The issues associated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are well documented/publicised and their chemical stability and persistence in the environment and water sources is well understood. There are several emerging technologies to remove and/or destroy PFAS in water. Among them are those using Electrochemical Advanced Oxidation Processes (EAOPs).
Key to the success of EAOPs are electrode materials and reactor design. For the former it is preferred that anodes are inactive to promote the formation of highly reactive hydroxyl radicals (·OH), which is capable of breaking very strong C-F bonds. Suitable anode materials include Boron Doped Diamond (BDD) and Ebonex. Arvia Water Technologies Ltd has conducted research with these materials and demonstrated PFAS destruction. However, these anodes can have limitations (e.g., BDD sensitivity to fluoride levels and high cost) and so Arvia have sought to develop their own anode material, Nyex.3. Research has shown that Nyex.3 can destroy PFAS and tolerate fluoride concentrations over 50 ppm. This allows Arvia’s technology to work with concentrated PFAS streams generated by removal technologies such as nanofiltration. Arvia has progressed their work from proof-of-concept stage to pilot studies and will be testing a pilot reactor in the field this year.
