Method of applying coating liquid to an optical fiber

A method of processing an optical fiber, comprising the steps of:

• drawing an optical fiber in a drawing direction along a process pathway through a coating chamber, the coating chamber comprising:
• an inlet and an outlet, and
• a coating liquid to coat the optical fiber;
• supplying the coating liquid through the inlet into the coating chamber, the supplying comprising delivering the coating liquid to the coating chamber at a flow rate and a first pressure, the coating liquid exiting the coating chamber through the outlet;
• and
• recirculating the coating liquid exiting the coating chamber to the inlet, the recirculating comprising reducing the pressure of the coating liquid from the first pressure to a second pressure;
• and
• independently controlling the flow rate and first pressure, the independent controlling comprising one of (a) varying the flow rate without varying the first pressure or (b) varying the first pressure without varying the flow rate.