[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 40, Volume 27]
[Revised as ofJuly 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 40CFR438.15]

[Page 386-400]
 
                   TITLE 40--PROTECTION OF ENVIRONMENT
 
         CHAPTER I--ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED)
 
PART 438--METAL PRODUCTS AND MACHINERY POINT SOURCE CATEGORY--Table of Contents
 
                         Subpart A--Oily Wastes
 
Sec. 438.15  New source performance standards (NSPS).

    New point sources subject to this subpart must achieve the new 
source performance standards (NSPS) for TSS, O&G (as HEM), and pH, which 
are the same as the corresponding limitation specified at Sec. 438.12. 
The performance standards apply with respect to each new point source 
that commences discharge after June 12, 2003.

Appendix A to Part 438--Typical Products in Metal Products and Machinery 
                                 Sectors

[[Page 387]]



------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------
       AEROSPACE                 AIRCRAFT               BUS & TRUCK
Guided Missiles & Space  Aircraft Engines &       Bus Terminal & Service
 Vehicle                  Engine Parts             Facilities
Guided Missile & Space   Aircraft Frames          Courier Services,
 Vehicle Prop             Manufacturing            Except by Air Freight
Other Space Vehicle &    Aircraft Parts &          Truck Terminals, W/
 Missile Parts            Equipment                or W/O Maintenance.
                         Airports, Flying         Intercity & Rural
                          Fields, & Services       Highways (Buslines)
                                                  Local & Suburban
                                                   Transit (Bus &
                                                   subway)
                                                  Local Passenger.
                                                   Trans. (Lim., Amb.,
                                                   Sight See)
                                                  Local Trucking With
                                                   Storage
                                                  Local Trucking Without
                                                   Storage
                                                  Motor Vehicle Parts &
                                                   Accessories
                                                  School Buses
                                                  Trucking
                                                  Truck & Bus Bodies
                                                  Truck Trailers


[[Page 388]]


  ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT           HARDWARE           HOUSEHOLD EQUIPMENT
Communications           Architectural &          Commercial, Ind. &
 Equipment                Ornamental Metal Work    Inst. Elec. Lighting
Connectors for           Bolts, Nuts, Screws,      Fixtures
 Electronic               Rivets & Washers        Current-Carrying
 Applications            Crowns & Closures         Wiring Devices
Electric Lamps           Cutlery                  Electirc Housewares &
Electron Tubes           Fabricated Metal          Fans
Electronic Capacitors     Products                Electric Lamps
Electronic Coils &       Fabricated Pipe &        Farm Freezers
 Transformers             Fabricated Pipe         Household Appliances
Electronic Components     Fittings                Household Cooking
Radio & TV               Fabricated Plate Work     Equipment
 Communications           (Boiler Shops)          Household Refrig. &
 Equipment               Fabricated Structural     Home & Farm Freezers
Telephone & Telegraph     Metal                   Household Laundry
 Apparatus               Fasteners, Buttons,       Equipment
                          Needles & Pins          Household Vacuum
                         Fluid Power Values &      Cleaners
                          Hose Fittings           Lighting Equipment
                         Hand & Edge Tools        Noncurrent-Carrying
                         Hand Saws & Saw Blades    Wiring Devices
                         Hardware                 Radio & Television
                         Heating Equipment,        Repair Shops
                          Except Electric         Radio & Television
                         Industrial Furnaces &     Sets Except Commn.
                          Ovens                    Types
                         Iron & Steel Forgings    Refrig. & Air Cond.
                         Machine Tool              Serv. & Repair Shops
                          Accessories &           Residential Electrical
                          Measuring Devices        Lighting Fixtures
                         Machine Tools, Metal
                          Cutting Types
                         Machine Tools, Metal
                          Forming Types
                         Metal Shipping Barrels,
                          Drums, Kegs, Pails
                         Metal Stampings
                         Power Driven Hand Tools
                         Prefabricated Metal
                          Buildings & Components
                         Screw Machine Products
                         Sheet Metal Work
                         Special Dies & Tools,
                          Die Sets, Jigs, Etc.
                         Steel Springs
                         Valves & Pipe Fittings
                         Wire Springs


[[Page 389]]


      INSTRUMENTS           MOBILE INDUSTRIAL          MOTOR VEHICLE
Analytical Instruments           EQUIPMENT        Auto Exhaust System
Automatic Environmental  Construction Machinery    Repair Shops
 Controls                 & Equipment             Automobile Dealers
Coating, Engraving, &    Farm Machinery &          (new & used)
 Allied Services          Equipment               Auto. Dealers
Dental Equipment &       Garden Tractors & Lawn    (Dunebuggy, Go-cart,
 Supplies                 & Garden Equipment       Snowmobile)
Ophthalmic Goods         Hoist, Industrial        Automobile Service
Fluid Meters & Counting   Cranes & Monorails       (includes Diag. &
 Devices                 Industrial Trucks,        Insp. Cntrs.)
Instruments to Measure    Tractors, Trailers,     Automotive Equipment
 Electricity              Tanks & Tank            Automotive Glass
Laboratory Apparatus &    Components               Replacement Shops
 Furniture               Mining machinery &       Automotive Repairs
 Manufacturing            equipment, except oil    Shops
 Industries               field                   Automotive Stampings
Measuring & Controlling                           Automotive
 Devices                                           Transmission Repair
Optical Instruments &                              Shops
 Lenses                                           Carburetors, Pistons
Orthopedic, Prosthetic,                            Rings, Values
 & Surgical Supplies                              Electrical Equipment
Pens, Mechanical                                   for Motor
 Pencils, & Parts                                 General Automotive
Process Control                                    Repair Shops
 Instruments                                      Mobile Homes
Search & Navigation                               Motor Vehicle &
 Equipment                                         Automotive Bodies
Surgical & Medical                                Motor Vehicle Parts &
 Instruments &                                     Accessories
 Apparatus                                        Motorcycle Dealers
Watches, Clocks,                                  Motorcycles
 Associated Devices &                             Passenger Car Leasing
 Parts                                            Recreational & Utility
                                                   Trailer Dealers
                                                  Taxicabs
                                                  Top & Body Repair &
                                                   Paint Shops
                                                  Travel Trailers &
                                                   Campers
                                                  Vehicles
                                                  Vehicular Lighting
                                                   Equipment
                                                  Welding Shops
                                                   (includes Automotive)

