Gradient dragout system in a continuous plating line
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for controlling a plate and rinse operation comprising the steps of:
- passing a stock material through a plating bath;
passing said stock material through a series of rinse tanks, including a first rinse tank and a final rinse tank;
passing rinse from the final rinse tank into a prior rinse tank in said series, and sequentially from tank to tank, including the first rinse tank;
heating the first rinse tank to a temperature sufficient to cause a substantial rate of evaporation;
introducing fresh rinse into the final rinse tank to compensate for the evaporation loss from the first rinse tank;
monitoring the concentration of plating solution in the first rinse tank; and
periodically passing solution from the first rinse tank into the plating bath.
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Abstract
An enhanced gradient dragout system conserves plating chemicals, including precious metals by providing a series of tanks with cascading rinse solutions having a flow rate controlled by heating the first tank to increase the evaporation rate. A portion of the concentrated solution in the heated tank is returned to the process tank. The system minimizes the requirements for clean rinse water, and the need for emptying contaminated rinse tanks with associated recovery and disposal environmental and cost issues. The low cost system is flexible and the process is adapted to the material and process requirements of the plating line.
17 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A method for controlling a plate and rinse operation comprising the steps of:
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passing a stock material through a plating bath;
passing said stock material through a series of rinse tanks, including a first rinse tank and a final rinse tank;
passing rinse from the final rinse tank into a prior rinse tank in said series, and sequentially from tank to tank, including the first rinse tank;
heating the first rinse tank to a temperature sufficient to cause a substantial rate of evaporation;
introducing fresh rinse into the final rinse tank to compensate for the evaporation loss from the first rinse tank;
monitoring the concentration of plating solution in the first rinse tank; and
periodically passing solution from the first rinse tank into the plating bath. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method for controlling a plate and rinse operation comprising the steps of:
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passing a stock material through a plating bath;
passing said stock material through a series of rinse tanks, including a first rinse tank and a final rinse tank;
passing rinse from the final rinse tank into a prior rinse tank in said series, and sequentially from tank to tank, including the first rinse tank;
heating at least one of the rinse tanks in said series of rinse tanks to a temperature sufficient to cause a substantial rate of evaporation;
introducing fresh rinse into the final rinse tank to compensate for the evaporation loss from said at least one rinse tank;
monitoring the concentration of plating solution in the first rinse tank; and
periodically passing solution from the first rinse tank into the plating bath. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification
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Current AssigneeTexas Instruments, Inc.
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Original AssigneeTexas Instruments, Inc.
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InventorsMoehle, Paul R., Drew, David M., Hegazi, Eiman A.
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Primary Examiner(s)Stinson, Frankie L.
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Assistant Examiner(s)Perrin, Joseph L
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Application NumberUS10/189,611Publication NumberTime in Patent Office783 DaysField of Search134/10, 134/12, 134/26, 134/34, 134/35, 205/100, 205/101US Class Current134/10CPC Class CodesB01B 1/00 Boiling; Boiling apparatus ...B01B 1/005 Evaporation for physical or...C25D 21/18 of electrolytes C25D21/22 t...C25D 21/20 of rinse-solutions C25D21/2...
