Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Environmental Protection

March 11, 1998

Subject: Source Test Review

OI-NEG Television Products, Inc. (Techneglas, Inc.)

Plating Operations

Jenkins Township, Luzerne County

To: Karen Gee

District Supervisor

Northeast Regional Office

From: Robert Small

Air Pollution Control Engineer

Division of Source Testing and Monitoring

Bureau of Air Quality

Through: L. Blaine DeHaven

Chief

Division of Source Testing and Monitoring

Bureau of Air Quality

Timothy R. Brooks

Chief

Source Testing Section

Division of Source Testing and Monitoring

Bureau of Air Quality

OI-NEG Television Products, Inc. conduct nickel plating & stripping and chrome plating & 

stripping operations at the above location. Stainless steel molds, plungers and shells are chrome 

or nickel plated and used to form glass television face panels produced at the facility.

The nickel plating operation consists of eight tanks. The first tank is an alkaline clean followed 

by a water rinse, a hydrochloric acid wash, a water rinse, a sulfuric acid wash, and three nickel 

plating tanks. All tanks, with exception of the two water rinse tanks, vent to the ventilation 

system. The nickel stripping operation consists of two non-cyanide strip tanks, a water wash, and 

a water bath. Only the two strip tanks discharge to the ventilation system.

The chrome plating operation consists of four chrome plating tanks, an alkaline rinse tank and 

two water rinse tanks. All tanks vent to existing ventilation system. The chrome stripping 

operation consists of three tanks. First is the strip tank containing a potassium phosphate 

solution followed by an alkaline wash tank and water rinse tanks. All vent to a ventilation 

system.
Data File

OI - NEG Television Products, Inc.

Jenkins Township, Luzerne County 2 March 11, 1998

The emissions from the chrome plating operation are controlled by a MAPCO Enforcer III 

scrubber and combined with the uncontrolled emissions from the nickel plating & stripping and 

chrome stripping operations in a common 34-inch inside diameter stack and discharged to the 

atmosphere.

On July 18, 1997 personnel from Monarch Analytical Laboratories, Inc. conducted emission 

testing for Chromium VI in the outlet stack of above plating operations utilizing California Air 

Resources Board (CARB) Method 425 with colorimetric analysis technique (outlined in 40 CFR, 

Part 63.344 (c)(2)(i)). The test was performed at the facility’s request, after scrubber was 

installed, to establish compliance with standard listed in 40 CFR, Subpart N, Section 63.342. 

The colorimetric analytical technique weight requirement of 33-66 microgram was not achieved 

because of insufficient sample times and volumes. The measured weights for run nos. 1-3 were 

5, 9 and 8 micrograms, respectively. The consultant did not utilized either of the two more 

accurate analytical methods, Absorption Graphite Furnace (AAGF) or Ion Chromatography with 

Post-column Reactor (ICPCR), to determine the weight of the samples. Consequently, the 

sample weight and emission concentration results are considered to be invalid and unacceptable

to the Department.

The consultant has been informed that he has the option of reanalyzing the test samples and 

resubmitting recalculated emission results for review.

cc: Permit No. 40-318-031A

Reading File - Source Testing Section

Data File - Stack Testing

Compliance & Enforcement - Scott Kepner

Division of Permits

EPA/TRB