Modular plating line

Abstract

A modular plating line with a molded plastic tank and collection sump. Process fluids can be circulated through the plastic tank, collection sump, and at least one fluid delivery system positioned in the molded plastic tank. The collection sump can contain auxiliary equipment such as heating units, cooling units, dousing units, or agitation units. The molded plastic tank can be easily replaced when maintenance is required.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A modular plating line comprising:
 an inner tank;   at least one fluid delivery system positioned substantially inside the inner tank; and   a collection sump fluidly connected to the inner tank and the fluid delivery system.   
     
     
         2 . The modular plating line of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an aperture at a bottom of the inner tank.   
     
     
         3 . The modular plating line of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 an outer tank, wherein the inner tank drains to the outer tank through the aperture and the outer tank drains to the collection sump.   
     
     
         4 . The modular plating line of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a level line connected to the inner tank above the aperture and an overflow line that drains to the collection sump.   
     
     
         5 . The modular plating line  claim 1 , wherein the collection sump further comprises:
 at least one of a heating unit, a cooling unit, a dousing unit, or an agitation unit.   
     
     
         6 . The modular plating line modular plating line of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one fluid delivery system further comprises:
 a plurality of offset nozzles.   
     
     
         7 . The modular plating line of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least one pump configured to pump a fluid from the collection sump to the at least one fluid delivery system.   
     
     
         8 . The modular plating line of  claim 1 , wherein the inner tank and the fluid delivery system are formed plastic. 
     
     
         9 . A method of operating a modular plating line comprising:
 continuously pumping a fluid from a process sump into an inner tank;   continuously draining the inner tank through an aperture; and   continuously recirculating the fluid to the process sump.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the fluid is pumped through a fluid delivery system and into the inner tank. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the fluid is pumped through a plurality of nozzles on the fluid delivery system. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 continuously overflowing from the inner tank into an outer tank; and   continuously draining the fluid from the outer tank to the process sump.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein there is a constant level in the inner tank and a level line. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 continuously overflowing the level line into an overflow line; and   continuously draining the overflow line to the process sump.   
     
     
         15 . A method of maintaining a modular plating line comprising:
 draining an inner tank into a process sump   removing a supporting frame from around the inner tank;   replacing the inner tank or fluid delivery system; and   securing the supporting frame around the inner tank.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the supporting frame secures an outer tank and the inner tank. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein a fluid, drained from the inner and outer tanks, is reused after maintenance is completed. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 performing maintenance on an auxiliary equipment unit located outside of the inner and outer tanks.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the auxiliary equipment unit comprises a heating unit, a cooling unit, at least one dosing unit, or an agitation unit. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the supporting frame is secured with a quick release mechanism.