The objective of this Statement of Need was to develop an improved understanding of the effectiveness and sustainability of thermal destruction technologies for treatment of materials laden with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). In addition, development of new technologies or modifications to existing technologies that improve the cost effectiveness and sustainability of how these PFAS-laden materials are currently processed was a critical need. The following specific areas of research were of interest.

• Development of a better understanding of incineration on materials of interest, to include a full mass balance from inlet to outlet (including but not limited to PFAS and byproducts in residuals and off-gas), as well as temperature requirements for destruction of PFAS.
• Improved understanding of PFAS fate during thermal reactivation of granular activated carbon (GAC) and other carbon-based sorbents. Also of interest is how reactivation impacts the long-term effectiveness of the sorbent, and the extent to which any hazardous or toxic products are formed and subsequently released from the sorbent.
• Assessment of the fate and behavior of PFAS and co-contaminants during the production and processing of residual product streams from various technologies such as ion exchange, nanofiltration, reverse osmosis, or regeneration of spent ion exchange resins.
• Development of novel or modified sorbents that facilitate less intensive reactivation and more sustainable processes.

Materials of interest included soils, spent GAC or other carbon-based sorbents, and spent ion exchange resins; other materials may include but were not limited to munitions, other demil materials, and concentrated solutions. Proposed efforts should have addressed one of more of the areas of interest listed above. Research should have addressed the wide range of PFAS that may be present in aqueous film forming form-impacted waters, including short-chained perfluoroalkyl acids and potential precursor compounds. Transformation products should have been identified and defluorination should have been confirmed. Other reaction byproducts not involving PFAS (e.g., perchlorate formation from chloride present in the waste stream) should have been carefully identified. The overall energy requirements for treating concentrated waste streams should have been included in sustainability assessments.

Proposers were asked to be cognizant of previous SERDP-funded research that has focused on developing a better understanding of fate, transport and treatment of PFAS in soils and groundwater. Information on these projects can be found on the SERDP website (www.serdp-estcp.org).

Funded projects will appear below as project overviews are posted to the website.