Economic analysis of waste minimization for electroplating plants

摘要

The purpose of this study was to investigate the application of waste minimization technology td electroplating plants and to evaluate the economic aspects of such an application. Waste minimization in electroplating plants can be classified into two categories: recycling and source reduction. Generally, source reduction takes priority before the other and is the most economic tool for waste minimization. Reduction of spent cleaning solutions and drag-out minimization are two major tasks, in which 86% and 60%, respectively, of the plants reviewed were involved, while 74% of the electroplating plants utilized purification equipment to recycle raw materials. In the electroplating process, some heavy metals and rinse water can be recycled. Most of the plants that were investigated recycle the effluent water to the rinse process for further use. From the results of the case study, the cost of the equipment and the utilization rate of the facilities have greater influence on the net present value (NPV) than other factors. Therefore, if the cost or the utilization rate of the facilities varies, re-evaluation will be needed.