Mobile PFAS Destruction Using Foam Concentration On Site

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Solution Overview

Problem

The presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in water sources poses a significant environmental and health risk due to their persistence and bioaccumulation, necessitating effective on-site treatment methods that avoid the regulatory challenges of transporting hazardous PFAS-laden solutions.

Innovation Solution

A mobile PFAS treatment system comprising a concentration system that generates PFAS solutions through foam fractionation and a destruction system using electrochemical oxidation or supercritical water oxidation to treat PFAS solutions, allowing for on-site treatment of PFAS solutions without the need for transportation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If PFAS-laden solutions are transported to treatment facilities, then centralized treatment can be achieved, but regulatory burdens and transportation costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment effectivenessVSAvoidregulatory burden

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The treatment system is divided into two mobile modules: a concentration system that can be positioned at the contamination site to generate PFAS solutions, and a destruction system that travels to collect PFAS solutions from holding tanks. This segmentation allows treatment to occur at or near the contamination site rather than requiring centralized facility transport, thereby reducing regulatory burdens while maintaining treatment effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables on-site treatment by bringing the destruction capability to the PFAS solutions rather than transporting solutions to a fixed treatment facility. The mobile destruction system serves itself by traveling to multiple sites with holding tanks, destroying PFAS solutions in place, and eliminating the need for complex transportation and documentation procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If mobile destruction system travels to multiple sites, then treatment flexibility increases, but transportation time and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment flexibilityVSAvoidtransportation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The destruction system is designed as a mobile platform that can dynamically reposition itself to different contamination sites. Rather than being fixed at one location, the system travels to multiple sites with holding tanks, adapting its position to treat PFAS solutions where they are generated. This dynamic mobility provides treatment flexibility while the system optimizes its route between sites.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If PFAS concentration is increased before destruction, then treatment efficiency improves, but energy consumption for concentration processes increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment efficiencyVSAvoidconcentration energy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The concentration system utilizes foam fractionation, which concentrates PFAS by changing the physical state of the solution through foam formation rather than requiring high-energy thermal evaporation. This parameter change approach achieves PFAS concentration with lower energy consumption while maintaining treatment efficiency, as the foam process exploits surface tension and interfacial phenomena rather than requiring significant heat input.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables efficient on-site destruction of PFAS solutions, reducing regulatory burdens and costs associated with transportation, while maintaining high treatment efficiency and flexibility for multiple contamination sites.

Implementation Method 1

The PFAS concentration system includes at least one foam concentration unit having a foam fractionation unit. The step of generating the PFAS solution may include the step of creating bubbles or foam by the foam fractionation unit of the at least one PFAS concentration unit.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFoam fractionation: Foam

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochemical oxidation: Oxidation

Implementation Method 3

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSupercritical water oxidation: Supercritical Fluid

Data Source

PatentUS20260078030A1System and method for PFAS-contaminated water treatment

Publication Date: 2026.03.19 LACKS ENTERPRISES INC

AI summary

A system for treating water containing pre- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) includes a PFAS concentration system having at least one foam concentration unit to generate a PFAS solution, at least one holding tank storing the PFAS solution, and a PFAS destruction system arranged on a mobile platform. The mobile PFAS destruction system is selectively positioned to destroy the PFAS solution. Further, the mobile PFAS destruction system includes a PFAS destruction unit connected to and in fluid communication with the at least one holding tank, and stationed at each site having at least one holding tank to destroy the PFAS solution.