PFAS Water Treatment

AAe and CTECH Europe have partnered to provide an innovative technology, designed to effectively remove PFAS from industrial waters, groundwater, surface water and drainage. The water treatment solution is practical and reliable and has been demonstrated to work at both low and high PFAS concentrations.

The technology can work in isolation and also readily be integrated into other water treatment processes. PolyClay®PF not only treats PFAS compounds, but can remove other dissolved phase pollutants and suspended solids. It is a versatile treatment solution and the technology is modular and scalable, treating a range of flow regimes, from 1 m³ per day to in excess of 1000 m³ a day.

CTECH Europe manufacture PolyClay® formulations, which are a specialised blend of clay, carbon, and polymer reagents. CTECH Europe and AAe have developed a bespoke formulation called PolyClay®PF effective at treating PFAS in the water environment to below compliance limits.

What is PolyClay®PF

PolyClay®PF is a blended formulations based on natural minerals, they are powdered semi-granular formulations which are added directly into the wastewater.

The components of the formulations dissolve and react in sequence. They work by pH adjustment, precipitation, ion exchange, coagulation and flocculation.

Why choose PolyClay®PF?

PFAS Water Treatment Design

Step 1

Characterisation of PFAS and treatment requirements

Monitor and analyse water quality including target PFAS compounds.
Assess flow regime requiring treatment.
Derive compliance limits.

Take a look at our consultancy services

Step 2

Concept Design

Design dosage systems to reduce contamination to required standards.
Undertake laboratory desktop trial for proof of concept.
Includes application of reagents to the water at different rates determining optimal solution.

Step 3

Pilot or Short Term Trial

CTECH Europe operate a range of systems to demonstrate treatment solutions in the real environment.
The trial can be pilot based, typically treating 5 m³a day or a short term deployment of the full treatment system depending upon requirements.
Trial data optimses inputs and enables characterisation of outputs, both flow and wastes and enable confident pricing for full scale system.

Step 4

In-House Water Treatment System Design

CTECH Europe design all of their water treatment systems in-house.
Using advanced engineering software, their experienced team prepares detailed 2D and 3D designs tailored to each site and application.
This approach ensures that every solution is precisely matched to customer requirements, combining efficiency, reliability, and ease of integration.

Step 5

Full scale deployment and operation

CTECH Europe design and finalise system based upon the treatment trial.
Solutions is turnkey, integrated as part of wider treatment system or standalone basis.
The system is scalable to treat in excess of 1000 m³ per day of grossly impacted industrial effluent or water.
The solution can be hired or bought and managed by clients.
Servicing can be provided by dedicated service engineers and scientists.
System is remotely monitored and key aspects controlled.

Step 6

Our Support Service

Scheduled preventative maintenance inspections.
On and off site support.
Troubleshooting and repairs.
Provision of spare parts.
Remote access and telephone support.
System events, settings and statistics reports.

How does the PolyClay®PF work?

Hover/ click on the images below to read about the key steps in water purification using PolyClay®PF.

While our Polyclay®PF additives effectively remove PFAS from water they also have the following additional benefits:

They will remove hydrocarbons from solution.
The flocculant properties of the Polyclay®PF also bind and remove suspended solids allowing the discharge water to be clarified. This has added benefit if passing the water through a secondary carbon filter as it avoids fouling.

STEP ONE: PolyClay®PF formula is added directly to contaminated water

At this stage the pH is lowered, coagulation occurs and emulsion is broken down.

STEP TWO: PolyClay®PF starts to react with the contaminated water

Bentonite Clay hydrates and contaminants absorb onto clay platelets.

STEP THREE: Contaminants are absorbed onto the PolyClay®PF

The overall pH is increased and impurities are encapsulated.

STEP FOUR: PolyClay®PF captures PFAS from water and forms a non-hazardous filter cake for landfill disposal.

Its strong binding affinity locks in contaminants, minimising leaching and environmental impact.

Take a look at a successful PFAS treatment trial

Example data derived from a treatment trial at an AFFF impacted site in the UK.

Results confirm complete water purification using a combined PolyClay®PF, primary treatment, and an activated carbon, secondary treatment.

PFAS Compound	Carbon Chain	Inflow Concentration (ng/l)	Concerntration post Stage 1 Treatment (PolyClay®PF)	Stage Reduction	Total Reduction
Total PFOS	C8	86,300	1,070	99%	100%
PFHxS	C6	11,400	316	97%	100%
FHxSA	C6	11,200	259	98%	100%
PFHxA	C6	1,730	238	86%	100%
PFOA	C8	1,450	51	97%	100%
PFPA	C5	766	177	77%	100%
PFBS	C4	548	56	90%	100%
PFBA	C4	0	121	–	–
Total Quantifiable PFAS (sum of 48)		116,656	2,530	98%	100%
Total Quantifiable PFAS (sum of 19)		104,540	2,117	98%	100%

Water Treatment Solutions