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US 12,522,521 B2Granted
Systems and methods for degrading per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances
AssigneeHaley & Aldrich, Inc.
InventorsZhong Xiong, Min Ying Chu, Darrin Costantini
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present disclosure provides systems and methods for degrading per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) using hydrated electrons generated in an ultraviolet (UV)/sulfite system. These systems and methods may be used, e.g., to remediate wastewater by destroying PFAS and co-contaminants such as chlorinated volatile organic compounds (CVOCs).
Claims27
A system for degrading a per- or poly-fluoroalkyl substance (PFAS), comprising:
- a first storage tank containing a liquid contaminated with one or more PFAS;
- a UV reactor tank, in fluid communication with the first storage tank and configured to receive the liquid contained in the first storage tank;
- and
- one or more UV light sources, each configured to apply a UV light to the received liquid inside of the UV reactor tank;
- a second storage tank containing at least one oxidizing agent;
- a third storage tank containing at least one reducing agent;
- and
- a fourth storage tank containing at least one pH control chemical;
- wherein the UV reactor tank is in fluid communication with and configured to receive:
- a) the at least one oxidizing agent from the second storage tank, b) the at least one reducing agent from the third storage tank, and c) the at least one pH control chemical from the fourth storage tank.
7 more elements
A system for degrading a per- or poly-fluoroalkyl substance (PFAS), comprising:
- a first tank containing a liquid contaminated with one or more PFAS;
- and
- a UV reactor tank, in fluid communication with the first tank and configured to receive the liquid contained in the storage tank, comprising (a) one or more UV light sources, each having a wavelength in the range of 200-300 nm, and (b) one or more heating elements configured to heat the received liquid to a temperature within the range of 40-90° C.;
- and
- a mixer, configured to circulate liquid between the first tank and the UV reactor tank;
- wherein the first tank is configured to dispense at least one oxidizing agent, at least one reducing agent, and at least one pH control chemical into liquid contained in the first tank;
- and
- wherein the first tank and the UV reactor tank are contained within a single enclosure.
5 more elements
A system for degrading a per- or poly-fluoroalkyl substance (PFAS), comprising:
- a UV reactor tank, configured to receive a liquid contaminated with one or more PFAS,
- one or more UV light sources configured to generate light within the UV reactor tank at a wavelength in a range of 200-300 nm, and
- one or more heating elements configured to heat the received liquid to a temperature within a range of 40-90° C.;
- and
- wherein the UV reactor tank is configured to
- pre-treat the received liquid by exposing the liquid to at least one first oxidizing agent in the presence of the UV light generated by the one or more UV light sources, thereby producing a liquid containing a first PFAS degradation product;
- treat the liquid containing the first PFAS degradation product by exposing the liquid to at least one sulfite compound in the presence of the UV light generated by the one or more UV light sources, thereby producing a liquid containing a second PFAS degradation product;
- and
- post-treat the liquid containing the second PFAS degradation product by exposing the liquid to at least one second oxidizing agent, which may be the same as the first oxidizing agent, in the presence of the UV light generated by the one or more UV light sources, thereby producing a liquid containing a third PFAS degradation product.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.