Complete Destruction of Undiluted AFFF by a Plasma Spinning Disc Reactor

The overall objective of the project is to demonstrate the technical feasibility of using a novel plasma spinning disc reactor for the complete destruction of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in undiluted aqueous film forming foams (AFFF) and to determine the treatment costs of a scaled-up system.

The general approach centers around the reactor electrode design and parametric optimization of the plasma spinning disc reactor for complete mineralization of long- and short-chain PFAS including PFAS precursors in current-use and legacy AFFFs.

A special focus will be placed on determining the effects of the disc rotational speed, discharge (plasma) type and the magnitude of energy input on mineralization rates. The approach seeks to manage the challenge and complexity of AFFF by further expanding the proven plasma-based process to treat undiluted AFFF and to ultimately destroy PFAS on site.