Abstract: An electrolytic plating system includes a coil for generating a magnetic field in the direction perpendicular to the subject surface of a wafer on which a Cu film is to be formed. The current components perpendicular to the magnetic field stirs the electrolytic solution without using a stirrer, thereby achieving a uniform thickness for the Cu film without a void therein.

Abstract: A system and process for cleaning a hollow interior or a passageway of a metal member including an external container having counter electrode material with a higher potential than the metal member with the counter electrode material being dc coupled to the metal member, and electrolyte passing through the container to contact the counter electrode material and fluidicly coupled into the hollow interior or the passageway of the metal member to clean same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a feedback controlled stripping system with integrated water management and acid recycling system. The system comprises a stripping tank containing an electrolyte bath stripping solution for removing a coating from at least one workpiece immersed in the stripping solution while a controlled absolute electrical potential is maintained on the at least one workpiece with respect to a reference electrode also immersed in the stripping solution, a rinse tank for rinsing the workpiece(s) after removal of the workpiece(s) from the stripping tank, and a distillation unit for receiving electrolyte containing dissolved metals from the stripping tank, for purifying the electrolyte received from the stripping tank, and for returning the purified electrolyte to the stripping tank. In a preferred embodiment, the stripping tank, the rinse tank, and the distillation unit are mounted to a skid. The system further includes a control module.

Abstract: A process for electrolytically processing a flat perforated item, comprising the steps of: moving the item in a transport direction to a treatment station where the item is contacted with an electrolyte, continuously mechanically wiping, in the presence of one of a cathodic item and an anode, and an anodic item and a cathode, a surface of the item using means for reducing the thickness of a diffusion layer depleted in metal ions adjacent the surface of the item, which means include a wiping roller extending perpendicular to the transport direction over the entire width of the item and in contact with the item; and moving the electrolyte in a direction substantially perpendicular to a plane of the item so as to direct the electrolyte only toward the perforations in the item and to convey the electrolyte through the in the item under pressure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a plating apparatus comprising: a plating bath filled with a plating solution; at least an anode in the plating solution; at least a plating object which serves as a cathode in the plating solution, so that the at least plating object is distanced from the at least anode; and at least a dummy cathode in the plating solution, so that the at least dummy cathode is applied with voltage to suppress a substitute-deposition of metal ions in the plating solution.

Abstract: A system for reclaiming cadmium and tellurium from cadmium telluride solar cell. The system comprises a crushing apparatus for crushing cells into pieces, a first conveyor for transporting solar cells to the crushing apparatus, a barrel for receiving etchant for etching the crushed cell pieces, a second conveyor for transporting crusehed pieces of cells from the crushing apparatus to the barrel, and a screen separator for separating the crushed cell pieces into at least three components.

Abstract: A basket, for use in the reduction of UO2 to uranium metal and in the electrorefining of uranium metal, having a continuous annulus between inner and outer perforated cylindrical walls, with a screen adjacent to each wall. A substantially solid bottom and top plate enclose the continuous annulus defining a fuel bed. A plurality of scrapers are mounted adjacent to the outer wall extending longitudinally thereof, and there is a mechanism enabling the basket to be transported remotely.

Abstract: The plant comprises: an electrolysis cell (1″) having a soluble anode (2″1) and an insoluble cathode (3″) without an interposed membrane, means for introducing the bath into the cell and for removing the bath from the cell, means for maintaining an appropriate bath density gradient in the said cell so that, if D1 is the density of the bath in the vicinity of the cathode and if D2 is the density of the bath in the vicinity of the anode, (D2−D1)>100 g/l. Associated process. By virtue of the densitometric separation, the dissolved metal is not redeposited on the cathode and the overall dissolution yield is improved.

