I would appreciate any information on plating rinse tanks.  We are
using recycled water in our plating shop and I have noticed that there is an
accumulation of 'slime' on some rinse tanks (particularly after sufamate
nickel).
        Our rinse water is cycled through a DI system and recirculated into
the plating area.  We add enough new water to the system to replenish the
water in approximately two days.  The water is particle filtered, carbon
filtered and softened prior to adding it to the rinse system, so it is in
effect DI water and does not have the chemicals that the city adds to
prevent bacterial growth.
        My questions are:
        1.  Will slime in a rinse tank contribute to poor adhesion of Au
plating on the nickel that was rinsed in this tank?
        2.  How can this slime be reduced or eliminated?
        3.  How often should a plating area clean and/or replenish its rinse
tanks.
        4.  What is everybody else doing to reduce/eliminate bacterial
growth in the rinse water?  The environmental engineer has been
investigating an ultraviolet system but would like additional information on
how other pwa manufacturers effectively handle bacterial growth in rinse
water systems.

                                                Bob Dewlin
                                                Modular Components

        
Modular Components National, Inc.
2302 Industry Court
Forest Hill, MD 2150
PH (410) 879-6553
Fax (410) 838-7629

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