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PFAS Removal Technologies: Fighting Forever Chemicals in Water

Recycled Water Solutions for Municipal Use

The Forever Chemical Crisis

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have earned the nickname “forever chemicals” for good reason. These synthetic compounds, used in products ranging from non-stick cookware to firefighting foams, contain some of the strongest chemical bonds known to science. While this makes them incredibly useful, it also means they don’t break down naturally and persist in the environment for thousands of years.

PFAS contamination has become a global concern. Detected in drinking water supplies worldwide, these compounds are linked to serious health issues including cancer, liver damage, and fertility problems. With over 4,700 different PFAS compounds in use, removing them from water supplies is one of the most urgent environmental challenges of our time.

BHF’s Role in PFAS Treatment

At BHF, we’ve long tackled complex water treatment challenges. While we have not yet directly supplied RO systems for PFAS removal, we support the PFAS treatment cycle through our ultrafiltration (UF) and membrane expertise. UF systems are a vital pre-treatment step, protecting specialist ion exchange resins and other technologies from premature fouling and ensuring consistent performance.

Our membrane expertise also positions us to support RO systems, which are commonly used globally to concentrate PFAS into a smaller, more manageable stream for subsequent absorption and eventual destruction. In this way, BHF plays a critical role in helping partners optimise their PFAS removal solutions.

Current Removal Technologies

Adsorption Methods

  • Activated Carbon (GAC): GAC is widely used to remove PFAS, particularly longer-chain compounds, achieving 90–99% removal in some applications. However, shorter-chain PFAS are more challenging, and the carbon eventually saturates and must be replaced.
  • Ion Exchange Resins: Ion exchange resins excel at removing shorter-chain PFAS and can achieve high removal efficiency across a broad range of PFAS types. Resins can be regenerated, though the process produces a concentrated waste stream requiring proper disposal. BHF supports these systems by providing pre-filtration to prevent fouling and ensure optimal resin performance.

Membrane Technologies

  • Reverse Osmosis (RO): RO systems physically block PFAS molecules using high-pressure membranes. While highly effective at separating PFAS from water, RO does not destroy the chemicals. Instead, it concentrates them into a smaller stream, which is then typically treated with resins or other destruction technologies.
  • Nanofiltration: Operating at lower pressures than RO, nanofiltration can remove 85–98% of longer-chain PFAS with reduced energy consumption. This technology is often recommended where complete removal is not required, or energy efficiency is a priority.
  • Ultrafiltration (UF): UF systems are an essential pre-treatment step, protecting downstream resin or RO systems from fouling and ensuring consistent PFAS removal performance. BHF’s expertise lies in designing and optimising these UF solutions within multi-technology treatment trains.

Destruction Technologies

  • Electrochemical Treatment: Electrochemical systems can destroy PFAS by breaking their strong chemical bonds, converting them into harmless products such as carbon dioxide and water. Energy requirements remain a consideration for large-scale application.
  • Advanced Oxidation: Methods such as plasma treatment generate highly reactive species capable of degrading PFAS. While promising in lab-scale trials, challenges remain in scaling these technologies efficiently and economically.

Integrated Treatment Approach

PFAS contamination often requires a multi-technology approach. BHF focuses on identifying how our membrane expertise can support these integrated solutions, providing pre-treatment that optimises system efficiency and extends the life of specialist resins and other technologies.

By working alongside technology partners, we help ensure each component of the treatment train operates at peak performance, creating more effective and cost-efficient PFAS removal solutions.

Industry Challenges

  • Energy consumption: Many PFAS treatment methods require substantial energy input, making efficiency-critical pre-treatment vital.
  • Waste management: Most technologies concentrate PFAS rather than destroy it, creating disposal challenges.
  • Cost: Advanced treatment systems are expensive, so protecting investments through proper pre-filtration is essential.
  • Regulatory evolution: Changing discharge limits and standards require flexible, adaptable treatment approaches, which modular membrane designs can support.

Emerging Technologies and Research

  • Photocatalytic degradation
  • Biofilm reactors using specialised microorganisms
  • Molecular recognition materials for highly selective PFAS capture

Research efforts focus on integrating these innovations with proven membrane and process technologies to achieve practical, cost-effective solutions for end users.

Our Commitment

The fight against PFAS contamination requires innovation, collaboration, and practical solutions. At BHF, we leverage decades of membrane and process expertise to support the PFAS removal cycle, optimising systems, protecting technologies, and ensuring reliable, cost-effective outcomes.

While PFAS destruction is handled by specialised technologies, BHF ensures that the supporting filtration systems operate at their best, helping our partners achieve regulatory compliance, environmental protection, and operational efficiency.

Together, through integrated solutions and ongoing innovation, we are helping make effective PFAS treatment more accessible, reliable, and impactful. We look forward to continuing our work in this space, delivering better outcomes to ensure that safe, reliable drinking water is available to all.