   INSTRUMENTS OFFICE            ORDNANCE            PRECIOUS METALS &
         MACHINE         Ammunition                       JEWELRY
Calculating &            Ordnance & Accessories   Costume Jewelry
 Accounting Equipment    Small Arms               Jewelers' Materials &
Computer Maintenance &   Small Arms Ammunition     Lapidary Work
 Repair                                           Jewelry, Precious
Computer Peripheral                                Metal
 Equipment                                        Musical Instruments
Computer Related                                  Silverware, Plated
 Services                                          Ware, & Stainless
Computer Rental &
 Leasing
Computer Storage
 Devices
Computer Terminals
Electrical & Electronic
 Repair
Electronic Computers
Office Machines
Photographic Equipment
 & Supplies


[[Page 390]]


        RAILROAD              SHIPS & BOATS        STATIONARY INDUSTRIAL
Line-Haul Railroads      Boat Building &                 EQUIPMENT
Railcars, Railway         Repairing               Air & Gas Compressors
 Systems                 Deep Sea Domestic        Automatic Vending
Switching & Terminal      Transportation of        Machines
 Stations                 Freight                 Ball & Roller Bearings
                         Deep Sea Passenger       Blowers & Exhaust &
                          Transportation, Except   Ventilation Fans
                          by Ferry                Commercial Laundry
                         Freight Transportation    Equipment
                          on the Great Lakes      Conveyors & Conveying
                          Marinas                  Equipment
                         Ship Building &          Electric Industrial
                          Repairing                Apparatus
                         Towing & Tugboat         Elevators & Moving
                          Service                  Stairways
                         Water Passenger          Equipment Rental &
                          Transportation Ferries   Leasing
                         Water Transportation of  Food Product Machinery
                          Freight                 Fluid Power Cylinders
                         Water Transportation      & Actuators
                          Services                Fluid Power Pumps &
                                                   Motors
                                                  General Industrial
                                                   Machinery
                                                  Heavy Construction
                                                   Equipment Rental
                                                  Industrial Machinery
                                                  Industrial Patterns
                                                  Industrial Process
                                                   Furnaces & Ovens
                                                  Internal Combustion
                                                   Engines
                                                  Measuring & Dispensing
                                                   Pumps
                                                  Mechanical Power
                                                   Transmission
                                                   Equipment
                                                  Metal Working
                                                   Machinery
                                                  Motors & Generators
                                                  Oil Field Machinery &
                                                   Equipment
                                                  Packaging Machinery
                                                  Paper Industries
                                                   Machinery
                                                  Printing Trades
                                                   Machinery & Equipment
                                                  Pumps & Pumping
                                                   Equipment
                                                  Refrigeration & Air &
                                                   Heating Equipment
                                                  Relays & Industrial
                                                   Controls
                                                  Rolling Mill Machinery
                                                   & Equipment
                                                  Scales & Balances,
                                                   Except Laboratory
                                                  Service Industry
                                                   Machines
                                                  Special Industry
                                                   Machinery
                                                  Speed Changers, High
                                                   Speed Drivers & Gears
                                                  Steam, Gas, Hydraulic
                                                   Turbines, Generator
                                                   Units
                                                  Switchgear &
                                                   Switchboard Apparatus
                                                  Textile Machinery
                                                  Transformers
                                                  Welding Apparatus
                                                  Woodworking Machinery

[[Page 391]]


  MISCELLANEOUS METAL
        PRODUCTS
Miscellaneous
 Fabricated Wire
 Products
Miscellaneous Metal
 Work
Miscellaneous Repair
 Shops & Related
 Services
Miscellaneous
 Transportation
 Equipment
------------------------------------------------------------------------

           Appendix B to Part 438--Oily Operations Definitions

    Note: The definitions in this appendix shall not be used to 
differentiate between the six ``core'' metal finishing operations (i.e., 
Electroplating, Electroless Plating, Anodizing, Coating (chromating, 
phosphating, and coloring), Chemical Etching and Milling, and Printed 
Circuit Board Manufacture) and forty ``ancillary'' process operations 
listed at 40 CFR 433.10(a).
    Abrasive Blasting involves removing surface film from a part by 
using abrasive directed at high velocity against the part. Abrasive 
blasting includes bead, grit, shot, and sand blasting, and may be 
performed either dry or with water. The primary applications of wet 
abrasive blasting include: Removing burrs on precision parts; producing 
satin or matte finishes; removing fine tool marks; and removing light 
mill scale, surface oxide, or welding scale. Wet blasting can be used to 
finish fragile items such as electronic components. Also, some aluminum 
parts are wet blasted to achieve a fine-grained matte finish for 
decorative purposes. In abrasive blasting, the water and abrasive 
typically are reused until the particle size diminishes due to impacting 
and fracture.
    Adhesive Bonding involves joining parts using an adhesive material. 
Typically, an organic bonding compound is used as the adhesive. This 
operation usually is dry; however, aqueous solutions may be used as 
bonding agents or to contain residual organic bonding materials.
    Alkaline Cleaning for Oil Removal is a general term for the 
application of an alkaline cleaning agent to a metal part to remove oil 
and grease during the manufacture, maintenance, or rebuilding of a metal 
product. This unit operation does not include washing of the finished 
products after routine use (as defined in ``Washing (Finished 
Products)'' in this appendix), or applying an alkaline cleaning agent to 
remove nonoily contaminants such as dirt and scale (as defined in 
``Alkaline Treatment Without Cyanide'' in this appendix and ``Alkaline 
Treatment With Cyanide'' in appendix C of this part). Wastewater 
generated includes spent cleaning solutions and rinse waters.
    (1) Alkaline cleaning is performed to remove foreign contaminants 
from parts. This operation usually is done prior to finishing (e.g., 
electroplating).
    (2) Emulsion cleaning is an alkaline cleaning operation that uses 
either complex chemical enzymes or common organic solvents (e.g., 
kerosene, mineral oil, glycols, and benzene) dispersed in water with the 
aid of an emulsifying agent. The pH of the solvent usually is between 7 
and 9, and, depending on the solvent used, cleaning is performed at 
temperatures from room temperature to 82 [deg]C (180 [deg]F). This 
operation often is used as a replacement for vapor degreasing.
    Alkaline Treatment Without Cyanide is a general term used to 
describe the application of an alkaline solution not containing cyanide 
to a metal surface to clean the metal surface or prepare the metal 
surface for further surface finishing.
    Aqueous Degreasing involves cleaning metal parts using aqueous-based 
cleaning chemicals primarily to remove residual oils and greases from 
the part. Residual oils can be from previous operations (e.g., machine 
coolants), oil from product use in a dirty environment, or oil coatings 
used to inhibit corrosion. Wastewater generated by this operation 
includes spent cleaning solutions and rinse waters.
    Assembly/Disassembly involves fitting together previously 
manufactured or rebuilt parts or components into a complete metal 
product or machine or taking a complete metal product or machine apart. 
Assembly/disassembly operations are typically dry; however, special 
circumstances can require water for cooling or buoyancy. Also, rinsing 
may be necessary under some conditions.
    Burnishing involves finish sizing or smooth finishing a part 
(previously machined or ground) by displacing, rather than removing, 
minute surface irregularities with smooth point or line-contact, fixed 
or rotating tools. Lubricants or soap solutions can be used to cool the 
tools used in burnishing operations. Wastewater generated during 
burnishing include process solutions and rinse water.
    Calibration is performed to provide reference points for the use of 
a product. This unit operation typically is dry, although water may be 
used in some cases (e.g., pumping water for calibration of a pump). 
Water

[[Page 392]]

used in this unit operation usually does not contain additives.
    Corrosion Preventive Coating involves applying removable oily or 
organic solutions to protect metal surfaces against corrosive 
environments. Corrosion preventive coatings include, but are not limited 
to: Petrolatum compounds, oils, hard dry-film compounds, solvent-cutback 
petroleum-based compounds, emulsions, water-displacing polar compounds, 
and fingerprint removers and neutralizers. Corrosion preventive coating 
does not include electroplating, or chemical conversion coating 
operations. Many corrosion preventive materials also are formulated to 
function as lubricants or as a base for paint. Typical applications 
include: Assembled machinery or equipment in standby storage; finished 
parts in stock or spare parts for replacement; tools such as drills, 
taps, dies, and gauges; and mill products such as sheet, strip, rod and 
bar. Wastewater generated during corrosion preventive coating includes 
spent process solutions and rinses. Process solutions are discharged 
when they become contaminated with impurities or are depleted of 
constituents. Corrosion preventive coatings typically do not require an 
associated rinse, but parts are sometimes rinsed to remove the coating 
before further processing.
    Electrical Discharge Machining involves removing metals by a rapid 
spark discharge between different polarity electrodes, one the part and 
the other the tool, separated by a small gap. The gap may be filled with 
air or a dielectric fluid. This operation is used primarily to cut tool 
alloys, hard nonferrous alloys, and other hard-to-machine materials. 
Most electrical discharge machining processes are operated dry; however, 
in some cases, the process uses water and generates wastewater 
containing dielectric fluid.
    Floor Cleaning (in Process Area) removes dirt, debris, and process 
solution spills from process area floors. Floors can be cleaned using 
wet or dry methods, such as vacuuming, mopping, dry sweeping, and hose 
rinsing. Non-process area floor cleaning in offices and other similar 
non-process areas is not included in this unit operation.
    Grinding involves removing stock from a part by using abrasive 
grains held by a rigid or semirigid binder. Grinding shapes or deburrs 
the part. The grinding tool usually is a disk (the basic shape of 
grinding wheels), but can also be a cylinder, ring, cup, stick, strip, 
or belt. The most commonly used abrasives are aluminum oxide, silicon 
carbide, and diamond. The process may use a grinding fluid to cool the 
part and remove debris or metal fines. Wastewater generated during 
grinding includes spent coolants and rinses. Metal-working fluids become 
spent for a number of reasons, including increased biological activity 
(i.e., the fluids become rancid) or decomposition of the coolant 
additives. Rinse waters typically are assimilated into the working fluid 
or treated on site.
    Heat Treating involves modifying the physical properties of a part 
by applying controlled heating and cooling cycles. This operation 
includes tempering, carburizing, cyaniding, nitriding, annealing, aging, 
normalizing, austenitizing, austempering, siliconizing, martempering, 
and malleablizing. Parts are heated in furnaces or molten salt baths, 
and then may be cooled by quenching in aqueous solutions (e.g., brine 
solutions), neat oils (pure oils with little or no impurities), or oil/
water emulsions. Heat treating typically is a dry operation, but is 
considered a wet operation if aqueous quenching solutions are used. 
Wastewater includes spent quench water and rinse water.
    Impact Deformation involves applying impact force to a part to 
permanently deform or shape it. Impact deformation may include 
mechanical processes such as hammer forging, shot peening, peening, 
coining, high-energy-rate forming, heading, or stamping. Natural and 
synthetic oils, light greases, and pigmented lubricants are used in 
impact deformation operations. Pigmented lubricants include whiting, 
lithapone, mica, zinc oxide, molybdenum disulfide, bentonite, flour, 
graphite, white lead, and soap-like materials. These operations 
typically are dry, but wastewater can be generated from lubricant 
discharge and from rinsing operations associated with the operation.
    Iron Phosphate Conversion Coating is the process of applying a 
protective coating on the surface of a metal using a bath consisting of 
a phosphoric acid solution containing no metals (e.g., manganese, 
nickel, or zinc) or a phosphate salt solution (i.e., sodium or potassium 
salts of phosphoric acid solutions) containing no metals (e.g., 
manganese, nickel, or zinc) other than sodium or potassium. Any metal 
concentrations in the bath are from the substrate.
    Machining involves removing stock from a part (as chips) by forcing 
a cutting tool against the part. This includes machining processes such 
as turning, milling, drilling, boring, tapping, planing, broaching, 
sawing, shaving, shearing, threading, reaming, shaping, slotting, 
hobbing, and chamfering. Machining processes use various types of metal-
working fluids, the choice of which depends on the type of machining 
being performed and the preference of the machine shop. The fluids can 
be categorized into four groups: Straight oil (neat oils), synthetic, 
semisynthetic, and water-soluble oil. Machining operations generate 
wastewater from working fluid or rinse water discharge. Metal-working 
fluids periodically are discarded because of reduced performance or 
development of a rancid odor. After machining, parts are sometimes 
rinsed to remove coolant and metal chips. The coolant reservoir is

[[Page 393]]

sometimes rinsed, and the rinse water is added to the working fluid.
    Painting-Spray or Brush (Including Water Curtains) involves applying 
an organic coating to a part. Coatings such as paint, varnish, lacquer, 
shellac, and plastics are applied by spraying, brushing, roll coating, 
lithographing, powder coating, and wiping. Water is used in painting 
operations as a solvent (water-borne formulations) for rinsing, for 
cleanup, and for water-wash (or curtain) type spray booths. Paint spray 
booths typically use most of the water in this unit operation. Spray 
booths capture overspray (i.e., paint that misses the product during 
application), and control the introduction of pollutants into the 
workplace and environment.
    Polishing involves removing stock from a part using loose or loosely 
held abrasive grains carried to the part by a flexible support. Usually, 
the objective is to achieve a desired surface finish or appearance 
rather then to remove a specified amount of stock. Buffing is included 
in this unit operation, and usually is performed using a revolving cloth 
or sisal buffing wheel, which is coated with a suitable compound. Liquid 
buffing compounds are used extensively for large-volume production on 
semiautomated or automated buffing equipment. Polishing operations 
typically are dry, although liquid compounds and associated rinses are 
used in some polishing processes.
    Pressure Deformation involves applying force (other than impact 
force) to permanently deform or shape a part. Pressure deformation may 
include rolling, drawing, bending, embossing, sizing, extruding, 
squeezing, spinning, necking, forming, crimping or flaring. These 
operations use natural and synthetic oils, light greases, and pigmented 
lubricants. Pigmented lubricants include whiting, lithapone, mica, zinc 
oxide, molybdenum disulfide, bentonite, flour, graphite, white lead, and 
soap-like materials. Pressure deformation typically is dry, but 
wastewater is sometimes generated from the discharge of lubricants or 
from rinsing associated with the process.
    Solvent Degreasing removes oils and grease from the surface of a 
part using organic solvents, including aliphatic petroleum (e.g., 
kerosene, naphtha), aromatics (e.g., benzene, toluene), oxygenated 
hydrocarbons (e.g., ketones, alcohol, ether), and halogenated 
hydrocarbons (e.g., 1,1,1-trichloroethane, trichloroethylene, methylene 
chloride). Solvent cleaning takes place in either the liquid or vapor 
phase. Solvent vapor degreasing normally is quicker than solvent liquid 
degreasing. However, ultrasonic vibration is sometimes used with liquid 
solvents to decrease the required immersion time of complex shapes. 
Solvent cleaning often is used as a precleaning operation prior to 
alkaline cleaning, as a final cleaning of precision parts, or as surface 
preparation for some painting operations. Solvent degreasing operations 
typically are not followed by rinsing, although rinsing is performed in 
some cases.
    Steam Cleaning removes residual dirt, oil, and grease from parts 
after processing though other unit operations. Typically, additives are 
not used in this operation; the hot steam removes the pollutants. 
Wastewater is generated when the cleaned parts are rinsed.
    Testing (e.g., hydrostatic, dye penetrant, ultrasonic, magnetic 
flux) involves applying thermal, electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, or 
other energy to determine the suitability or functionality of a part, 
assembly, or complete unit. Testing also may include applying surface 
penetrant dyes to detect surface imperfections. Other examples of tests 
frequently performed include electrical testing, performance testing, 
and ultrasonic testing; these tests typically are dry but may generate 
wastewater under certain circumstances. Testing usually is performed to 
replicate some aspect of the working environment. Wastewater generated 
during testing includes spent process solutions and rinses.
    Thermal Cutting involves cutting, slotting, or piercing a part using 
an oxy-acetylene oxygen lance, electric arc cutting tool, or laser. 
Thermal cutting typically is a dry process, except for the use of 
contact cooling waters and rinses.
    Tumbling/Barrel Finishing/Mass Finishing/Vibratory Finishing 
involves polishing or deburring a part using a rotating or vibrating 
container and abrasive media or other polishing materials to achieve a 
desired surface appearance. Parts to be finished are placed in a 
rotating barrel or vibrating unit with an abrasive media (e.g., ceramic 
chips, pebbles), water, and chemical additives (e.g., alkaline 
detergents). As the barrel rotates, the upper layer of the part slides 
toward the lower side of the barrel, causing the abrading or polishing. 
Similar results can be achieved in a vibrating unit, where the entire 
contents of the container are in constant motion, or in a centrifugal 
unit, which compacts the load of media and parts as the unit spins and 
generates up to 50 times the force of gravity. Spindle finishing is a 
similar process, where parts to be finished are mounted on fixtures and 
exposed to a rapidly moving abrasive slurry. Wastewater generated during 
barrel finishing includes spent process solutions and rinses. Following 
the finishing process, the contents of the barrel are unloaded. Process 
wastewater is either discharged continuously during the process, 
discharged after finishing, or collected and reused. The parts are 
sometimes given a final rinse to remove particles of abrasive media.

[[Page 394]]

    Washing (Finished Products) involves cleaning finished metal 
products after use or storage using fresh water or water containing a 
mild cleaning solution. This unit operation applies only to the finished 
products that do not require maintenance or rebuilding.
    Welding involves joining two or more pieces of material by applying 
heat, pressure, or both, with or without filler material, to produce a 
metallurgical bond through fusion or recrystallization across the 
interface. This includes gas welding, resistance welding, arc welding, 
cold welding, electron beam welding, and laser beam welding. Welding 
typically is a dry process, except for the occasional use of contact 
cooling waters or rinses.
    Wet Air Pollution Control for Organic Constituents involves using 
water to remove organic constituents that are entrained in air streams 
exhausted from process tanks or production areas. Most frequently, wet 
air pollution control devices are used with cleaning and coating 
processes. A common type of wet air pollution control is the wet packed 
scrubber consisting of a spray chamber that is filled with packing 
material. Water is continuously sprayed onto the packing and the air 
stream is pulled through the packing by a fan. Pollutants in the air 
stream are absorbed by the water droplets and the air is released to the 
atmosphere. A single scrubber often serves numerous process tanks.

      Appendix C to Part 438--Metal-Bearing Operations Definitions

    Note: The definitions in this appendix shall not be used to 
differentiate between the six ``core'' metal finishing operations (i.e., 
Electroplating, Electroless Plating, Anodizing, Coating (chromating, 
phosphating, and coloring), Chemical Etching and Milling, and Printed 
Circuit Board Manufacture) and forty ``ancillary'' process operations 
listed at 40 CFR 433.10(a).
    Abrasive Jet Machining includes removing stock material from a part 
by a high-speed stream of abrasive particles carried by a liquid or gas 
from a nozzle. Abrasive jet machining is used for deburring, drilling, 
and cutting thin sections of metal or composite material. Unlike 
abrasive blasting, this process operates at pressures of thousands of 
pounds per square inch. The liquid streams typically are alkaline or 
emulsified oil solutions, although water also can be used.
    Acid Pickling Neutralization involves using a dilute alkaline 
solution to raise the pH of acid pickling rinse water that remains on 
the part after pickling. The wastewater from this operation is the acid 
pickling neutralization rinse water.
    Acid Treatment With Chromium is a general term used to describe any 
application of an acid solution containing chromium to a metal surface. 
Acid cleaning, chemical etching, and pickling are types of acid 
treatment. Chromic acid is used occasionally to clean cast iron, 
stainless steel, cadmium and aluminum, and bright dipping of copper and 
copper alloys. Also, chromic acid solutions can be used for the final 
step in acid cleaning phosphate conversion coating systems. Chemical 
conversion coatings formulated with chromic acid are defined at 
``Chromate Conversion Coating (or Chromating)'' in this appendix. 
Wastewater generated during acid treatment includes spent solutions and 
rinse waters. Spent solutions typically are batch discharged and treated 
or disposed of off site. Most acid treatment operations are followed by 
a water rinse to remove residual acid.
    Acid Treatment Without Chromium is a general term used to describe 
any application of an acid solution not containing chromium to a metal 
surface. Acid cleaning, chemical etching, and pickling are types of acid 
treatment. Wastewater generated during acid treatment includes spent 
solutions and rinse waters. Spent solutions typically are batch 
discharged and treated or disposed of off site. Most acid treatment 
operations are followed by a water rinse to remove residual acid.
    Alcohol Cleaning involves removing dirt and residue material from a 
part using alcohol.
    Alkaline Cleaning Neutralization involves using a dilute acid 
solution to lower the pH of alkaline cleaning rinse water that remains 
on the part after alkaline cleaning. Wastewater from this operation is 
the alkaline cleaning neutralization rinse water.
    Alkaline Treatment With Cyanide is the cleaning of a metal surface 
with an alkaline solution containing cyanide. Wastewater generated 
during alkaline treatment includes spent solutions and rinse waters. 
Alkaline treatment solutions become contaminated from the introduction 
of soils and dissolution of the base metal. They usually are treated and 
disposed of on a batch basis. Alkaline treatment typically is followed 
by a water rinse that is discharged to a treatment system.
    Anodizing With Chromium involves producing a protective oxide film 
on aluminum, magnesium, or other light metal, usually by passing an 
electric current through an electrolyte bath in which the metal is 
immersed. Anodizing may be followed by a sealant operation. Chromic acid 
anodic coatings have a relatively thick boundary layer and are more 
protective than are sulfuric acid coatings. For these reasons, chromic 
acid is sometimes used when the part cannot be rinsed completely. These 
oxide coatings provide corrosion protection, decorative surfaces, a base 
for painting and other coating processes, and special electrical and 
mechanical properties. Wastewaters generated during anodizing include 
spent anodizing solutions, sealants,

[[Page 395]]

and rinse waters. Because of the anodic nature of the process, anodizing 
solutions become contaminated with the base metal being processed. These 
solutions eventually reach an intolerable concentration of dissolved 
metal and require treatment or disposal. Rinse water following 
anodizing, coloring, and sealing typically is discharged to a treatment 
system.
    Anodizing Without Chromium involves applying a protective oxide film 
to aluminum, magnesium, or other light metal, usually by passing an 
electric current through an electrolyte bath in which the metal is 
immersed. Phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid, and boric acid are used in 
anodizing. Anodizing also may include sealant baths. These oxide 
coatings provide corrosion protection, decorative surfaces, a base for 
painting and other coating processes, and special electrical and 
mechanical properties. Wastewater generated during anodizing includes 
spent anodizing solutions, sealants, and rinse waters. Because of the 
anodic nature of the process, anodizing solutions become contaminated 
with the base metal being processed. These solutions eventually reach an 
intolerable concentration of dissolved metal and require treatment or 
disposal. Rinse water following anodizing, coloring, and sealing steps 
typically is discharged to a treatment systems.
    Carbon Black Deposition involves coating the inside of printed 
circuit board holes by dipping the circuit board into a tank that 
contains carbon black and potassium hydroxide. After excess solution 
dips from the circuit boards, they are heated to allow the carbon black 
to adhere to the board.
    Catalyst Acid Pre-Dip uses rinse water to remove residual solution 
from a part after the part is processed in an acid bath. The wastewater 
generated in this unit operation is the rinse water.
    Chemical Conversion Coating without Chromium is the process of 
applying a protective coating on the surface of a metal without using 
chromium. Such coatings are applied through phosphate conversion (except 
for ``Iron Phosphate Conversion Coating,'' see appendix B of this part), 
metal coloring, or passivation. Coatings are applied to a base metal or 
previously deposited metal to increase corrosion protection and 
lubricity, prepare the surface for additional coatings, or formulate a 
special surface appearance. This unit process includes sealant 
operations that use additives other than chromium.
    (1) In phosphate conversion, coatings are applied for one or more of 
the following reasons: to provide a base for paints and other organic 
coatings; to condition surfaces for cold forming operations by providing 
a base for drawing compounds and lubricants; to impart corrosion 
resistance to the metal surface; or to provide a suitable base for 
corrosion-resistant oils or waxes. Phosphate conversion coatings are 
formed by immersing a metal part in a dilute solution of phosphoric 
acid, phosphate salts, and other reagents.
    (2) Metal coloring by chemical conversion coating produces a large 
group of decorative finishes. Metal coloring includes the formation of 
oxide conversion coatings. In this operation, the metal surface is 
converted into an oxide or similar metallic compound, giving the part 
the desired color. The most common colored finishes are used on copper, 
steel, zinc, and cadmium.
    (3) Passivation forms a protective coating on metals, particularly 
stainless steel, by immersing the part in an acid solution. Stainless 
steel is passivated to dissolve embedded iron particles and to form a 
thin oxide film on the surface of the metal. Wastewater generated during 
chemical conversion coating includes spent solutions and rinses (i.e., 
both the chemical conversion coating solutions and post-treatment 
sealant solutions). These solutions commonly are discharged to a 
treatment system when contaminated with the base metal or other 
impurities. Rinsing normally follows each process step, except when a 
sealant dries on the part surface.
    Chemical Milling (or Chemical Machining) involves removing metal 
from a part by controlled chemical attack, or etching, to produce 
desired shapes and dimensions. In chemical machining, a masking agent 
typically is applied to cover a portion of the part's surface; the 
exposed (unmasked) surface is then treated with the chemical machining 
solution. Wastewater generated during chemical machining includes spent 
solutions and rinses. Process solutions typically are discharged after 
becoming contaminated with the base metal. Rinsing normally follows 
chemical machining.
    Chromate Conversion Coating (or Chromating) involves forming a 
conversion coating (protective coating) on a metal by immersing or 
spraying the metal with a hexavalent chromium compound solution to 
produce a hexavalent or trivalent chromium compound coating. This also 
is known as chromate treatment, and is most often applied to aluminum, 
zinc, cadmium or magnesium surfaces. Sealant operations using chromium 
also are included in this unit operation. Chromate solutions include two 
types: (1) those that deposit substantial chromate films on the 
substrate metal and are complete treatments themselves, and (2) those 
that seal or supplement oxide, phosphate, or other types of protective 
coatings. Wastewater generated during chromate conversion coating 
includes spent process solutions (i.e., both the chromate conversion 
coating solutions and post-treatment sealant solutions) and rinses. 
These solutions typically are discharged to a treatment system when 
contaminated with the base metal or other impurities. Also, chromium-
based solutions, which are typically formulated with

[[Page 396]]

hexavalent chromium, lose operating strength when the hexavalent 
chromium reduces to trivalent chromium during use. Rinsing normally 
follows each process step, except for sealants that dry on the surface 
of the part.
    Chromium Drag-out Destruction is a unit operation performed 
following chromium-bearing operations to reduce hexavalent chromium that 
is ``dragged out'' of the process bath. Parts are dipped in a solution 
of a chromium-reducing chemical (e.g., sodium metabisulfite) to prevent 
the hexavalent chromium from contaminating subsequent process baths. 
This operation typically is performed in a stagnant drag-out rinse tank 
that contains concentrated chromium-bearing wastewater.
    Cyanide Drag-out Destruction involves dipping part in a cyanide 
oxidation solution (e.g., sodium hypochloride) to prevent cyanide that 
is ``dragged out'' of a process bath from contaminating subsequent 
process baths. This operation typically is performed in a stagnant drag-
out rinse tank.
    Cyaniding Rinse is generated during cyaniding hardening of a part. 
The part is heated in a molten salt solution containing cyanide. 
Wastewater is generated when excess cyanide salt solution is removed 
from the part in rinse water.
    Electrochemical Machining is a process in which the part becomes the 
anode and a shaped cathode is the cutting tool. By pumping electrolyte 
between the electrodes and applying a current, metal is rapidly but 
selectively dissolved from the part. Wastewater generated during 
electrochemical machining includes spent electrolytes and rinses.
    Electroless Catalyst Solution involves adding a catalyst just prior 
to an electroless plating operation to accelerate the plating operation.
    Electroless Plating involves applying a metallic coating to a part 
using a chemical reduction process in the presence of a catalysis. An 
electric current is not used in this operations. The metal to be plated 
onto a part typically is held in solution at high concentrations using a 
chelating agent. This plates all areas of the part to a uniform 
thickness regardless of the configuration of the part. Also, an 
electroless-plated surface is dense and virtually nonporous. Copper and 
nickel electroless plating operations are the most common. Sealant 
operations (i.e., other than hot water dips) following electroless 
plating are considered separate unit operations if they include any 
additives. Wastewater generated during electroless plating includes 
spent process solutions and rinses. The wastewater contains chelated 
metals, which require separate preliminary treatment to break the metal 
chelates prior to conventional chemical precipitation. Rinsing follows 
most electroless plating processes to remove residual plating solution 
and prevent contamination of subsequent process baths.
    Electrolytic Cleaning involves removing soil, scale, or surface 
oxides from a part by electrolysis. The part is one of the electrodes 
and the electrolyte is usually alkaline. Electrolytic alkaline cleaning 
and electrolytic acid cleaning are the two types of electrolytic 
cleaning.
    (1) Electrolytic alkaline cleaning produces a cleaner surface than 
do nonelectrolytic methods of alkaline cleaning. This operation uses 
strong agitation, gas evolution in the solution, and oxidation-reduction 
reactions that occur during electrolysis. In addition, dirt particles 
become electrically charged and are repelled from the part surface.
    (2) Electrolytic acid cleaning sometimes is used as a final cleaning 
before electroplating. Sulfuric acid is most frequently used as the 
electrolyte. As with electrolytic alkaline cleaning, the mechanical 
scrubbing effect from the evolution of gas enhances the effectiveness of 
the process.
    Wastewater generated during electrolytic cleaning includes spent 
process solutions and rinses. Electrolytic cleaning solutions become 
contaminated during use due to the dissolution of the base metal and the 
introduction of pollutants. The solutions typically are batch discharged 
for treatment or disposal after they weaken. Rinsing following 
electrolytic cleaning removes residual cleaner to prevent contamination 
of subsequent process baths.
    Electroplating with Chromium involves producing a chromium metal 
coating on a surface by electrodeposition. Electroplating provides 
corrosion protection, wear or erosion resistance, lubricity, electrical 
conductivity, or decoration. In electroplating, metal ions in acid, 
alkaline, or neutral solutions are reduced on the cathodic surfaces of 
the parts being plated. Metal salts or oxides typically are added to 
replenish the solutions. Chromium trioxide often is added as a source of 
chromium. In addition to water and the metal being deposited, 
electroplating solutions often contain agents that form complexes with 
the metal being deposited, stabilizers to prevent hydrolysis, buffers 
for pH control, catalysts to assist in deposition, chemical aids to 
dissolve anodes, and miscellaneous ingredients that modify the process 
to attain specific properties. Sealant operations performed after this 
operation are considered separate unit operations if they include any 
additives (i.e., other than hot water dips). Wastewater generated during 
electroplating includes spent process solutions and rinses. 
Electroplating solutions occasionally become contaminated during use due 
to the base metal dissolving and the introduction of other pollutants, 
diminishing the effectiveness of the electroplating solutions 
diminishes. Spent concentrated solutions typically are treated to

[[Page 397]]

remove pollutants and reused, processed in a wastewater treatment 
system, or disposed of off site. Rinse waters, including some drag-out 
rinse tank solutions, typically are treated on site.
    Electroplating with Cyanide involves producing metal coatings on a 
surface by electrodeposition using cyanide. Electroplating provides 
corrosion protection, wear or erosion resistance, electrical 
conductivity, or decoration. In electroplating, metal ions in acid, 
alkaline, or neutral solutions are reduced on the cathodic surfaces of 
the parts being plated. The metal ions in solution typically are 
replenished by dissolving metal from anodes contained in inert wire or 
metal baskets. Sealant operations performed after this operation are 
considered separate unit operations if they include any additives (i.e., 
any sealant operations other than hot water dips). In addition to water 
and the metal being deposited, electroplating solutions often contain 
agents that form complexes with the metal being deposited, stabilizers 
to prevent hydrolysis, buffers to control pH, catalysts to assist in 
deposition, chemical aids to dissolve anodes, and miscellaneous 
ingredients that modify the process to attain specific properties. 
Cyanide, usually in the form of sodium or potassium cyanide, frequently 
is used as a complexing agent for zinc, cadmium, copper, and precious 
metal baths. Wastewater generated during electroplating includes spent 
process solutions and rinses. Electroplating solutions occasionally 
become contaminated during use due to dissolution of the base metal and 
the introduction of other pollutants, diminishing the performance of the 
electroplating solutions. Spent concentrated solutions typically are 
treated to remove pollutants and reused, processed in a wastewater 
treatment system, or disposed of off site. Rinse waters, including some 
drag-out rinse tank solutions, typically are treated on site.
    Electroplating without Chromium or Cyanide involves the production 
of metal coatings on a surface by electrodeposition, without using 
chromium or cyanide. Commonly electroplated metals include nickel, 
copper, tin/lead, gold, and zinc. Electroplating provides corrosion 
protection, wear or erosion resistance, lubricity, electrical 
conductivity, or decoration. In electroplating, metal ions in acid, 
alkaline, or neutral solutions are reduced on the cathodic surfaces of 
the parts being plated. The metal ions in solution typically are 
replenished by dissolving metal from anodes contained in inert wire or 
metal baskets. Sealant operations performed after this operation are 
considered separate unit operations if they include any additives (i.e., 
any sealant operations other than hot water dips). In addition to water 
and the metal being deposited, electroplating solutions often contain 
agents that form complexes with the metal being deposited, stabilizers 
to prevent hydrolysis, buffers to control pH, catalysts to assist in 
deposition, chemical aids to dissolve anodes, and miscellaneous 
ingredients that modify the process to attain specific properties. 
Wastewater generated during electroplating without chromium or cyanide 
includes spent process solutions and rinses. Electroplating solutions 
occasionally become contaminated during use due to dissolution of the 
base metal and the introduction of other pollutants, diminishing the 
effectiveness of the electroplating solutions. Spent concentrated 
solutions typically are treated for pollutant removal and reused, 
processed in a wastewater treatment system, or disposed of off site. 
Rinse waters, including some drag-out rinse tank solutions, typically 
are treated on site.
    Electropolishing involves producing a highly polished surface on a 
part using reversed electrodeposition in which the anode (part) releases 
some metal ions into the electrolyte to reduce surface roughness. When 
current is applied, a polarized film forms on the metal surface, through 
which metal ions diffuse. In this operation, areas of surface roughness 
on parts serve as high-current density areas and are dissolved at rates 
greater than the rates for smoother portions of the metal surface. 
Metals are electropolished to improve appearance, reflectivity, and 
corrosion resistance. Base metals processed by electropolishing include 
aluminum, copper, zinc, low-alloy steel, and stainless steel. Common 
electrolytes include sodium hydroxide and combinations of sulfuric acid, 
phosphoric acid, and chromic acid. Wastewater generated during 
electropolishing includes spent process solutions and rinses. 
Eventually, the concentration of dissolved metals increases to the point 
where the process becomes ineffective. Typically, a portion of the bath 
is decanted and either fresh chemicals are added or the entire solution 
is discharged to treatment and replaced with fresh chemicals. Rinsing 
can involve several steps and can include hot immersion or spray rinses.
    Galvanizing/Hot Dip Coating involves using various processes to coat 
an iron or steel surface with zinc. In hot dipping, a base metal is 
coated by dipping it into a tank that contains a molten metal.
    Hot Dip Coating involves applying a metal coating (usually zinc) to 
the surface of a part by dipping the part in a molten metal bath. 
Wastewater is generated in this operation when residual metal coating 
solution is removed from the part in rinse water.
    Kerfing uses a tool to remove small amounts of metal from a product 
surface. Water and synthetic coolants may be used to lubricate the area 
between the tool and the metal, to maintain the temperature of the 
cutting tool, and to remove metal fines from

[[Page 398]]

the surface of the part. This operation generates oily wastewater that 
contains metal fines and dust.
    Laminating involves applying a material to a substrate using heat 
and pressure.
    Mechanical and Vapor Plating involves applying a metallic coating to 
a part. For mechanical plating, the part is rotated in a drum containing 
a water-based solution, glass beads, and metal powder. In vapor plating, 
a metallic coating is applied by atomizing the metal and applying an 
electric charge to the part, which causes the atomized (vapor phase) 
metal to adhere to the part. Wastewater generated in this operation 
includes spent solutions from the process bath and rinse water. 
Typically, the wastewater contains high concentrations of the applied 
metal.
    Metallic Fiber Cloth Manufacturing involves weaving thin metallic 
fibers to create a mesh cloth.
    Metal Spraying (Including Water Curtain) involves applying a 
metallic coating to a part by projecting molten or semimolten metal 
particles onto a substrate. Coatings can be sprayed from rod or wire 
stock or from powdered material. The process involves feeding the 
material (e.g., wire) into a flame where it is melted. The molten stock 
then is stripped from the end of the wire and atomized by a high-
velocity stream of compressed air or other gas that propels the material 
onto a prepared substrate or part. Metal spraying coatings are used in a 
wide range of special applications, including: insulating layers in 
applications such as induction heating coils; electromagnetic 
interference shielding; thermal barriers for rocket engines; nuclear 
moderators; films for hot isostatic pressing; and dimensional 
restoration of worn parts. Metal spraying is sometimes performed in 
front of a ``water curtain'' (a circulated water stream used to trap 
overspray) or a dry filter exhaust hood that captures the overspray and 
fumes. With water curtain systems, water is recirculated from a sump or 
tank. Wastewater is generated when the sump or tank is discharged 
periodically. Metal spraying typically is not followed by rinsing.
    Painting-Immersion (Including Electrophoretic, ``E-coat'') involves 
applying an organic coating to a part using processes such autophoretic 
and electrophoretic painting.
    (1) Autophoretic Painting involves applying an organic paint film by 
electrophoresis when a part is immersed in a suitable aqueous bath.
    (2) Electrophoretic Painting is coating a part by making it either 
anodic or cathodic in a bath that is generally an aqueous emulsion of 
the organic coating material.
    (3) Other Immersion Painting includes all other types of immersion 
painting such as dip painting.
    Water is used in immersion paint operations as a carrier for paint 
particles and to rinse the part. Aqueous painting solutions and rinses 
typically are treated through an ultrafiltration system. The concentrate 
is returned to the painting solution, and the permeate is reused as 
rinse water. Sites typically discharge a bleed stream to treatment. The 
painting solution and rinses are batch discharged periodically to 
treatment.
    Photo Imaging is the process of exposing a photoresist-laden printed 
wiring board to light to impact the circuitry design to the board. Water 
is not used in this operation.
    Photo Image Developing is an operation in which a water-based 
solution is used to develop the exposed circuitry in a photoresist-laden 
printed wiring board. Wastewater generated in this operation includes 
spent process solution and rinse water.
    Photoresist Application is an operation that uses heat and pressure 
to apply a photoresist coating to a printed wiring board. Water is not 
used in this operation.
    Photoresist Strip involves removing organic photoresist material 
from a printed wiring board using an acid solution.
    Phosphor Deposition is the application of a phosphorescent coating 
to a part. Wastewater generated in this unit operation includes water 
used to keep the parts clean and wet while the coating is applied, and 
rinse water used to remove excess phosphorescent coating from the part.
    Physical Vapor Deposition involves physically removing a material 
from a source through evaporation or sputtering, using the energy of the 
vapor particles in a vacuum or partial vacuum to transport the removed 
material, and condensing the removed material as a film onto the surface 
of a part or other substrate.
    Plasma Arc Machining involves removing material or shaping a part by 
a high-velocity jet of high-temperature, ionized gas. A gas (nitrogen, 
argon, or hydrogen) is passed through an electric arc, causing the gas 
to become ionized, and heated to temperatures exceeding 16,650 [deg]C 
(30,000 [deg]F). The relatively narrow plasma jet melts and displaces 
the material in its path. Because plasma arc machining does not depend 
on a chemical reaction between the gas and the part, and because plasma 
temperatures are extremely high, the process can be used on almost any 
metal, including those that are resistant to oxygen-fuel gas cutting. 
The method is used mainly for profile cutting of stainless steel and 
aluminum alloys. Although plasma arc machining typically is a dry 
process, water is used for water injection plasma arc torches. In these 
cases, a constricted swirling flow of water surrounds the cutting arc. 
This operations also may be performed immersed in a water bath. In both 
cases, water is used to stabilize the arc, to cool the part, and to 
contain smoke and fumes.

