Cyclodextrin Media Removes PFAS From Water
A new trial demonstrates effective elimination of stubborn contaminants from reverse osmosis concentrate.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Chemistry
Live Poll
Do you trust that new treatment technologies are effectively removing harmful contaminants from your local water?
A 64-day trial successfully removed PFAS contaminants from reverse osmosis concentrate using a cyclodextrin-based media. The system processed over 65,000 gallons of reject water while maintaining effective contaminant capture.
Why it matters
Reverse osmosis processes create rejection streams with PFAS levels ten times higher than raw water, posing significant disposal challenges. New media solutions are essential because conventional adsorbents often fail due to interference from competing salts and organic matter.
The system employed a dual-vessel packed bed configuration with a 10-minute contact time to process 65,000 gallons of water. This specific method uses uniform sub-nanometer hydrophobic cavities to target and isolate specific PFAS compounds.
The details
The technology specifically targets and eliminates PFOS, PFHxS, and PFNA while achieving a 93% removal rate for PFOA. By utilizing sub-nanometer hydrophobic cavities, the media effectively bypasses the fouling issues common in legacy filtration systems.
Timeline
The pilot study spanned a 64-day duration.
The Big Picture
This development marks a shift away from legacy carbon-based filtration that struggles with concentrated reject streams. By validating a selective, cavity-based capture method, this research provides a technical pathway to address the high-concentration waste produced by modern desalination and purification plants.
This breakthrough could lead to more affordable and efficient water treatment protocols for utilities currently struggling with toxic concentrate disposal. Successful implementation may eventually reduce the cost and environmental footprint of supplying clean drinking water in areas with high contamination.
The takeaway
Advancements in sub-nanometer cavity technology offer a promising solution to the concentrated waste challenges inherent in modern water purification. These findings suggest that selective adsorption could soon replace less effective, traditional filtration methods in industrial settings.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest innovations in Chemistry and molecular filtration.
Live Poll
Do you trust that new treatment technologies are effectively removing harmful contaminants from your local water?
