Systems and methods for utilizing foam fractionation for contaminate destruction

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2024399432-A1
Application number	US-202418680812-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	May 31, 2024
Priority date	Jun 2, 2023
Publication date	Dec 5, 2024
Grant date	—

Abstract

A system for the destruction of PFAS compounds through mineralization with reactive oxides is disclosed herein. The system includes an acquisition unit for obtaining reactive oxides. The system also includes a mixing unit operatively connected to the acquisition unit, where the mixing unit is configured to combine PFAS-contaminated waste with the reactive oxides. The system also includes a high-temperature treatment unit operatively connected to the mixing unit to subject the mixture of PFAS-contaminated waste and reactive oxides to a chemical reaction. The system includes a cooling unit operatively connected to the high-temperature treatment unit. The system includes a waste collection receptacle connected to the cooling unit. The system includes particulate vapor treatment systems, where PFAS-contaminated atmospheres from the high-temperature treatment unit and the cooling unit are captured to prevent emissions to the environment.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A system for the destruction of PFAS compounds through mineralization with reactive oxides, the system comprising:
(a) an acquisition unit for obtaining reactive oxides; (b) a mixing unit operatively connected to the acquisition unit, wherein the mixing unit is configured to combine PFAS-contaminated waste with the reactive oxides; (c) a high-temperature treatment unit operatively connected to the mixing unit, wherein the high-temperature treatment unit is configured to subject the mixture of PFAS-contaminated waste and reactive oxides to a chemical reaction; (d) a cooling unit operatively connected to the high-temperature treatment unit, wherein the cooling unit is configured to cool the mixture post high-temperature treatment to create a cooled mixture; (e) a waste collection receptacle connected to the cooling unit, wherein the cooled mixture is directed for disposal; and (f) one or more particulate vapor treatment systems connected to the high-temperature treatment unit and the cooling unit, wherein PFAS-contaminated atmospheres from the high-temperature treatment unit and the cooling unit are captured to prevent emissions to the environment.

2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the reactive oxides comprise metal oxides.

3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the reactive oxides or hydroxides are selected from the group consisting of CaO, MgO, Ca(OH) 2 , Mg(OH) 2 , or a mixture thereof.

4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the acquisition unit operates at a first temperature in a range between approximately 300° C. and approximately 800° C.

5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the PFAS-contaminated waste is selected from the group consisting of concentrated foam from a foam fractionation system, AFFF, soil, water from washing soil, plastic containers contaminated with PFAS, or combinations thereof.

6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the mixing is performed using equipment selected from the group consisting of conventional mixers, rotary kilns, calciners, fluidized beds, or a combination thereof.

7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the high-temperature treatment unit operates at a second temperature between approximately 400° C. and approximately 650° C.

8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the high-temperature treatment unit comprises furnaces, belt furnaces, rotary kilns, or combinations thereof.

9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the cooling unit and the high-temperature treatment unit are a single unit.

10 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the cooling unit and the high-temperature treatment unit are two or more separate units.

11 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the PFAS-contaminated waste comprises solid waste.

12 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the PFAS-contaminated waste comprises PFAS-contaminated containers.

13 . The system of claim 11 further comprising a shredding unit configured to reduce the PFAS-contaminated waste into smaller pieces, facilitating the mixing with reactive oxides.

14 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the PFAS-contaminated containers are plastic containers used to store AFFF.

15 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the shredding unit is connected to a closed storage system designed to contain the shredded pieces and minimize the hazards associated with plastic dust and PFAS emissions.

16 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the shredded pieces of PFAS-contaminated waste stored in the closed storage system are transported to the mixing unit for combination with the reactive oxides.

17 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the high-temperature treatment unit operates at atmospheric pressure.

18 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the treatment of PFAS-contaminated waste in the high-temperature treatment unit results in the decomposition of the waste, distinct from incineration.

19 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the reactive oxides used in the acquisition unit are metal oxides obtained through thermal decomposition of metal hydroxides selected from the group consisting of CaO, MgO, Ca(OH) 2 , Mg(OH) 2 , or a mixture thereof.

20 . The system of claim 19 , wherein the metal hydroxides are decomposed at a decomposition temperature in a range between approximately 300° C. and approximately 800° C.

21 . A method for treating highly contaminated soil using a PFAS mineralization system, the method comprising:
(a) obtaining a quantity of highly contaminated soil, wherein the highly contaminated soil comprises PFAS compounds; (b) mixing the obtained soil with reactants selected from the group consisting of oxides, hydroxides, or a combination thereof; (c) placing the mixture into a high-temperature treatment unit to allow for chemical decomposition of the PFAS compounds, wherein the placing the mixture into a high-temperature treatment unit results in a treated mixture; (d) cooling the treated mixture to create a cooled mixture; and (e) disposing of the cooled mixture.

22 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the high-temperature treatment unit is a batch oven, kiln, fluidized bed, or combination thereof.

23 . The method of claim 22 , wherein the high-temperature treatment unit is configured to optimize the chemical decomposition of the PFAS in the soil.

24 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the mixing of the highly contaminated soil with reactants is performed thoroughly to ensure uniform reaction during high-temperature treatment.

25 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the disposing further comprises measures to ensure safe disposal in accordance with environmental regulations.

26 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the mixture is allowed to cool to a predetermined temperature before disposal.

27 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the reactants used for mixing with the highly contaminated soil are pre-determined based on the level of contamination in the soil.

28 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the high-temperature treatment is configured to specifically target the decomposition of PFAS compounds present in the soil.

29 . The method of claim 21 further comprising a step of monitoring the temperature during the high-temperature treatment to ensure optimal decomposition of PFAS.

Assignees

• Battelle Memorial Institute
• Battelle Memorial Institute

Inventors

• Winecki Slawomir
• Dickson Devin
• Hall Chris
• Napieralski Stephanie
• Kester Philip
• Brackman Emma
• Chiques Leonardo
• Truong Hong Be

Classifications

• C02F1/72

  by oxidation {(C02F1/4672 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• B09B2101/90

  Soil, e.g. excavated soil from construction sites · CPC title

• C02F1/02

  by heating (methods of steam generation F22B; preheating boiler feed-water or accumulating preheated boiler feed-water F22D) · CPC title

• B09C1/08

  chemically · CPC title

• B09B2101/75

  Plastic waste · CPC title