Date of Award

3-2020

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Environmental Engineering and Science

Department

Department of Systems Engineering and Management

First Advisor

John E. Stubbs, PhD

Abstract

This research compares the ability of two granular activated carbons (GAC) from different material sources to adsorb perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in deionized water. A bottle study design was used to conduct the research, which measured the reduction in perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS). The carbons used were the bituminous coal based Calgon Filtrasorb 600 (F600) and the coconut shell based Evoqua AquaCarb 1230CX (AC1230CX). Additionally, the research focused on the rates at which the two contaminants were removed and compared them to previous research conducted with different forms of GAC. Results showed that both GACs were capable of reducing the concentration >95% for both PFOS and PFOA, and that the more sustainable and cheaper Evoqua AC1230CX was able to compete with a bituminous coal based carbon. Additionally, PFOS was removed more quickly than PFOA, showing a preference to perfluoroalkane sulfonic acids (PFSA) over perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCA) similar to that which has been observed in previous research.

AFIT Designator

AFIT-ENV-MS-20-M-213

DTIC Accession Number

AD1100851

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