Abstract: A method for multilayered coating, whereby hurdles for the item that is to be treated are guided for galvanic dip coating (2) through in a separate circuit. Downstream from the tank, the hurdles are changed over (12) and the item that is to be treated is guided in another hurdle for electrophoretic coating through a tank (4) in another separate circuit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a non-cyanide electrolytic gold plating solution comprising a gold compound, as a source material for gold, selected from the group consisting of a gold salt and a gold complex, a buffering agent, an organic brightener, and a conductive salt, wherein 1,2-ethanediamine is contained in the gold plating solution. The gold plating solution has excellent liquid stability in a bath and causes no change in the physical properties of the deposited gold or no decomposition of the solution during the operation of gold plating. The gold plating solutions include both a type in which a bis(1,2-ethanediamine) gold complex is used as a source material for gold, and a type in which a gold salt is used as a source material for gold. The gold plating solution is an unprecedentedly good electrolytic gold plating solution in which the hardness, purity, state of the deposited crystals and so on can be controlled.

Abstract: Method for the production of primary aluminium from alumina comprising the step of converting alumina into aluminium sulfide (Al2S3) and subsequently the separation of aluminium from aluminium sulfide wherein the conversion of alumina into aluminium sulfide is performed by reacting alumina with CS2 containing gas at a temperature Tal whereby the alumina is mainly &ggr;-alumina.

Abstract: Proposed is a drum 1 for electropolishing bulk metal parts, in particular stainless steel parts, comprising a drum jacket 12 made of metal and equipped with a filling opening 13 located on the side of the jacket, and a concentrically arranged cathode 3, whereby provision is made in the drum 1 for a space 2, 10 for receiving the metal parts, said space being closed on all sides and forming the anode and being arranged concentrically with a spacing 8, 9 in relation to the drum jacket 11 and the concentric cathode 3.

Abstract: A method is provided for retrofitting conventional aluminum smelting cells with inert anode assemblies which replace the consumable carbon anodes of the cell. The inert anode assemblies are pre-heated prior to introduction into the operating cell. Insulation may be installed for reducing heat loss during operation of the retrofit cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for depositing metal on a substrate. More particularly, one embodiment of the metal deposition cell comprising a cell base, an anode, and a cell top. The cell base at least partially defines an interior recess. The anode mounted within the interior recess to the cell base. The cell top is removably mounted to the cell base. In one embodiment, a method of removing a modular metal deposition cell from a deposition cell mount is provided. The modular metal deposition cell comprises a cell top and a cell bottom. The method comprises: unfastening a fastener that secures the cell top to the cell bottom, and also fastens the cell top and the cell bottom to the deposition cell mount. The cell top or the cell bottom are then removed from the deposition cell mount.

Abstract: A high pressure electrolyzer as represented in the figure, having a number of electrolysis chambers being held in frame (1), being separated by membrane (2) to which the electrodes (3) are pressed. The electrodes are electrically connected to the bipolar plate (4) with a metal woven sheet (5). The frame has the larger conduit openings (7) on the top side and (8) on the bottom side. Conduit openings (7) evacuate the gas that is generated and openings (8) form a supply channel of electrolyte. Opening (7) is connected to the electrolyzer module's inner space with the small connecting conduit (9) and similarly opening (8) is connected to the inner space via small connecting conduit (10). A ring shaped frame having conduit openings for the supply of electrolyte and the removal of the gasses that are generated and further having a connecting surface with concentric elevations and depressions.

Abstract: A method of immersing a substrate into electrolyte solution for electroplating, the method comprising connecting an electric source between an anode immersed in the electrolyte solution and a seed layer formed on the substrate. A first voltage level of the seed layer is biased to be equal to, or more positive than, a second voltage level of the anode. The substrate is then immersed into the electrolyte solution.

Abstract: Conventional aluminum smelting cells are retrofitted with inert anode assemblies which replace the consumable carbon anodes of the cell. The inert anode assemblies may include multiple inert anodes, and may also include insulation for reducing heat loss during operation of the retrofit cells.

Abstract: An arrangement of electrolysis pots suitable for use for the production of aluminum by igneous electrolysis according to the Hall-Héroult process with an electrolysis current with intensity Io is disclosed. The arrangement comprises juxtaposed zones including an inner lateral zone. a central zone, and an outer lateral zone. The arrangement can be used, for example, in an electrolysis plant.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing a substrate is described. In one aspect, a processing system is provided which includes a wet area and a dry area. In another aspect, a method comprises processing the substrate in the process cell. The substrate is transferred from the process cell to a dry module and then transferring the substrate to a drying area.

