
A study shows that Element Six Boron Doped Diamond technology is effective in destroying PFAS in the short chain
Element Six (E6), a world leader in synthetic diamond innovation and a member of the De Beers Group, reports that new academic research conducted by the University of Surrey has validated its boron doped diamond electrode material as a successful solution to break down the carbon-fluorine bond found in short chain PFAS compounds, providing a scalable treatment option for PFAS destruction.
A diamond solution to tackle PFAS
Element Six’s DiamoxTM, which contains synthetic free standing boron doped diamond (BDD), is a cost-effective and highly efficient solution for breaking down dissolved contaminants in waste streams.
DiamoxTM had previously proved successful in treating very contaminated industrial effluents, such as wasted caustic, pharmaceutical, and textile dye wastewaters – all of which are difficulties that traditional water treatment technologies cannot address.
Using Element Six’s diamond electrodes to treat a solution containing two types of short chain PFAS compounds: perfluoroalkyl butanoic acid (PFBA) and perfluoroalkyl butane sulfonic acid (PFBS), the University of Surrey’s School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering recently completed a series of tests.
Dr Madeleine Bussemaker, who led the University experimental work, commented: “Shorter chain PFAS, like PFBA and PFBS, are often harder to break down and can even be produced when PFAS mixtures are treated with conventional degradation technologies. This is why we look at new, emerging technologies like electrolysis and high-frequency ultrasound to treat PFAS. Using BDD, we saw that fluoride release could be as high as >90% of initial fluorine in the PFAS. This was a really exciting result to see in such a preliminary study. Further work is ongoing to translate these results to optimise conditions and applicability of BDD to a range of PFAS types.”
Dr Tim Mollart, Principal Engineer at Element Six, said: “Shorter chain PFAS compounds are shown to accumulate in the environment and, given the ecological risks they pose, the world is now searching for an efficient solution to destroy them. Based on this premise, it is encouraging to see that free-standing BDD electrode water treatment technology is successfully breaking apart the carbon fluorine bonds in the shortest chain PFAS compounds. In this work Element Six’s electrochemical technology has been shown to deliver extremely intense PFAS destruction conditions at the surface of the diamond, in an otherwise low temperature and low-pressure process. Diamox™ has a proven 10-year track record performance in pharmaceutical, textile industries and refinery wastewaters.”
The next steps to overcome PFAS
The University of Surrey and Element Six will publish full findings from the study in the near future, which will fit into the multi-stage PFAS treatment chain.
Element Six continues to support research work that underpins attempts to develop PFAS disposal solutions that meet the demanding criteria necessary for these hazardous waste streams, with groups currently approaching pilot scale with PFAS destruction technology integrating DiamoxTM.
Why is the research relevant today?
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a proposal for long-awaited national drinking water limits for six PFAS chemicals on March 14, 2023: PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS, PFBS, and GenX.
The National Primary Drinking Water Regulation, a new EPA proposal, establishes limitations of four parts per trillion for the two most frequent and widespread PFAS compounds, PFOA and PFOS.
The remaining four will be subject to a combined, computed limit based on their individual health concerns.
Thus far, the EPA’s action is one of the most significant acts by the US Federal Government to regulate PFAS. The proposed regulation, if finalized following a public comment period, will force public water corporations to actively monitor PFAS amounts in their water, notifying the public and adjusting their processes to reduce PFAS contamination if such limits are exceeded.
PFAS have been found in rivers and lakes throughout Europe and the United Kingdom, as well as soils, plants, and animals. Significant ground water pollution has been identified in areas around airports, manufacturing complexes, and other locations, putting increased pressure on regulators to follow the lead of the United States and limit allowable PFAS levels in drinking water.
What are PFAS?
PFAS are a class of synthetic fluorinated organic chemicals that have been manufactured and widely used in industrial and consumer uses since the 1950s.
The substances are sometimes known as ‘forever chemicals’ because they are exceedingly stable and do not degrade naturally or quickly, resulting in an unavoidable build-up in the environment and in animals over time.
In humans, PFAS have been associated to higher cholesterol levels, cancer, liver and kidney disease, and other major health issues such as slower foetal development and reduced fertility levels.
Source: University of Surrey