Engineering Metrics for Full-Scale Viability of PFAS Sorbent Regeneration

Abstract Evolving global regulations of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are driving rapid expansion of sorbent-based treatment in drinking water and industrial effluents. Granular activated carbon and anion-exchange resins remain among the best available technologies, yet the sustainability and cost of full-scale sorbent replacement or regeneration have become critical challenges. Meanwhile, novel adsorbents commonly promise both a higher affinity to remove PFAS and ease of regeneration. Media regeneration can reduce costs and environmental impacts but transfers PFAS into residuals requiring integrated capture, monitoring, and destructive treatment to satisfy compliance expectations. This perspective examines sorbent–regeneration–destruction pathways using implementation-relevant design parameters: residual volume reduction, PFAS mass recovery, and media replacement rate. These design parameters depend on sorption performance, desorption efficiency and kinetics, regenerant demand, solvent recovery, residual composition, and media performance over repeated cycles. We present a systems-level implementation framework linking design parameters and performance metrics with economic and regulatory outcomes and recommend priority data needs for standardized performance reporting to support decision-making.