Metal finishing Q&As since 1989

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Ozone+UV destruction of Cyanides

Hello,
I would appreciate any comments you have on the effectiveness of using ozone/uv technology for the destruction of complex cyanides especially iron, which is not amenable to sodium hypochlorite destruction.
Is this a common treatment in USA plating shops?
Regards

Philip Gormley
chrome plating service - Irvine, Ayrshire, Scotland
2005

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2005

According to an EPA study, UV + Ozone (or hydrogen peroxide) will completely oxidize all metal cyanide complexes including iron. There are also other ways of doing this, I found the EPA publication below to be a good reference for outlining the various methods.

CAPSULE REPORT: MANAGING CYANIDE IN METAL FINISHING EPA Number: 625R99009

Publisher Info National Service Center for Environmental Publications P.O. Box 42419 Cincinnati, OH 45242-2419
Phone 800/490-9198
Fax 513/489-8695

Jon Barrows, MSF, EHSSC
GOAD Company

Independence, Missouri

Thanks,Jon, for that info. I downloaded it from the EPA site. Our company is using UV/Ozone technology and we are looking at ways of speeding up the destruction of complex CN by adding peroxide.

Philip Gormley
chrome plating service - Irvine, Ayrshire, Scotland
2005