The objective of this project was to evaluate the removal of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) from water through various oxidation and adsorption treatment methods. PFOA is a fluorosurfactant and is found in many firefighting foams. Treatment by chemical oxidation was performed with dichromate, calcium hypochlorite, sodium persulfate, potassium permanganate, potassium ferrate, and UV light. Adsorption with granular activated carbon and zeolites was also attempted. None of the oxidation methods presented coherent results due to strong interference of the oxidant with the PFOA solution. Nonetheless, adsorption proved to be a successful and promising technique for removing PFOA from water as compared to oxidation techniques.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Roberts, Kashane Rhomell
• Finelli, Thomas Michael

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042512-110612

Advisor

• Kazantzis, Nikolaos K.
• Bergendahl, John Andrew

Year

• 2012

Date created

• 2012-04-25

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Chemical Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright

Last modified

• 2021-01-27