Process for continuously regenerating ferric chloride solutions
AssigneeTESLA, koncernovy podnik
InventorAntonin Stehlik
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The continuous electrolytic regeneration of ferric chloride solutions used for etching metals is effected by transferring the partially exhausted solution to the anodic space of an electrolyzer where it is exposed to direct current. The etched metal is deposited on the cathode, and the Fe.sup.2+ is oxidized to Fe.sup.3+ in the anodic space. The latter is separated from the cathodic space through a diaphragm and the regenerated solution is recirculated to the etching bath.
Claims7
A process for continuously regenerating a partial exhausted ferric chloride solution used for the bath of etching metals comprising the steps of providing an electrolyzer separated into a vertical anode space and a vertical cathode space by an ion exchange diaphragm, locating an anode extending freely into said anode space and a cathode extending freely into said cathode space and simultaneously feeding at least a part of said exhausted solution from the etching bath to the top of said anode space exposing said exhausted solution to direct current between the anode and cathode at a temperature and at a current density for a time sufficient to permit the deposition of metal on the cathode and the oxidation of the Fe.sup.2+ to Fe.sup.3+ in the anode space, and withdrawing regenerated solution from the bottom of said anode space for return to said etching bath, the circulation of said solution being maintained at a rate such that no free chlorine is liberated from said solution.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.