University of Minnesota team proposes plasma reactor to break down short‑chain PFAS
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Summary
A research team proposed scaling a plasma‑film reactor to decompose short‑chain PFAS — compounds that resist conventional filtration — and to test for toxic byproducts, presenting preliminary NSF‑funded results.
A University of Minnesota engineering team told the LCCMR on June 27 that it is seeking money to scale and demonstrate a reactor technology for removing short‑chain per‑ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from water.
Peter Broderman, a faculty plasma engineer, described short‑chain PFAS (often six carbons or fewer) as harder to remove than long‑chain PFAS because they do not adsorb to surfaces and are more stable in water. He said the proposed reactor combines thin liquid films to concentrate short‑chain molecules at the surface with a plasma layer that decomposes and ‘‘mineralizes’’ PFAS into harmless constituents.
Broderman said the team has preliminary laboratory results, funded by the National Science Foundation, showing effective decomposition of PFBS (a short‑chain PFAS). The planned work would scale the geometry to a prototype reactor, test a range of short‑chain PFAS, optimize the system and verify that no toxic decomposition products remain.
He told commissioners the approach may use cationic surfactants to electrostatically enhance transport of negatively charged PFAS toward the reactive surface, if needed. The presenter emphasized the need to demonstrate both efficacy and absence of toxic breakdown products.
Commissioners did not vote during the presentation. The project team responded to general thanks and said they look forward to follow‑up questions during the evaluation process.