JP2001005161A - Waste photographic liquid thickening and treatment device and waste photographic liquid thickening and treatment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a waste photographic liquid thickening and treatment device which is capable of surely solidifying a waste processing liquid with least energy consumption and a waste photographic liquid thickening and treatment method. SOLUTION: An evaporation tray 24 is placed on a receiving tray 22 fixed in a housing 20 and the waste processing liquid L is stored in the evaporation tray 24. A heater 42 is mounted on the rear surface of the receiving tray 22. A Peltier element 48 with its low temperature side faced inward is mounted at the housing 20. A temperature sensor 45 is mounted at condensing fins 44. The heat from the heater 42 is transferred to the waste processing liquid L of the evaporation tray 24, by which the waste processing liquid L is gradually thickened. When the generation of steam from the waste processing liquid L lessens, since the temperature of the condensing fins 44 lowers sharply is detected by the temperature sensor 45 and the energization to the heater 42 is stopped after lapse of the prescribed time.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a photographic waste liquid concentrating apparatus and a photographic waste liquid concentrating method, and more particularly, to a photographic waste liquid concentrating apparatus for concentrating a processing waste liquid obtained by processing a photosensitive material, and a photographic waste liquid concentrating apparatus. The present invention relates to a photographic waste liquid concentration processing method for concentrating a processing waste liquid of a photosensitive material using a processing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a processing waste liquid obtained by processing a photosensitive material such as a photographic film is concentrated by evaporating excess water by heating to increase the volume (waste liquid amount) from the viewpoint of efficient disposal.
Has been done in part. FIG. 9 shows an example of a developing waste liquid concentrating apparatus for heating and concentrating the processing waste liquid as described above (see JP-A-7-209841).

In the developing waste liquid concentrating device 310, the concentration tank 312 is heated / heat-absorbed 314 by the evaporating tank 31.
6 and a dew condensation tank 318. Further, the heat generation / heat absorption section 314 has a Peltier element 3 arranged such that the heat generation side is in contact with the evaporation tank 316 and the heat absorption side is in contact with the dew condensation tank 318.
20. Therefore, the Peltier element 3
By energizing 20, the waste liquid in the evaporation tank 316 is heated by the heating side of the Peltier element 320 and evaporates. On the other hand, in the condensation tank 318, dew condensation occurs on the heat absorption side of the Peltier element 320, and the amount of distilled water increases.

By the way, in order to further increase the efficiency of disposal of the processing waste liquid and to prevent dripping and scattering of the liquid,
It is desired that the concentrated treatment waste liquid is further heated and solidified (so-called dryness).

However, the above-mentioned developing waste liquid concentrating device 310
In this configuration, the Peltier element 320 is always energized and maintained at a predetermined temperature by the operation of the cooling fan 322, and there is no means for detecting whether or not the processing waste liquid has solidified. For this reason, the Peltier element 320 may be energized more than necessary to solidify the processing waste liquid, and thus wasteful power may be consumed.

In order to avoid such inconvenience, for example, it is conceivable to control the energization time to the Peltier element 320 by a timer or the like. However, the time required for solidification of the processing waste liquid differs depending on the type and concentration of the processing waste liquid and the surrounding atmosphere (temperature, humidity, etc.). Therefore, in order to reliably solidify the processing waste liquid, it is necessary to heat the Peltier element 320 for a sufficient time with a margin. For this reason, when the processing waste liquid solidifies in a relatively short time,
The Peltier element 320 is energized for a longer time than necessary, and wasteful power is consumed.

FIG. 10 shows a photographic processing waste liquid concentrating device 332 different from that shown in FIG. 9 (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-40281).

[0008] In this concentrating device 332, a Peltier element 338 is provided between the evaporation tank 334 and the water tank 336, and the heat radiation surface thereof is in contact with the evaporation tank 334. Therefore, similarly to the developing waste liquid concentrating device 310 shown in FIG.
By applying a current to 8, the waste liquid in the evaporation tank 334 is heated and concentrated.

However, in this concentrating device 332,
No means is provided for detecting whether or not the processing waste liquid has solidified. For this reason, the Peltier element 320 is energized more than necessary to solidify the processing waste liquid, and there is a possibility that wasteful power is consumed.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In consideration of the above facts, the present invention detects the end point of concentration regardless of the type and concentration of the processing waste liquid and the surrounding atmosphere, thereby ensuring the processing waste liquid with minimum energy consumption. It is an object of the present invention to obtain a photographic waste liquid concentration processing apparatus and a photographic waste liquid concentration processing method which can solidify the photographic waste liquid.

