subject: Zinc Plating Industry And Proper Waste Management [print this page] Proper waste management is necessary for various manufacturing industries as they are one of the biggest industry segments that contribute to pollution. The zinc plating industry for instance is considered a big contributor to environment ruining because of the hazardous chemical they use in the plating process. The good news, however, is that more and more plating facilities are now working hard to lessen hazardous waste disposal. More and more are embracing the so-called 'green zinc plating'.
Why need to be serious about proper waste management?
The wastes produced from zinc plating processes have big impacts not just to environment but, ultimately, to living creatures that live in it of course including us humans. Chemicals that are being used in the industry offer the following environment and health concerns:
Chromium that is used in the metal plating industry is a potential hazard to health as it contains chromate, which products are carcinogens.
Lead that many metal processing facilities used in plating can be absorbed through skin tissue and potentially damage vital organs such as brain, kidneys, and muscles.
Cadmium is another type of chemical that is considered extremely toxic that can lead to cancer and failure of lungs and kidneys.
Cyanide that is used in plating baths prevents oxygen absorption by cells; it is toxic to the environment and therefore needs proper disposal.
Improving the process of metal plating wastes management:
General housekeeping keeping the plating areas clean and preventing foreign materials to reduce contamination of the process bath. Using corrosion-resistant tanks and equipment also can contribute in addressing contamination problem.
Monitoring bath composition/chemistry bath chemistry regular monitoring is necessary to determine optimum operating parameters for the plating process.
Additives for plating baths use of plating additives, which helps to aid in the plating process and waste generation reduction. Some of additives that can be used are wetting agents, non-chelated process chemicals.
Equipment enhancement to prevent pollution this does not only help in lessening wastes thrown into the environment but it also prevents contamination of the process bath and extends its life.
Chemical substitution chemical alternatives can be used in the metal plating process to reduce toxicity that common chemicals produce.
On-site recycling and recovery reusing of bath solutions can also reduce wastes discharge. Acid solution regeneration and spent acid bath reuse are some examples that can be applied in the process.
Waste segregation removing impurities from baths can also improve wastes management process. This can include techniques including filtration, carbonate freezing, precipitation, electrolysis, and carbon treatment.
