Method for remediation of perfluorinated compounds from polluted soils.
Fjordforsk AS
Vangsnes 6894, Norway
Org.nr. 91165964
www.fjordforsk.no
Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs)
- Are ultra-stable chemical compounds used in flame retardants worldwide.
- Airports and industrial sites are main areas of exposure by PFCs. National Environmental Agencies express concern over high concentrations in soils.
- PFCs cause environmental toxicity via accumulation in the food chain and have been found in ground water in Norway under airports, as well as in Sweden, other parts in Europe, in China and the USA.
Methods of removal
Current methods for the removal of perfluorinated compounds are limited to laboratory environments which rely on:
- Strong oxidants
- Mixed chemical reactions with toxic chemicals.
- Peroxides and highly flammable compounds.
- Expensive reagents and materials making large scale remediation unpractical.
The technology
- Fjordforsk AS in Norway has developed a scalable method using natural nanoparticles for binding and sedimenting PFCs to prevent from leaking in ground water.
- No chemicals and synthetic materials are used.
- The method can be applied on airport sites, industrial areas and other areas with contaminated soils.
Current results
- Removal rate of perfluorinated compounds: 90-100%.
- Scalability to several tons of soil.
- Fate of flame-retardants: sedimentation and mineralization to nanoparticles.
- Can be applied on PCBs and dioxins.
Figure 1. Perfluoroheptanoic acid seen as transparent layer bound to the surface of natural nanoparticles. Magnification 57.000X by transmission electron microscopy. More at Nanowerk