CFPs: Regeneration or Disposal of PFAS-Laden Drinking Water Residuals, Media, and Waste

Objectives

• This project will inform utility decisions when selecting PFAS waste handling options by exploring the benefits and limitations of the following:
  • Availability and efficacy of media reactivation regeneration methods
  • Options for depleted media disposal
  • Reduction of solid and liquid waste volume and potential for further pre-disposal treatment
  • Leaching and fate of PFAS-laden wastes in municipal waste sites

Research Approach

• This RFP is intentionally flexible in the research approach to encourage creativity and originality from proposers. Proposers should describe how they will conduct the research to meet the above objectives. The following key aspects are included as a starting point.
  • Survey
    • Utility survey of current or planned regeneration and disposal practices for granular activated carbon (GAC), single-use and regenerable ion exchange (IX) resins, membrane reject, and solids containing powder activated carbon (PAC). This survey may identify the primary technologies for the investigation and discussion of regeneration and disposal options.
  • Regeneration
    • Validation of effectiveness of various regeneration/reactivation methods in removing organo-fluorine species (PFOA/PFOS and beyond)
    • Availability of regional or state facilities and benefits of offsite vs. onsite vs. in-situ
    • Potential for regeneration of ion exchange resins, and brine or regenerant solution management, disposal, and fate of separated PFAS
    • Fate of PFAS during onsite regeneration of MIEX-like technologies
    • Impacts of waste characteristics (volume, concentration, PFAS type) on regeneration
    • Conditions likely to impact the cost of regeneration/reactivation
    • Technical and economic feasibility for emerging methods for in-situ reactivation of GAC or regeneration of IX media
  • Disposal
    • Summary of available disposal options and their costs
    • Laboratory investigation to determine extent of leaching and behavior/fate of sedimentation or other water treatment plant sludges and spent media in landfills through bench-scale TCLP, WET, and other appropriate testing from various working sites under prescribed test conditions
    • Potential utility liability and impacts of disposal in municipal and hazardous waste landfills

Funding Information

• The maximum funding available from WRF for this project is $300,000. The applicant must contribute additional resources equivalent to at least 33% of the project award. For example, if an applicant requests $100,000 from WRF, an additional $33,000 or more must be contributed by the applicant. Acceptable forms of applicant contribution include cost share, applicant inkind, or third-party in-kind that comply with 2 CFR Part 200.306 cost sharing or matching. The applicant may elect to contribute more than 33% to the project, but the maximum WRF funding available remains fixed at $300,000.
• The anticipated period of performance for this project is 24 months from the contract start date.

Expected Deliverables

• Guidance on selecting regeneration methods and waste handling options, including discussion of available regeneration options, their cost, effectiveness, and availability, and a utility survey of current and planned regeneration and disposal practices.

Eligibility Criteria

• Proposals will be accepted from both U.S.-based and non-U.S.-based entities, including educational institutions, research organizations, governmental agencies, and consultants or other for-profit entities.
• WRF’s Board of Directors has established a Timeliness Policy that addresses researcher adherence to the project schedule. Researchers who are late on any ongoing WRF-sponsored studies without approved no-cost extensions are not eligible to be named participants in any proposals.

Evaluation Criteria

• The following criteria will be used to evaluate proposals:
  • Understanding the Problem and Responsiveness to RFP (maximum 20 points)
  • Technical and Scientific Merit (maximum 30 points)
  • Qualifications, Capabilities, and Management (maximum 15 points)
  • Communication Plan, Deliverables, and Applicability (maximum 20 points)
  • Budget and Schedule (maximum 15 points)

For more information, visit WRF.