[0011]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a waste liquid storage member capable of storing a processing waste liquid of a photosensitive material,
Heating means for heating the processing waste liquid stored in the waste liquid storage member, cooling means for cooling and condensing steam generated by heating by the heating means, and first temperature detection capable of detecting the temperature of the cooling means Means.

When the processing waste liquid of a photosensitive material (photograph) is concentrated by using the photographic waste liquid concentration processing apparatus, first, as a heating step, the processing stored in the waste liquid storage member is performed as a heating step. The waste liquid is heated by a heating means. As a result, some of the components of the processing waste liquid (e.g., water) evaporate, and the processing waste liquid is gradually concentrated. Further, the steam is cooled and condensed by the cooling means to become a liquid (water). At this time, when the steam contacts the cooling means, the temperature of the cooling means is higher than when the steam does not touch.

[0013] In the state where the concentration of the processing waste liquid is further advanced and the processing waste liquid is solidified, the generation of steam from the processing waste liquid is reduced. Since steam does not touch the cooling means, the temperature of the cooling means decreases. When the first temperature detecting means detects this temperature decrease, the heating of the processing waste liquid by the heating means is stopped in the heating stop step.

As described above, by detecting the temperature decrease of the cooling means, it is detected whether or not the solidification due to the evaporation of the processing waste liquid is completed, and the heating by the heating means is stopped. It does not consume and does not consume wasteful energy.

Here, the heating stop step may be performed manually by an operator, but the first control means as set forth in claim 2 is provided, and the steam from the processing waste liquid stored in the waste liquid storage member is provided. The heating means may be controlled by the first control means so as to stop heating by the heating means when the first temperature detecting means detects a decrease in the temperature of the cooling means due to a decrease in the generation. Thereby, the number of work steps of the worker is reduced.

The cooling means is not particularly limited as long as it can cool and condense the steam. For example, the cooling means can be constituted by a low-temperature side of a Peltier element. By using the Peltier element in this manner, the vapor can be effectively cooled and condensed. further,
It is also possible to use the high temperature side of the Peltier element as a heating means.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, a waste liquid storage member capable of storing the processing waste liquid of the photosensitive material, a heating means for heating the processing waste liquid stored in the waste liquid storage member, and a temperature of the heating means And a second temperature detecting means capable of detecting the temperature.

When the processing waste liquid of a photosensitive material (photograph) is concentrated using the photographic waste liquid concentration processing apparatus, first, as a heating step, the processing stored in the waste liquid storage member is performed as a heating step. The waste liquid is heated by a heating means. As a result, some of the components of the processing waste liquid (e.g., water) evaporate, and the processing waste liquid is gradually concentrated. At this time, the temperature of the heating means is lower than that in the case where some of the components of the processing waste liquid are not evaporated because the latent heat of evaporation accompanying the evaporation of the processing waste liquid is taken away.

In the state where the concentration of the processing waste liquid is further advanced and the processing waste liquid is solidified, generation of steam from the processing waste liquid is reduced. Since the latent heat of evaporation is not removed from the heating means, the temperature of the heating means increases. When this temperature rise is detected by the second temperature detecting means, the heating of the processing waste liquid by the heating means is stopped in the heating stop step.

As described above, by detecting the temperature rise of the heating means, it is detected whether or not the solidification due to the evaporation of the processing waste liquid has been completed, and the heating by the heating means is stopped. It does not consume and does not consume wasteful energy.

Here, the heating stop step may be performed manually by an operator, but the second control means as set forth in claim 5 is provided, and the steam from the processing waste liquid stored in the waste liquid storage member is provided. The heating means may be controlled by the second control means so that the heating by the heating means is stopped when the second temperature detecting means detects a rise in the temperature of the heating means due to a decrease in the generation. Thereby, the number of work steps of the worker is reduced.

The heating means is not particularly limited as long as it can heat the treatment waste liquid to evaporate a part of the components. For example, the heating means can be constituted by a high temperature side of a Peltier element. By using the Peltier element in this way, the processing waste liquid can be effectively heated and evaporated. Furthermore, using the low temperature side of the Peltier element,
It is also possible to configure so that the steam is cooled and condensed on this low temperature side.

[0023]

FIG. 1 shows a photographic waste liquid concentration processing apparatus 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The photographic waste liquid concentration processing apparatus 10 is, for example, an automatic photographic developing machine 1
The automatic developing machine 11 has a waste liquid tank 14 for temporarily storing a used processing waste liquid L used for a photo developing process.

