Repository logo
 

Application of chemical analysis as an aid to waste minimisation in the electroplating industry.

dc.contributor.advisorSouthway, Colin.
dc.contributor.advisorSpankie, Sally A. R.
dc.contributor.authorMudaly, Prenesha.
dc.date.accessioned2011-03-04T10:37:00Z
dc.date.available2011-03-04T10:37:00Z
dc.date.created2009
dc.date.issued2009
dc.descriptionThesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2009.en_US
dc.description.abstractA chromium plating line used by a local company was monitored to identify any potential waste minimisation opportunities. Plating of the workpiece surface is carried out by immersing the workpiece in seven process (treatment) solutions including nickel and chromium plating baths. Between each process step the workpieces are rinsed. The chromium plating process was evaluated using the results of a waste minimisation audit. This involved gathering data on the composition, flow rates and costs of the inputs of the process. Two types of data were collected namely new and existing data. The new data included chemical monitoring (concentration levels of Ni, Cr, Na, S, B, P, Si, Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb as well as conductivity, TDS, SS and pH measurements) and water usage data. The existing data included raw materials, utility inputs, composition of process solutions and product outputs. The data were analysed using three established waste minimisation techniques. The Water Economy Assessment (a form of Monitoring and Targeting) results were determined using an empirically derived model. The Water Balance and True Cost of Waste results were obtained through more detailed calculations using the results of the chemical analysis. The results from the audit showed that the water usage on the chromium plating line has the highest waste minimisation potential. The True Cost of Waste analysis showed there is no significant chemical wastage in the effluent stream. The potential savings of the effluent stream was negligible (approximately R10 for 238 days). Drag-out calculations were also performed and showed that the drag-out volumes were in good agreement with the typical volumes found in the metal finishing industry. Intervention using simple lowcost and no-cost waste minimisation opportunities were recommended as a first step before contemplating further focus areas for technical or feasibility studies.en_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10413/2613
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.subjectElectroplating industry--Waste disposal.en_US
dc.subjectWaste minimization.en_US
dc.subjectFactory and trade waste.en_US
dc.subjectChemistry, Analytic.en_US
dc.subjectTheses--Chemistry.en_US
dc.titleApplication of chemical analysis as an aid to waste minimisation in the electroplating industry.en_US
dc.typeThesisen_US

Files

Original bundle

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Name:
PRENESHA MUDALY MSc 2009.pdf
Size:
1.46 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format

License bundle

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
No Thumbnail Available
Name:
license.txt
Size:
1.86 KB
Format:
Item-specific license agreed upon to submission
Description: