Processes and apparatuses for converting poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances

A process for converting poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), the process comprising:

• passing a feed comprising PFAS to a thermal oxidation zone, the thermal oxidation zone comprising a vessel and configured to thermally oxidize the PFAS to a fluoride species and to provide a thermal oxidation effluent;
• and,
• cooling, in a cooling zone, the thermal oxidation effluent with a cooling fluid to reduce a temperature of the thermal oxidation effluent.

An apparatus for converting poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), the apparatus comprising:

• a thermal oxidation zone comprising a vessel and configured to receive a feed comprising PFAS, to be operated at a temperature sufficient to thermally oxidize the PFAS to a fluoride species, and to provide a thermal oxidation effluent;
• and,
• a cooling zone configured to receive the thermal oxidation effluent and to reduce a temperature of the thermal oxidation effluent by at least 5%.