- What is the PerfluorAd material made from?
It is a plant-based, oleic acid that is biodegradable. It is similar in viscosity and density to cooking oil. - What is the origin of the PerfluorAd® process?
It was invented by Martin Cornelsen, founder of Cornelsen Umwelttechnologie GmbH, in 2006 as an alternative to granular activated carbon (GAC) for removal of PFAS in water. Unlike GAC, the PerfluorAd® process is not interfered with by dissolved organic carbon or other constituents in water. The process relies on a small amount of GAC for polishing rinsate or wastewater prior to onsite disposal, resulting in a cost reduction. TRS is the exclusive licensee of the PerfluorAd® technology in North America. - How does the PerfluorAd® process work?
The process is provided as a full service that relies on flocculation, sedimentation, filtration and polishing to remove >99% of PFAS in water. It is effective at cleaning aqueous film forming foams (AFFF) and removing PFAS from the inner, wetted surfaces of tanks, pumps, pipes inside firefighting systems including trucks, vehicles, building sprinkler and storage systems, preparing them for the effective transition to fluorine-free foams. - What is the ideal use of the PerfluorAd® process?
Treating high concentrations of total PFAS, generally >50 µg/l at low flow rates <20 gpm. - How effective is the PerfluorAd® process?
It has achieved non-detect for PFOA and PFOS (2 ppt detection limit), as well as other PFAS compounds and has shown non-detect for PFOA and PFOS during a three-day rebound study. - What are the best uses of the PerfluorAd® process?
AFFF clean-out in firefighting systems and PFAS treatment in rinsate or the wastewater generated from the clean-out. - Is there waste generated during the PerfluorAd® process?
Following the polishing step with GAC and after analytical confirmation, the rinsate or wastewater can be discharged to the sewer resulting in significant savings by avoiding off-site disposal of wastewater. There is a very small amount of remaining residual waste (sludge) that requires off-site disposal or destruction. The ratio of water treated to residue generated is approximately 1,000:1. - What does the PerfluorAd® process cost?
The cost of the technology is project and equipment specific with economies of scale available for multiple treatments at one location and treatment of large volumes of PFAS-impacted water. Performing AFFF clean-outs using our mobile, batch treatment system for a dozen or more firefighting trucks/vehicles in the same location (ex. a regional clean-out center) would cost between 5% and 10% of the vehicle replacement cost depending on the size and complexity of the vehicle. Stationary firefighting systems with high volumes of PFAS impacted water (i.e., >200,000 gallons) including stored wastewater, airplane hangars, and storage vessels, can be cleaned using our mobile, continuous flow plant generally between $1.00 and $2.50 per gallon of water treated.
