In Situ Treatment of PFAS using Sonolysis within a Horizontal Treatment Well

InSRT (in situ Remediation Technology) is an innovative technology for destruction of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in impacted groundwater in situ using sonolysis, InSRT is deployed within a horizontal well that focuses the flow of upgradient groundwater into the well for a capture zone many times the well’s diameter. PFAS in groundwater is treated by InSRT within the well, making the approach well-suited for a site where mass discharge control is a priority. It also eliminates pumping groundwater to the surface for ex situ treatment, which is expensive and energy-intensive. Furthermore, the destructive treatment process eliminates the need for disposal of PFAS-laden spent sorbent media. InSRT is connected to an aboveground ultrasound generator and its design allows for multiple reactors to be placed in-line. The flow rate through the reactor can be controlled using a low-flow pump with the well. The focus of this presentation will be on the design, implementation, and results of InSRT’s first field demonstration, currently taking place at Peterson Space Force Base (PSFB) in Colorado Springs, CO, funded by the DoD’s Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP, Project ER-21-5045).