A waste liquid pipe 16 is provided at the bottom of the waste liquid tank 14.
Is connected, and the waste liquid pump 18 sends the processing waste liquid L to the evaporating dish 24 provided in the housing 20. The feed amount of the processing waste liquid L is controlled by the driving time of the waste liquid pump 18 by the control device 23 (see FIG. 3).
Further, the amount of one-time feeding is set to a predetermined amount according to the capacity of the evaporating dish 24 so that the processing waste liquid L does not overflow from the evaporating dish 24. In the present embodiment, as an example,
For a capacity of about 0.5 L (use range: 0.5 L to 10 L) of the evaporating dish 24, a single feed amount is 50 cc to 1 liter.
Each time the concentration of the processing waste liquid L in the evaporating dish 24 is completed, this is sent again and concentrated. This makes it possible to accumulate more concentrated processing waste liquid L in evaporating dish 24 as compared with the case where processing waste liquid L is sent only once and concentrated.

The housing 20 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped box shape, and a receiving tray 22 is fixed substantially at the center of the inside thereof. As shown in detail in FIG.
B is substantially horizontal, and the evaporating dish 24 is
2B.

The evaporating dish 24 is formed in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped box having an open upper surface. The processing waste liquid L is sent from the upper surface side, and a part of the components of the processing waste liquid L (such as water) is stored in the housing 20. Diverge.

The tray 22 and the evaporating dish 24 (particularly,
Each of the bottom plates 22B and 24B) is preferably made of a material having high thermal conductivity. As such a material, a metal material, an inorganic material, an organic material, and a composite material thereof are applied. As the metal material, stainless steel, titanium, nickel or the like having good corrosion resistance may be used. As the inorganic material, a material containing aluminum nitride, silicon carbide, bromine nitride, beryllium oxide, or the like may be selected. In organic materials,
If it is a general-purpose resin such as PE or PP, or an engineering plastic such as PPO or PSF, or a composite material with the above-mentioned inorganic material, the material may have good thermal conductivity and corrosion resistance. Fluororesins, silicon resins, aramid resins, and the like are also excellent in heat resistance.

As shown in FIG. 1, a liquid level sensor 26 is mounted on an upper wall 20U of the housing 20, and a detector 2 is provided.
8 extends toward the evaporating dish 24. Evaporating dish 24
When the liquid level of the processing waste liquid L stored in the tank rises and reaches a predetermined height, the liquid level sensor 26 detects this and forcibly stops the operation of the waste liquid pump 18 to stop evaporation. Plate 2
4 to prevent overflow of the processing waste liquid L.

A peripheral wall 30 stands upright from the periphery of the tray 22. As described above, the evaporating dish 24
The amount of processing waste liquid L sent to the evaporating dish 24
Is controlled so as not to overflow, but in case of overflow, the peripheral wall 30 prevents the processing waste liquid L from flowing out of the tray 22. Also, the bottom plate 2 of the tray 22
2B and the waste liquid tank 14 are connected by a return pipe 32, and the processing waste liquid L accumulated in the receiving
It is to be returned to 4.

A rod-shaped handle 34 is attached to the side wall 24S of the evaporating dish 24 (not shown in FIG. 2, see FIGS. 1 and 4). The tip of the handle 34 is a grip portion 36 that projects outward through an outlet 38 of the housing 20 in a state where the evaporating dish 24 is placed on the tray 22.
As shown in FIG. 4, the operator holds the holding portion 36 and
The evaporating dish 24 can be taken out of the housing 20 from the outlet 38.

A cylindrical bag body 40 is provided around the outlet 38 in a bellows-like state, with one end on the outer surface of the side wall 20S of the housing 20 and the other end on the handle 3.
4, respectively. As shown in FIG. 4, the worker holds the holding portion 36 and puts the evaporating dish 24 into the housing 20.
When the evaporating dish 24 is completely moved out of the housing 20, the bellows portion of the bag body 40 gradually extends, and the evaporating dish 24 can be completely surrounded when the evaporating dish 24 is completely exposed to the outside of the housing 20. A sealing means such as a zipper or a hook-and-loop fastener is provided on one end side of the bag body 40 so that the bag body 40 can be sealed with the bag body 40 completely surrounding the evaporating dish 24. I have.

