ABSTRACT

Aqueous film forming foams (AFFFs) used at military training and real-world crash sites have been successful because poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are made up of C-F bonds, which is the strongest covalent bond type there is. Advanced oxidation process (AOP) is one method shown to be effective in reducing total organic carbon concentrations. However, to date, no studies have been conducted using AOP as initial treatment of PFAS-contaminated water, followed by further treatment with granular activated carbon (GAC). Research has shown that GAC, acting as a sorbent, works to purify and remove PFAS from drinking water. To investigate the treatment of AFFF containing PFAS, including perfluorooctane sulfonate and perfluorooctoanoic acid, and a number of co-contaminants, a treatment train that involves an AOP followed by filtration through GAC was utilized. Experimental design parameters for the GAC adsorbent step included the type of adsorbent, empty bed contact time, and whether to put the beds in series or parallel.