Researchers led by Oxford Brookes University have developed a pioneering hydrodynamic reactor that could revolutionize wastewater treatment by effectively removing toxic PFAS chemicals. The eco-friendly technology has demonstrated remarkable results, showcasing the potential to address a global environmental crisis.
In a significant breakthrough, researchers led by Iakovos Tzanakis from Oxford Brookes University have developed an innovative method to tackle one of the world’s most stubborn environmental threats — PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals.” These chemicals, prevalent in everyday items and a known health hazard, have long eluded effective and sustainable removal strategies.
A hydrodynamic reactor, designed by Tzanakis and his team, leverages a phenomenon called cavitation, where tiny bubbles form and collapse due to changes in pressure. This process effectively degrades PFAS chemicals in water supplies.
“Once contaminated water is released into rivers, lakes and seas, it eventually infiltrates our public water supplies, including our domestic drinking water,” Tzanakis, a professor of engineering materials in the School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics (ECM) at Oxford Brookes University, said in a news release. “Our challenge has been to find a way of effectively treating water to remove PFAS chemicals sustainably and at scale.”
The dangers of PFAS chemicals were identified in the 1970s and confirmed in the early 2000s. These persistent pollutants are associated with severe health effects, including ulcerative colitis, thyroid problems, elevated cholesterol, liver damage and cancer. Their widespread impact has spurred global initiatives to curb their presence in water supplies.
In collaboration with Sabanci University, white goods manufacturer Beko, KTH Royal Institute of Technology and the IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, the team’s hydrodynamic reactor was put to the test at the Hammarby Sjöstad wastewater treatment plant in Sweden.
The results were promising, achieving almost 36% degradation of 11 common PFAS variants in just 30 minutes without needing any additional chemicals.
“The results were impressive,” co-author Morteza Ghorbani, a Royal Society-Newton Fellow at Oxford Brookes who is also affiliated to Sabanci University, said in the news release. “We didn’t expect that level of PFAS processing in such a short space of time.”
The reactor’s eco-friendly, energy-efficient nature makes it a potentially groundbreaking solution for global wastewater treatment needs.
“This technology has the potential to revolutionize wastewater treatment, making it safer and more sustainable for communities around the globe,” added Tzanakis. “The advancements in green hydrodynamic cavitation provide a scalable alternative to current methods, overcoming its limitations.”