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Chrome contamination of zinc plating tank

I have a 2500 gal zinc cyanide tank. I told the plater to put in a 1/ gal of brightener but he added a gallon of chromate solution. I have dummy plated the tank for hours and also added zinc purifier: It is forming a thick milky suldge on top of my tank and the zinc balls are covered w/ a dark smudy chrome like substance what should I do?

Helen B
chemical lab tech - Texas
September 15, 2009

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September , 2009

Hi, Helen. The bigger problem is that he is lucky to be alive, adding an acid like that to a strong cyanide. Cyanide plating can only be done under conditions where there is no possibility of things like this happening. Maybe take this opportunity to make up a new non-cyanide alkaline zinc plating tank.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
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James Watts
- Navarre, Florida
September 16, 2009

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