SPUMA innovation
An accessible, natural and biodegradable solution: extraction of PFAS by foam fractionation
SPUMA has developed a method to extract PFAS from contaminated water and concentrate them in a small volume of foam in a biofoam fractionation process.
This process is based on a patented organic additive coupled with a custom designed foam fractionation technology.
Abatement performance
(nanograms per litre)
General nature of the method
(99% of PFOAS PFAS)
Biological approach using an additive
Foam fractionation uses the physicochemical properties of PFAS to treat them. These compounds are surfactants which will naturally position themselves at the interface between air and water, and it is therefore technically possible to extract them from the water by bubbling it. The additive patented by SPUMA drastically increases PFAS elimination rates through two mechanisms of action:
- It binds with strong affinity to PFAS
- It promotes the formation of foam, increasing the interaction between air and water and therefore the extraction of PFAS
This additive is also easily accessible, natural, and biodegradable.
Tests carried out in the laboratory have shown remarkable results using a single bubbling step. SPUMA solutions reduce processing time and significantly increases abatement rates to eliminate more than 99% of PFOA (C8), PFOS (C8), PFHpS (C7) and PFHxS (C6) in the water contaminated by PFAS.
The solution therefor allows SPUMA to ensure rapid and economical treatment of PFAS:
The concentrate thus produced is then reduced by evaporation processes and/or destroyed using other technologies.
An innovative process
SPUMA has developed a solution that concentrates PFAS in a sized piece of equipment, creating a foam for eradication (a destruction technology is currently under development, with a target date of late 2024).
Based on biomimicry, this disruptive process enables :
- Concentrate PFAS contained in water in foam form thanks to a fully and rapidly biodegradable adjuvant
- Optimize foam-generating bubbling by designing a dedicated machine (1m3/h prototype built)
- Skimming PFAS-concentrating foam and developing a device for destroying it (prototype in the process of being delivered by the end of 2024).
- The SPUMA solution treats large volumes of water with very short treatment times.
To fulfill its mission, SPUMA has set up a multi-disciplinary team of experts with PhDs in chemistry and close links with a dynamic ecosystem. This team is supported by technicians who implement pilot units adapted to each situation encountered. A quadrilingual sales team based in the US, France and Spain, well-versed in the technical-commercial issues, completes the SPUMA team.
From invention to innovation
Based on innovative technologies and inspired by Nature, the new SPUMA offer includes gradual support for each stage of the process:
SPUMA S
SPUMA Scan:
consulting mission to understand the problem, audit and analyze all available data, advise on the acquisition of additional data required and draw up a technical note with recommendations.
SPUMA L
SPUMA Laboratory:
laboratory tests to calibrate the parameters required for the treatment and demonstrate its applicability.
SPUMA P
SPUMA Pilot:
on-site pilot test mission with a demonstrator treating 1m3 /h before moving on to full-scale treatment. Measure the in situ effectiveness of the treatment provided and set the conditions for the final treatment.
SPUMA E
SPUMA Extraction:
SPUMA has patented a solution for extracting PFAS from water, which concentrates the PFAS in a specially-designed unit, creating a foam. Once the SPUMA foam has been skimmed, the dry PFAS residue can be processed. In this way, only the extracted PFAS is treated as waste, with the assistance of a partner selected from the list of SPUMA licensees who will be responsible for the final treatment.
SPUMA D
SPUMA Destruction:
mission to implement PFAS mineralization using the process currently under development.
The global dimensioning resulting from the SPUMA S,L,P missions is carried out by a licensed company which we assist at start-up and at each phase requiring technical and scientific support.
The entire SPUMA offer constitutes a complete Extraction/Treatment/Disposal chain for PFAS, with abatement rates of 99%.
SPUMA solutions enable PFAS to be treated quickly and economically.
The concentrate produced is then reduced by evaporation processes and/or destroyed using other technologies.