PFAS Foam Fractionation for Low-Waste Water Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for removing PFAS from aqueous bodies, such as activated carbon adsorption, result in PFAS-contaminated solid waste that is costly and difficult to dispose of, as PFAS are mobile, persistent, and toxic, necessitating more effective separation and concentration techniques.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the introduction of air bubbles and optional solid materials into an aqueous body to collect PFAS at the gas-liquid interface, followed by foam collapse to concentrate the PFAS, utilizing surfactants, venturis, and multistage foam fractionation columns to enhance separation and capture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If activated carbon adsorption is used to remove PFAS from aqueous streams, then PFAS removal from water is achieved, but PFAS-contaminated solid waste is created that requires costly and difficult treatment and disposal
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts PFAS from the aqueous phase into the gas phase through foaming, concentrating the PFAS in the foam rather than adsorbing it onto solid carbon. This extraction mechanism allows PFAS to be removed from water while being collected in a concentrated gas-liquid interface product that can be destroyed, avoiding the creation of contaminated solid waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes phase transitions by transferring PFAS from the liquid phase into the foam phase (gas-liquid interface). The foaming process creates a concentrated PFAS product that can be collapsed and destroyed, converting the removal problem into a concentration and destruction problem that is easier to manage.
2Reliability
If traditional adsorption methods are used, then PFAS is removed from aqueous stream, but treatment and disposal of contaminated solid waste becomes problematic and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts PFAS from water into the foam phase, creating a concentrated product that can be destroyed. This eliminates the need to treat and dispose of large volumes of contaminated solid waste, significantly reducing treatment and disposal costs while maintaining effective PFAS removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state and concentration parameters of PFAS by transferring it from dilute aqueous solution to concentrated foam. This parameter change allows the PFAS to be destroyed rather than disposed of, eliminating the costly treatment and disposal steps required for adsorbed contaminants.
3Quantity of substance
If foaming with surfactants is used to concentrate PFAS, then PFAS concentration is achieved with reduced volume, but additional chemicals (surfactants) are introduced into the system
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses surfactants as intermediary substances that facilitate the transfer of PFAS from the aqueous phase to the foam phase. These surfactant intermediaries enable effective PFAS concentration without requiring complex equipment or multiple chemical addition steps, simplifying the overall process.
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
This approach effectively concentrates PFAS, allowing for their safe disposal or destruction by reducing their volume and minimizing waste, while achieving near-complete removal from the aqueous phase.
Implementation Method 1
producing a foam by introducing air bubbles into an aqueous body comprising the chemical substance and collecting the foam comprising the chemical substance on a resulting gas-liquid interface
Implementation Method 2
collecting the chemical substance on a resulting gas-liquid interface
Implementation Method 3
foaming with the aid of one or more surfactants
Implementation Method 4
collapsing the foam to collect a concentrated stream
Implementation Method 5
using an air water venturi
Implementation Method 6
a multistage foam fractionation column
Data Source
AI summary
A method for recovering a chemical substance from an aqueous body is described. The method comprises producing a foam by introducing air bubbles into an aqueous body comprising the chemical substance and collecting the foam comprising the chemical substance on a resulting gas-liquid interface; and collapsing the collected foam to thereby recover the chemical substance. The method may further comprise adding solid material comprising a liquid-solid suspension into the aqueous body comprising the chemical substance and collecting the foam comprising the solid material that is trapped in the foam. An apparatus and system for recovering a chemical substance from an aqueous body are also described. The apparatus and system comprise one or more vessel dimensioned to house an aqueous body comprising the chemical substance; one or venturi to produce a foam; one or more pump; and a collection vessel.