PFAS Remediation Using High‑Rejection Membrane Treatment
Per‑ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)—including PFOS and PFOA—are persistent contaminants that require advanced treatment to reach stringent, part‑per‑trillion discharge targets. New Logic applies VSEP® reverse osmosis (RO) and nanofiltration (NF)systems to reliably remove PFAS from industrial wastewater, groundwater, landfill leachate, and AFFF (firefighting foam) residuals, delivering non‑detect permeate when properly designed and operated for PFAS remediation.
Who we help
- Industrial facilities with PFAS‑impacted wastewater and variable influent
- Environmental firms executing groundwater remediation
- Sites with AFFF legacy contamination
- Landfill operators and leachate treatment facilities
- Permitted dischargers targeting very low ppt limits
Why Membrane Filtration Works for PFOS & PFOA Removal
PFAS molecules such as PFOS and PFOA are larger than common dissolved salts. RO membranes (MWCO < 100 Daltons) create an effective physical barrier that delivers very high PFAS rejection, often producing non‑detect levels in permeate under appropriate design conditions. NF membranes (MWCO ~100–1000 Daltons) can also be effective for selected PFAS profiles and cost/performance goals.
Key advantages of RO/NF for PFAS
- Physical separation rather than adsorption depletion
- Stable performance with variable influent concentrations
- Compatible with upstream solids control and downstream polishing
- High recovery designs to minimize liquid waste volumes
VSEP®: High‑Shear Membrane Treatment for Challenging Streams
New Logic’s VSEP® (Vibratory Shear Enhanced Processing) technology reduces fouling on the membrane surface by applying controlled vibration, maintaining high flux on streams that typically challenge conventional spiral‑wound systems—such as surfactants, suspended solids, and emulsions often present with PFAS.
Benefits
- Higher sustained flux and recovery on difficult waters
- Smaller footprint vs. conventional systems at equivalent throughput
- Lower cleaning frequency and improved membrane life
- Scalable from pilot to full‑scale multi‑module systems
When to Use RO vs NF for PFAS
Use RO when:
- You need non‑detect PFAS in permeate
- Influent includes multiple chain‑length PFAS species
- Discharge limits are in low part‑per‑trillion range
- You want the broadest margin for compliance
Consider NF when:
- Target species and site goals allow selective rejection
- You’re optimizing energy and capital cost at moderate limits
- Pilot testing confirms required removal can be met with NF
Best practice: We recommend pilot testing to validate flux, recovery, and PFAS removal for your specific water matrix and regulatory targets.
Proven PFAS Remediation Case Studies
Firefighting Foam (AFFF) Wastewater – North America
- Contaminants: PFOS, fine suspended solids, surfactants
- Technology: VSEP® RO
- Performance: ~23.0 GFD flux, 88.1% recovery, ~500 psi, 25 °C
- Result: Non‑detect PFAS in permeate
- Concentrate management: Solidified for landfill
Fluoropolymer Manufacturing Waste – Full‑Scale Since 2004
- Contaminants: Non‑ionic surfactant, PTFE solids, PFOA, unreacted monomers
- Technology: VSEP® RO at ~500 psi, 25 °C
- Performance: ~16 GFD flux; ~80% permeate recovery
- Quality: Permeate with very low conductivity and 0.0% total measurable solids
- Concentrate: ~20% volume routed to incineration
Groundwater PFAS Remediation – Fire Suppression Manufacturer
- Flow: 156 gpm through a four‑module VSEP® RO system
- Recovery: ~80% RO permeate
- Result: Groundwater remediation with zero‑discharge concentrate handling (hauled and treated)
Typical PFOA, PFOS, PFAS Removal Rates with VSEP
Pilot Testing for PFAS Compliance
Our PFAS pilot program characterizes:
- PFAS speciation and influent variability
- Flux and recovery curves (temperature, pressure, fouling profile)
- Permeate quality (PFAS, conductivity, TOC)
- Concentrate management options (solidification, incineration, ZLD)
- Life‑cycle cost model (energy, consumables, membrane life)
Following the pilot, you receive a site‑specific process design with projected performance and OPEX/CAPEX.
Pilot Test PFAS Samples Collected
Concentrate Management & Downstream Options
PFAS treatment concentrates require responsible handling. Typical pathways include:
- Incineration at qualified facilities
- Solidification/stabilization for landfill disposal
- Zero‑liquid‑discharge (ZLD) using thermal evaporation and encapsulation
- Use of PFAS destruction technologies such as plasma
New Logic engineers design systems with whole‑of‑plant strategies to simplify compliance and logistics.
Frequently Asked Questions About PFAS Treatment
Can reverse osmosis remove PFAS to non‑detect? Yes. Properly selected RO membranes and system designs routinely deliver non‑detect PFAS permeate results across industrial wastewater and groundwater matrices.
How does RO compare with activated carbon or ion exchange? GAC and IX are widely used for polishing and for drinking water applications. RO/NF provide a physical barrier and can be preferred for high‑strength or variable PFAS wastewaters, or when targets are ultra‑low ppt.
What happens to the PFAS concentrate? Options include incineration, solidification, or thermal evaporation. We help you evaluate the safest, most compliant approach for your site.
Can VSEP® handle surfactants and suspended solids common with AFFF? Yes. VSEP’s high‑shear action helps maintain flux and reduce fouling on streams containing surfactants, emulsions, and fine solids.
Do you offer pilot testing and full‑scale systems? Yes—New Logic provides pilot programs, system design, and turnkey full‑scale installations.
Research on PFAS Remediation – PFOA PFOS Removal
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- Link to VSEP technology overview page
- Link to pilot testing services page
- Link to case studies library
- Link to landfill leachate treatment page
Talk to a PFAS Treatment Specialist
If you’re targeting ultra‑low PFAS discharge limits, remediating AFFF impacts, or treating PFAS‑impacted landfill leachate or groundwater, our team can help you determine the optimal approach and validate performance with a pilot.
Destruction, incineration, or evaporation technologies work best on small volumes. Use VSEP first to remove as much water a possible to make these back end solutions more economical.
Request a PFAS assessment or pilot → Speak with a New Logic PFAS engineer today.
Phone: 775-783-7600, email: info@vsep.com