Perma-Fix leverages advanced monitoring technology and university partnerships to develop a patented hydrolytic chemical destruction technology that effectively removes over 99.99% of PFAS.
Perma-Fix has patented and commercialized a hydrolytic chemical destruction process for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that achieves greater than 99.99% destruction of both short- and long-chain PFAS. Commercial-scale liquid waste batch reactors operate at lower temperatures and pressures compared to alternative chemical destruction technologies. This technology has proven effective against a variety of short- and long-chain PFAS, low-concentration liquid wastes, and concentrated products such as AFFF with PFAS pretreatment concentrations up to 15,000 to 30,000 ppm.
Innovative treatment process
Process destruction reactions are monitored using Fluorine Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (19F NMR) to monitor destruction rates down to less than 1 ppm. Perma-Fix uses a combination of internal analytical instrumentation and external validation through partnerships with the University of Florida and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. PFAS destruction efficiency has also been confirmed by third-party commercial laboratory analysis for both target compounds and perfluorinated methods. Specifically, EPA Method 1633 (LC/MS/MS) for the listed compounds and EPA Method 1621 for absorbable organofluorine (AOF) and total organofluorine (TOF) are used for destruction verification. Laboratory-based processing of AFFF and other PFAS concentrates has repeatedly shown greater than 99.99% destruction and high mass balance recovery of mineralized fluoride after processing.
The hydrolytic chemical destruction process utilizes reagents and various catalysts to progressively destroy PFAS chains. Although reactions can occur at low temperatures, the majority of laboratory testing and commercial waste treatment is conducted at 150°C (300°F) and 75 to 80 psi in closed reactor systems. Higher temperatures can significantly destroy all PFAS compounds in much shorter processing times. The 1,000-gallon commercial-scale reactor at the Hazardous and Radioactive Waste Treatment Facility in Gainesville, Florida, can process up to 650 gallons of AFFF and reagents in a single batch. The total batch size is 800 gallons, allowing for headspace left in the reactor for added reagents and pressurization.
The liquid residue after treatment is further separated into dilute wastewater and recyclable reagents and catalysts. Dilute water from the reactor overhead, representing approximately 65% of the batch volume, is disposed of at an industrial wastewater treatment facility or an alternative facility based on customer requirements. Reagents and catalysts are recycled into subsequent AFFF processing batches or other industrial waste treatment processes. Once used, the reagents and catalysts are disposed of in industrial or hazardous waste landfills, as appropriate. Management certificate or destruction certificate can be provided based on customer requirements.
“PermaFix uses a combination of internal analytical instrumentation and external validation through our partnerships with the University of Florida and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.”
Expand capacity and improve efficiency
As of April 1, 2026, the commercial-scale reactor located in Gainesville, Florida, has processed more than 43,000 gallons of AFFF, AFFF rinsate, and PFAS foam fractionation concentrate since the system’s initial commissioning in Q4 2024. This system can routinely process over 8,000 gallons per month in a single shift. Additional monthly production capacity can be easily achieved by expanding work shifts. A team of more than 15 engineers and chemists rigorously evaluates the performance of every processing batch to ensure quality and advance processing technology. Depending on each customer’s needs, we can collect a wide range of pre- and post-processing analytical data to provide evidence of destruction, including certificates of destruction. Samples from every batch are collected throughout the treatment process and analyzed by 19F NMR. If desired, 19F NMR analysis can be supplemented with EPA 1633 or 1621.
Beyond commercial-scale processing of PFAS liquids in Gainesville, Florida, Perma-Fix will expand processing capacity to more than 15,000 gallons per month with the addition of a treatment system at its waste facility in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. As of April 1, 2026, construction of the second PFAS treatment system at Oak Ridge will begin and is expected to be completed during the second quarter of 2026. PermaFix has made significant progress in destroying PFAS in both soil and filtration media such as activated carbon, in addition to liquids contaminated with PFAS. Perma-Fix will soon launch a pilot-scale (nominal cubic yard capacity) system for soil, biosolids, and activated carbon processing.
For more information, please contact Javid Kelley or Eunice Hon.
Please note: This is a commercial profile
This article will be published in an upcoming PFAS Special Focus Publication in April.
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