Onvector is the recipient of a $900,000 contract awarded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers under the Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP) to destroy aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF). AFFF is Class B firefighting foam used to suppress gasoline fires and very highly concentrated PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). This contract funds final pilot demonstrations to validate the performance and cost-effectiveness of Onvector’s Plasma Vortex technology for PFAS destruction
Project Overview: AFFF is contaminating fire-training sites across the country, including at U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) facilities such as U.S. Air Force bases, representing billions of dollars of clean-up costs. ESTCP is actively supporting destruction technologies like Onvector’s Plasma Vortex to help solve this critical problem cost-effectively. AFFF is found in public and private facilities alike, from military bases and airports to oil refineries and manufacturing plants. Clinical research on the human toxicity of even trace levels of PFAS is leading to new environmental regulations. The collection and destruction of AFFF stockpiles, which have extremely high concentrations of PFAS, are imperative.
Current Challenges: The disposal of collected AFFF in landfills merely delays financial liability and shifts human health risks, rather than eliminating them. This has created urgent demand for a scalable, cost-effective PFAS destruction solution—particularly among the U.S. DoD, state-level AFFF takeback programs, and a growing number of public and private sector stakeholders. Targeting highly concentrated PFAS sources like AFFF is critical to preventing further contamination of drinking water, safeguarding waste and water infrastructure, and protecting long-term human health.
Onvector’s Solution: Onvector’s Plasma Vortex technology destroys up to 99.6% of PFAS, with the final PFAS polished to below discharge limits using reverse osmosis. This solution maximizes performance and cost-effectiveness as well as provides additional benefits:
- No toxic byproducts
- Safe operation with low temperature and pressure
- A closed-loop system that doesn’t release emissions
Onvector is excited to partner with ESTCP in this critical program.