METHOD OF NICKEL RECOVERY FROM SHEET SOLUTIONS OF ELECTROPLATING Russian patent published in 1999 - IPC

FIELD: processes of nickel recovery from spent electrolytes of chemical nickel plating. SUBSTANCE: nickel sorption on ion-exchange resin is effected on at least two ionite filters, first, on the first ionite filter until break-through of nickel ions to filtrate, then on both filters up to full saturation of the exchange capacity of the first filter. Then they are brought to regeneration and sorption is continued on the second filter with simultaneous regeneration of the first exhausted filter. Upon completion of regeneration, nickel sorption is carried out again on both filters up to bringing the second filter for regeneration, etc. Regeneration is carried out in four stages: first, ionites is pumped through with compressed air for 5-10 min and ionite filter is filled with regeneration solution in the form of acid up to the level not exceeding the ionite level by more than 5-10 cm. Acid in this case is supplied from below, and ionite is kept in contact with acid for 20-35 min, and acid is supplied from above. Regenerate with nickel content exceeding 40.0 g/l and pH above 4.0 is returned to production process for preparation of electrolyte, the rest of regenerate is used for preparation of regeneration solution. After regeneration, ionite is washed with deionized water supplied by straight flow. Ionite is used in the form of granulated iminodiacetate ionite with granules sizing 0.5-1.0 mm. EFFECT: higher degree of recovery of nickel, reduced time of cleaning and reagent consumption. 2 cl, 1 tbl