GA-EMS launches system to destroy PFAS in biosolids waste

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS), San Diego, says its industrial supercritical water oxidation (iSCWO) system successfully destroyed per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in biosolids waste from samples provided by two Southern California waste management facilities.  

GA-EMS will provide test analysis to both companies to evaluate the potential for using an on-site iSCWO system to destroy PFAS in biosolids. The test analysis will be available to other remediation companies upon request. 

“Wastewater treatment plants provide nutrient-rich biosolids filtered from wastewater to help amend and fertilize soil,” GA-EMS President Scott Forney says. “PFAS is a unique class of forever chemicals that cannot be eliminated from biosolids using existing treatment processes. Putting these contaminated biosolids back into the soil allows the PFAS to reenter the environment, perpetuating a constant cycle of contamination. Our proven iSCWO system offers remediation companies an effective solution to eliminate PFAS and other organic waste completely from biosolids, landfill leachate and wastewater before these toxic forever chemicals have another chance to be cycled back into our environment.”   

GA-EMS says its iSCWO system processes organic waste with water in a high-temperature (650 F) and high-pressure (4,000 psi) environment to efficiently destroy both PFAS and other hazardous and nonhazardous waste. According to the company, posttreatment is not required, there are no gas and liquid emissions and no hazardous byproducts to store, transport or dispose of.  

The system is safe to operate, environmentally sound and cost-effective, GA-EMS adds. 

Tests were conducted at GA-EMS’ iSCWO test facility in San Diego.