Our customer, who assembles and coats high-frequency connectors, wanted a sustainable wastewater treatment system that requires minimal operating effort and whose treatment quality is sufficient to recycle the electroplating wastewater. Based on positive experiences at another plant in the group, the customer once again opted for a sustainable VACUDEST vacuum distillation system with innovative modules that met the requirements for quality and sustainability. In the first year, the company saved over 1 million liters of fresh water by using this modern technology.

Our customer assembles and coats high-frequency connectors and cable assemblies for mobile and telecommunications, industrial measurement technology, automotive, medical and industrial electronics, data technology and aerospace technology.

Industry: Electronics and high-frequency technology
Type of wastewater: Electroplating wastewater
Size of the company: Active worldwide
Location of VACUDEST: Germany

Initial situation
Previously, the rinsing water from electroplating surface finishing was processed using conventional chemical-physical treatment with precipitation, flocculation and filter presses and the resulting wastewater was discharged into the sewer system after the energy-intensive UV treatment. This method is very labor- and cost-intensive and dependent on discharge controls and permits. After the permitted discharge volume could no longer keep up with the wastewater volumes produced, other treatment methods were sought.

The solution
The aim was to reduce the amount of work and waste, minimize costs and personnel requirements and reuse the water in the most environmentally friendly way possible. As a VACUDEST vacuum distillation system with recirculation was already being used successfully at the subsidiary plant in China, the experts at H2O GmbH were also approached for this project.

The project began with an analysis of the customer-specific process water in the laboratory of the H2O GmbH application center for wastewater-free production. The result: "Yes" to the realization of wastewater-free electroplating at Rosenberger. This is because the desired high distillate quality and waste quantities of less than 4 percent were achieved with vacuum distillation technology.

The Destcontrol technology was also used for additional improvement against fluctuating pH values in the distillate. This module integrated into the VACUDEST can be used wherever constant distillate qualities are required for circulation. The Destcontrol is particularly suitable for alkaline or slightly acidic water. It replaces conventional continuous neutralization. The pH value is not measured in the feed as in conventional evaporator systems, but in the purified distillate. If the pH values change here, neutralizing agent is dosed directly into the VACUDEST evaporator for correction. Any post-reactions that occur, which could cause damage to the system, are compensated for. After-reactions that can cause damage to the system are compensated for. A consistently stable distillate quality is achieved. Ideal for safe discharge or recycling.

Sustainable
From 100 percent wastewater, 98 percent clean distillate is produced, which can be reused in your processes: You achieve wastewater-free production and thus make a valuable contribution to protecting our environment.


Reliable
Our innovative technologies enable safe compliance with limit values. The treated water is of outstanding quality, which you can rely on at all times.


Economical
Our high-quality systems require hardly any manpower, save operating resources and reduce disposal costs enormously. As a result, our systems often pay for themselves in less than 2 years. After that, you save up to 10 million euros in 10 years.

Conclusion
After the first year, our customer draws a positive conclusion. The VACUDEST M 1.500 for the safe treatment of rinsing water from electroplating production processes (e.g. electroless nickel, gold bath) meets the company's requirements both economically and in terms of the quality required for recirculation.