Case Study #271
1. Headline: Process modification in a French metal
finishing company
2. Background: The electrolyzing device with porous,
percolated pulsed electrode (3PE) is a device which
recuperates metals in solution and restores them directly
to a metallic state without using the traditional
hydroxides method.
3. Cleaner Production Principle: Process modification
4. Description of Cleaner Production Application:
Information about the process and wastes
The surface treatment systematically generates effluents
containing metals in solution. The physicochemical plants
have always been used to resolve problems of waste,
however the discharge of hydroxide sludge poses problems
of risk and cost. The 3PE directly recycles the metal.
The 3PE is a volemic cathode electrolyser whose surface
contact with the electrolyte remains constant, taking
account of the pulsation which prevents any clogging and
any binding of particles. Thus the electrochemical
capacity is constant for a given concentration.
Material / energy balance and substitution
Cost of direct investment
3PE 200 93 000 FF
3PE 300 98 000 FF
3PE 600 188 000 FF
6. Advantages: Avoid all handling of effluents. No other
supplementary product required. Avoids transportation and
sanitary landfilling of metallic hydroxide. 1986
7. Constraints: No information provided.
8. Contacts:
Martineau Industrie
57, route d'Espagne
31122 PORTET SUR GARONNE - France
TEL: 33 61.72.01.51
FAX: 33 61.72.02.06
M. Maton
M. Chatenet
Office International de l'Eau
Direction de la Formation et des Etudes
rue Edouard Chamberland
87065 Limoges Cedex, France
TEL: 33 55114770
FAX: 33 55777115
9. Keywords: ISIC 3511, France, metal, metal finishing,
process modification, electrolysis, hydroxide, sludge
10. This case study was submitted to UNEP IE in 1994 by the
French Office International de l'Eau. It has not undergone
a formal technical review.