Updates on WRF Project 5211: Understanding the Value Proposition for Thermal Processes to Mitigate PFAS in Biosolids

PFAS in biosolids have undoubtedly become a major topic and concern for the public and the industry. Some state regulations are outpacing federal regulations, forcing utilities to consider alternative biosolids management strategies. Therefore, interest in thermal technologies has grown substantially. New incinerators are difficult to install, rendering torrefaction, pyrolysis, and gasification as possible treatment process options. However, information is scarce on the mass balance of PFAS, and specifically fluoride, through these processes and their end products. This project will i) develop methods to quantify PFAS, total organic fluorine, and inorganic fluorine in end products, ii) generate lab-scale data on the fate of PFAS and fluorine through torrefaction, pyrolysis, and gasification, and iii) generate an LCA tool that is user friendly to incorporate critical aspects (e.g. energy, carbon footprint, as well as PFAS fate) for assessing thermal technologies.