As shown in detail in FIG. 2, a heater 42 is mounted on the lower surface of the bottom plate 22B of the tray 22 in surface contact. When the heater 42 is energized, the temperature rises, and heat is generated via the tray 22 and the evaporating dish 24.
It is transmitted to the processing waste liquid L stored in the evaporating dish 24. Thereby, the processing waste liquid L is heated, and the moisture and the like in the processing waste liquid L evaporate.

In this embodiment, a rubber heater (applied voltage 100 V, power consumption 100 W) whose surface is covered with silicon rubber is used as the heater 42, and the energizing time to the rubber heater (heating time of the processing waste liquid) is used. )
Was controlled by a timer (not shown).

The heater 42 is, as described above,
If the treatment waste liquid L can be heated to evaporate water, its function is sufficient, and various heaters other than the rubber heater described above (for example, a nichrome wire heater, etc.)
Can be used. In addition, it is preferable that a protective member made of a material having high corrosion resistance (chemical resistance to the treatment waste liquid L) and high heat conductivity, such as the above-described silicon rubber, is attached to the heater 42.

A steam stirring fan 46 is mounted on the upper wall 20U of the housing 20. Steam stirring fan 4
6 promotes evaporation of water and the like from the processing waste liquid L by stirring the vapor in the housing 20. In this embodiment, a so-called brushless motor fan is used as the steam agitating fan 46, in which a fan having a blade diameter of 83 mm is rotated by a brushless motor having a rated voltage of 24V and a rated current of 0.14A.

Also, on the side wall 20S of the housing 20,
A Peltier element 48 is mounted so that the low-temperature side faces the inside of the housing 20. A condensation fin 44 is attached to the low-temperature side of the Peltier element 48. Water (vapor in the housing 20) evaporated from the processing waste liquid L is cooled and condensed by the condensation fin 44 to form water droplets. And falls to the bottom of the housing 20.

A temperature sensor 45 is attached to the condensation fin 44. The temperature sensor 45 is a Peltier element 42
Is indirectly measured through the condensing fins 44 and the measured value is output to the control device 23 (see FIG. 3).

On the other hand, a cooling fan 50 is provided on the high temperature side of the Peltier element 48 (the portion located outside the housing 20).
Is attached. Since the Peltier element 48 is cooled by the outside air sent from the cooling fan 50, the condensation of steam on the low temperature side (condensing fins 44) of the Peltier element 48 is promoted. Further, the inner surface of the housing 20 is also cooled by the low temperature side of the Peltier element 48. This allows
The water vapor evaporated from the processing waste liquid L is condensed not only on the condensing fins 44 but also on the inner surface of the housing 20, thereby increasing the condensing efficiency.

In this embodiment, the Peltier element 48
, Made by Ohm Electric Co., Ltd .: OCE-15F
(Cooling capacity: 15W nominal)
0 side wall 20S.

A collecting pipe 52 is connected to the bottom plate 20B of the housing 20. The collected water W collected in the housing 20 is collected by a collecting pump 54 into a collecting pipe 52.
The inside is sent to a washing tank 62, which is used for washing a photographic film with water.

Below the Peltier element 48, a liquid level sensor 58 is mounted. From the liquid level sensor 58, three detectors, a high-level detector 60H, a middle-level detector 60M, and a low-level detector 60L, protrude into the housing 20. The liquid level sensor 58 is connected to the control device 23 (see FIG. 3), and the liquid level of the recovered water W
When the temperature reaches M, the controller 23 temporarily stops driving the waste liquid pump 18 and energizing the Peltier element 42 and drives the collection pump 54 to send the collected water W to the washing tank 62. Further, when the liquid level of the recovered water W in the housing 20 becomes lower than the low level detector 60L, the control device 23 forcibly stops the driving of the recovery pump 54 and prevents the recovery pump from running idle. In this way, the liquid level of the recovered water W is controlled so as not to be located above the middle detector 60M, but the liquid level rises above the middle detector 60M and the high detector If 60H is reached, the control device 2
3 forcibly stops driving of the waste liquid pump 18 and energization of the Peltier element 42, and also drives an alarm device (not shown) to inform the operator that the liquid level of the recovered water W has reached the high-level detector 60H. Inform.

As shown in FIG. 3, the liquid level sensor 26, the temperature sensor 45, and the liquid level sensor 58 are connected to the control unit 23 as described above, and the heater 42, the steam stirring fan 46, and the cooling fan 50 , A waste liquid pump 18 and a recovery pump 54 are connected. The controller 23 controls the heater 42, the steam stirring fan 46, and the cooling fan 5 based on information from the liquid level sensor 26, the temperature sensor 45, and the liquid level sensor 58.
0, the waste liquid pump 18 and the recovery pump 54 are controlled.