Abstract: The electrodes have jet openings which jet the electrolyte to the steel strip, that is to say, the electrode is integrated with the nozzle which jets an electrolyte.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in a continuous electrochemical treating line and a method for electrochemically treating at least one surface of a continuous web moving through an electrolyte solution contained within a tank. The apparatus includes at least one electrode extending across the surface of the continuous web in combination with at least two rigid, non-conductive, and non-polar bumper devices also extending the continuous web surface. The bumper devices include a slick contact surface positioned against the continuous web surface at spaced apart locations that prevent the continuous web from moving outside a pass-line through the electrolyte solution and arcing against the electrode. The bumper devices may comprise either a bumper strip or a conduit.

Abstract: Between a wafer and a holder holding a wafer, a seal member is disposed so that a contact surface is formed in an approximate plane, and an inner periphery surface is formed in an approximate plane and approximately vertical to a contact surface. The seal member, in a sealed state, has a brim portion of a radius of curvature of 0.5 mm or less at a boundary portion between an inner periphery surface of a seal member and a contact surface. Due to a brim portion, a gap between a contact surface of a seal member and a surface being plated of a wafer W can be made smaller, resulting in reducing bubbles entering in a gap.

Abstract: An electro-refining system in which the deposited metal is harvested without the need to remove the cathode from the slurry bath. The cathode has a hollow cavity permitting steam or hot water to be introduced to heat the cathode. During the deposition process, the heating of the cathode encourages the deposition process. When the deposited material is to be harvested, the cathode is heated to “melt” the bonds between the cathode and the deposited metal. Using a bracket which was installed before the deposition process and into which the deposited metal has been formed, the now-released sheet of deposited metal is easily removed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of electrowinning metal from an eluate containing the metal in solution and includes the steps of feeding the eluate into a closed tank which includes a suitably electrified anode and cathode, electrolytically depositing metal from the eluate onto the cathode and at least periodically causing the deposited metal to be dislodged from the cathode for removal from the tank. Preferably the metal is dislodged from the cathode by movement of the cathode in the eluate in the tank. The invention further extends to an electrowinning cell for carrying out the method of the invention with the anode being in the form of a metal cylinder in which the cathode is rotatably located.

Abstract: The invention concerns a silver refining installation operating according to the Moebius method and designed for treating particulate raw silver. The anodes contain a section for receiving the raw silver, an underlying section for receiving anodic slime and, inserted between these two sections a support permeable to anodic slime and designed for the raw silver overflow. The support has at least two mutually mobile conveying elements with horizontal axes extending substantially over the support length and between which a slot allows the anodic slime to pass through. The invention is characterized in that the conveying elements have a reciprocating motion in the axial direction.

Abstract: A method and system for electroplating a metal coating onto a continuous part, such as the leadframe stock used in packaging integrated circuits, whereby the method comprises plating metal from a series of plating baths having the same or compatible chemical composition, supplying a continuous electrical connection between the D.C. power supply via a rotating contact held in intimate contact with the cathode, and cooling the contact by using the plating solution itself.

Abstract: An apparatus for depositing an electrical conductive layer on the surface of a wafer includes a virtual anode located between the actual anode and the wafer. The virtual anode modifies the electric current flux and plating solution flow between the actual anode and the wafer to thereby modify the thickness profile of the deposited electrically conductive layer on the wafer. The virtual anode can have openings through which the electrical current flux passes. By selectively varying the radius, length, or both, of the openings, any desired thickness profile of the deposited electrically conductive layer on the wafer can be readily obtained.

Abstract: A continuous plating apparatus in which a planar article, to be plated, laid vertically on a rail is delivered while being clamped on both sides by vertical rotational rollers including a drive roller, and continuously fed through a slit provided liquid-tightly in a plating bath wall into a plating bath, and after the plating, fed out of the bath through a slit provided liquid-tightly in the plating bath wall in the same way, meets the following requirements: i) an upper end of the drive roller is arranged to be slanted forwardly and the slant of the drive roller is in the range of 1 to 10° so as to prevent the article to be plated from stepping during delivering; ii) a part of an rotational roller and/or a drive roller is an electric feeding roller, and a means for peeling a plated layer adhered to the surface of the electric feeding roller is provided; iii) a means for depressing the electric feeding roller against the article to be plated is provided for always keeping constant the flow of the curre

Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide a process for producing an organic solid electrolyte capacitor which is diminished in leakage current, and an apparatus for use in practicing the process. The process includes the steps of completing a capacitor element by forming a dielectric oxide film over an anode body of valve metal and subsequently forming a cathode layer of solid conductive organic material over the oxide film, subjecting the capacitor element to an aging treatment, and forming a shell around the capacitor element.

