ZERMEG II – Zero emission retrofitting method ... - Fabrik der Zukunft

1 Pool of the copper bath2 Copper electrode3 Rotating pressure cylinder4 Spray fog5 Spray water on the copper electrodesFig. 5: rinsing process in the copper bathsThe reason for the significantly higher amount of water was the use of an inappropriategeometry of the nozzles and a high water pressure (figure 5). Thus, not only the surfaces ofthe copper cylinders were cleaned. A significant portion of the rinsing water was deflected ofthe surface and rinsed acid from the electrode cage.This effect was minimised by the use of special flat nozzles and a reduction of the waterpressure. After some test trials with a supplier, an appropriate type of nozzles was identified.This type was retrofitted in all copper plating machines.The results were: Reduction of the water consumption of the plant by 40 %; Reduction of the acid deportment by 30 % In the same time the production could be increased by 25 %A future further reduction of the consumption of water and acid by 80 % seems feasible.26