Struggling with tricky heavy metals? KT-N40 makes it simple.

Traditional treatments not working?

See how KT-N40 tackles complex heavy metal wastewater

 

 

You might have experienced these situations:

 

✔️ Unstable pH value when using Metal Hydroxide Precipitation method

✔️ No reaction even after adding excess Sodium Sulfide

✔️ Wastewater containing nickel, copper, and zinc becoming increasingly “stubborn”

✔️ Frequently troubled by abnormal heavy-metal levels in effluent

 

 

If you're in plating, PCB, or related industries, these problems are all too familiar. That's why KT-N40 was developed—to solve those tough treatment challenges that many conventional reagents just can't handle. It's not your typical heavy metal precipitant; KT-N40 is an organic sulfur-based "heavy metal terminator" that delivers powerful results even in complex metals, strong chelation, and emulsified systems. Let's take a closer look and see how it works.

 

 

 

I. What is KT-N40? And why should you pay attention to it?

 

KT-N40 is a liquid heavy metal precipitant developed under Kelly Chemical's own brand. Its main ingredient is Sodium Dimethyldithiocarbamate (DMDTC), a standout member of the well-known DTC family. This type of compound features:

 

• Contains dithiocarbamate groups (–CS₂⁻)
• High affinity for metal ions
• Capable of breaking EDTA and NTA chelation structures
• Effective across a wide pH range of 4–14

 

Through optimization, KT-N40 is designed more stable and concentrated than typical DTCs. It's widely applicable in plating wastewater, etching solutions, pickling effluent, fly ash wash liquids, contaminated groundwater, and more.

 

 

 

II. Why should you switch to KT-N40? These key points make it worthwhile

 

1. Effective Even Against Chelated Metals

If your wastewater contains EDTA, NTA, ammonia, or similar compounds, many precipitants won’t work. However, KT-N40 can break these chelation structures and directly convert metals into insoluble chelates for settling, effectively removing Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb, Hg, and Co.

 

2. Simple Dosing, Fast Reaction, and Odor-Free

KT-N40 is a concentrated solution that can be added directly into the reaction tank. It works over a wide pH range (4–14), and visible precipitation can be observed within 20–30 minutes. Compared with sodium sulfide, it produces no H₂S odor or toxic gas, making on-site operations much safer.

 

3. More Stable Treatment

If you often struggle with discharge limit exceedances, KT-N40 can act as a safety net. It effectively reduces hard-to-remove metal residues in effluent, ensuring stable compliance—especially advantageous in multi-metal mixed systems.

 

4. Stronger Performance with Coagulation and Precipitation

KT-N40 works well with PAC or PAM. Heavy metals are precipitated in the first stage, followed by flocculation and filtration, achieving thorough metal removal while generating 20–40% less sludge compared with alkaline precipitation methods.

 

 

 

III. Case Study: Successfully Treating Semiconductor Fluoride Wastewater — Significant Reduction in Nickel Concentration

 

In an advanced semiconductor packaging process, fluoride-based etching and nickel-plating steps generated about 10 m³/day of high-strength mixed wastewater containing both fluoride and nickel. The high chelate content and stability made it difficult for conventional alkaline precipitation to meet discharge limits, resulting in excessive nickel levels in the treated effluent.

The facility’s technical team adopted KT-N40 as a dedicated nickel-capturing agent, dosed at 1–4 kg/m³, in combination with the existing coagulation–precipitation and filtration units. The results showed:

 

• Influent nickel concentrations reached up to 111.6 ppm, while treated effluent was reduced to 0.3–1.2 ppm.
• Overall nickel removal rates ranged from 95% to 99%.
• Even under high fluoride salt conditions, KT-N40 can still precipitate nickel ions.

 

This case demonstrates that even with semiconductor wastewater containing fluoride, fluctuating pH, and strong chelating agents, KT-N40 delivers outstanding performance. It is well-suited for demanding technical environments and is particularly compatible with automated dosing and smart monitoring systems.

 

 

 

IV. Which industries is KT-N40 suitable for?

 

• Electroplating industry
• Grinding wastewater
• Degrinding and photoresist development wastewater
• Grinding and vibratory polishing emulsions
• Dyeing wastewater
• Dispersed and latex dye wastewater
• Photoresist solvents from PCB manufacturing Automotive components

 

 

 

V. Looking to solve heavy metal exceedance issues? There's no better time than now.

 

KT-N40 is not an ordinary chemical agent.; it’s a systematic solution designed specifically to address the challenges of complex processes, multiple heavy metals, and stringent effluent discharge standards.

If you are facing difficulties in heavy metal treatment, aiming to reduce costs, or seeking greater stability, feel free to contact us to arrange an on-site technical consultation or product trial tailored to your facility. We believe that real-world results speak louder than anything else.