Colloidal Carbon

Colloidal activated carbon (CAC)  is a versatile adsorbent and carrier material for in-situ groundwater remediation of PFAS, PFOS and many organic contaminates.  A colloid is a mixture in which one substance consisting of microscopically dispersed insoluble particles is suspended throughout another substance.

CAC can be injected into the subsurface as aqueous suspension. Deposition of CAC on the sediment creates a sorption barrier against further spreading of hydrophobic pollutants including PFAS and PFOS.

With respect to groundwater remediation, Activated carbon with a particle size in the lower μm range (i.e. CAC) offers the possibility to produce stable suspensions that can be injected into an aquifer. Deposition of CAC on the sediment grains around the injection well then creates a sorption-active zone in the aquifer which can prevent spreading of pollutants with the groundwater flow.  CAC can be used as a support for catalysts or reagents in order to establish a combined sorption/reaction barrier or to attempt direct source removal. The concept of a sorption/reaction barrier has been put into practice with the novel bi-functional colloid material, which consists of CAC with deposits of zero-valent iron (about 20 wt.%) and can be applied for reductive dehalogenation of halogenated hydrocarbons.

While ex situ treatment approaches are progressing, and full-scale systems are currently operational (primarily granulated activated carbon [GAC] systems added to existing pump-and-treat infrastructure), there are currently no validated in situ approaches to treat PFAS in groundwater. Many studies and projects have demonstrated and validated the field application of CAC for in situ sequestration of PFAS in source area groundwater, thus mitigating plume expansion.

Hepure’s colloidal carbon is an injectable, colloidal carbon product line (CCP) designed to target groundwater and soil-laden contaminants that have historically proven to be difficult to treat. The ability to tailor the physical and chemical characteristics of this material for specific applications makes it a versatile, low-cost advanced in-situ remediation technology.

Hepure’s colloidal carbon represents the current state of the art for treatment of  PFAS plumes in groundwater.  Its ability to adsorb PFAS and stability of very long periods represent the best technology to date. Call us now for pricing and availability.