Letter 11077

Chrome steam 

We have a Dilute Chrome Seal that contains 250 grams of Chromic acid flake, and 200 grams of Sodium Chromate. The temperature is at 197 degrees F.

My question is: Does the steam that comes off this tank contain chrome? Should I have a scrubber hooked up to it or what?

Randy Mattson
- Seattle, WA, U.S.A!!!!!

Well, you should have an exhaust ventilation system, both because the steam should be exhausted and because chromic acid is a "Class A" chemical which is supposed to be exhausted regardless of concentration.

However, the distillation principle tells us that the chromium does not evaporate with the water. Whether any chromic acid droplets are entrained by air agitation or other mechanisms, though, is less clear. Due to the methodology established in the development of the chromium MACT standards, it should be a pretty straightforward procedure to analyze the exhaust stream and make a determination.

 
Ted Mooney, P.E.
finishing.com Inc. - Brick, NJ

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