Apparatus for processing photographic film and recovering solid substances from the processing solutions used
AssigneeAgfa-Gevaert
InventorsCamille Angelina Vandeputte, Marcel Robert Fierens, Marcel Frans Aelterman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus of small dimensions may be used to operate the water contained in the processing baths of automatic processing machines. The solid residue may be collected and sent to silver recovery plants, whereas the evaporated water serves to heat the drying station of the processing machine whereinafter it may be fed to the washing station. In so doing, a considerable amount of wash water is recovered and no chemical compounds are discharged to the sewer through which pollution of surface waters is practically eliminated.
Claims11
An apparatus for processing photographic material, comprising:
- at least one processing station for applying aqueous processing solution to said material and producing used processing solution containing solid material and at least one drying station for drying the material
- -- means located in said at least one processing station for collecting the used processing solution,
- -- means to heat said used solution above its boiling point but beneath the decomposition temperature of the solid material contained therein to evaporate said solution and form a solid material residue,
- -- means associated with said material drying station for condensing the steam generated by said heating means and using the heat set free during such condensation in said drying station for drying the processed photographic material,
- -- means for collecting the solid residue from said heating means, and
- -- means for collecting the water formed by such condensation of the steam.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.