Optimisation of nickel electrodeposition solutions for power usage

If electroplating processes are to be truly 'green' a number of issues must be addressed, notably water and electrical power usage. Electricity is used both for the driving of the process itself and for some of the process conditions, eg. temperature, agitation etc. The study of solution conductivity for electroplating solutions shows how some electrical power saving can be achieved. In the case of nickel small gains can be made by optimising solution concentrations but greater gains are attainable by the use of air-free agitation.