Chrome Plating Tank Design

I plan to set-up a chrome plating shop soon. The main tank is 2' x 1' wide x 3' deep. The workpiece is typically 1" x 2" x 6" length plate 1 at a time.

2 questions:-

1) Do I need a push-pull exhaust system? If so, what volumteric rate of exhaust? What push and pull air velocity?

2) Do I REALLY need tank agitation? Does it really improve plating quality? If so, in what respects.

A chrome plating tank needs a lip-mounted exhaust system. Although I am an advocate of push-pull exhaust, I'm not sure a push-air system is worth the added complication for a single small tank. 2-sided or even 3-sided pull would be ideal. 300-400 CFM would be required.

Air agitation is probably not necessary in this case. In chrome plating its main function is to avoid temperature stratification.

Ted Mooney, P.E. finishing.com Brick, New Jersey

Hi Syed,

Yes, Ted is right. Airflow? Probably 300 cfm should be OK ... using a lip exhaust hood. Slot design @ 2,000 fpm.

You most certainly don't need push-pull .... that's normally only for very wide tanks.

Please go the finishing.com library for a report on Chrome Ventilation systems' materials. This might help you. Happy Chroming !

Freeman Newton - White Rock, British Columbia, Canada

Ed. note: Please keep Freeman in your thoughts & prayers. Message from Freeman, Dec. 2010

Dear /Syed Salim

For chromium plating tank due to this process many gases are evaporate so you must add a very good exhaust system on the tank , you can use a p.p balls . Add it on the surface of chrome solution it reduce the rate of vapor about 90 % and you can add some chemical compounds to chrome solution to reduce the vapor rate too about the second point the chrome tank do not need any agitation it may need heat or cold system according to the degree of solution during the work day.