Global Partnership Forms to Tackle Harmful PFAS with Unique Solution
In a groundbreaking collaboration, Lummus Technology, renowned for its process technologies and energy solutions, has teamed up with Element Six, a leader in chemical vapor deposition diamond solutions. This exclusive partnership aims to address the worldwide challenge of destroying per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), utilizing a one-of-a-kind approach.
Leon de Bruyn, President and CEO of Lummus Technology, emphasized the significance of this undertaking. “The elimination of PFAS from water sources is a pressing global concern. Lummus and Element Six are committed to confronting this issue head-on,” he stated. “Through the integration of our technologies, we are positioned to offer efficient and scalable solutions for the destruction of these harmful chemicals. This collaboration is about protecting public health and preserving our environment for future generations.”
PFAS, widely known as ‘forever chemicals’ due to their persistence in the environment, have been in use since the 1930s in various industrial applications and consumer products. These synthetic fluorinated organic compounds are resistant to natural breakdown and have been linked to serious health issues, including cancer, immune system suppression, and infertility. As a result, government agencies worldwide are taking measures to regulate their presence in drinking water and consumer goods.
Siobhán Duffy, CEO of Element Six, expressed her enthusiasm for the partnership and its potential impact. “This partnership brings together cutting-edge technologies that will benefit countless aspects of our daily lives,” she said. “From enhancing our environment to protecting our health, this diamond-based electrochemical solution is poised to address the critical global issue of PFAS. I am deeply grateful to the teams at Element Six and Lummus who have worked tirelessly over the past decade to develop this remarkable technology.”
The partnership combines Element Six’s patented boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrochemical oxidation technology with Lummus’ patented electro-oxidation technology and system integration expertise in water and wastewater treatment. Together, they have tested the integrated technologies using free-standing BDD electrodes, achieving successful destruction of both long and short-chain PFAS. These electrodes, unlike metal electrodes plated with BDD, enable high current densities necessary for the destruction of short-chain PFAS.
According to the Color Masterbatch Industry Network, this novel BDD electrochemical oxidation technology is already making waves in the industry, with Lummus and Element Six engaging with customers to address a wide range of real-world applications. This partnership marks a significant step forward in the global effort to tackle the harmful effects of PFAS and pave the way for a cleaner, safer future.