Abstract: A method and a device for releasing electrolytically deposited cathode plates from each side of a mother plate. At least one roller is pressed against the surface of the deposited cathode plate, and the roller is moved along the surface of the deposited cathode plate in order to cause the release of the deposited cathode plate from the mother plate at least in the rolled area.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for electroplating a workpiece. The apparatus includes an anode basket containing particles of an electroplating material. A mask is positioned around the anode basket to selectively block current flow from the basket to the workpiece which is mounted to a cathode. The mask includes a frame supporting a number of non-conductive plates adjusted in position to provide a desired electrical field distribution. The resulting electrical field between the anode and the cathode produces uniform plating thickness over the entire surface of the workpiece.

Abstract: Carbon or carbon-based cathodes and cell bottoms of electrolytic cells for the production of aluminium in particular by the electrolysis of alumina in a molten halide electrolyte such as cryolite, are treated to better resist intercalation of sodium in the cell operating conditions by impregnation and/or coating with colloidal alumina, ceria, cerium acetate, lithia, yttria, thoria, zirconia, magnesia or monoaluminium phosphate followed by drying and heat treatment.

Abstract: A cathode-anode arrangement for use in an electrolytic cell is adapted for electrochemically refining spent nuclear fuel from a nuclear reactor and recovering purified uranium for further treatment and possible recycling as a fresh blanket or core fuel in a nuclear reactor. The arrangement includes a plurality of inner anodic dissolution baskets that are each attached to a respective support rod, are submerged in a molten lithium halide salt, and are rotationally displaced. An inner hollow cylindrical-shaped cathode is concentrically disposed about the inner anodic dissolution baskets. Concentrically disposed about the inner cathode in a spaced manner are a plurality of outer anodic dissolution baskets, while an outer hollow cylindrical-shaped is disposed about the outer anodic dissolution baskets. Uranium is transported from the anode baskets and deposited in a uniform cylindrical shape on the inner and outer cathode cylinders by rotating the anode baskets within the molten lithium halide salt.

Abstract: A length of electroplated metal foil, typically copper foil is prepared by placing a stationary arcuate anode concentrically with a rotating cathode drum to define a channel therebetween, passing a plating solution through the channel, conducting electricity across the channel for depositing metal on the cathode drum, and separating the metal deposit from the cathode drum. The anode includes a plurality of circumferentially arranged electrode segments formed of a valve metal material and coated with a platinum group metal or oxide thereof. The electrode segments are removably attached and electrically connected to a back plate. The split anode is easy in assembly and disassembly and, hence, in maintenance and repair, has a high degree of precision in configuration and dimensions, and ensures manufacture of copper foil of quality with a minimized variation in thickness during continuous operation.

Abstract: For the purification of heavy metal-containing wastewater, a process according to the invention deposits heavy metal deposits on a cathode or cathodes which are mechanically removed. For this purpose the invention provides an apparatus having a device for the mechanical removal of the heavy metal deposits on the cathode or cathodes.

Abstract: A facility for removing electro-deposited layers from cathodes, including a cathode reception area, a cathode treatment area with a cathode washing apparatus and an extraction apparatus, and a storage area to store cathodes which have had electro-deposited layers removed. The extraction apparatus includes vertical claws and two parallel rollers mounted so that they are capable of turning freely upon two horizontal parallel bars. The bars are fixed between pairs of arms that are mounted so that they may tilt on a bracket. The bracket also carries upper separating rollers.

