Importance

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Abstract

The present invention relates to electrolytic recovery of metal, and in particular methods and apparatus for producing cathode plates suitable for such electrolytic recovery. A first aspect of the invention provides a method of providing an electrically conductive coating on a cathode plate comprising inverting and submerging an upper portion of the cathode plate in an electrolytic bath adjacent at least one anode and applying a current to electroplate the upper portion of the cathode plate wherein each anode includes: i) a first base portion adapted to be positioned adjacent to a hanger bar of said cathode plate; ii) a second extended portion connected to and extending from the base portion and adapted to be positioned adjacent a blade of the cathode plate wherein the profile of each anode is shaped such that in use, a consistent thickness of coating is electroplated over said hanger bar and cathode blade. A second aspect of the invention provides an anode for use in an electroplating and upper portion of a cathode plate having a hanger bar and cathode blade, said anode comprising: i)a first exposed base portion being longer than said hanger bar and having a constant cross sectional profile over its length; ii) a second exposed portion connected to and extending from said first base portion and being shorter in length than the width of the cathode blade. A third aspect of the invention provides a process for refurbishing a cathode plate comprising following a process of removal of an electrically conductive coating on the hanger bar and cathode plate, applying a current density to the cathode plate in a deplating bath at a level sufficient to etch the exposed metal below the solution line of the deplating bath, but insufficient to preferentially attack any weld connection between the hanger bar and the cathode blade.

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First Claim