Status and Future Prospects of Heavy-Metal Containing Sludge in Taiwan's Electroplating Industry

摘要

According to the statistics inquiry of Taiwan's EPA, more than 50,000 metric tons of heavy-metal containing sludge (HMS) was generated annually, and the amount of HMS from electroplating factories was nearly 30,000 metric tons. Traditionally, the intermediate treatment and final disposal methods of such hazardous sludge are the solidification and the landfill afterward. It should be noticed that neither the Taiwan government nor resident have paid much attention to recycle valuables from such hazardous waste. This article based on our research describes the present status of metal-bearing sludge, environmental concerns. The availability of recovering the metals from such solid wastes is also introduced.