Tonya Chandler

Advanced PFAS Removal from Leachate Using AEC Technology 

Tonya Chandler, President, BioLargo Equipment Solutions and Technologies

Leachate from landfills and industrial sites is a significant source of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination of surface and groundwater, posing serious environmental and regulatory challenges. This presentation highlights an innovative approach to capturing and destroying PFAS in leachate, the Aqueous Electrostatic Concentrator (AEC) technology. AEC is a sustainable and highly efficient solution for PFAS removal from leachate and other contaminated aqueous streams. The AEC system consistently achieves over 99.9% PFAS removal of both long and short chain PFAS, reducing contaminants to non-detect levels. A key differentiator for this technology is that it generates significantly less waste byproduct compared to other techniques. 

Through real-world case studies, we will demonstrate the effectiveness of AEC in treating highly PFAS-contaminated leachate from diverse sources, including raw leachate and leachate pre-treated by common techniques like foam fractionation. The presentation will explore AEC’s novel three-stage process, which not only removes PFAS but also enables its destruction using a novel electro-oxidation process, preventing recontamination. Compared to conventional treatment methods, AEC offers lower operational costs, enhanced regulatory compliance, and a scalable design adaptable to various leachate treatment needs. 

Attendees will gain insights into the economic and environmental benefits of AEC technology, its superior performance in PFAS concentration and destruction, and its role in shaping the future of leachate management and PFAS remediation. 

Ms. Tonya Chandler, President of BioLargo's Equipment Division, and PFAS Regulatory Compliance expert for BioLargo Inc. has  spent her career in water and wastewater working both on municipally and industrially, worldwide.  She has a degree from Carroll College (now Carroll University) in Waukesha WI in both Biology and Communication. She has worked for such companies as Shaw Environmental and Veolia Water where she gained hands on experience in all aspects of the industry. Her current focus is on PFAS and water reuse.