Some Possible Process Configurations for Modern Wastewater Treatment Plants for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs) Removal

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have been detected in the influent, effluent, and sludge/biosolids of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) globally. Due to their potential to bioaccumulate in humans, wildlife, and the environment over time owing to their seriously persistent nature and/or strong C-F bonds, PFASs can cause public health concerns. Conventional processes in full-scale WWTPs are usually inefficient in PFASs removal from wastewater and sludge, and advanced treatment technologies are needed for PFASs removal. This study intends to briefly (i) summarize the technologies for PFASs remediation in wastewater and sludge; (ii) review PFASs removal in full-scale WWTPs; (iii) discuss some possible theoretical configurations for the wastewater processing train of modern WWTPs for PFASs remediation; and finally (iv) provide future directions. Further research regarding the techno-economic assessment and optimization of treatment technologies in removing PFASs (especially short-chain PFASs) from real wastewater as well as the performance of full-scale WWTPs consisting of advanced innovative efficient treatment technologies for PFASs removal and associated costs (i.e., construction, operation, maintenance, chemical, energy, and amortization) is still required.