#USA #Minneapolis #Claros Technologies #PFAS Destruction #groundwater remediation

Claros Sets New Benchmark in PFAS Destruction

Claros Technologies, Inc., a frontrunner in the field of PFAS destruction, has recently unveiled impressive findings from their latest study demonstrating a staggering 99.99% reduction of targeted PFAS compounds, specifically PFOS and PFOA. This milestone was achieved using their innovative ClarosTechUV™ system on groundwater samples from a contaminated site managed by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) located in Lake Elmo, Minnesota.

The journey began when the MPCA supplied Claros with a concentrated foam fractionation derived from the treatment of approximately one million gallons of contaminated groundwater and surface water. This resulted in a highly concentrated PFAS matrix, replete with significant levels of PFOS, PFOA, along with other short and ultra-short chain compounds. The study was essential in evaluating the effectiveness of ClarosTechUV™ as a critical component of an integrated treatment system capable of handling complex and real-world remediation conditions.

In just four hours, the commercial-scale implementation of ClarosTechUV™ achieved an outstanding 99.99% destruction rate on filtered concentrate. This was significant, notably as the treated concentrate originated from around 600,000 gallons of groundwater, which underscores the system's capabilities for large-scale remediation projects.

Claros had previously conducted trials at industrial facilities, including an extensive 170,000-gallon optimization test with Daikin America, solidifying its ability to effectively manage PFAS destruction in diverse environments. The latest endeavor in Lake Elmo has now elevated their total treated PFAS-contaminated water to over 1 million gallons, encompassing laboratory, pilot, and full-scale implementations.

Real-World Performance Validation

The analytical validation of the results was carried out by ClarosLabs™, utilizing a modified EPA 1633 method for specific compounds including PFOS and PFOA. The analysis revealed an approximate 88% decrease in total organic fluorine post-treatment, correlating with a significant transition to inorganic fluoride, confirming the effective mineralization of PFAS into non-contaminating end products.

John Brockgreitens, co-founder and VP of product development at Claros Technologies, remarked, “This pilot project illustrates that ClarosTechUV™ sustains its performance even when scaled up and integrated with prior processes. Its adaptability for treating highly complex water matrices highlights its potential for large-scale application.”

Economic and Energy Efficiency

The Lake Elmo pilot project further demonstrated exceptional energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness, facilitating over 99.99% destruction of PFOS and PFOA in commercial settings within a mere four hours, all while consuming less than 200 Wh/L of energy and incurring operational costs of about $0.015 per 1,000 gallons of untreated groundwater. Lucas Harvey, Global Sales Director at Claros Technologies, stressed the transformative impact of achieving such cost efficiency, creating robust incentives for remediation authorities to adopt genuine PFAS destruction solutions rather than mere management practices.

About Claros Technologies

Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Claros Technologies stands as a pioneering entity in PFAS mitigation, featuring two primary divisions: ClarosTech™ for permanent PFAS destruction and ClarosLabs™, an accredited analytical laboratory for detecting, quantifying, and assessing PFAS exposure. Claros is committed to the comprehensive removal of PFAS from ecosystems, reaffirming their mission to ensure a cleaner, safer environment for future generations.

To learn more about Claros Technologies and its innovative solutions, visit www.clarostech.com.