Abstract: A method and a plant for regenerating zinc sulfate electrolyte in steel strip electrogalvanizing processes by precipitating dissolved iron from electrolyte circulating through a coating cell. A partial quantity of the circulating electrolyte to be regenerated is removed from the coating cell and the dissolved iron is oxidized to Fe.sup.3+ by a redox-controlled addition of oxidizing agents. Subsequently, by raising the pH value to the precipitation limit of Fe.sup.3+ by a controlled addition of a ZnO/water suspension or a ZnCO.sub.3 /water suspension, the dissolved iron is precipitated as sludge. Any excess ZnO or ZnCO.sub.3 is then dissolved by adding fresh electrolyte. The precipitated iron sludge is conducted through a suitable filter such as a filter press, a filter belt, a decanter, etc., and the precipitated iron is filtered out in this manner. Subsequently, the purified partial quantity of the electrolyte is returned to the coating cell.

Abstract: An apparatus for dissolving zinc by means of acid-containing liquid electrolytes includes a container for zinc particles to be dissolved, inlet and outlet devices for continuously admitting and discharging fresh or zinc-enriched electrolytes, and collecting and discharging devices for the gases produced during the dissolution of zinc, such as, hydrogen. The apparatus container for receiving the electrolyte has in its lower portion an intermediate screen floor for placing the zinc particles filling thereon. The inlet devices for the fresh electrolyte are arranged below the intermediate screen floor. An overflow for the zinc-enriched electrolyte is arranged in the upper portion of the container. Filters and catch containers are arranged following the overflow. A gas collecting chamber with discharge device is arranged above the apparatus container.