P.M. Kester
Guild Associates, Inc., Ohio, United States
Keywords: PFAS abatement, catalysis, occupational safety
Gas-phase per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) emissions are byproducts of handling and treating PFAS-laden solids and liquids. Such emissions pose a significant threat to the health of operators, nearby personnel, and local communities as PFAS can bioaccumulate and cause thyroid disease, kidney and testicular cancer, and diminished immune response to vaccination. To eliminate these exposure routes, Guild Associates, Inc. has developed a catalyst capable of destroying a variety of PFAS at significantly lower reaction temperatures than conventional thermal oxidative methods. For instance, while temperatures of ~700°C are required to destroy 8:2 fluorotelomer alcohol, a common gas-phase pollutant, >99% conversion can be achieved at ~350°C using Guild’s catalyst under otherwise identical conditions. The catalyst is also stable in the presence of hydrofluoric acid generated during reaction, decreasing logistical burdens associated with frequent replacement. This technology can serve as a platform for PFAS abatement in military and civilian applications as emissions emanate from DOD facilities, civilian airports, and general waste treatment facilities operated by the DOD and local municipalities. The non-selective and stable performance of Guild’s catalyst allows for the design of systems with general-purpose protection for operators, nearby personnel, and communities who would otherwise be exposed to gas-phase PFAS emissions.