The Fate of Fluorine Post Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Destruction during the Thermal Treatment of Biosolids: A Thermodynamic Study

Savankumar Patel, Pobitra Halder, Ibrahim Gbolahan Hakeem, Ekaterina Selezneva, Manoj Kumar Jena, Ganesh Veluswamy, Nimesha Rathnayake, Abhishek Sharma, Anithadevi Kenday Sivaram, Aravind Surapaneni, Ravi Naidu, Mallavarapu Megharaj, Arun K. Vuppaladadiyam () and Kalpit Shah ()
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Savankumar Patel: Chemical & Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
Pobitra Halder: Chemical & Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
Ibrahim Gbolahan Hakeem: Chemical & Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
Ekaterina Selezneva: Chemical & Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
Manoj Kumar Jena: Chemical & Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
Ganesh Veluswamy: Chemical & Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
Nimesha Rathnayake: Chemical & Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
Abhishek Sharma: Chemical & Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
Anithadevi Kenday Sivaram: Global Centre for Environmental Remediation, College of Engineering, Science and Environment, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
Aravind Surapaneni: ARC Training Centre on Advance Transformation of Australia’s Biosolids Resource, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC 3083, Australia
Ravi Naidu: Cooperative Research Centre for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment, College of Engineering, Science and Environment, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
Mallavarapu Megharaj: Global Centre for Environmental Remediation, College of Engineering, Science and Environment, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
Arun K. Vuppaladadiyam: Chemical & Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
Kalpit Shah: Chemical & Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia

Energies, 2024, vol. 17, issue 14, 1-15

Abstract: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of fluorinated synthetic chemicals that are highly recalcitrant, toxic, and bio-accumulative and have been detected in biosolids worldwide, posing potential risks to humans and the environment. Recent studies suggest that the organic C-F bond in PFAS can be destructed and potentially mineralised into inorganic fluorides during thermal treatment. This study focuses on thermodynamic equilibrium investigations and the fate of fluorine compounds post-PFAS destruction during biosolid thermal treatment. The results indicate that gas-phase fluorine compounds are mainly hydrogen fluoride (HF) and alkali fluorides, whereas solid-phase fluorine compounds include alkaline earth fluorides and their spinels. High moisture and oxygen content in the volatiles increased the concentration of HF in the gas phase. However, adding minerals reduced the emission of HF in the gas phase significantly and enhanced the capture of fluorine as CaF 2 spinel in the solid phase. This study also investigates the effect of feedstock composition on the fate of fluorine. High ash content and low volatile matter in the feedstock reduced HF gas emissions and increased fluorine capture in the solid product. The findings of this work are useful in designing thermal systems with optimised operating conditions for minimising the release of fluorinated species during the thermal treatment of PFAS-containing biosolids.

Keywords: PFAS; fluorine; biosolids; thermal treatment; mineralisation; FactSage (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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