PFAS in landfill leachate: A challenge and innovative solution

Author: Dr Verena Stenert

Dr Verena Stenert has a doctorate in chemistry and has been working in the water purification industry for almost two decades. She has been working intensively on the removal of PFAS for over ten years and contributes her extensive expertise to a wide range of cleaning processes.

At Cornelsen Umwelttechnologie GmbH, she is responsible for managing research projects and carries out laboratory and technical centre tests on behalf of customers. A particular focus is on the innovative and patented PerfluorAd® process for PFAS removal, which she regularly presents at specialist events and customer presentations.

With a keen sense for technical developments and new analytical approaches, Dr Stenert is constantly working on further developing existing processes - because the challenges in the field of PFAS elimination are constantly growing.

Table of contents

Landfills are indispensable for waste disposal, but they pose considerable risks to the environment - particularly through leachate and contaminated soils, which are often polluted with perfluorinated and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS).

These substances enter landfills (and thus groundwater / surface waters) via a variety of waste, including industrial waste, impregnated textiles, water- and dirt-repellent products and packaging materials.

A key problem is the lack of transparency regarding the exact composition of household waste. Not knowing which PFAS-containing waste is included means that it is not disposed of properly in hazardous waste landfills (DKIII and specially secured), but ends up in less secure landfill areas, where it can enter the environment in an almost uncontrolled manner.

Rain events contribute to PFAS being washed out of the waste and entering the sewerage system or directly into the groundwater via the leachate system. This leads to large-scale contamination. Due to their chemical stability, these substances are practically non-degradable.

The consequences are alarming: deteriorating water quality, environmental pollution and potential health risks.

This problem shows how urgently effective solutions are needed for dealing with PFAS in landfill leachate.

The challenge: Conventional leachate treatment is not enough

Existing leachate treatment plants are often unable to remove PFAS efficiently. Standard processes such as filtration or adsorption reach their limits when treating these persistent pollutants.

What's more:

  • Leachate often has a high salt load, which makes the use of ion exchangers difficult
  • High organic content (TOC/DOC) makes pure activated carbon treatment ineffective

The result: PFAS remains in the water, enters the environment unhindered and causes long-term damage. However, neither is a problem for PerfluorAd®.

Innovative technologies are therefore required that are specifically designed to remove PFAS.

The solution: PerfluorAd® from Cornelsen

Cornelsen Umwelttechnologie GmbH offers the specially developed PerfluorAd® technology an effective answer to the PFAS problem.

PerfluorAd® is a specially developed biodegradable precipitant that is used specifically to bind and remove PFAS. The technology is based on an innovative chemical approach:

Properties and advantages of PerfluorAd®:

  • Targeted binding of PFAS:PerfluorAd® interacts with the PFAS molecules and leads to their selective precipitation.
  • Efficient aftercare:In many cases, the water pre-purified with PerfluorAd® can be decontaminated by filtration to below the BG of 10 ng/l. The precipitated substances only remain in a small partial stream with a high solids content. The precipitated substances remain only in a small partial stream with a high solids content, which is fed to a high-temperature incinerator: After purification of 1 m³ of water, less than 50 g of solids remain.
  • Proven technology:PerfluorAd® is already being used successfully in various applications, including PFAS-contaminated extinguishing water.

With PerfluorAd®, existing leachate treatment plants can be efficiently upgraded or customised complete solutions can be developed that are individually tailored to the specific requirements of landfills.

Sustainable water treatment as a strategic advantage

By using PerfluorAd®, landfill operators can:

  • actively contribute to the sustainable conservation of resources
  • Prepare for future legal requirements at an early stage

Although there are currently no specific limit values for PFAS in landfill leachate, it is foreseeable that stricter regulatory requirements will follow.

Cornelsen offers:

  • the provision of the reagent
  • the planning and construction of water treatment plants
  • Systems that are specially optimised for PFAS removal

If a leachate treatment system is already in place, PerfluorAd® can be integrated into the system, without the need for major investments.

Why Cornelsen?

  • Innovative technologies:With over 20 years of experience in environmental technology, Cornelsen offers solutions that meet the latest scientific and technical standards.
  • Personalised advice:We work with you to develop customised concepts that are precisely tailored to your requirements.
  • Focus on sustainability:Our technologies help you to efficiently combine environmental protection and resource conservation.

Conclusion

PFAS in leachate from landfills is an increasing challenge that requires innovative and reliable solutions.

The PerfluorAd® technology from Cornelsen offers a tried-and-tested method for effectively tackling this problem.

Rely on a future-proof solution that makes your landfill sustainable and at the same time actively contributes to the protection of water and the environment.

Get in touch with usto find out more about PerfluorAd® and our customised solutions.