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Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ
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for Metal Finishing since 1989
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High amount of Zinc in Anodizing waste water
February 22, 2014
Q. I work for a small metal finishing company in Michigan and we are having an issue with elevated amounts of zinc going out in our waste water. I have looked online and have seen many sites say that waste zinc is normal when anodizing, but it doesn't say what it comes from and how to minimize it. There are many water treatments that can be done to reduce / eliminate the zinc going out, but is that our only option?
Scott CzarnikPlating shop employee - Jackson, Michigan, USA
A. Scott
If you run a lot of the 7xxx series aluminum, you could expect to have elevated levels of zinc in your wastewater discharge. Your anodize solution might have levels that preclude simple pH adjustment as the sole treatment prior to discharge.
Treatment options will likely depend on what other processes and treatments you have in place.
Minimizing dragout is on the top of the list of things to do.
- Colorado Springs, Colorado
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