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Date of Award
2022
Document Type
Campus Access Master's Report
Degree Name
Master of Science in Environmental Engineering (MS)
Administrative Home Department
Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering
Advisor 1
Daisuke Minakata
Committee Member 1
Audra Morse
Committee Member 2
Michael Mullins
Abstract
Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of emerging and potentially carcinogenic contaminants that are widespread throughout the global environment. Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) that utilize ultraviolet (UV)/persulfate to generate highly reactive sulfate radicals (SO4•-) are a potential treatment option for aqueous PFAS compounds. While experiments have demonstrated full degradation of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), one type of PFAS, via UV/persulfate AOP, there is limited understanding of the chemical kinetics of this system, as well as its ability to degrade other types of PFAS. In this study, a simplified pseudo-steady-state (PSS) model and a non-steady-state (NSS) model were created to elucidate the degradation kinetics of PFOA in the UV/persulfate AOP. The PSS model revealed that chloride ions and bicarbonate are major scavengers of SO4•- in surface water and are prohibitive to the degradation of PFOA. The PSS model was determined to be sufficient for preliminary design calculations and has the ability to accurately predict EE/O and the associated cost. The NSS model is capable of predicting PFOA degradation within a factor of 0.05 of experimental results and has the potential to be expanded to encompass other PFAS compounds and aqueous environments. The NSS model was also proven to be superior to Kintecus, the industry-standard kinetic modeling software.
Recommended Citation
Daily, Rose, "DEVELOPMENT OF STEADY-STATE AND NON-STEADY-STATE KINETIC MODELS TO UNDERSTAND AND PREDICT THE DEGRADATION OF PFOA IN THE UV/PERSULFATE ADVANCED OXIDATION PROCESS.", Campus Access Master's Report, Michigan Technological University, 2022.