Project Description
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic chemicals that have been widely used in various industrial processes because of their high water soluble nature, non-biodegradable, toxic, and bioaccumulative properties. Activated carbon filters, including active carbon (AC), powdered activated carbon (PAC) and granular activated carbon (GAC) are commonly used for the PFAS treatment. Among them, AC and PAC are high cost and energy-demanding, making them less favorable in long-term applications. GAC filter offers a cost-effective solution and are highly effective for long chain PFAS molecules. However, it struggles to remove short-chain PFAS molecules due to high water solubility, small size, and less hydrophobicity. This results in low adsorption efficiency and early breakthrough in removing PFAS pollutants. The main objective of this project is to develop a carbon-based adsorbent filter for large scale treatment of PFAS. The methodology is to develop a surface-engineered carbon adsorbent through surface modifications. The improved filter will have fast adsorption of both long chain and short chain PFAS molecules. The key advantages of the designed adsorbent include high adsorption capacity and selectivity, fast kinetics for trace-level PFAS removal, ease of integration into standard cartridge filter systems, and applicability to diverse PFAS sources such as groundwater and soil. The filter can be easily applied to an existing industrial water purification plants. The batch and column adsorption experiments will be performed to evaluate the performance of the adsorbent. Also pilot-scale demonstrations will be used to evaluate the filtration under continuous flow with low PFAS concentrations.
Tasks and Responsibilites
The student will participate the experimental work as followings:
1. Week 1–3: Sample Design and Optimization: Synthesis and surface modification of carbon-based adsorbent. Measure the removal performance by using HPLC tests. The student will participate all synthesis experiments and characterization work mentored by the Postdoc in the group.
2. Week 4–7: Process Optimization via Response Surface Methodology (RSM).
• Batch and packed bed column studies.
• Evaluation at different flow rates, PFAS concentrations, and adsorbent amount.
• Statistical analysis of adsorption data using RSM to optimize independent parameters.
3. Week 7–10: Interference Ions and Real-time Testing.
• Evaluate the performance with different competing ions, NOM, and pH.
• Optimize the adsorbent design to enhance binding stability and PFAS selectivity.
4. Week 11–14: Pilot-Scale Demonstration using the designed adsorbent.
Desired Qualifications
None listed.