System Design for Reducing PFAS to Non-Detect with PFAS-Selective Resin

Since the issuance by US EPA of a health guideline of 70 ng/L for PFOS and PFOA in drinking water in 2016, individual states such as New Jersey, Vermont and Michigan, have issued their own, many times more restrictive, guidelines for a growing number of such PFAS. Technologies that can simultaneously and effectively remove a suite of PFAS to non-detect levels are highly desirable. But the current methods of operating field pilots or running accelerated column testing to evaluate the effectiveness of competing removal technologies is inefficient and can significantly delay the implementation of viable full-scale treatment systems. This paper provides some early insights in the development of a desktop modeling tool for PFAS-selective resin that has been field-proven to effectively remove a suite of PFAS to non-detect levels. Inputs to the model includes individual PFAS concentrations, background chemistry and reduction targets such as non-detect or higher. The paper compares predicted and actual results for removal of common PFAS such as PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS, PFHpA and PFNA. Included is a discussion on system design and operating guidelines that can be useful to both consultants and end-users.