US3985628A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pollution control in electroplating systems
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-08-04
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Granted: 1976-10-12
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Expires: 1995-08-04
Abstract
Abstract Air above an electroplating bath is scrubbed with the plating rinse water to effect the transfer of chemical values from the air to the rinse water and to effect transfer of water to the air. The chemically enriched rinse water is added to the plating bath. In the system the waste heat generated in the plating bath is the only heat used in water removal, substantially no water is circulated from the plating bath, water added to the rinse is restricted by using a relatively high pressure-low volume spray rinse, and substantially no auxiliary air is used in addition to that required to sweep over the plating baths.
Inventors
- 👤 Lyle R. Myers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 16:26
CPC Classifications
C; C25; C25D; C25D21/00; C25D21/04; C25D17/00; C25D17/02; C25D21/16; C25D5/00; C25D5/003; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S204/00; Y10S204/13
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
In an electroplating process wherein the heat generated is in excess of that required to maintain the temperature of the electroplating bath, wherein the electroplate is rinsed with water, wherein fumes above said bath are swept with air to a scrubber to contact process liquid flowing through said scrubber in a manner to transfer water from said scrubber liquid to said air and to transfer chemical values from said air to said scrubber liquid, to produce a substantially water-saturated air and a concentrated liquid with enhanced chemical values, the improvement which comprises: a. limiting said scrubber liquid substantially to rinse water; b. limiting said air flow substantially to that required to sweep said fumes from above said bath to said scrubber; c. limiting the heat added to said scrubber liquid to said excess heat from said electroplating bath; and d. limiting the volume of water used in said rinse to that required to substantially saturate said air moving through said scrubber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
161 words
In an electroplating process wherein the heat generated is in excess of that required to maintain the temperature of the electroplating bath, wherein the electroplate is rinsed with water, wherein fumes above said bath are swept with air to a scrubber to contact process liquid flowing through said scrubber in a manner to transfer water from said scrubber liquid to said air and to transfer chemical values from said air to said scrubber liquid, to produce a substantially water-saturated air and a concentrated liquid with enhanced chemical values, the improvement which comprises: a. limiting said scrubber liquid substantially to rinse water; b. limiting said air flow substantially to that required to sweep said fumes from above said bath to said scrubber; c. limiting the heat added to said scrubber liquid to said excess heat from said electroplating bath; and d. limiting the volume of water used in said rinse to that required to substantially saturate said air moving through said scrubber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the volume of water required in the spray rinse is controlled by varying the pressure of said spray.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein said process liquid is augmented by overflow liquid from the plating bath.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein said scrubber is a vertical packed tower wherein said air moves upwardly countercurrently to said process liquid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein a portion of said concentrated liquid is recycled for further contact with said air.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein said tower is a horizontally packed tower.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein at least a portion of said concentrated liquid is added to said electroplating bath.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method as defined in claim 7 wherein substantially all of said concentrated liquid is added to said bath.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein heat exchange is effected to transfer heat from said electroplating bath to said scrubber liquid.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the volume of liquid required in the spray is controlled by varying the pressure of said spray, wherein heat exchange is effected to transfer heat from said bath to said scrubber liquid, and wherein substantially all of said concentrated liquid is added to said bath.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-10-12 | 1980-04-12 | 1980-10-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-10-12 | 1984-04-12 | 1984-10-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-10-12 | 1988-04-12 | 1988-10-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |