Master theses of Vietnamese students at FHBB, Final report
Optimisation of plating processes in Vietnam – Summary of Vietnamese Master theses

From May through October 2004 two Vietnamese Master students conducted their Master theses in environmental technology at the University of Applied Sciences Basel (FHBB), Institute of Environmental Technology. The theses were nominated by the Hanoi University of Technology (HUT), Vietnam as practically oriented final modules of a Master study in environmental technology and were reviewed by the same institution. The two Master theses concerned are studies on process technologies and analytical methods for the Vietnamese plating industry.

Both students, Mr. Uan Do Khac and Mrs. Hien Thi Thu, have successfully finalized their studies and reached the expected targets within the time allocated. The students defined first the scope of the theses and elaborated an exact time schedule afterwards. During planning and execution of the works the students were supported by FHBB research associates and external experts. Furthermore FHBB organised accommodation and provided all administrative services.

Following goals could be achieved by the students’ theses:

• Master thesis I: Process technology
  A detailed analysis, calculation and comparison of modern plating techniques for the reduction of raw materials, waste water and toxic waste in Vietnamese plating firms was carried out and a set of recommendations elaborated. Especially following process technology changes are concerned:
  • Rinse techniques: cascade rinse instead of flow rinse and static rinse
  • Substitution of existing highly toxic hexavalent chromium application by trivalent chromium
  • Substitution of chromium-VI-passivation by chromium-III-processes with lower environmental impact and similar physical properties
  • - Environmentally sound treatment of heavy metal and cyanide containing waste water
    
    
• Master thesis II: analytical methods and quality assurance
  Various different analytical methods for the determination of toxic substances, especially heavy metals were analysed and their application in Vietnamese plating industry assessed. Suggestions for micro and medium sized companies as well as educational institutions were submitted. Moreover possibilities for the optimisation of quality assurance in Vietnamese enterprises were evaluated and recommendations for quality control/assurance elaborated.
  
  
• Rating
  Both master theses were successfully defended by the students at Hanoi University of Technology (HUT). The rating of the theses with “good” and “excellent” was above-average and shows capacity building during the six months of the students’ stay at FHBB in Switzerland.
  

Contact

Switzerland
University of Applied Sciences Basel (FHBB)
Institute of Environmental Technology
Mr. Jürg Walder
St. Jakobs-Strasse 84
CH-4132 Muttenz/Switzerland
Phone +41 61 467 43 14
Fax +41 61 467 42 90
Email: j.walder@fhbb.ch

Vietnam
Hanoi University of Technology (HUT)
Institute for Environmental Science&Technology
Mr. Nhan Tran Van
4th floor, C10 Bld
DHBKHN
Dai Co Viet Road
Hanoi, Vietnam
Phone +84-4 868 1686-7/ext. 23
Fax +84-4 868 1618
Email: vncpc@hn.vnn.vn