PFAS

Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances

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PFAS are persistent, toxic contaminants found in global water sources. NORIT provides advanced activated carbon technologies (GAC, PAC, and reactivation) to meet regulatory demands and protect public health.

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NORIT GAC is optimized for effective contaminant removal through adsorption, leveraging hydrophobic interactions, van der Waals forces, and a tailored pore structure. It is highly effective for both long- and short-chain PFAS in water treatment and remediation systems.

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NORIT PAC is ideal for short-term or emergency PFAS treatment scenarios. Its fine particle size allows for rapid adsorption, often used alongside filtration and coagulation for enhanced efficacy.

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NORIT's reactivation process restores spent GAC for reuse through thermal desorption and destruction of adsorbed contaminates, reducing environmental impact and cost. It ensures full breakdown of PFAS compounds and returns carbon with adsorption capacity similar to virgin material.

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NORIT offers industry-leading PFAS expertise, high-performance carbon products, and eco-friendly solutions. Their offerings ensure compliance with federal and state regulations, while supporting a circular economy.

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Global Industry Benchmark

NORIT GAC Series

  • Re-agglomerated
  • Highest capacity available
  • U.S. produced
  • Also available as PAC
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Granular Activated Carbon

Global Dedicated US Water Grades

HYDRODARCO Series

  • Unique pore structure
  • Excellent for high TOC sources
  • U.S. produced
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Powdered Activated Carbon

Engineered for Excellence, Designed for PFAS Removal

Plant and peoplePer- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent environmental contaminants found in water sources worldwide. Due to their strong carbon-fluorine bonds, PFAS are highly resistant to degradation, requiring advanced treatment technologies for effective removal. NORIT offers a comprehensive suite of activated carbon solutions—including granular activated carbon (GAC), powdered activated carbon (PAC), and carbon reactivation services—to support utilities, industries, and remediation projects in achieving regulatory compliance and safeguarding public health.

Regulatory Landscape

  • US EPA's Health Advisory Level (HAL): 4 ppt for PFOA and PFOS in drinking water.

  • Many states are enacting even stricter PFAS limits, requiring advanced treatment solutions.

  • Upcoming regulations will drive the need for cost-effective, long-term treatment strategies.

PFAS Treatment Solutions

 

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Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) for PFAS Removal

NORIT’s high-performance granular activated carbon (GAC) is engineered for long-term PFAS removal in drinking water treatment plants, industrial wastewater systems, and groundwater remediation projects.

How It Works

GAC effectively removes PFAS through adsorption, a process in which these molecules adhere to the porous surface of the carbon. This occurs via:

  • Hydrophobic interactions: PFAS compounds, particularly long-chain variants like PFOA and PFOS, preferentially adsorb onto the non-polar surface of activated carbon.

  • Van der Waals forces: Weak intermolecular attractions further enhance retention.

  • Pore structure optimization: NORIT’s GAC products feature a tailored pore size distribution to maximize contact with PFAS molecules, ensuring efficient removal even at low concentrations.

NORIT GAC is effective at removing long-chain PFAS (PFOA, PFOS) and short-chain PFAS with the right process controls.

Breakthrough PFCs

 

Performance Comparison: NORIT GAC vs. Competitor GACs

  • NORIT’s GAC is equivalent in performance to leading competitors, including Calgon/Chemviron.

  • Extensive pilot and full-scale studies show:

    • Comparable breakthrough curves and PFAS removal efficiency.

    • Superior consistency in adsorption kinetics due to our highly controlled manufacturing process.

    • Reduced arsenic leaching risk with our ultra-refined GAC formulations.



PFOS Breakthrough

 

 

Powdered Activated Carbon (PAC) for PFAS Treatment

For short-term treatment applications, such as emergency response or seasonal contamination spikes, NORIT’s powdered activated carbon (PAC) provides a flexible and cost-effective PFAS removal solution.

How It Works:

  • PAC is dosed directly into water treatment processes, allowing for rapid adsorption before removal through sedimentation or filtration.

  • Its fine particle size enables fast kinetics, making it ideal for batch treatment or periodic contamination events.

  • PAC is often used alongside coagulation and filtration technologies to enhance overall perfluorinated compound removal performance.

 

Reactivation Services: Sustainable Carbon Management

NORIT offers thermal reactivation services, allowing customers to extend the lifecycle of their GAC while reducing disposal costs and environmental impact.

How It Works:

  • Thermal desorption: Used activated carbon is heated in a controlled, oxygen-limited environment to release adsorbed contaminants, including PFAS.

  • Destruction of organics: High-temperature processing ensures complete breakdown of volatile and organic compounds.

  • Restored adsorption capacity: The reactivated carbon is reintroduced into treatment systems with adsorption properties comparable to virgin GAC, offering a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to landfill disposal.

  • Environmental & Cost Savings:

    • Lower carbon footprint vs. landfill disposal.

    • 50-70% cost savings compared to new GAC purchases.

  • Proven to effectively remove PFAS during reactivation, ensuring safe reuse.

 

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Why Choose NORIT for PFAS Treatment?


  • Water Activated CarbonIndustry-leading expertise: With decades of experience in activated carbon production and application, NORIT delivers optimized solutions tailored to specific forever chemical challenges.

  • High-performance products: Our GAC and PAC products are rigorously tested to ensure consistent, high-efficiency contaminant removal.

  • Sustainable solutions: Reactivation services reduce carbon footprint and minimize waste, supporting circular economy initiatives.

  • Regulatory compliance: NORIT’s activated carbon solutions help customers meet emerging PFAS drinking water and wastewater regulations, including EPA and state-specific standards.

Your Partner for Proven PFAS Solutions

From full-scale municipal water treatment to industrial and remediation projects, NORIT provides end-to-end activated carbon solutions to combat PFAS contamination. Contact us today to learn more about how our GAC, PAC, and reactivation services can support your treatment goals.

Get Expert Consultation for Your Treatment Needs

NORIT is committed to helping you achieve reliable, long-term removal. Whether you’re designing a new treatment system, optimizing an existing process, or exploring sustainable reactivation options, our experts are here to help.

RESOURCES

PFAS Brochure

PFAS Brochure

Studies find that HYDRODARCO 4000 and NORIT GAC 400 activated carbons demonstrated superior performance in the removal of PFAS molecules.

Cottage Grove Pilot

Case Study

Cottage Grove Pilot confirms NORIT GAC as an effective solution for PFAS removal in groundwater, particularly in scenarios where pretreatment options are limited.

Pryor PFAS Reactivation Trial

Case Study

The Pryor PFAS Reactivation Trial confirms that custom reactivation of spent GAC is a viable, sustainable solution for water treatment plants.

Potable Water

Potable Water

Activated carbon adsorption has proven to be one of the most effective technologies for removing a broad spectrum of organic contaminants from drinking water.

EPA Case Study

Case Study

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency examined the performance of NORIT GAC 400 in removing PFOA and PFOS from contaminated water.