PFAS Contamination Management

Background

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) are a class of manufactured chemicals that have been used since the 1950s to make products that resist heat, stains, grease and water. There are over 6,000 individual PFAS identified to date. Of these, there are two that are commonly referred to which are Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS) and Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA).

PFAS-Contamination-Management-Fire

Background

Perhaps the most prominent application of PFAS is their use in firefighting foams referred to as Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF). AFFF has been used extensively worldwide, and within Australia, from about the 1970s by both civilian and military authorities, due to its effectiveness in extinguishing liquid fuel fires.

The historic use of PFAS-containing firefighting foams has resulted in areas of Defence bases and Airports around Australia becoming contaminated with PFOS and PFOA. Over the past five decades, these chemicals have worked their way through the soil to contaminate surface and ground water, and have also migrated into adjoining land areas.

PFAS have had many uses in common household and industrial applications. These include stain resistant applications for furniture and carpets, fast food or packaged food containers, makeup, personal care products and cleaning products.

PFOS and PFOA do not break down in the environment and can travel long distances in water and air currents. They have been shown to be widespread global contaminants and many countries are now monitoring and restricting their use.

PFOS and PFOA have been shown to be toxic to some animals, and because they do not breakdown they can bioaccumulate and biomagnify in some wildlife, including fish. This means that fish, animals, and even humans may accumulate high concentrations of PFOS and PFOA in their bodies.

PFAS Contaminant Management

The McMahon Services Solution

McMahon Services as a specialist environmental remediation contractor provides the equipment and know-how in treating PFAS with a range of reagent products. We are able to do this by having an understanding of the technical requirements of treating PFAS, as well as using state-of-the-art, innovative treatment equipment.

Innovative Soil Treatment

Treatment of PFAS contaminated soil requires a specialised soil recycler, Komatsu Reterra BZ210-1 G-Mode. The Reterra is specifically designed to handle a range of contaminated soils and accurately dose with a variety of reagents. Dosing hoppers and liquid manifolds are used to add the reagents with the PFAS contaminated soil.

The PFAS contaminated soil and reagents are mixed in a chamber consisting of a soil cutter and three flailing hammers, then discharged via another soil cutter. This ensures there is effective mixing between the reagent and the contaminants. The whole process is controlled with an onboard computer system, which monitors throughput of reagents and soil to ensure volumes of material processed are accurately known.

PFAS Contaminated Water Treatment

To safely and successfully treat PFAS contaminated water, a custom designed water treatment plant is required to filter the contaminants. The design specifications for the water treatment plant consists of the following items:

  • Plug and play system with short set-up time (~ 48 hours);
  • Fully automated PLC operation with HMI;
  • Media vessels capable of treating PFAS in water to a level that is acceptable for discharge;
  • Fully automated system with level and pressure controls;
  • Instantaneous and totalised flow readings;
  • Remote communication via SMS with alarm notification (high level, over pressure, leak detection etc.) Remote stop/start/reset system functions.

PFAS-Contamination-Management

McMahon Services are a highly experienced environmental remediation contractor capable of delivering unique, complex and large-scale treatment projects. We can deliver an innovative and compliant approach to the management and treatment of PFAS contaminated soil and water.

A business unit of McMahon Services, Groundwater Treatment Solutions (GTS) can deliver practical and cost-effective treatment solutions for PFAS contaminated water through the execution of treatment techniques.

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