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  for Metal Finishing since 1989
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Value of Concentrated Metals Obtained from Electroplating Wastes

2001

I have a patented technology which, if applied to electroplating and metal finishing waste, will economically separate water in vapor form, and the dissolved and suspended metals, simultaneously producing electrical energy.

The recycled water can be returned back to the process for reuse. The electrical power can be also used in the process and/or sold.

My questions:

1. What is the market value of the concentrated metal residue?

2. Potential customer(s) of such a product?

3. How much energy (kWh) is consumed by an average electroplater to run the process?

I would appreciate any help to have my questions answered.

Sincerely,

Alex G., Ph.D.
- Boston, MA USA

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Short answer to all three questions is, it depends. The value of the recovered metal and the cost of electricity required to plate a metal obviously depends upon the metal. The potential users for the process you describe depends upon the cost and efficiency of the process. There are commercially available systems which recover metals from process waste and recycle them into the process, and obviously your process would compete with them in the market.

James Totter, CEF
- Tallahassee, Florida
2001