Process of dissolution of zinc and detection of complete dissolution

Researchers of the Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Rennes developed an accelerated process of dissolution of zinc on steel parts.

The innovation is to immerse these zinc-plated articles in an agitated suspension, wich is constituted of a basic solution and a solid metallic powder such as iron oxide or iron sulfide.

Thus, the dissolution rate of zinc can be increased by a report 50 compared to a conventional method. Moreover, the process identifies the end of dissolution of zinc by a substantial reduction in hydrogen production or a significant variation in an electrical parameter.

The powdered solid is low solubility in the base solution, and after use is extracted by decantation, filtration or magnetic separation for recycling, optionally after reactivation.