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  for Metal Finishing since 1989
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WANT LOW COST NICKEL SULFAMATE TREATMENT SYSTEM

We are going to setup a production barrel plating operation with nickel sulfamate. We have heard that a reverse osmosis treatment system will cost $80 to $100,000. Does anyone know of a less costly system? (This is literally my first day in this technology.)

Any guidance is appreciated.

Thank you,

Paul Bascom
- Logan, UT
2001

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Paul,

I would not recommend an RO system for the nickel system, as there are several breakdown products that are generated in sulfamate plating that are detrimental to the plating process. These would have a negative effect on the quality and reliability of your product.

Ion exchange systems, with the right resin choice, can effectively remove nickel from sulfamate backgrounds efficiently. It acts a bit different than your standard Watts nickel or Woods nickel strike, so it is not a "no brainer". You didn't give any estimated flow rates or loadings, so it would be difficult to give you 'ballpark' estimates in this forum.

If you are looking at a segregated flow (as it is a new line), we can set up a recover system to capture the nickel as a saleable by-product with little or no capital cost. Depending on the amount of nickel that you will be generating, there will either be a break-even on the monthly fee's or there could actually be a small profit gained from the sale of the nickel salts recovered.

Tom Baker
wastewater treatment specialist - Warminster, Pennsylvania
2001