Competition, Compliance, and Cleaner Production in theNickel Plating Industry

摘要

The market for metal finishing products, and in particular, nickel-plated products is highly competitive. Pollution abatement costs and expenditures for the metal finishing community comprise nearly 20% of the community's budget. The competitive and highly regulated nature of the business, along with costs and expenditures for pollution control provide a myriad of opportunities to incorporate cleaner production altematives in the nickel plating industry. This paper discusses solutions to environmental releases from nickel electrodeposition and electroless nickel processes. Included are typical options being implemented for recovery, recycle and extended bath life as well as other cleaner production altematives. This paper addresses six commonly used technologies to separate plating solutions from the waste streams or concentrate the solution components for ease of recycle/reuse. Process substitution, waste reduction through process simulation, and life cycle and sustainable considerations are part of the discussion for an integrated approach for cleaner production within the nickel plating industry. It is recognized that the individual plating shop owner/operator best knows his facility and processes. The purpose of this paper is to assist the owner/operator by providing an understanding of the environmental issues that affect the nickel plating community, and present technical approaches and cleaner production options to these environmental issues. This information is designed to help support the owner/operator in making informed choices for environmental compliance and cost-effective integrated waste management options.