The University of Central Florida invention focuses on the simultaneous removal of both long-chain and short-chain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in aquatic environments. The frequent detection of PFAS, classified as one of the contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in sources of drinking water has raised a serious public health concern.

Nearly 200 million people across all 50 U.S. states are reported to be exposed to long-chain PFAS via drinking water with perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) concentration at or above 1 ng/L-1. However, short-chain PFAS (such as perfluorobutanoic acid, PFBA, and perfluorobutane sulfonic acid, PFBS), have even higher mobility and persistency than long-chain PFAS. As a solution, the UCF invention uses a hybrid engineering process in which green sorption media (GSM) pretreatment is integrated with a nanofiltration (NF) membrane.

Technical Details: In one example application of the UCF invention, two long-chain (PFOA and PFOS) and two short-chain (PFBA and PFBS) PFAS were selected. Two GSMs served as the pretreatment: Clay-Perlite and Sand sorption media (CPS) and Zero-valent Iron and Perlite based Green Environmental Media (ZIPGEM). The GSM pretreatment led to significant removal of long-chain PFAS (up to 100 percent) in addition to natural organic matter (NOM) and Ca2+ from the source water (canal water); however, the removal rate of the short-chain PFAS (PFBA and PFBS) was up to approximately 25 percent only. It signifies that the membrane plays a complementary role in enhancing the overall removal efficiency of PFAS. In addition to contributing to PFA removal from the source water, GSM pretreatment can help reduce NF membrane fouling/scaling by removing NOM and cations.

Partnering Opportunity: The research team is seeking partners for licensing, research collaboration, or both.

Stage of Development: Prototype available.