Silver recovery element and process
AssigneeEastman Kodak Company
InventorsHugh G. McGuckin, John S. Badger
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An element and a process for recovering silver from a photographic developer solution containing silver ions. The silver recovery element (10) comprises a support (12) having a hydrophilic colloid layer (16) containing physical development nuclei on at least one of two opposing outer surfaces. Raised portions (20) space adjacent surfaces in the element's rolled-up configuration. The element can be contacted with the developer solution to recover silver from the solution.
Claims18
A silver recovery element for recovering silver from a photographic developer solution containing silver ions, said element comprising:
- a support having two opposed surfaces;
- a hydrophilic colloid layer containing physical development nuclei on at least one of said two opposed surfaces;
- a raised portion on at least one of the opposed outer surfaces of said element for spacing adjacent surfaces;
- and wherein said element has an active surface to volume ratio in excess of the outer surface to volume ratio defined by the geometric configuration of said element.
A process of recovering silver from a photographic developer solution containing silver ions, said process comprising contacting said solution with a silver recovery element, said element comprising:
- a support having two opposed surfaces;
- a hydrophilic colloid layer containing physical development nuclei on at least one of said two opposed surfaces;
- a raised portion on at least one of the opposed outer surfaces of said element for spacing adjacent surfaces;
- and wherein said element has an active surface to volume ratio in excess of the outer surface to volume ratio defined by the geometric configuration of said element;
- and said contacting being for a time sufficient to reduce the concentration of silver in said solution to a desired level.
In a photographic developer recirculating system having a developer tank and a recirculating pump, the improvement wherein said developer system further comprises a silver recovery element comprising a support having two opposed surfaces;
- a hydrophilic colloid layer containing physical development nuclei on at least one of said two opposed surfaces;
- a raised portion on at least one of the opposed outer surfaces of said element for spacing adjacent surfaces;
- and wherein said element has an active surface to volume ratio in excess of the outer surface to volume ratio defined by the geometric configuration of said element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.