II. R&D NEEDS AND POTENTIAL PROJECTS

2. Wastewater Treatment

a. Background

Plating wastewaters are typically treated using pH adjustment and flocculation to remove pollutant metals such as chromium, zinc, and nickel. This process typically uses liquid chemical solutions, delivered in barrels or drums, to adjust pH and remove metallic cations as hydroxide sludge. The chemicals used in the process are typically alkaline and can represent a risk to workers and the environment if mishandled or released.

Alternative approaches to treating wastewater without the need for solutions of potentially hazardous chemicals have been developed. These systems use iron electrodes and direct current to produce a ferric-ion solution that can be used in wastewater treatment. Such in situ generation of treatment chemicals using only iron bars and electricity would greatly reduce the risk of spills and chemical transportation accidents. The process might also prove to be a cost-effective means of reducing wastewater metals loadings.

b. Projects

The following R&D projects address electrochemical wastewater treatment issues. In particular, they focus on evaluating the process by which ferric ions used in wastewater treatment are generated in situ using electrochemical methods.

i. Determine if the in situ generation of ferric ion solutions represents a viable wastewater treatment system.


ii. Evaluate the effectiveness of in situ systems. Answer the question, "Can a simple electrochemical technique be used as part of a treatment process that will reduce metal effluent loadings in wastewater?"


iii. Generate a cost model that reflects both the risks and the benefits of the in situ control technology.


iv. Conduct a demonstration project at an operational plating facility to evaluate the technology.


v. Conduct a demonstration of the "Electroflotation" electrolysis process developed in Russia.