Pollution Control

Episode 48: An Interview With Louis Lebrun, Axine Water Technologies

PF's On the Line podcast explores an electrochemical oxidation technology designed to eliminate PFAS compounds.

Scott Francis
Editor-In-Chief, Gardner Business Media

NASF/AESF Foundation Research Project #121: Development of a Sustainability Metrics System and a Technical Solution Method for Sustainable Metal Finishing - 15th Quarterly Report

This NASF-AESF Foundation research project report covers the twelfth quarter of project work (October-December 2023) at Wayne State University in Detroit.  In this period, our main effort focused on the development of a set of Digital Twins (DTs) using the Physics-Informed Neural Network (PINN) technology with application on parts rinsing simulation.

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Explore Cleaning Chemistry, Metal Finishing Applications and Wastewater Treatment Solutions

Hubbard-Hall Celebrating 175 years of excellence, Hubbard-Hall presents chemistry and equipment.

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Episode 42: An Interview with Robin Deal, Hubbard-Hall

Hubbard-Hall wastewater treatment specialist Robin Deal discusses the latest trends in wastewater management. 

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NASF/AESF Foundation Research Project #122: Electrochemical Approaches to Treatment of PFAS in Plating Wastewater - 10th Quarterly Report

The NASF-AESF Foundation Research Board selected a project addressing the problem of PFAS and related chemicals in plating wastewater streams.  This report covers the 10th quarter of work (April-June 2023).  Here, we examine the effect of surface fluorination of Ti4O7 anodes on PFAS degradation performance in terms of energy performance as well as formation of chlorate and perchlorate when chloride is present in the solution.  The full paper on this work can be accessed and printed at short.pfonline.com/NASF24Feb2.

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Ultrafiltration Membranes, Filter Elements for Improved Industrial Water Reuse

Ultrafiltration membranes help with water reuse in a variety of applications.

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NASF/AESF Foundation Research Project #122: Electrochemical Approaches to Treatment of PFAS in Plating Wastewater - 9th Quarterly Report

The NASF-AESF Foundation Research Board selected a project addressing the problem of PFAS and related chemicals in plating wastewater streams.  This report covers the ninth quarter of work (January-March 2023).  In this report, we describe our work on evaluating the performance of PFAS degradation by electrooxidation using surface fluorinated Ti4O7 anodes in batch mode.

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NASF/AESF Foundation Research Project #122: Electrochemical Approaches to Treatment of PFAS in Plating Wastewater - 12th Quarterly Report

This NASF-AESF Foundation research project report covers the 12th quarter of project work (October – December 2023) at the University of Georgia. In our previous report, we described our work on performance and effect of surface fluorinated Ti4O7 anodes on PFAS degradation in reactive electrochemical membrane (REM) mode. This quarter, our experiments involved utilizing porous Ti4O7 plates serving both as anodes and membranes. Tests compared pristine and F-18.6 Ti4O7 anodes at current densities of 10 mA/cm2 and 40 mA/cm2. This 12th quarterly report discusses the mechanisms of the effects on EO performance by anode surface fluorination.  


Hubbard-Hall Acquires BioConversion Technology

The acquisition adds experience and biologics to the AquaPure product line.

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NASF/AESF Foundation Research Project #120: Electrochemical Destruction of Perfluorooctanesulfonate in Electroplating Wastewaters - April 2022-March 2023

This NASF-AESF Foundation research project report covers project work from April 2022 to March 2023 at the University of Illinois at Chicago.  The overall objective of this work is to utilize a cost-effective reactive electrochemical membrane (REM) for the removal of PFAS from synthetic electroplating wastewater.  Initial results for the oxidation of PFOA with three different catalysts are discussed.    

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Top 5 Areas to Consider Automation of Plating Operations

Automation for finishing operations can lead to improvements in process time, repeatability and consistency of quality. Yet, processes that make sense to explore for these operational efficiencies may not always be readily apparent.  

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NASF/AESF Foundation Research Project #122: Electrochemical Approaches to Treatment of PFAS in Plating Wastewater - 7th Quarterly Report

The NASF-AESF Foundation Research Board has selected a project on addressing the problem of PFAS and related chemicals in plating wastewater streams, studying PFAS destruction via electrooxidation and electrocoagulation.  Our last report described the results from experiments of EO with a Magnéli phase Ti4O7 anode on the degradation of eight perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs).  In this seven quarter report, we describe work to further explore how the degradation of different PFAAs are related to their molecular structures.

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Zinc Phosphate: Questions and Answers

Our experts share specific questions about zinc phosphate and pretreatment

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Novel Wastewater Treatment Targets Micropollutants

Swiss wastewater treatment technology provider Oxyle specializes in advanced wastewater treatment for removal of highly persistent micropollutants such as PFAS.

