| 摘要 |
<p>A method and apparatus are disclosed for replenishing metal ions in an electrolyte depleted of the metal ions. A preferred example is replenishing tin in the electrolyte (14) of an electrolytic tinning apparatus having an insoluble anode (16) whereby the electrolyte becomes depleted of tin in the electrotinning process. The replenishment apparatus comprises an electrolytic cell (30) including a tin anode (56), a cathode (58), and an electrolyte chamber for the tin anode and the cathode. The cathode (58) is a gas diffusion electrode. An electrical circuit, usually having additional circuit resistance (92) but free of connection to an external power source, connects the anode to the cathode. The electrolyte chamber is in flow communication with the electrolytic tinning apparatus. The gas diffusion cathode (58) is exposed, on its gas side, to a source of gaseous reactant, eg. oxygen. When the anode and gas-diffusion cathode of the replenishment electrolytic cell are connected together electrically, a current flows between the anode and the cathode, without an external power source. The current flow is at a current density which is effective to dissolve the tin of said tin anode into the electrolyte. <IMAGE></p> |
