// DEVELOPED IN AUSTRALIA
How it started
The Water & Carbon Group (WCG) is an Australia-based company that pioneered the development of the LEEF System® process and technology.
WCG undertook pilot-plant studies to test various treatment technologies. However, none proved effective or efficient in high-strength wastewater like leachate.
Landfill leachate poses a significant challenge due to its high concentrations of a range of organic and inorganic contaminants, rendering conventional removal methods such as Granular Activated Carbon (GAC), Resins (IX), Reverse Osmosis (RO) and Electrochemical Oxidation (EO) ineffective or cost -prohibitive.
Foam fractionation, commonly used in the water sector, showed promise over other technologies. PFAS was an emerging concern in Australia and so WCG developed a market-leading solution, leveraging expertise gained from addressing PFAS in Australia.
WCG engineers designed a patented technology that led to the development of the innovative LEEF System®. In 2022, the first full-scale LEEF System® was successfully deployed in Darwin, Australia and effectively removes PFAS contamination on a daily basis.
To introduce this exciting PFAS removal solution to the United States market, the WCG has formed a partnership with Leachate Management Specialists (LMS) – a trusted US firm well-known for their expertise in the field of leachate management.
// WHY CHOOSE the LEEF System®
How it works
The LEEF System® is a patented technology combining multi-staged, continuous flow foam fractionation and includes an enclosed solar distilling system for enhanced waste volume reduction. This innovative process achieves PFAS removal harnessing the power of air, gravity and the sun.
PFAS attach to air bubbles and by introducing controlled amounts of air into the system in a specific manner, the air bubbles rise to the top and then are skimmed off and the PFAS contaminants removed.
This innovative technology has demonstrated its ability to remove key PFAS compounds down to very low concentrations directly from raw, untreated leachate. As a result, the LEEF System® enables the continued disposal of leachate at existing wastewater treatment plants.
Its unrivalled reliability, operability, and cost-effectiveness is what sets the LEEF System® apart compared to other technologies available in the market. With scalability ranging from 500 gallons per day (GPD) to over 500,000 GPD, the LEEF System® adapts seamlessly to a site’s space constraints, making it an ideal fit for any project.
More Information:
Water and Carbon Group
Leachate Management Specialists
LEEF System® – PFAS Removal (PFOA/PFOS/PFHxS)
Note: Where the number in the graph above has been reported by a laboratory as LoR, it is assumed the combined sum is the LoR.
// TRIAL at your site
Testing and performance
The LEEF System® has been validated through stringent testing on a wide range of PFAS waste streams. Its unique capabilities make it especially effective at targeting PFAS-impacted materials with high levels of co-contamination.
It is proven to remove targeted PFAS contaminants in a short operating time, treating PFAS to less than Limit of Detection (LoD). It consistently generates a very low volume waste stream, with further reductions possible using solar distillation or additional re-processing.
The LEEF System® is in full operation at the Shoal Bay Leachate Treatment Plant in Darwin, Australia, where it is successfully treating 13 million gallons of leachate each year.
The LEEF System® has also demonstrated success in treating some of the toughest leachates in the US, in Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia, New York, Vermont, Alabama and Virginia with many more to be progressed.
The Water & Carbon Group and Leachate Management Specialists have a track record of delivering exceptional results. Their expertise and experience reinforce the reliability and effectiveness of the LEEF System®.
// PFAS Extraction
The LEEF System®
The LEEF System® is a unique, multi-staged treatment system designed to efficiently extract PFAS contaminants from complex waste streams using minimal energy, no chemicals, or consumables.
It has been specifically engineered to achieve 99th percentile PFAS removal, reduce high energy consumption and deliver <1% waste streams while utilizing renewable and naturally occurring resources.