C.T.S.G. Alembic

Description:

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a large family of synthetic chemicals valued for their unique surface-active, heat-resistant, and water/oil-repellent properties. They’ve been widely used since the 1950s in many industries and products. However, these compounds pose significant risks to health and the environment owing to their stability, potential for bioaccumulation, and resistance to standard treatment approaches. Their elimination from aquatic sources becomes a worldwide challenge.

Adsorption technology, particularly with customized resins, has attracted consideration as an efficient approach for the elimination of PFAS. Ionic exchange resins and non-ionic polymeric resins exhibit the capability to capture PFAS chemicals via distinct mechanisms, providing possibilities for selective removal and regeneration [1,2]. Their efficient use will contribute to enhance water treatment quality.

In this MSc assignment, you will explore the removal of PFAS from aqueous solutions using both batch and flow adsorption experiments with a column. By comparing ionic and non-ionic resins under different operating conditions, you will gain insights into adsorption capacity, selectivity, and column breakthrough behavior. Additionally, the study will investigate regeneration strategies for the adsorption column, focusing on desorption efficiency and resin reusability. The outcomes of this work are expected to provide a better understanding of adsorption mechanisms and contribute to the design of more sustainable water treatment processes.

Methodology:

1. Preparation of aqueous PFAS solutions using representative compounds at representative concentrations.
2. Performing batch adsorption experiments using ionic and/or non-ionic resins on synthetic solutions of representative PFA compounds: Equilibrium and kinetic experiments.
3. Preparing an adsorption column with the chosen resins and use it for the adsorption of PFAS from aqueous medium.
4. Testing regenerating strategies and reusing the resins.

Supervisors:

Mustafa Marti (daily supervisor) - m.e.marti@utwente.nl
Prof. dr. ir. Boelo Schuur (head supervisor) - b.schuur@utwente.nl

* The assignment needs to be completed by the end of August 2026 due to the daily supervisor's contract period.

Objectives:

Characterize PFAS adsorption characteristics: Equilibrium loading for several PFAS molecules, for several resins.

Evaluation of column conditions for the adsorption of PFAS compound, including determining breakthrough curves and evaluating effects of continuous process parameters.

Investigating the possibility of regeneration of the column and desorption of PFAS compound.

References:

(1) Xiao, F.; Davidsavor, K.J., Park, S., Nakayama, M., Phillips, B. R. Batch and column study: Sorption of perfluorinated surfactants from water and cosolvent systems by Amberlite XAD resins. Journal of Colloidal and Interface Science 2012, 368

(2) Parvin, S.; Hara-Yamamura, H.; Kanai, Y.; Yamsaki, A.; Adachi, T.; Sorn, Savannlaksmy; Honda, R.; Yamamura, H. Important properties of anion exchange resins for efficient removal of PFOS and PFOA from groundwater. Chemopshere 2023, 341, 139983.