ABSTRACT
Electroplating facilities for the Air Force range from small operations with one or two baths (500-1500 gallons) to shops with over 40,000 square feet of tank space. 1 The principal contaminants in the wastewater from these processes are chromium, nickel, copper, cadmium, lead and zinc. Complexing and chelating agents are added to metal finishing solution for brightening, cleaning, and to inhibit or prevent precipitation of the metals. These agents include tartrates, phosphates, ethylene-diaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), and ammonia. 2
