Method and apparatus for refreshment and reuse of loaded developer

A method for refreshing a developer, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) developing an imaged printing plate precursor with an aqueous, essentially silicate-free developer having a pH greater than about 12, and producing a loaded developer comprising loaded solids,
• in which:
• the printing plate precursor comprises an imageable layer over a hydrophilic substrate,
• the imageable layer comprises a polymeric material,
• the polymeric material is either (i) dispersible in an aqueous solution that has a pH of about 12.0 to about 14.0 or (ii) soluble in an aqueous solution that has a pH of about 12.0 to about 14.0 and insoluble in an aqueous solution that has a pH below about 11.0,
• the loaded solids comprise the polymeric material, and
• the loaded developer has a pH of about 12.0 to about 14.0 and a loaded solids content of about 0.1 wt % to about 10 wt %;
• (b) lowering the pH of the loaded developer to below about 11.0 and producing a liquid whose pH is below about 11.0;
• (c) separating insoluble material from the liquid produced in step (b) and producing an essentially colorless liquid, in which the insoluble material comprises material dispersed in the developer, a precipitate formed in step (b), or a combination thereof;
• and
• (d) raising the pH of the essentially colorless liquid to about 12.0 to about 14.0 and producing a refreshed developer.