Abstract: An electroforming apparatus comprising a container unit for storing the plating solution, a cathode part placed in the container unit and for holding an object to-be-plated and an anode part placed in the container unit face-to-face with the cathode part, wherein a current-conductive opening of the anode part is formed to have an area larger than that of a current-conductive opening of the cathode part.

Abstract: A cathode station (10) for a pipe electrochemical polishing system (12) has a valve (20) for preventing a cleaning fluid (56) from entering into a pipe (28). A cathode (14) is pulled into the cathode station (10) by a cathode puller cable (16) after a polishing operation (62) is completed. In a rinse cathode operation (66) the cleaning fluid (56) is introduced into the cathode station (10) through a fluid inlet (52) and removed from a fluid outlet (54). In a finish operation (68) the cathode (14) and cathode station (10) are removed from the pipe electrochemical polishing system (12).

Abstract: An apparatus for electroplating and deplating an object out of a plating solution is disclosed. The apparatus includes a plating tank adapted to support the object and to contain a plating solution so that the object is at least partially disposed into the plating solution. The apparatus also includes a non-dissolvable conductor at least partially disposed within the plating solution. A current source is electrically connected to the non-dissolvable conductor and to the object. An ultrasonic system may be provided to introduce wave energy into the plating solution includes at least one transducer element mountable within the tank and a power generator adapted to provide electrical energy to the transducer element. A holding tank having a circulating pump and heating and cooling elements for the plating solution may be provided.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a fluid bearing is provided. A mask member having at least two sets of grooves provided at least two places along an axial direction is affixed to an outer surface of an electrode section of a fluid bearing manufacturing tool. Each of the groove sets consists of multiple grooves in a shape corresponding to designed fluid bearing grooves on a work piece, such as, for example, a sleeve section of the fluid bearing. The fluid bearing manufacturing tool is inserted into a hole created in the work piece, wherein a power source for electrolytic machining is connected between the fluid bearing manufacturing tool and the work piece. An electrolytic solution between the manufacturing tool and the work piece is allowed to flow to form fluid bearing grooves on an inner surface of the work piece through electrolytic machining.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for manufacturing a wire, particularly a sawtooth wire for all-steel sawtooth wire card clothings, wherein the surface of a wire-shaped intermediate product, such as a wire already provided with sawteeth, is smoothened in an electropolishing process in an electrolyte bath containing an electrolyte. A relative movement is produced between the electrolyte and the intermediate product during the electropolishing process. The apparatus includes a device for producing a relative movement between the electrolyte and the intermediate product contained in the electrolyte bath.

Abstract: A reactor assembly for electrochemically processing a microelectronic workpiece is set forth. The reactor assembly includes a processing bowl having one or more fluid inlets through which a flow of processing fluid is received. An electrode assembly is located within the process bowl in a fluid flow path of the fluid provided through the one or more fluid inlets. The electrode assembly includes a mesh electrode and a diffuser disposed in the fluid flow path prior to the mesh electrode to tailor the flow of processing fluid received from the one or more fluid inlets through the mesh electrode in a predetermined manner.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fluid sealing the underside of a workpiece, such as a semiconductor wafer and the like, during wet-processing such as electrodeposition and the like, employing an elastomeric encased ring of flexible fingers against which the periphery of the workpiece underside is forced to deflect the fingers downwardly and engage a peripheral sealing bead against the underside periphery of the workpiece; and where electrical contact with the workpiece is desired, resiliently engaging electrical contact tips protruding through peripheral openings in the elastomeric covering within the sealing ring, with the underside periphery of the workpiece.

Abstract: A method for extracting copper from a mineral feed containing copper sulphide mineral 1, which involves crushing and blending the feed 2, 6, 10 followed by leaching of the feed in an autoclave 20. The conditions in the autoclave are controlled so that the presence of oxygen at superatmospheric oxygen pressure maintains the ratio of ferrous to ferric ions at a level so as to facilitate the leaching of copper from the feed. The leaching is carried out in the presence of acid which may be itself generated by oxidising conditions in the autoclave. Further leaching is carried out in a series of tanks 22, 24, 26 and 28 after which the solids are separated from solution in a series of steps including treatment in a hydroclassifier 30, a clarifier 32 and a polishing filter 38. Copper is extracted from the resultant leachant at a copper extraction station 44 with a final copper product 54 being retrieved in electrowin cells 52.

Abstract: An electrolysis apparatus has a number of membrane electrolysis cells. Each of the cells has a membrane formed on both sides with a contact layer. The apparatus, while it is compact in its design, is also suitable for comparatively high hydrogen production rates and can consequently be used particularly flexibly. A contact plate is respectively arranged on each contact layer. Each of the contact plates is formed, on its surface facing the contact layer assigned to it, with a system of ducts for the transport of water and/or gas.