[[Page 399]]

    Plastic Wire Extrusion involves applying a plastic material to a 
metal wire through an extrusion process.
    Salt Bath Descaling involves removing surface oxides or scale from a 
part by immersing the part in a molten salt bath or hot salt solution. 
Salt bath descaling solutions can contain molten salts, caustic soda, 
sodium hydride, and chemical additives. Molten salt baths are used in a 
salt bath-water quench-acid dip sequence to remove oxides from stainless 
steel and other corrosion-resistant alloys. In this process, the part 
typically is immersed in the molten salt, quenched with water, and then 
dipped in acid. Oxidizing, reducing, or electrolytic salt baths can be 
used depending on the oxide to be removed. Wastewater generated during 
salt bath descaling includes spent process solutions, quenches, and 
rinses.
    Shot Tower--Lead Shot Manufacturing involves dropping molten lead 
from a platform on the top of a tower through a sieve-like device and 
into a vat of cold water.
    Soldering involves joining metals by inserting a thin (capillary 
thickness) layer of nonferrous filler metal into the space between them. 
Bonding results from the intimate contact produced by the metallic bond 
formed between the substrate metal and the solder alloy. The term 
soldering is used where the melting temperature of the filler is below 
425 [deg]C (800 [deg]F). Some soldering operations use a solder flux, 
which is an aqueous or nonaqueous material used to dissolve, remove, or 
prevent the formation of surface oxides on the part. Except for the use 
of aqueous fluxes, soldering typically is a dry operation; however, a 
quench or rinse sometimes follows soldering to cool the part or remove 
excess flux or other foreign material from its surface. Recent 
developments in soldering technology have focused on fluxless solders 
and fluxes that can be cleaned off with water.
    Solder Flux Cleaning involves removing residual solder flux from a 
printed circuit board using either an alkaline or alcohol cleaning 
solution.
    Solder Fusing involves coating a tin-lead plated circuit board with 
a solder flux and then passing the board through a hot oil. The hot oil 
fuses the tin-lead to the board and creates a solder-like finish on the 
board.
    Solder Masking involves applying a resistive coating to certain 
areas of a circuit board to protect the areas during subsequent 
processing.
    Sputtering is a vacuum evaporation process in which portions of a 
coating material are physically removed from a substrate and deposited a 
thin film onto a different substrate.
    Stripping (Paint) involves removing a paint (or other organic) 
coating from a metal basis material. Stripping commonly is performed as 
part of the manufacturing process to recover parts that have been 
improperly coated or as part of maintenance and rebuilding to restore 
parts to a usable condition. Organic coatings (including paint) are 
stripped using thermal, mechanical, and chemical means. Thermal methods 
include burn-off ovens, fluidized beds of sand, and molten salt baths. 
Mechanical methods include scraping and abrasive blasting (as defined in 
``Abrasive Blasting'' in appendix B of this part). Chemical paint 
strippers include alkali solutions, acid solutions, and solvents (e.g., 
methylene chloride). Wastewater generated during organic coating 
stripping includes process solutions (limited mostly to chemical paint 
strippers and rinses).
    Stripping (Metallic Coating) involves removing a metallic coating 
from a metal basis material. Stripping is commonly part of the 
manufacturing process to recover parts that have been improperly coated 
or as part of maintenance and rebuilding to restore parts to a usable 
condition. Metallic coating stripping most often uses chemical baths, 
although mechanical means (e.g., grinding, abrasive blasting) also are 
used. Chemical stripping frequently is performed as an aqueous 
electrolytic process. Wastewater generated during metallic coating 
stripping includes process solutions and rinses. Stripping solutions 
become contaminated from dissolution of the base metal. Typically, the 
entire solution is discharged to treatment. Rinsing is used to remove 
the corrosive film remaining on the parts.
    Thermal Infusion uses heat to infuse metal powder or dust onto the 
surface of a part. Typically, thermal infusion is a dry operation. In 
some cases, however, water may be used to remove excess metal powder, 
metal dust, or molten metal.
    Ultrasonic Machining involves forcing an abrasive liquid between a 
vibrating tool and a part. Particles in the abrasive liquid strike the 
part, removing any microscopic flakes on the part.
    Vacuum Impregnation is used to reduce the porosity of the part. A 
filler material (usually organic) is applied to the surface of the part 
and polymerized under pressure and heat. Wastewater is generated in this 
unit operation when rinse water is used to remove residual organic 
coating from the part.
    Vacuum Plating involves applying a thin layer of metal oxide onto a 
part using molten metal in a vacuum chamber.
    Water Shedder involves applying a dilute water-based chemical 
compound to a part to accelerate drying. This operation typically is 
used to prevent a part from streaking when excess water remains on the 
part.
    Wet Air Pollution Control involves using water to remove chemicals, 
fumes, or dusts that are entrained in air streams exhausted from process 
tanks or production areas. Most frequently, wet air pollution control 
devices are used with electroplating, cleaning, and

[[Page 400]]

coating processes. A common type of wet air pollution control is the wet 
packed scrubber consisting of a spray chamber that is filled with 
packing material. Water is continuously sprayed onto the packing and the 
air stream is pulled through the packing by a fan. Pollutants in the air 
stream are absorbed by the water droplets and the air is released to the 
atmosphere. A single scrubber often serves numerous process tanks; 
however, the air streams typically are segregated by source into 
chromium, cyanide, and acid/alkaline sources. Wet air pollution control 
can be divided into several suboperations, including:
    (1) Wet Air Pollution Control for Acid Alkaline Baths;
    (2) Wet Air Pollution Control for Cyanide Baths;
    (3) Wet Air Pollution Control for Chromium-Bearing Baths; and
    (4) Wet Air Pollution Control for Fumes and Dusts.
    Wire Galvanizing Flux involves using flux to remove rust and oxide 
from the surface of steel wire prior to galvanizing. This provides long-
term corrosion protection for the steel wire.