John Croom

Foam Fractionation: An Impactful Innovation in PFAS Removal from Leachate 

John Croom, VP Sales and Marketing, The Water and Carbon Group

The emergence of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) present a significant challenge due to their pervasive nature and associated health risks. As state and federal regulations evolve to address PFAS, publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) face the risk of non-compliance with stringent permit mandates. This regulatory pressure has subjected POTWs to impose restrictions on the acceptance of leachate from landfills, thereby posing substantial operational and regulatory challenges for landfill owners across the nation.     In response, foam fractionation technology has emerged as a groundbreaking solution for separating PFAS contaminants from leachate effectively and efficiently, all while maintaining sustainable operational expenditures (OPEX) in addition to affordable capital expenditures (CAPEX). This innovation is poised to revolutionize leachate PFAS treatment practices and can be exemplified through the performance of a foam fractionation system located in Bethlehem, PA.     Bethlehem Landfill Co., a site under Waste Connections management, has taken proactive steps to address the removal of PFAS compounds from their leachate to ensure compliance with stringent Industrial Wastewater discharge regulations. Since its full-scale implementation in Spring 2024, Bethlehem Landfill Co. has continually met compliance targets by achieving effluent concentrations to limits of detection (LOD) - see table. Regularly operating at capacities between 50,000 – 80,000 gallons per day, the system is housed in a permanent structure, offering additional CAPEX savings while providing ample space that enhances both operational flexibility and ease of maintenance. This setup allows the system to efficiently scale up to 100,000 gallons per day, ensuring it can accommodate future flow conditions with ease.     Several key factors drive the success of PFAS removal in foam fractionation. The process is resilient to high co-contamination levels, enabling direct treatment of raw leachate without preliminary steps. This efficiency stems from its targeted removal mechanism, which isolates PFAS surfactants based on their amphiphilic properties by creating foam at the air-liquid interface. Optimal PFAS removal also depends on carefully managing Hydraulic Retention Time (HRT), which is crucial for maximizing the removal of PFAS compounds across different carbon chain lengths and ensuring consistent high performance.     Foam fractionation is synonymous with sustainability by utilizing low-horsepower blowers for optimal performance. Moreover, the residual waste produced post-treatment typically ranges remarkably low, from 0.1% to 0.3% of the total daily flowrate. This minimal residual waste is pivotal not only for reducing environmental impact but also for minimizing subsequent destruction costs when coupled with downstream treatment technologies.     In conclusion, this presentation aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of how foam fractionation technology effectively addresses the intricate challenge of PFAS removal from leachate. Supported by tangible results and real-world data from the City of Bethlehem, this discussion highlights the technology’s pivotal role in mitigating environmental challenges and overcoming regulatory obstacles. 

John Croom  VP of Marketing & Sales.  John leads Sales & Marketing in the U.S. with extensive experience in water and wastewater solutions. He focuses on client support, combining process knowledge and regulatory expertise to tackle challenging municipal and industrial projects. Outside of work, John enjoys family time, golfing, and fishing, embodying his motto "leave it better than you found it."