Devesh Mittal

Beyond the Quick Fix: Navigating Complex Chemistries in PFAS Remediation

Devesh Mittal, Vice President, Aquatech Environmental Services 

Several factors, including successful litigation against manufacturers, the industrial phase-out of intentional PFAS use, and proactive utility remediation ahead of finalized regulations provide compelling evidence that PFAS can no longer be perceived as "just another emerging contaminant."  Initially, the remediation landscape appeared straightforward, with stakeholders defaulting to Granular Activated Carbon (GAC), Ion Exchange (IX), and Reverse Osmosis (RO). While these are well-established Best Available Technologies (BAT) designated by the EPA for PFAS separation, our growing understanding of the PFAS ecosystem reveals significant complexities. "One size does not fit all" is particularly true for PFAS; these compounds are ubiquitous across groundwater, surface water, and waste streams, and are frequently mixed with other regulated contaminants.  A primary concern for stakeholders is the escalating cost of PFAS remediation, particularly when weighed against future liabilities tied to the disposal of PFAS-laden waste and shifting regulatory landscapes. Accordingly, the industry is moving toward site-specific, integrated treatment trains to effectively break the PFAS cycle. This holistic approach evaluates an expanded toolkit, including removal media (GAC, IX, modified clays), membrane separation (RO and nanofiltration), and concentration methods like foam fractionation, integrating advanced destruction technologies when necessary to achieve final elimination.  This presentation introduces the complete Prediction, Confirmation, Treatment (PCT) framework as a structured, cost optimized approach for designing PFAS remediation systems. The PCT methodology leverages multi technology platforms, validated under one roof through rigorous bench scale and pilot testing to ensure performance across variable chemistries and project scales prior to designing a full-scale system.  We present results from a series of studies evaluating treatment strategies for distinct PFAS laden waste streams, including Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF), AFFF wash and rinse waters, reverse osmosis concentrate, and PFAS impacted groundwater. Each matrix exhibited unique PFAS profiles and co contaminant challenges, requiring tailored process configurations. Across these studies, the objective was to identify the most efficient pathways capable of achieving high levels of PFAS removal and mineralization, as confirmed through non-targeted Adsorbable Organic Fluorine (AOF) analysis and targeted 1633 and ASTM D8421 methods. 

Devesh Mittal holds a Bachelor of Chemical Technology from the Indian Institute of Technology, BHU (India), as well as a Master of Business Administration from Rice University, Houston, TX. He brings 38 years of experience in the water and wastewater treatment industry, including 30 years with Aquatech, where he has held increasingly senior positions spanning application engineering, business development, sales, marketing, operations, manufacturing, and business unit management. Mr. Mittal is currently Vice President at Aquatech and serves as CEO on the Board of Managers for Fluid Recovery Services, a subsidiary focused on oil and gas sector solutions.

Aquatech and Fluid Recovery, headquartered in Canonsburg, PA, specialize in water and wastewater treatment, offering comprehensive services through technology development, equipment design and manufacturing, and turnkey process and business solutions across all industrial sectors handling water or generating wastewater.

Mr. Mittal is dedicated to addressing complex challenges in water and wastewater management by developing advanced technological solutions and successfully bringing them to market. His responsibilities include delivering water and wastewater treatment services through integrated mobile and modular systems. He oversees the commercialization of innovative treatments for PFAS, aiming to provide cost-effective methods to eliminate or prevent re-entry of these persistent chemicals into the environment by separating and destroying organic compounds found in firefighting foams, industrial effluents, municipal waste streams, and drinking water systems.