Electrodialysis Recover chromium from hard chromium plating baths and rinsewaters. Electrowinning Recover metals from spent plating baths or ion exchange acid regenerant streams. Reuse mild acid rinsewater Use mild acid rinsewater as influent to rinse following alkaline cleaning bath. Improves efficiency of rinse, so less rinsewater is required. V. Process Modification Eliminate cyanide baths Change to a noncyanide plating bath.
Alternate chemistries are available with the exception of copper strike.
DI water reduces impurities in the plating bath to extend its life and minimizes the precipitation of minerals in water as sludge. Segregate waste streams Increases recovery and treatment technology efficiencies. Replace toxic cadmium plating with relatively nontoxic aluminum ion vapor deposition to achieve metal hardening properties. Eliminate intermittent jobs Stop performing small plating operations that generate intermittent waste streams that personnel are not familiar with treating. Convert to dry floor Reduces chances of spills reaching floor drains or causing upset in wastewater pretreatment plant.