GB824989A - Improvements in apparatus for producing sheet metal by electrodeposition - Google Patents

Abstract

824,989. Electrodeposition of metals. ANACONDA CO. March 25, 1957 [May 14, 1956], No. 9690/57. Class 41. In apparatus for the production of sheet metals, especially copper, by electrodeposition, comprising a rotating drum cathode, quadrantal anodes, and means for circulating electrolyte through the inter-electrode spaces in turbulent streams, said means comprises a tubular manifold divided longitudinally into a distribution compartment communicating with a discharge compartment having discharge outlets along its entire length. As shown, a lead drum 16 is rotatably mounted on a shaft 17 in a concrete or other tank 10 having inlet and outlet pipes 13, 14, for electrolyte, and quadrantal anode plates 23, 24, are mounted close to the drum on side plates 27 carried by brick piers 28. Current is supplied through bus-bars 29. The drum is driven by chain gearing 19-21 from a shaft 22 which also drives a shaft 34 carrying a core 33 for the roll 32 of sheet metal 30 deposited on the drum and stripped therefrom by a roll 31. The surface of the drum is polished before re-entry into the bath by a roll 50 driven by a chain 51 from a shaft 52. Electrolyte is supplied under pressure through a pipe 46 to a manifold 36 extending across the width of the drum between the adjacent ends of the anodes 23, 24 and passes with turbulent flow uniformly throughout the space between the anodes and the drum. The manifold 36, Fig. 3, which may be made by splitting a lead pipe longitudinally, has a central partition 41, the lower space 42 so formed being undivided and being connected by apertures 47 with compartments defined by vertical partitions in the upper space 43. The apertures 47 may be made larger in proportion to the distance of the compartments in the space 43 from the supply pipe 46 to ensure a uniform distribution of electrolyte along the manifold. The electrolyte is delivered to the anode/cathode spaces through apertures 48.