FY 2018 STATEMENT OF NEED

Environmental Restoration (ER) Program Area 

The objective of this limited-scope Statement of Need (SON) is to develop innovative approaches for treatment of investigation-derived waste (IDW) from investigations of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) impact in the subsurface. This IDW largely consists of excess soil cuttings, purge water from groundwater sampling, and fluid from decontamination of drilling equipment that are impacted at varying levels with PFASs as well as potentially many other traditional CERCLA and RCRA compounds. The preference is for destructive technologies that treat the IDW rather than rely on landfilling so as to avoid potential future environmental liability given that disposal requirements for PFASs are evolving. Specifically, the goal was to address the following objectives:

• Systems that permit unrestricted disposal, discharge, and/or reuse of IDW on-site.
• Mobile or temporary treatment systems that can be deployed easily, minimizing the spatial footprint and mobilization time and effort.
• Cost effective treatment compared to current disposal methods.

The projects listed below were selected to address the objectives of this SON. Additional information on individual projects can be found by clicking the project title.

• Chemical Decomposition Combined with Physical Adsorption for the Treatment of Investigation-Derived Waste Containing PFAS
  • Lead Investigator: Hyeok Choi, The University of Texas at Arlington
• Reactive Electrochemical Membrane (REM) Reactors for the Oxidation of Perfluoroalkyl Compound Impacted Water
  • Lead Investigator: Brian Chaplin, University of Illinois at Chicago
• High-Performance Treatment of PFAS from Investigation-Derived Waste: Integrating Advanced Oxidation-Reduction and Membrane Concentration
  • Lead Investigator: Jinyong Liu, University of California, Riverside
• Hydrothermal Technologies for On-Site Destruction of Site Investigation Wastes Impacted by PFAS
  • Lead Investigator: Timothy Strathmann, Colorado School of Mines
• Effective Destruction of PFAS in Water by Modified SiiC-Based Photocatalysts
  • Lead Investigator: Zachary Hendren, Research Triangle Institute
• A Cost-Effective Technology for Destruction of PFAS from DoD Subsurface Investigation-Derived Wastes
  • Lead Investigator: Dongye (Don) Zhao, San Diego State University
• Complete Reductive Defluorination of PFAS by Hydrated Electrons Generated from 3-Indole-Acetic-Acid in Chitosan-Modified Montmorillonite
  • Lead Investigator: Hailiang Dong, Miami University
• Enhanced Oxidative Destruction of PFAS in Investigation Derived Waste Soil and Water
  • Lead Investigator: Thomas Boving, University of Rhode Island
• Small-Scale Thermal Treatment of Investigation-Derived Wastes Containing PFAS
  • Lead Investigator: Yuwei Zhao, APTIM Federal Services, LLC
• Application of Non-Thermal Plasma Technology for the Removal of PFAS from Investigation-Derived Wastes
  • Lead Investigator: Christopher Sales, Drexel University
• Evaluation of Indirect Thermal Desorption Coupled with Thermal Oxidation (ITD/TO) Technology to Treat Solid PFAS-Impacted Investigation-Derived Waste (IDW)
  • Lead Investigator: Frank Barranco, EA Engineering, Science, and Technology, Inc., PBC
• Demonstration of Smoldering Combustion Treatment of PFAS-Impacted Investigation-Derived Waste
  • Lead Investigator: Dave Major, Geosyntec Consultants
• A Combined Photo/Electrochemical Reductive Pathway Towards Enhanced PFAS Degradation
  • Lead Investigator: David Jassby, University of California, Los Angeles
• Pilot Scale Assessment of a Deployable Photocatalytic Treatment System Modified with BiPO4 Catalyst Particles for PFAS Destruction in Investigation-Derived Wastewaters
  • Lead Investigator: Ezra Cates, Clemson University
• Field Demonstration of Infrared Thermal Treatment of PFAS-Impacted Soils from Subsurface Investigations
  • Lead Investigator: James Hatton, CH2M Hill, Inc.
• Ex Situ Remediation of Investigation-Derived Wastes Containing PFAS by Electron Beam Technology
  • Lead Investigator: Suresh D. Pillai, Texas A&M University System
• Plasma Based Treatment Processes for PFAS Investigation Derived Waste
  • Lead Investigator: Juby Varghese, Clarkson University
• Destruction of PFAS and Organic Co-Occurring Chemicals in Water and Soil Present in Investigation-Derived Waste Using Novel Adsorbent and Ultrasound
  • Lead Investigator: Hui (Lisa) Yu, Amriton LLC

Research should lead to improved management of PFAS sites, specifically for residual impact characteristic of aged source zones with particular emphasis on perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS)-containing AFFF agents. Products should provide tools and guidance to users (i.e., Remedial Program Managers) on effective management options for such sites. Further, this information will be used to support cost-benefit analyses of treatment methods and management strategies. The resulting tools and understanding should improve the ability to implement effective remedial strategies at DoD sites.