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Episode 45: An Interview with Chandler Mancuso, MacDermid Envio Solutions

Chandler Mancuso, technical director with MacDermid Envio discusses updating your wastewater treatment system and implementing materials recycling solutions to increase efficiencies, control costs and reduce environmental impact.

Scott Francis
Editor-In-Chief, Gardner Business Media

Defoamer Designed for Waterborne Coating, Printing Ink Formulations

Evonik’s Tego Foamex 812 exemplifies the company’s sustainability strategy for the paintings, coatings and inks industry.

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NASF/AESF Foundation Research Project #122: Electrochemical Approaches to Treatment of PFAS in Plating Wastewater - 6th Quarterly Report

The NASF-AESF Foundation Research Board has selected a project on addressing the problem of PFAS and related chemicals in plating wastewater streams, studying PFAS destruction via electrooxidation and electrocoagulation.  This sixth quarter report covers the continued assessment of eight perfluoroalkyl acids PFAAs most commonly found in wastewaters, by electro-oxidation with a Magnéli phase Ti4O7 anode across a range of anodic potentials in solutions, exploring the reaction mechanisms.  To summarize, the PFAAs start to exhibit degradation behavior when the anodic potential reaches a level where water oxidation occurs, suggesting that the hydroxyl free radicals generated via water oxidation play a role in PFAA degradation.

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Episode 24: An Interview With Keith Jacobs, CEO, ElectraMet

Keith Jacobs, CEO of wastewater solutions provider ElectraMet, discusses the company’s approach and the latest sustainability trends for wastewater treatment.

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ElectraMet Names New CEO

ElectraMet names Keith Jacobs as its new chief executive officer.

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In-House Blackening of Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metals

Process satisfies customers’ shipping requirements while meeting stricter water regulations in times of drought.

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NASF/AESF Foundation Research Project #122: Electrochemical Approaches to Treatment of PFAS in Plating Wastewater - 5th Quarterly Report

This paper covers a research grant at the University of Georgia - Griffin on developing electrochemical approaches to remove PFASs present in plating wastewaters, under the direction of Professor Qingguo (Jack) Huang.  This fifth quarter report assessed eight PFAAs most commonly found in wastewaters, by electro-oxidation with a Ti4O7 anode across a range of anodic potentials in solutions of different compositions and at varying operating conditions.  

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NASF/AESF Foundation Research Project #120: Electrochemical Destruction of Perfluorooctanesulfonate in Electroplating Wastewaters – January – December 2023

This NASF-AESF Foundation research project report covers quarterly reporting for the year 2023 at the University of Illinois at Chicago.  The objective of this work is to utilize a cost-effective reactive electrochemical membrane (REM) for the removal of PFAS from synthetic electroplating wastewater.  Discussed here are the oxidation of PFOA with three different catalysts, development of a method for detecting PFAS, as well as work on 6:2-fluorotelomersulfonic acid (6:2 FTS) and electrodeposited bismuth/tin oxide catalysts.


EPA Readying Fall Nationwide PFAS Survey of Metal Finishing Industry to Inform New Water Discharge Rule

NASF continues discussions with US EPA on the agency’s plans for a nationwide survey of the metal finishing industry on its use of PFAS. NASF plans to review the draft survey and provide feedback to the agency prior to its distribution. Surveys will likely go to a wide range of job shop and captive operations and are scheduled to be sent out in the fall.

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Metal Finishing Facility Released Hexavalent Chromium into Huron River

Wastewater discharge of hexavalent chromium into Huron River results in “no contact” health advisory, sparking calls for more stringent pollution controls and automotive industry action to reduce hexavalent chromium uses.

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NASF/AESF Foundation Research Project #120: Electrochemical Destruction of Perfluorooctanesulfonate in Electroplating Wastewaters – 7th & 8th Quarter Report

This NASF-AESF Foundation research project report covers the seventh and eighth quarters of project work (October 2021-March 2022) at the University of Illinois at Chicago.  The major activities reported are: (1) to investigate 6:2 FTS oxidation, a common replacement compound for PFOS in the electroplating industry, and (2) PFAS oxidation in both a wastewater sample procured from an electroplating facility and in synthetic solutions. 

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New Jersey DEP Proposes Comprehensive Environment Justice Regulation

New Jersey proposed environmental justice regulations take unprecedented action to require consideration of impacts on overburdened communities in the permitting process. This regulatory process could serve as a model for other states.

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EPA Announces Stringent Drinking Water Health Advisories for Certain PFAS Chemicals

EPA issued new stringent drinking water health advisory levels for PFOA and PFOS that may be below detection limits as it prepares to develop a new drinking water standards for these chemicals.  

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EPA Criticized for Ignoring Environmental Justice Concerns in PFAS Strategic Roadmap

EPA’s National Environmental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC) claims the agency has failed to address adequately environmental justice concerns associated with PFAS in an effort to avoid another crisis similar to the lead in Flint, MI drinking water.

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