Abstract: Thick layers of hard dense chromium coatings are formed on metal substrates by an electrolytic brush plating operation in which a lead-tin anode is closely positioned to a cathodic workpiece in full anode wrap relationship and the surface of the cathodic workpiece is wiped by an open construction wiper to remove hydrogen bubbles and/or outwardly extending dendritic coating material with minimum contact with and force upon the coating surface. The open wiper construction allows free access to the coated surface at all times of fresh undepleted coating electrolyte and allows hydrogen bubbles and dendritic material to be discharged unimpeded from the wiper structure.

Abstract: An apparatus capable of functioning as a solid cathode and for removing crystalline structure from the upper surface of a liquid cathode, includes a metallic support vertically disposed with respect to an electrically insulating container capable of holding a liquid metal cathode. A piston of electrically insulating material mounted on the drive tube, surrounding the current lead, for vertical and rotational movement with respect thereto including a downwardly extending collar portion surrounding the metallic current lead. At least one portion of the piston remote from the metallic current lead being removed. Mechanism for lowering the piston to the surface of the liquid cathode and raising the piston from the surface along with mechanism for rotating the piston around its longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A method for depositing chromium and iron metals on substrates is disclosed in which the chromium hardens when heated. The electrolytic plating bath preferably includes: (a) water soluble Cr(III) produced by reducing Cr(VI) with sufficient amounts of methanol or formic acid; (b) ammonium formate; (c) a sulfate catalyst, such as sodium sulfate; (d) an inorganic iron compound, such as iron sulfate; (e) sufficient amounts of boric acid to substantially saturate the bath; and (f) a sufficient amount of sulfuric acid to provide a bath pH of from about 1.0 to about 1.5. The heat-hardenable chromium deposit allows the plated substrate to be heat tempered after plating to provide a KHN of greater than about 1200. This eliminates the necessity of removing oxidation products from an unplated heated substrate. Moreover, the amount of toxic Cr(VI) present in the bath is greatly diminished, and is replaced with a Cr(III) species that is environmentally safer.

Abstract: A device for electrolytically recovering metal, in particular silver, from a photographic processing solution, said device having an anode located in a recovery chamber and a movably arranged cathode as well as a scraper for removing metal, in particular silver, deposited on said cathode. For the purpose of electrolytically depositing metal (17), cathode (12, 32, 42) is held stationary in its operating position within the solution (16). For removal of the metal, the metal-loaded cathode (12,32, 42) is moved out of its operating position within the solution (16) and is brought into engagement with the scraper (14, 20, 34, 44) arranged outside the solution (16). Subsequently, the cathode (12,32, 42) freed from metal (17) returns to its operating position within the solution (16) for a repeated electrolytic deposition of metal (17).

Abstract: An electrochemical fine processing apparatus for electrochemically performing an adding processing and a removing processing of a substance such as a metal or a polymer in a solution in order to produce a structure having a high aspect ratio. Removing electrodes for applying an electric potential opposite to that applied to an addition electrode are disposed around the addition electrode, whereby an excess portion of metal or polymer film pattern can be scraped electrochemically. In addition, alternate electric potential pulses are applied successively to the addition electrode and then to the removing electrodes. It becomes possible to form on the support a structure with sharp pattern edge portions and a high aspect ratio.

Abstract: A process for separating an electrodeposited metal from a cathode plate in electrolytic refining is disclosed. The cathode plate on which the metal is electrodeposited is first held. Then, heated air is blown toward the cathode plate and the electrodeposited metal thereon. As a result, the electrodeposited metal is separated from the cathode plate. An apparatus for carrying out the same process is also disclosed. The apparatus includes a separating furnace, a holding assembly, and a device for introducing heated air into the separating furnace. The holding assembly is attached to the separating furnace for holding the cathode plate in the furnace. The heated air-introducing device introduces heated air, blowing it against the cathode plate, whereby the electrodeposited metal is separated from the cathode plate.

