NOVELTY - Hydrogen and oxygen arising, together with electrolyte, leave a closed electroplating reactor. They enter a closed system via a line (2). The gases are removed from the electrolyte in a phase separation process (3). They are then fed to equipment separating the hydrogen (7) from them, in a material separation process (6). The phase separation process removing gases from the electrolyte employs gravity or centrifugation. The gases then pass through an aerosol separator (4) to filter-out residual particles and droplets.    USE - For the operation of an electroplating plant depositing finishing layers.    ADVANTAGE - Most (about 70%) of the energy consumed by conventional electroplating processes is lost in the production of waste gases. Extraction plant for air and waste gases, comprising ductwork and blowers, is costly to install and run. It takes up considerable space. The new process described, significantly increases process efficiency. Because gases are recovered, there is no longer a need to pass large quantities of air through the plant. Both the hydrogen and oxygen recovered may be exploited, using fuel cells. The hydrogen can also be sold in gas cylinders, in compressed form. In a comparative example, forced ventilation amounting to 1000 m3/h is dispensed with. To ventilate (14) the storage vessel, only a few m3/h of air are required to prevent the hazard of residual gas accumulation.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - The gases are extracted from the phase separator (3) and compressed, using a pump (5). A membrane process (6) removes hydrogen from the process gases, as a permeate. The hydrogen, optionally in compressed form, is sent for storage. A fuel cell (9) is fed with recovered hydrogen, to recover electrical energy (10). This is exploited, to run the process. The electrolyte solution, in the largely de-gassed state, is recycled to a storage vessel (12) for reprocessing and re-use in the electroplating process. Phase separation takes place above the electroplating reactor, in order to facilitate circulation and de-gassing under reduced pressure. The storage vessel (12) is located below the phase separator. Electrolyte solution is recycled from the phase separator to the storage vessel via the downcomer (11). Electrolyte level in the phase separator is controlled by the valve (13).    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The drawing shows a schematic flow diagram of the electroplating- and recovery plant.    transfer line (2)    phase separation process (3)    aerosol separator (4)    gas pump (5)    membrane separation process (6)    recovered hydrogen gas (7)    fuel cell (9)    recovered electrical energy (10)    downcomer (11)    storage vessel (12)    recycled electrolyte valve (13)