Per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances removal with granular activated carbon and a specialty adsorbent: A case study

Removal of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from water sources is significant interest as many states have established limits. Three granular activated carbons (GACs) a clay-based adsorbent, Fluoro-sorb® 200 (FS200), were tested using rapid small scale column tests (RSSCTs) to compare relative performance the media for PFAS removal. FS200 effluent was below detection all except PFHxA at 300,000 bed volumes (BVs). The three GACs performed similarly PFBS PFHxA. showed higher BVs breakthrough, required significantly shorter empty contact time, had hydraulic loading rate, translating into smaller footprint than GAC. This work provides important contributions treatment literature, including RSSCT evaluation life comparison GAC in drinking matrices with low organic carbon concentrations. Article Impact Statement Utilities needing will benefit testing methodology results.