Developed by Martin Cornelsen in 2007, Martin and his colleagues have applied the PerfluorAd
per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) removal technology in Germany and other European countries for more than a decade. In 2022, TRS Group (TRS) became the exclusive licensee of the technology for the
decontamination of aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) in mobile and fixed firefighting systems.
PerfluorAd is a plant-based, biodegradable agent, which we heat, dissolve into water and flush through
firefighting systems multiple times. Cleaning a vehicle usually takes three to seven days, depending on the size and complexity of the system.
Following approval of the new military specification (MILSPEC) for fluorine free foams (F3), the US market for the cleanout and transition from AFFF to F3 grew considerably in 2024. Compared to a removal solution such as PerfluorAd, cleaning with just water is not nearly as effective, as it often leaves AFFF residues and
foam concentrate behind. The surfactant-like PerfluorAd ionically bonds to and removes AFFF residues from foam tanks, pipes, and proportioners. Total PFAS reductions often exceed 99%.
Generating significant cost savings, TRS treats the rinsate to levels low enough that regulators routinely allow discharge of the treated wastewater to the sanitary sewer. The savings derived from rinsate treatment make PerfluorAd a compelling option. Currently, TRS is contracted with major airports, aerospace contractors, and chemical manufacturers. Industrial wastewater discharge authorities in Indiana, Washington and California have approved discharging treated rinsate to the sanitary sewer.
TRS and Cornelsen have completed more than150 mobile system cleanouts, including airport rescue firefighting (ARFF) and structural vehicles and trailers, 50 fixed systems, including building, airplane hangar, and storage
containers, and treated more than 130 million gallons of PFAS-impacted wastewater. TRS completed about 10 percent of the 2024 projects, mostly in ARFF and structural firefighting vehicles.
Recent AFFF cleanout and rinsate treatment results are shown below for nine ARFF vehicles for Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), including LAX and Van Nuys airports. Average removal of total PFAS was more than 99.9%; rinsate reductions were 99.999%. You can learn more about the project here.
Strong demand continues for PerfluorAd for vehicles and building sprinkler, deluge, and storage systems. TRS is
investing in the equipment and personnel required to meet this demand. TRS is looking for talented professionals to join our team. Check out our website for current staff openings at https://www.thermalrs.com/contact/#join.
David Fleming is a founder of TRS Group and leads our PerfluorAdTM business development efforts. David has worked in the environmental health, consulting, and remediation fields for almost four decades. For the past 34 years, he has worked in site remediation and commercializing soil and water treatment technologies, including thermal remediation and PerfluorAdTM technologies.
Greg Knight is TRS Group’s PerfluorAdTM Operations Manager, leading the implementation of the technology for batch and continuous flow applications. Greg has been with TRS for over 20 years and has worked with in situ thermal
remediation technologies and wastewater treatment for over 28 years.
