Through laboratory-scale testing in
The tests are being conducted in cooperation with
PFAS are a large group of synthetic compounds that exhibit both hydrophobic and hydrophilic, surfactant-like properties. They have been used in a wide variety of products, such as coatings and fire extinguishing foam because of their heat resistance and ability to repel both water and oil. However, due to their resistance to natural degradation in the environment, concerns have been raised about their persistence and accumulation in the environment and living organisms. For these characteristics, PFAS have been dubbed 'forever chemicals' and their regulations are being tightened worldwide.
The
Shimizu's soil washing technology includes particle size separation by which contaminants are concentrated, as well as flotation - a process which enhances the quality of the cleaned soil through the attachment of contaminant-bearing particles separated from the soil, to the surface of air bubbles rising in water. Cleaned soil can then be reused for backfilling and other purposes. The greatest advantage of soil washing is that it reduces the amount of soil requiring further cleanup, such as incineration, resulting in lower overall treatment costs.
In anticipation of future demand, Shimizu has been developing PFAS-contaminated soil remediation technology since fiscal 2021, by adapting its proprietary technologies to the characteristics of PFAS. During laboratory-scale testing in the
Moving forward, Shimizu is currently planning a small-scale field test to demonstrate the validity of its technology, followed by PFAS-contaminated soil remediation projects in the
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