Ori Soker
PhD Student
Colorado School of Mines
Ori Soker is currently a Ph.D. student in the department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) in Colorado School of Mines. He is originally from North Carolina and received his bachelor’s degree from North Carolina State University in chemical engineering. Ori's goal to connect his interests in chemistry and environmental remediation led him to join Dr. Timothy Strathmann's research group at Mines. Currently, Ori's research focuses on hydrothermal alkaline treatment (HALT) of wastes contaminated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs).
PRESENTATION TITLE
Treatment of PFAS-contaminated wastes using hydrothermal alkaline treatment (HALT)
While physical treatment strategies have been effective at removing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) from contaminated streams — for the treatment of drinking water, for example — these processes leave behind PFAS-containing wastes. These wastes must be handled carefully to minimize risks of further release of PFASs. Preferably, PFAS-contaminated wastes should be treated chemically to destroy the PFASs within them. Using hydrothermal alkaline treatment (HALT), PFASs are mineralized, converting them into less hazardous compounds; this allows for the permanent remediation and safe disposal of contaminated wastes. This presentation explores the use of HALT for treatment of materials that have been loaded with PFASs. Based on the findings presented, HALT can effectively defluorinate and remove PFASs found in contaminated wastes.