ANFIRO, INC. — Environmental Protection Agency SBIR Phase I: 18-NCER-1C

Description

The EPA aims to reduce the total concentration of PFAS in industrial wastewater to <70 ppt. Most treatment methods remove only ionic PFAS, but nonionic PFAS must also be captured to meet this limit as they can degrade to ionic ones downstream.<br/> <br/> Anfiro is manufacturing block copolymer membranes with uniformly sized, nanoscale pores. The technology’s uniquely-sharp size-based separation mechanism should allow both ionic and nonionic PFAS<br/> to be sequestered from wastewater. These membranes also are more chemically inert and resistant to swelling in alcohols than conventional polymer membranes, so they may function in the direct treatment of PFAS-and-alcohol-contaminated wastes from semiconductor manufacturers.<br/> <br/> The technology’s sustainability footprint and price also are competitive. The manufacturing protocols include low-input, low-waste polymerization methods and conventional, continuous roll-to-roll processing. The permeabilities are approximately threefold higher than reverse-osmosis (RO) membranes, so the technology is more energy-efficient. The envisioned modules are conventionally sized for installation as drop-in-replacements.<br/> <br/> These features benefit nearly any application in aqueous separations that is conducted using nanofiltration or RO membranes. This combined market exceeds $4B and is where Anfiro’s technology offers broad potential. With confirmed utility for PFAS sequestration, the technology will further Anfiro’s mission of promoting a sustainable water future.