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Pollution Prevention Opportunities for Rinses and Toxic Chemical Paint Strippers.

Seeking process to recycle the NADEP plating and cleaning shop rinse waters. This water is contaminated with metals and organics. In addition, seeking alternative processes to the chemical strip process using methylene chloride. Is there any other chemicals that are less toxic that do the job? We currently use PMB but cannot get into the complex geometric areas. Some of the laser strip technologies look promising for the future, but what exists now?

Raymond T. Paulson
NAVY - NADEP North Island San Diego, California
1999

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First of two simultaneous responses--

The best way to start (water) recycling is by segregating the wastes. Consult with a knowledgeable professional about which streams can be blended without causing problems. Your primary separation is dilute (rinses) vs. concentrated (bath dumps and floor spills). You also want to keep acids, alkalis and cyanides separated.

If you could provide more specific information on your processes either here on the hotline, or directly via e-mail or on the phone, I would be happy to make some specific recycling suggestions.

Consider alkaline aqueous strippers as an alternative to methylene chloride. I'm sure there are plenty of vendors to help you out with proprietary stripping blends.

Bill Vins
microwave & cable assemblies - Mesa (what a place-a), Arizona
1999

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Second of two simultaneous responses--

Hi Raymond , I suggest that you call the following people :

Mr Henry Munoz Solin Products Inc 1022 N Sabina Street Anaheim California . they are located in the ( 714 ) area code district .

If you use my name as a way of introduction , I am sure they can help you with both a substitute for your Methylene Chloride paint stripper & your effluent problems.

Best regards

John Tenison - Woods
- Victoria Australia
1999

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Say John, you've recommended Solin here a good number of times. If your name carries weight with them, please suggest they take a directory listing here so they're easier to reach and you don't have to keep retyping their address. Sites like this are only possible courtesy of supporting advertisers, who start getting scarce if we spend their money steering business to their competitor, so it would be a win-win