effluent 4:2 FtS concentration in bed volume equivalents. The columns were tested with an inlet concentration of approximately 130 ng / L of 4:2 FtS in water, which is approximately 130 nanograms per liter of 4:2 FtS. Figure 6 shows the results of PFOS compound adsorption. The strength of the GAC columns is shown by the progression of the PFOS effluent concentration in bed volume equivalents. The columns were tested with an inlet concentration of approximately 177 ng / L of PFOS in water, which is approximately 177 nanograms per liter of PFOS. Example 5 A CMR reactivated carbon was prepared and referred to as acid-washed CMR with 0.65% Ca. This acid-washed CMR with 0.65% Ca is the same as the high-Ca CMR described above, except that it is acid-washed and has a reduced Ca content. The high-Ca CMR, also referred to as “2 wt% Ca CMR,” as tested, had a Ca content of approximately 2 wt%. The acid-washed CMR with 0.65% Ca, as tested, had a Ca content of approximately 0.65 wt. Two additional GAC samples were prepared and referred to as AdMix MgO 4.8% as Mg and AdMix MgO 12% as Mg. These samples were obtained by adding powdered MgO to CAL 12X40 activated GAC (Calgon Coal Corporation), activated carbon derived from virgin bituminous coal re-agglomerated from coal. Specifically, AdMix MgO 4.8% as Mg was prepared by adding 8% powdered MgO to CAL 12X40, and AdMix MgO 12% as Mg was prepared by adding 20% ​​powdered MgO to CAL 12X40. The AdMix MgO 4.8% as Mg and AdMix MgO 12% as Mg samples, as tested, had divalent cation contents of approximately 4.8% and approximately 12%, respectively. The previously discussed agglomerated MgO absorbent was tested and had a divalent cation content of approximately 4%. The agglomerated MgO differs from AdMix MgO 4.8% as Mg and AdMix MgO 12% as Mg because the MgO in the agglomerated MgO is added before carbonization and activation of the carbon. Using the same procedures as in Example 1, a GAC ​​column was constructed and tested using CAL - Virgin Carbon (CAL 12X40), acid-washed CMR with 0.65% Ca, high-Ca CMR (approximately 2 wt% Ca), agglomerated MgO, AdMix MgO 4.8% as Mg, and AdMix MgO 12% as Mg. The GAC specification characteristics were also tested. This testing includes results for the percentage of divalent cations measured using proton-induced X-ray emission (PIXE). This testing also includes results for the apparent density of the carbon when measured using ASTM 2854-09 (2014). The results of this testing are provided below in Table 3. ML / I / UOÓ4OZ Table 3 Sample Divalent Cation (%) Apparent Density (g / cm3) Equivalent Bed Volume at 25% Advance CAL - Virgin Coal 0.05 0.49 21,740 Acid-washed CMR and 0.65% Ca 0.65 0.55 15,757 CMR 2% by weight Ca 2.0 0.59 18,162 Agglomerated MgO 4.0 0.51 27,930 AdMix MgO 4.8% as Mg 4.8 0.49 22,837 AdMix MgO 12% as Mg 12.0 0.49 18,614 The results of Example 5 are shown in Figure 7. Figure 7 shows the results of the adsorption of PFOA compounds. The strength of the GAC columns is shown by the progression of the PFOA effluent concentration in bed volume equivalents. The columns were tested with an inlet concentration of approximately 61 ng / L of PFOA in water, which is approximately 61 nanograms per liter of PFOA. The acid-washed CMR with 0.65% Ca was the first to show signs of progression, followed by CAL (Virgin Carbon), CMR with 2 wt% Ca, agglomerated MgO, AdMix MgO with 4.8% as Mg, and AdMix MgO with 12% as Mg.The present description is not limited to the specific embodiments described in this application, which are intended as illustrations of various aspects. Many modifications and variations may be made without departing from its spirit and scope, as will be evident to those skilled in the art. Functionally equivalent methods and apparatus within the scope of the description, in addition to those listed herein, will be evident to those skilled in the art from the preceding descriptions. It is intended that such modifications and variations fall within the scope of the appended claims. The present description is limited only by the terms of the appended claims, together with the full scope of equivalents to which those claims are entitled. It is also understood that this description is not limited to specific compositions, methods, apparatus, and articles, as these may vary.It should also be understood that the terminology used in this description is for the purpose of describing particular modalities only and is not intended to be exhaustive. With respect to the use of any term in the plural and / or singular in this description, those skilled in the art may translate from plural to singular and / or from singular to plural as appropriate to the context and / or application. Various singular / plural permutations may be expressly stated in this description for the sake of clarity. It shall be understood by those within the art that, in general, the terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., the bodies of the appended claims), are generally understood as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be construed as “including but not limited to”, the term “having” should be construed as “having at least”, the term “includes” should be construed as “includes but not limited to”, and so forth). While various compositions, methods, and devices are described in terms of “comprising” various components or steps (construed as “including but not limited to”), the compositions, methods, and devices may also “consist essentially of” or “consist of” the various components and steps, and such terminology should be construed as essentially defining closed groups of members.Experts in the field will also understand that if a specific number of an introduced recitation of a claim is intended, such Intent shall be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation, such Intent is not present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain the use of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce the claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed as implying that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such an introduced claim recitation to modalities containing only one of such recitations, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" or "an" should be construed as meaning "at least one" or "one or more"); the same applies to the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. Furthermore, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly stated, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation must be interpreted to mean at least the number stated (e.g., the simple statement of two recitations, without any other modifiers, means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Moreover, in those cases