Evaluation and optimization of an innovative electrochemical technology for degradation of emergent contaminants from municipal wastewater

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This research project is a college-industry collaboration between the Center of Water Technology (Cteau) and BioLargo Water Inc. The project will address specific technical needs of BioLargo Water related to the development and optimization of their innovative electrochemical technology for removal of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) . The Aqueous Electrostatic Concentrator (AEC) is a novel, disruptive technology combining electrochemistry and membrane technologies for efficient removal of PFAS from water. To date, PFAS removal by the AEC has only been examined in ground water samples. The focus of the proposed work is to expand the sources of water that can be successfully treated with the AEC to include MWW thereby providing a new solution to industries focused on minimizing future discharges of PFASs into the environment. Additional research activities are needed to provide a deeper understanding of reactor performance, lifetime and energy requirements of the AEC for PFAS contaminated MWW. To answer these questions, the proposed project has three activities. The first activity aims to determine and evaluate the residual concentration of 4 PFAS compounds, PFOA, PFOS, PFBS, and PFBA, at the inlet and outlet of the Vaudreuil MWW treatment plant. The second activity will evaluate and optimize the removal efficiency of these four PFAS compounds from MWW using the AEC reactor. Optimal operational conditions (voltage, flow rate, and number of passes) will be identified. The toxicity of treated versus untreated effluents will also be documented and studied in this activity. The third activity will compare conventional processes (such as GAC) to the AEC to determine the most effective process, in terms of both performance and cost, for treating MWW strongly loaded with PFAS. This project will benefit from a unique expertise combining electrochemical techniques and analysis of emergent contaminants, together with an already operational R&D infrastructure, an ingredient essential to the achievement of the objectives of this project.