Removal and destruction of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances from contaminated water

Abstract

A method of separating perfluoroalkyl and/or polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from water contaminated with at least one perfluoroalkyl and/or polyfluoroalkyl substance and containing dissolved solids. At least one non-polar solvent and/or polar aprotic solvent is added and mixed into the contaminated water to form a solvent/water solution. The water is separated from the solvent/water solution. The at least one perfluoroalkyl and/or polyfluoroalkyl substance migrates to the at least one non-polar solvent and/or polar aprotic solvent and the dissolved solids crystallize during mixing of the solvent/water solution and/or separation of the water. The precipitated solids are separated from the at least one non-polar solvent and/or polar aprotic solvent containing the at least one perfluoroalkyl and/or polyfluoroalkyl substance. Also, further subjecting the at least one non-polar organic solvent and/or polar aprotic organic solvent containing the at least one perfluoroalkyl and/or polyfluoroalkyl substance to supercritical water oxidation (SCWO).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.