Waste water treatment in electroplating processes
Metal refinement through electroplating: The role of filtration in their wastewater treatment
Electroplating, as the central process of metal finishing, plays a crucial role in industrial manufacturing and refers to an electrochemical process of coating metal objects with a thin layer of another metal. This process not only gives the objects an improved surface quality but can also help to improve their durability and electrical conductivity. In addition to aesthetics and corrosion resistance, electroplating also presents challenges, particularly in the treatment of electroplated wastewater.
Filtration processes are therefore of central importance in electroplating, as they serve to remove particles, impurities and heavy metals from the wastewater. During the electroplating process, various chemicals and metal ions are used which, if left untreated, can have serious environmental impacts. Filtration is therefore a key step in bringing the wastewater to an ecologically acceptable level.
Why is it important to filter galvanic wastewater?
Electroplating wastewater can contain various harmful substances such as heavy metals (e.g. copper, nickel, chromium), acids, alkalis and organic compounds. Depending on the process, used process water and electrolyte baths can release metal residues and additives in different compositions into the wastewater. As these contaminants can pose a risk to the environment, it is necessary to treat them accordingly. Filtration removes these pollutants, which not only promotes environmental protection but also ensures compliance with legal regulations. Filtration is therefore crucial for a company's responsibility towards the environment.
Chamber filter presses offer an efficient and sustainable solution for the filtration of galvanic wastewater. These filter presses work in a closed system that enables the effective separation of solids and liquids. In many cases, however, the solids are still filtered out using a conventional filter press, which in turn requires time-bound personnel to scrape off the filter cake. The fully automatic filter press from Aquachem offers an effective alternative.
Automatic operation reduces the need for manual intervention and optimizes the filtration process. Our fully automatic filter press continuously processes the sludge and discharges it reliably and, if necessary, in 24/7 operation. The unpleasant acidification of the filter cloths, which is carried out outside the filter press in conventional filter presses, is no longer necessary. With the AQUACHEM filter press, this process can be carried out fully automatically and with maximum safety during operation.
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