An alternative treatment method for fluorosurfactant-containing wastewater by aerosol-mediated separation. (15th September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ebersbach, Ina; Ludwig, Svenja M.; Constapel, Marc; Kling, Hans-Willi
• Is Part Of: Water research. Volume 101(2016)
• Page Start: 333
• Page End: 340
• Publication Date: 2016-09-15
• Subjects: Per- and polyfluorinated alkylated substances -- Perfluorooctanoic sulfonic acid -- 6:2 Fluorotelomer sulfonic acid -- Industrial wastewater -- Aerosols -- Electroplating; Water -- Pollution -- Research -- Periodicals; 363.7394
• DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2016.05.063
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0043-1354

Abstract

Abstract: The treatment of fluorosurfactant-containing wastewater is still challenging nowadays. Here, a method is presented to remove fluorosurfactants from water, amongst others from electroplating wastewater. This elimination technique is based on the generation of gas bubbles in solution, enrichment and scavenging of fluorosurfactants by transport of the gas bubbles to the water surface. Finally the bubbles collapse and release an aerosol which is enriched with fluorosurfactants. By sampling of the released aerosols a mass balance was established for 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonic acid (6:2 FTSA). Thereby 99.8% of the initial amount was revocered in the collected aerosols. Fluorosurfactant concentration in solution decreased exponentially with half-lives ranging from 2 to 6 min for 6:2 FTSA as well as perfluorooctane carboxylate (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). Elimination rate in defined matrix (0.2 M H2 SO4 ) within 60 min was 99.6, 99.9 and 99.8% for 6:2 FTSA, PFOA and PFOS, respectively. The removal rate of 6:2 FTSA increased in solutions with higher ionic strength. Different wastewater from an electroplating industry containing 6:2 FTSA was treated with the described method without any sample pre-treatment and elimination of 6:2 FTSA took place with the same effectiveness as in synthetic matrices. Graphical abstract: Highlights: Removal of fluorosurfactants from a solution by aerosol-mediated separation. High elimination rates (>99.8%) and half-lives of several minutes are possible. Successful elimination could be accomplished for 6:2 FTSA, PFOS and PFOA. Method was operated successfully with electroplating wastewater without sample preparation.