Page 28 - CFCM May-June 2021_Neat

PLATING AND ANODIZING: FUME CONTROL

California Hexavalent Emission requirements along with Federal involves the contact of a gas stream with an aqueous solution, the
Emission standards,” the company states. “The Viro-Chrome company observes. Due to the fact that the chrome exists in the mist
9000 has exceeded these requirements of 0.006 mg/Amp hour of droplets, and not as a gas, the adsorption method is not effective.
chrome emissions.” “To properly scrub chrome, mesh pads are used to create separa-
The equipment series is available in PVC – Type I and FRP. Viron tion of the chrome-laden vapor from the air stream on contact.
International fabricates the chrome systems at its company-owned By using these mesh pads in a multi staged set-up, within a horizon-
facilities, and Viron Engineering has developed a proprietary FRP tal scrubber, chrome scrubbing efficiency greater than 99 percent
laminate construction to maximize the performance of FRP in the can be achieved.”
harsh environmental of scrubbing chromic acid. The mesh pads are key in chrome scrubbing due to their
Anguil Environmental Systems has a broad portfolio of environ- high removal rates of chromium, ability to handle moisture build up,
mental technologies, including air pollution control, water treat- resistance to being plugged, reduction of pressure drop through the
ment, and energy recovery systems. scrubber and their ability to handle larger volumes of air laden with
chrome contaminated liquid. These factors reduce both operating
cost and overall maintenance of the system.
Mech Chem also offers Venturi scrubbers for this field. These
scrubbers are capable of handling airborne particulates in exhaust
streams with high efficiency. They are designed to handle small
micron to submicron sized particulates and capable of capturing
high temperature moisture while simultaneously removing the
coarse or fine solid materials and pollutants from exhaust streams.
Sentry Air Systems has a wide range of air filtration equipment.
Its Model 650 Room Air Cleaner is a commercial-grade air filtration
system with a quad-filter chamber. Multiple mounting and filter
options make this system optimal for applications that generate both
odors and particulates.
Sentry air mist collectors in a plant. The same company’s Ambient Air Cleaner is a commercial-grade
air filtration system that is claimed to be highly effective at removing
ambient pollutants without the need for external ducting, or make-
For industrial air pollution control, its suite of thermal and cata- up air. These low-maintenance filtration systems can be conve-
lytic oxidizers is designed to abate industrial exhaust gases like niently mounted in the desired ceiling location without taking any
volatile organic compounds (VOCs), hazardous air pollutants floor space, and in certain applications can be mounted on a stand.
(HAPs), and odorous emissions. Its engineered systems convert Typically used in locations where outside ventilation cannot suffice,
pollutants to carbon dioxide, water vapor, and thermal energy. ambient air cleaners are utilized to remove toxins, pollutants, and
“The Anguil Catalytic Recuperative Oxidizer destroys HAPs, contaminants from the atmosphere.
VOCs and odorous emissions at significantly lower temperatures PKG Equipment Inc. manufactures a full selection of plating and
than thermal oxidation technologies through the use of catalysts,” anodizing equipment, including wet benches, sinks, turnkey finish-
the company says. ing systems, racks, baskets, and fixtures. Its engineers can custom
“Lowering the oxidation temperature to between 350 deg. F (177 design equipment based on the specific requirements, and will
deg. C) and 850 deg. F (454 deg. C) offers many benefits, including fabricate to customer specifications.
decreased fuel usage; lower cost of construction materials; reduced Most of its equipment is fabricated in-house by our plastic
thermal cycling; and fewer greenhouse gas emissions such as carbon fabricators and metal fabricators. It also provides installation
monoxide (CO) or nitrogen oxide (NOx). There is also a smaller and start-up when requested, as well as ventilation and waste
equipment footprint.” treatment systems.
Mech Chem Associates Inc. designs, fabricates and installs Working through supplier lists can be a tough job when installing
chrome scrubbers for all types of chrome applications. a new line, though any responsible supplier should be able to offer in-
“Chromium manufacturing and plating processes, which include depth technical guidance as well as a catalog of products. As always,
the use of chromic acid, trivalent Chrome and hexavalent chrome, production run volumes and the actual size of lines and baths will
have much more stringent air emission control and monitoring re- have a critical effect on the final selection.
quirements than other types of acid processes,” Mech Chem points This is, importantly, one area of manufacturing where some
out. “A packed bed scrubber with a Chevron mist eliminator will have degree of over-engineering offers reassurance and back-up capa-
a moderate chrome removal rate. Using a mesh pad instead of a mist bility for the future. Airborne emissions, for many years, were an
eliminator will increase the amount of chemical laden droplets kept invisible and misunderstood aspect of the plating industry. Today,
from exiting the scrubber, yet neither of these designs offer the high the problems are much better understood, and electroplaters have
efficiency removal rate required by today’s air emission standards.” a far superior range of measures available to reduce these issues in
The majority of scrubbers function using adsorption, which the plant. n
28 CANADIAN FINISHING & COATINGS MANUFACTURING MAY/JUNE 2021