A technology to extract and concentrate PFAS and micro-pollutants

Recent and currently ongoing experiments and tests are particularly promising on the effectiveness of the VAL system on persistent pollutants.

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VAL technology uses “foam fractionation” to separate PFAS from water by creating vacuum foam.

A series of 25 tests in 2023 were carried out in the United States in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Eurofins laboratory. They showed particularly promising results on the extraction and concentration of PFAS. These tests validated the effectiveness of the VAL process with additives under real conditions, confirming its ability to meet current environmental challenges.
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Coldep has granted SEAREN an exclusive license to use its patented vacuum flotation technology (VAL™) for the North American market. Since May 2022, SEAREN has been using this license to perform PFAS removal tests using Coldep's innovative VAL™ technology at the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Test and Evaluation Center in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Pilot projects and large-scale experiments in progress in France

Several pilot projects are under way in France to adapt and apply this technology to local contexts with different types of additives (depending on the objectives targeted). These tests aim to refine the performance of the VAL process in various environments, in particular for the needs of water potability, the treatment of industrial effluents, and sanitation systems, in order to guarantee optimal application.

Collaboration with partners for industrialization

Coldep works in close collaboration with several strategic partners to industrialize the VAL process in 4 key areas (potability, sanitation, industrial effluents and soil pollution control). These partnerships are essential to deploy a reliable and sustainable solution on a large scale, capable of effectively treating emerging pollutants while meeting the specific needs of communities, manufacturers, and water resource managers.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)?

These are chemical products that have been manufactured in various industries and consumer products since the 1940s. They are found in items like nonstick cookware, waterproof clothing, and fire-fighting foams. PFAS degrade very slowly in the environment, accumulating in living organisms and ecosystems. Despite the reduction in the use of some PFAS due to health and environmental concerns, they remain present in the environment and drinking water.

The simplified process in 4 steps

1. Air microbubbles

The system injects microbubbles of air into contaminated water. PFAS, which have surfactant properties, stick to the surface of air bubbles.

2. Vacuum flotation

Thanks to vacuum suction, the bubbles rise to the surface of the water, taking the PFAS along with them. This process creates a concentrated PFAS foam at the top of the column.

3. Continuous extraction

The moss is then harvested, which separates the PFAS from the water. This is done continuously, without the need to shut down the system, thus increasing efficiency.

4. Concentration

The captured PFAS are concentrated in the foam, which significantly reduces their presence in the treated water.

A possible additional step: depending on intended objectives, additives such as co-foamers can be added to increase the efficiency of the process, in particular for PFAS that are more difficult to extract. However, this is not always necessary, as the process can work without additives.

VAL SKID: PILOT TESTING, DEPLOYMENT, AND RENTAL OPTIONS

Coldep provides mobile pilot units in containerized or skid-mounted configurations. These allow for on-site testing and validation of technical decisions from the design phase, supplementing the preliminary lab tests conducted with the VAL PILOT.

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Système SKID mobile du VAL pour le déplacer sur un site industriel

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See the effectiveness of VAL in action. Let's discuss your project to develop the VAL solution (alone or in addition) that corresponds to your problems and your environmental and economic performance objectives.

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