Bespoke PFAS Treatment Program Delivers Optimal Results

May 6th, 2025

PFAS-laden wastewaters are complex and bespoke, requiring specialized treatment considerations. Saltworks recently worked with a global chemical producer to review treatment alternatives and develop, test, and prove a PFAS treatment scheme that exceeded their goals.

 

PFAS wastewater treatment typically involves three steps:

 

  1. Preconditioning: Enables the downstream PFAS extraction process to operate optimally and protects it from fouling. 
  2. PFAS extraction: Removes PFAS from the wastewater, concentrating residuals for further management. 
  3. Residual management: Safe off-site disposal and/or destruction by a third party. 

Expert consideration is essential for effective, cost-efficient PFAS removal and water recovery. 

Saltworks’ recent and successful pilot program for a major client leveraged robust and novel pre-treatment to safeguard the downstream high-recovery reverse osmosis technology used to concentrate and remove PFAS.

Saltworks' technicians working on a PFAS pilot project at the company HQ
Saltworks' technicians working on the PFAS pilot project

Taking a destruction-technology-agnostic approach, Saltworks’ team began with a detailed options assessment and process modeling, including consideration of membranes, ion exchange, and adsorption systems. Our engineers evaluated, costed, ranked, and recommended treatment pathways. The optimal pathway was selected and tested, proving:

 

  • Reliability of the preconditioning step against competing complex organics,
  • Ultra-high recovery through XtremeRO, and 
  • Production of a minimal liquid discharge (MLD) of concentrated PFAS waste.

Effective PFAS removal requires an unbiased and analytical approach, ensuring clients receive the best solution, not just a vendor’s preferred method. Saltworks’ technology-agnostic approach delivers optimal outcomes. Learn more about our treatment options.

Contact Saltworks’ expert process engineers to explore tailored PFAS treatment solutions through an unbiased options assessment.

About Saltworks

Saltworks Technologies is a leader in the development and delivery of solutions for industrial wastewater treatment and lithium refining. By working with customers to understand their unique challenges and focusing on continuous innovation, Saltworks’ solutions provide best-in-class performance and reliability. From its headquarters in Richmond, BC, Canada, Saltworks’ team designs, builds, and operates full-scale plants, and offers comprehensive onsite and offsite testing services with its fleet of mobile pilots.

Related Resources

Diagram showing the chemical structures of PFOS and PFOA molecules
Application

PFAS Wastewater Treatment

Saltworks’ advanced technology treats PFAS wastewaters to each client’s specifications. Our solutions can integrate into existing or new wastewater processes.