3.
Agitation Systems.
a. The purpose of an agitation system is to move the processing solution
within the tank so that fresh solution is always brought into contact with the
film.
Continuous processing machines employ numerous types of agitation
systems.
b. Immersion. The immersion method of agitation is perhaps the oldest and
most widely used system.
In this system, the film travels through various
tanks containing solutions and receives agitation solely from its movement
through the tank. Another way of stating it would be that instead of solution
being brought into contact with the film, the film, instead, is being brought
into contact with the solution. The immersion system is the least expensive
and, obviously, the easiest agitation method to maintain. Figure 1-5 shows a
typical immersion processing tank.
c. Spray System.
The spray processor consists of empty tanks through
which the film passes. As film moves through the tanks, solution is sprayed
against the emulsion. Spray heads are often mounted on both sides of the film
so that spray pressures are equalized and film will not be pushed to one side
(fig 1-6).
Figure 1-6. Schematic of a typical
Figure 1-5. Schematic of a typical
spray processing tank
immersion processing tank
(1) There are two main spray processing configurations.
One sprays
fresh solution which is used once and then drained away. The other employs a
sump in which the solutions accumulate to be pumped through the spray system
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