Abstract: Installation for removing zinc deposited by electrolysis aluminum plates. The installation includes a storage zone for zinc cathode (1), a zinc scraping zone (2) and a storage zone (3) for zinc-free cathodes, the cathodes being displaced consecutively from one zone to another. The scraping zone (2) has a horizontally acting lateral piercer (22) that separates the upper edge of the sheets of deposited zinc from the cathodes, and a vertically acting scraping device (23) for removing all the zinc sheets.On one of their vertical sides, the cathodes have an upper zone of lesser thickness to which is fixed coatings (76) of dielectric material, whose surface is coplanar with that of the cathode plate (70).

Abstract: A method of recovering palladium from a palladium-containing aqueous solution by electrolysis is provided. The method comprises the steps of dc-electrolyzing the palladium-containing aqueous solution acidified with nitric acid by using an electrolytic cell equipped with a platinum electrode as a cathode to thereby deposit and collect palladium on the cathode, taking the cathode on which palladium has been deposited and collected out of the electrolytic cell, transferring the palladium-deposited cathode to a recovery vessel containing dilute nitric acid therein, and mechanically shaking the cathode in the recovery vessel to remove and recover palladium from the cathode. An apparatus for carrying out the above-described method is also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is an in-line electrolytic deflash system and method for removing resin bleed and other materials from the leads of an encapsulated electronic component. An encapsulated electronic component is carried on a continuous belt through the system. The component first passes through an electrolytic deflash station which includes tanks filled with a deflash solution for loosening the resin bleed. The component is then rinsed in a low pressure rinse station, and then carried through a high pressure rinse station where the loosened resin bleed is removed from the component. The component is then further rinsed with both tap water and a deionized water. Once the component has been sufficiently rinsed any remaining moisture is blown off the part in an air knife station and the component is then passed through a dryer which completely removes any moisture remaining on the component.

Abstract: A method of testing coating integrity of containers includes the steps of introducing a probe into an electrolytic solution into the container and applying a constantly-increasing voltage to the probe from a source and taking readings of the voltage when the current flow through the container reaches a predetermined level. The apparatus also includes a gripping mechanism for producing a positive contact between the metal in the container and the remainder of the circuit.

Abstract: A reciprocating electrode scrubber is provided which cleans the surfaces of an electrodic liquid treater having an elongated electrode mounted within a cylinderical container and having a second electrode attached to the interior surface thereof. The scrubber includes a ring-shaped body having a U-shaped cross section and includes first and second, spaced-apart, circumscribing wiping structures sized to fit in the space between the first and second electrodes; means coupled with the body for selectively, axially, and reciprocally moving the body; and means yieldably biasing the structures outwardly to hold them in contact with the electrode surfaces to be cleaned. In operation, the body reciprocates along the surfaces of the electrodes to keep them free of accumulated particles which may inhibit the electrodic action of the liquid cleaner.

Abstract: A galvanic coating apparatus for coating of relatively long objects. The coating apparatus is provided with a trough for accommodating a bath liquid with the trough including two opposite end walls, each of which are provided with an opening for permitting the long object to pass therethrough. The trough is disposed in a larger container which is also provided with two openings for accommodating the object to be coated. The openings in the trough and the container are arranged such that they are in alignment when the trough is disposed in the container.

Abstract: In the electrolytic production in water of insoluble metal hydroxide from the metal thereof, more especially of coagulant ferric hydroxide from iron, rectangular channels with flanking ribs provide for pre-established, uniform spacing of the electrode plates and intermediate binary wiping structures. Electrolytic current contact is protected against corrosion by a metallic embossment on the plates. Binary reciprocating wipers are at different wiping levels between successive plates and reversely directed to the opposite surfaces thereof. The wipers are urged against the plate surfaces by bilateral springs, as the surfaces recede due to thinning of the plates as they are consumed. Terminal panels, on which the wipers land after a reciprocating stroke, coextensively bound the plates; protuberances facilitate the transit of a wiper between them. The terminal panels may be employed to concurrently generate oxygen or chlorine as a supplement to coagulant ferric hydroxide.