PFAS DESTRUCTION IN AN ALKALINE, HYDROTHERMAL ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED METHODS AND SYSTEMS

A system for breaking down a PFA (perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl) compound includes a reactor vessel, a heater, and a catalyst. The reactor vessel is operable to hold influent that includes a PFA compound, an alkali, and water, while alkaline hydrolysis separates a fluorine atom from the PFA compound in the influent. The heater is operable to heat the influent to a temperature within the range of 100° Celsius to 700° Celsius. And the catalyst is operable to increase the rate at which alkaline hydrolysis separates a fluorine atom from a PFA compound. The catalyst includes a body that includes a transition metal, which is a d-block metal or a metal from any of the periodic table's groups 4-11. The body also has a shape configured to multiply a surface-area-to-volume ratio by at least 1.5 when the body is disposed in an influent experiencing alkaline hydrolysis.