Overview
WaterRA is commissioning research to address the following problem: Thermal treatment processes such as pyrolysis and gasification are gaining attention as potential solutions for managing PFAS in biosolids. However, the sector lacks a clear, evidence-based framework to determine whether PFAS is truly destroyed during these processes, under what conditions, and how this can be credibly demonstrated. This uncertainty limits progress toward regulatory acceptance of biochar as a resource recovery product.
This project seeks to critically evaluate the current evidence and methods available to assess PFAS destruction during the thermal treatment of biosolids and places particular emphasis on:
- Why current studies struggle to close the fluorine mass balance;
- What constitutes credible evidence of destruction or risk mitigation;
- How uncertainty can be explicitly addressed, including when full data is not available, using reasoned assumptions or risk-based frameworks.
The outputs must be tailored to support:
- Water utilities engagement with regulators (e.g. EPA)
- Internal decision-making by water utilities (e.g. technology selection, risk mitigation)
Proposals must demonstrate an ability to produce practical, defensible guidance from complex and sometimes inconclusive data. Work must be novel: this project is not seeking a rehash of existing reviews but a critical, value-adding synthesis that supports the sector move forward.
WaterRA contact: Vincent Bianchini
Budget estimate: Seeking proposals with a project budget of approximately $90,000 (ex. GST)
Closing date: 2:00 pm AEST, Friday 3 October 2025