Grantee Research Project Results
An Innovative Membrane and Membrane Process for In-Process Recycling of Chromium Metal Within Chrome-Electroplating Operations
EPA Contract Number: 68D50090Title: An Innovative Membrane and Membrane Process for In-Process Recycling of Chromium Metal Within Chrome-Electroplating Operations
Investigators: Lokhandwala, K. A.
Small Business: Membrane Technology and Research Inc.
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: I
Project Period: September 1, 1995 through March 1, 1996
Project Amount: $65,000
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I (1996) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: SBIR - Pollution Prevention , Pollution Prevention/Sustainable Development , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
Description:
In the chrome-electroplating industry, rinsing of finished products generates toxic wastewater containing chromium metal. These waste-waters present a significant disposal problem and a loss of valuable raw material in the form of chromium, a predominantly imported metal. Coupled transport membranes are a potential method of separating and recovering the chromium, but their use has been restricted due to their instability Membrane Technology and Research propose and innovative membrane structure designed to overcome this problem. If the Phase I work demonstrates the feasibility of their approach, they will develop a chromium recovery process based on these improved coupled transport membranes. The membranes will separate the chromium metals from the rinsewater for recycle to the plating bath, and produce a water stream that is recycled to the rinse bath. The overall process produces no secondary wastes and will allow complete in-process recycling of all components in the waste stream.Supplemental Keywords:
small business, SBIR, clean production, engineering, chemistry., Scientific Discipline, Toxics, Water, Sustainable Industry/Business, Chemical Engineering, cleaner production/pollution prevention, Environmental Chemistry, Wastewater, Chemistry and Materials Science, Environmental Engineering, 33/50, in-process changes, in-process recycling, wastewater treatment, chemical use efficiency, cleaner production, environmentally conscious manufacturing, plating bath chemistry, waste minimization, waste reduction, industrial wastewater, chromium & chromium compounds, Chromium, electroplating, hazardous waste, chemical contaminants, process modification, chrome electroplating, innovative technology, wastewater discharges, pollution prevention, rinse waters, control technologies, green technology, membrane technology, adaptive technologyProgress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.