BioLargo’s AEC and the Future of PFAS Removal
BioLargo has introduced a new approach to PFAS removal that lowers costs, cuts energy use, and delivers non-detect results. As limits tighten worldwide, this technology offers a practical path forward for water systems.
Why PFAS Are a Growing Problem
PFAS, often called forever chemicals, pose a serious threat to water quality. Industries use them in products such as firefighting foam, textiles, food packaging, and electronics. Because these chemicals do not break down easily, they build up in soil, water, and the human body.
As a result, PFAS now appear in groundwater, surface water, and industrial discharge across the globe. Even at very low levels, studies link PFAS exposure to cancer, liver damage, weakened immune response, and developmental harm. For this reason, regulators continue to lower allowed limits, in some cases to four parts per trillion.
Limits of Current Treatment Methods
Today, utilities often rely on granular activated carbon, ion exchange, or reverse osmosis. These systems can reduce PFAS, but they bring major drawbacks.
First, they struggle with short-chain and ultra-short-chain PFAS. Second, they cost a great deal to operate and maintain. Finally, they create large volumes of contaminated waste that must be handled and disposed of safely. As regulations tighten, these weaknesses become harder to ignore.
Introducing the Aqueous Electrostatic Concentrator
To address these gaps, BioLargo Equipment Solutions and Technologies developed the Aqueous Electrostatic Concentrator, known as the AEC. This system uses a patented electrostatic process to remove PFAS from water.
Instead of filtering everything out, the AEC targets PFAS directly. It uses their electrical properties to pull them across a selective membrane. Clean water passes through, while PFAS stay trapped. Later, a separate destruction step converts the captured PFAS into inert salts.
Because of this design, the AEC treats groundwater, surface water, wastewater, reverse osmosis concentrate, and landfill leachate with high efficiency.
Performance and Cost Benefits
The AEC achieves more than ninety-nine percent PFAS removal in continuous operation. In addition, it reaches non-detect levels below one part per trillion.
Energy use stands out as a major advantage. Recent design improvements cut power demand by more than ninety percent compared to earlier systems. As a result, energy costs can be as low as thirty cents per one thousand gallons.
Over the full life of a system, the AEC can reduce total costs by up to eighty percent compared to carbon or ion exchange systems. At the same time, it produces only a tiny fraction of the waste generated by traditional treatment methods.
Full Spectrum PFAS Removal
Many technologies fail when dealing with short-chain and ultra-short-chain PFAS, such as trifluoroacetic acid. However, the AEC performs consistently across all PFAS types.
It removes long chain, short chain, and ultra short chain compounds at the same high level. This capability allows utilities to meet even the strictest current and future standards. Importantly, a commercial AEC unit already operates in Stockholm, New Jersey, treating municipal drinking water. This deployment confirms the system works outside the lab.
Where the AEC Can Be Used
Because of its modular design, the AEC fits many applications. These include municipal drinking water, industrial wastewater, groundwater cleanup, water reuse, and landfill leachate treatment. Systems can scale up or down based on site needs, which gives operators flexibility over time.
Built for a Changing Regulatory Landscape
As PFAS rules continue to evolve, utilities need solutions they can trust. The AEC combines low waste, broad PFAS coverage, and reliable non-detect results. For this reason, it offers a strong alternative to older technologies that struggle to keep up.
A Step Change for the Water Industry
The AEC represents more than a technical upgrade. It changes how utilities approach PFAS compliance. By lowering energy use and long-term costs, it allows operators to protect public health without placing a heavy strain on budgets.
BioLargo leaders emphasize that the system works under real-world conditions and delivers predictable costs. With guaranteed performance and flexible design, the AEC helps facilities plan with confidence.
Conclusion
PFAS contamination ranks among the most serious environmental challenges today. Traditional treatment systems often force a tradeoff between performance and affordability. BioLargo’s AEC removes that compromise.
With non-detect PFAS removal, major energy savings, and strong cost control, the AEC offers a practical and scalable solution. As awareness grows and standards tighten, this technology stands ready to support clean water, regulatory compliance, and long-term sustainability.
