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Chromium exists in the hexavalent form <br />chromating baths and <br />in etching,; <br />plating and <br />more reactive <br />rinse waters. Hexavalent chromium is much <br />and toxic than the other forms chromium. <br />Hexavalent <br />to <br />chromium must be reduced to <br />of <br />the trivalent form in <br />order be <br />environment <br />less toxic upon discharge of <br />and to avoid destruction <br />small amounts to the <br />resins. <br />of <br />the ion exchange <br />To accomplish this reduction, an acidic solution of sulfur <br />dioxide or sodium bisulfite is reacted with the chrome <br />solution. Sulfur dioxide is often used to cure resins but it <br />is more difficult to use than sodium bisulfite. Although <br />sodium bisulfite is slightly more expensive, it was chosen as <br />the more preferable reagent for chromium reduction. <br />The reduction reaction may take place in a simple mixing tank <br />with mixer. An auxiliary mixing tank is needed for the sodium <br />bisulfite and acid. <br />One chromium reduction system will be installed in each shop to <br />protect the ion exchange reins. There will also be one in the <br />Facility. <br />Cyanide Oxidation <br />Cyanide destruction or removal is also required for the <br />wastewater to meet the MWCC pretreatment regulations. In order <br />to remove the cyanide for reuse it must be complexed and <br />precipitated from the solution. This process, however, is very <br />complicated and the cyanide may not be in a saleable form when <br />recovered. Destroying the cyanide through oxidation to carbon <br />dioxide and nitrogen is much more simple. <br />Cyanide is used in plating solutions and ends up in the <br />wastewater from electroplating and printed circuit board plants <br />and is trapped by the ion exchange resins. The cyanide will <br />subsequently occur in the ion exchange regenerant solution at <br />the Facility. The required oxidation reaction by which cyanide <br />is destroyed is performed by reacting sodium hypochlorite, <br />chlorine or chlorine dioxide with the regenerant solution. <br />Chlorine is toxic, corrosive and difficult to control. It is <br />the least expensive of the three; however, the Facility and the <br />individual shops are probably too small to take advantage of <br />this lower cost. Chlorine dioxide is also dangerous to use <br />because of its tendency to explode at 10°C, its boiling point. <br />Sodium hypochlorite is only available in an aqueous solution, <br />however, it is the easiest of the three reagents to control. <br />For this reason, sodium hypochlorite was chosen as the <br />oxidizing reagent for cyanide destruction. <br />ium hyd <br />also required as an additional reagent for the doxidationxide is <br />reaction. <br />