Tonya Chandler

Electrostatic Concentration of PFAS in Complex Waters: Evaluation of the BioLargo Aqueous Electrostatic Concentrator (AEC) Technology

Tonya Chandler, President, BioLargo, Inc.

Introduction:

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are highly persistent contaminants found in drinking water, industrial wastewater, and landfill leachate. Their chemical stability and mobility make them resistant to conventional treatment methods such as adsorption (granular activated carbon, ion exchange resins) and membrane separation. These technologies face limitations in removing short-chain PFAS, treating high-strength matrices, and managing secondary waste streams. With the U.S. EPA establishing maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) of ≤4 ppt for PFOA and PFOS, there is an urgent need for scalable, cost-effective technologies that can achieve compliance under diverse water quality conditions.  The Aqueous Electrostatic Concentrator (AEC), developed by BioLargo Equipment, Solutions & Technologies (BEST), represents a novel electro-membrane approach. By applying an electric field, the AEC selectively attracts and immobilizes charged PFAS molecules onto engineered membranes, followed by a thermal electro-oxidative destruction step. This study evaluates AEC performance across bench- and pilot-scale trials, with emphasis on treatment kinetics, operational parameters, and regulatory implications.  

Methods:

• Matrices Tested: Surface water, groundwater, and landfill leachate with varying ionic strength and organic load.  • Pretreatment: Electrocoagulation and advanced oxidation were applied to landfill leachate to reduce COD and hardness (>95%), mitigating fouling and scaling.  • AEC Operation:  • Low hydraulic pressure system  • Closed-loop electrolyte circulation  • No sacrificial anode  • Analytical Approach: Independent laboratory analyses quantified PFAS removal efficiencies across multiple compound classes (PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, 5:3-FTCA).  • Pilot Testing: Operational parameters including power demand, concentrate volume, and membrane life were monitored to inform full-scale design.  

Results:

  • Removal Efficiency: PFAS removal ranged from 94–99.9% across compound classes.  • Leachate Case Study: Initial PFAS concentrations exceeding 7,500,000 ppt were reduced to below EPA limits following AEC treatment.  • Pretreatment Impact: COD and hardness reductions (>95%) improved AEC performance in high-strength leachate.  • Operational Advantages:  • Low energy consumption  • Minimal secondary waste generation  • Reduced replacement part demand  • Lifecycle Cost Modeling: Demonstrated cost advantages over GAC and IX resins, particularly in secondary waste management.  

Discussion:

The AEC’s electro-membrane mechanism addresses critical gaps in PFAS treatment by effectively targeting short-chain compounds and operating under challenging water chemistries. Pretreatment integration enhances performance in leachate applications, while the closed-loop electrolyte design minimizes secondary waste. Pilot data suggest favorable energy efficiency and membrane longevity, supporting economic viability.  Compared to adsorption-based technologies, AEC reduces operational burdens associated with media replacement and waste disposal. Its adaptability across matrices positions it as a strong candidate for integration into existing treatment trains. Importantly, the technology demonstrates compliance with evolving EPA thresholds, offering utilities and industries a pathway to regulatory readiness.  

Conclusion:

Bench- and pilot-scale evaluations confirm that the AEC achieves high PFAS removal efficiencies (94–99.99%) across diverse matrices, including extreme landfill leachate conditions. Operational advantages—low energy demand, minimal secondary waste, and reduced maintenance—enhance its scalability. The upcoming full-scale drinking water installation in New Jersey (January 2026) will provide critical validation under regulatory oversight.  The findings support AEC as a sustainable, scalable solution for PFAS removal and destruction, enabling compliance with stringent EPA standards while reducing lifecycle costs and environmental impacts.  Keywords  PFAS, Aqueous Electrostatic Concentrator, electro-membrane process, landfill leachate, advanced oxidation, regulatory compliance, water treatment

Ms. Tonya Chandler is President of BioLargo’s Equipment Division and a leading PFAS Regulatory Compliance expert. With a global career spanning municipal and industrial water and wastewater sectors, she brings deep expertise in environmental stewardship, emerging contaminants, and water reuse. Tonya serves as an educator and consultant worldwide, translating complex environmental challenges into actionable solutions. Her dual degrees in Biology and Communication fuel her ability to blend technical insight with clear, impactful outreach. Passionate about innovation and sustainability, she champions responsible environmental economics and drives progress through education, collaboration, and strategic leadership.