where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, and C," etc., is used, such a construction is generally intended in the sense that a person skilled in the art would understand the convention (e.g., a system having at least one of A, B, and C would include, but not be limited to, systems having only A, only B, only C, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and / or A, B, and C together, etc.).In cases where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, or C," etc., is used, such construction is generally intended in the sense that a person skilled in the art would understand the convention (for example, a system having at least one of A, B, or C would include, but not be limited to, systems having only A, only B, only C, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and / or A, B, and C together, etc.). Those skilled in the art will further understand that virtually any disjunctive word and / or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to include the possibilities of including one of the terms, any one of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase "A or B" will be understood to include the possibilities of "A or "B" or "A and B." MA / I / UOÓ4OZ Furthermore, when the characteristics or aspects of the description are described in terms of Markush groups, experts in the technique will recognize that the description is thus described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group. As a person skilled in the art will understand, for all purposes, such as providing a written description, all intervals described herein also encompass all possible subintervals and combinations thereof. It may be readily recognized that any interval listed as sufficiently descriptive and capable of being divided into at least equal halves, thirds, quarters, fifths, tenths, and so forth. As a non-limiting example, each interval discussed herein may easily be divided into a lower third, a middle third, an upper third, and so forth. As a person skilled in the art will also understand, all terms such as "up to," "at least," and the like include the aforementioned number and refer to intervals that may be subsequently divided into subintervals as discussed above.Finally, as an expert in the technique will understand, an Interval includes each individual member. Thus, for example, a group that has 1-3 cells refers to groups that have 1, 2, or 3 cells. Similarly, a group that has 1-5 cells refers to groups that have 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 cells, and so on. Several of the features and functions described above, and others, or alternatives thereof, can be combined in many other different systems or applications. Various alternatives, modifications, variations, or unforeseen or unanticipated improvements to these may subsequently be made by experts in the field, each of which is also intended to be included in the described modalities.

Claims

1. A method for removing perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from a liquid or gas, the method comprising: providing a first absorbent material including approximately 0.5 wt% to approximately 25 wt% of an ion, salt, oxide, hydroxide or carbonate of magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium or a combination or compound thereof, thereby increasing the absorbent material's capacity to absorb perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) relative to the absorbent material not including the ion, salt, oxide, hydroxide or carbonate; and contacting the first absorbent material with a liquid or gas containing the PFAS.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first absorbent material includes one or more carbonaceous materials, activated carbon, reactivated carbon, and carbon black.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the carbonaceous material, activated carbon, reactivated carbon, or carbon black is formed from at least one of bituminous coal, sub-bituminous coal, lignite coal, anthracite coal, wood, wood chips, sawdust, peat, nut shells, bones, coconut shell, babassu nut, macadamia nut, dende nut, peach pit, cherry pit, olive pit, walnut shell, lumber, lignin, polymers, nitrogen-containing polymers, resins, petroleum pitch, bagasse, rice hulls, corn husks, wheat husks and straw, greasenes, carbon nanotubes, or polymer fibers.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the first absorbent material is reactivated carbon.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the first absorbent material is a re-agglomerated activated carbon.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: providing a second absorbent material comprising one or more of a carbonaceous material, activated carbon, reactivated carbon, carbon black, natural zeolite, synthetic zeolite, silica, silica gel, alumina, alumina clay, zirconia, diatomaceous earth, and metal oxides, and contacting the second absorbent material with the liquid or gas containing the PFAS.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first absorbent material includes one or more of a magnesium oxide, a calcium oxide, a strontium oxide, or a barium oxide.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the first absorbent material includes one or more MgO or CaO. MA / I / UOÓ4OZ 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the ion, salt, oxide, hydroxide or carbonate of the first absorbent material is incorporated into the first absorbent material by one or more of dry mixing, wet impregnation, chemical vapor deposition or physical vapor deposition.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the first absorbent material includes approximately 1% by weight to approximately 20% by weight of an ion, salt, oxide, hydroxide or carbonate of magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium or combinations or compounds thereof.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the first absorbent material includes approximately 2% by weight to approximately 8% by weight of an ion, salt, oxide or carbonate of magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium or combinations or compounds thereof.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the first absorbent material is a reactivated carbon comprising calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, and zinc ions, oxides, or carbonates, and the reactivated carbon has not been subjected to any process to remove or reduce the amount of the calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, and zinc ions, oxides, or carbonates.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the reactivated carbon has not been subjected to any acid washing to remove or reduce the amount of calcium, magnesium, sodium, and zinc ions, oxides, or carbonates.