Next, the operation of the photographic waste liquid concentrating apparatus 10 of this embodiment and the process of concentrating the processed waste liquid L will be described.

The processing waste liquid L discharged from a photo automatic developing machine (not shown) is temporarily stored in a waste liquid tank 14.
When the waste liquid pump 18 is driven, the processing waste liquid L is sent to the evaporating dish 24, and a predetermined amount of the processing waste liquid L is stored in the evaporating dish 24.

Here, when the heater 42 is energized, the heat from the heater 42 is transmitted to the processing waste liquid L of the evaporating dish 24 via the tray 22 and the evaporating dish 24. This allows
Some of the components (moisture and the like) of the processing waste liquid L evaporate and become vapor in the housing 20, and the processing waste liquid L is gradually concentrated.

The volume of the treated waste liquid L is reduced by concentration, and the concentrated portion accumulates at the bottom of the evaporating dish 24. Since the heater 42 is attached to the bottom plate 22B of the tray 22, the heater 42 always faces the processing waste liquid L in the evaporating dish 24 even when the volume of the processing waste liquid L is reduced in this manner. For this reason, the heat transfer area from the high temperature side of the heater 42 to the processing waste liquid L is kept constant without reduction, and the heat transfer efficiency is also kept constant.

As described above, even if the volume of the processing waste liquid L is reduced due to concentration, the heat of the heater 42 can be constantly supplied without wasting heat, so that the processing waste liquid L can be further concentrated. And finally dried (solidified by drying).

On the other hand, the vapor in the housing 20 is condensed by the condensing fins 4 whose temperature is lowered by the low temperature side of the Peltier element 48.
4 and adhere to the inner surface of the housing 20 to be aggregated and collected in the housing 20 as the recovered water W.

Here, in a state where moisture is evaporated from the processing waste liquid L in the evaporating dish 24 (that is, a state where the processing waste liquid L is not yet dried), high-temperature steam touches the condensing fins 44. Because of the warming, the surface temperature of the condensing fins 44 is maintained higher than in the case where the steam is not touched. When the state where the temperature of the aggregation fins 44 is high is detected by the temperature sensor 45 as described above, the control device 23 continues energizing the heater 42.

When the processing waste liquid L in the evaporating dish 24 approaches a dry state and the amount of vapor to be evaporated decreases, the temperature of the coagulation fins 44 due to the vapor is eliminated and the coagulation fins 4 are removed.
The surface temperature of No. 4 drops rapidly. When this temperature decrease is detected by the temperature sensor 45, the control device 23 stops energizing the heater 42 after a predetermined time necessary to completely dry the processing waste liquid L has elapsed.

As described above, the end point of the heating of the processing waste liquid L, that is, the end point of the power supply to the heater 42, is measured by measuring the temperature decrease of the aggregation fins 44 due to the decrease in the amount of steam from the processing waste liquid L. Can be matched with the time when the processing waste liquid L is dried, so that the heating is continued after the processing waste liquid L is dried, or conversely, the heating is stopped before the processing waste liquid L is dried. Nothing. In addition, it is not affected by the type of the processing waste liquid L or the surrounding atmosphere (temperature and humidity around the housing 20). Therefore, the processing waste liquid L can be surely dried to a minimum with the necessary energy consumption without wasting energy.

By repeating such drying of the processing waste liquid L a plurality of times, the dried processing waste liquid L is accumulated in the evaporating dish 24.

When the dried waste liquid L reaches a predetermined amount, the operator grips the grip portion 3 of the handle 34 and holds the evaporating dish 2.
4 is moved outside the housing 20. This allows
When the bellows portion of the bag 40 gradually extends and the evaporating dish 24 completely comes out of the housing 20, the evaporating dish 24 is completely surrounded by the bag 40. Next, the worker seals the bag 40 by a sealing means (zipper, hook-and-loop fastener, or the like) (not shown) provided on one end side of the bag 40. When the treatment waste liquid L is further concentrated,
The new evaporating dish 24 is set on the receiving tray 20.

When the heating of the processing waste liquid L is continued in this manner, the amount of the recovered water W in the housing 20 increases. When the liquid level of the recovered water W reaches the middle detector 60M of the liquid level sensor 58, the recovered water W is washed by the recovery pump 54 until the liquid level drops to the height of the lower detector 60L. Sent to

FIG. 5 shows a photographic waste liquid concentration processing apparatus 110 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the same components, members, and the like as those of the photographic waste liquid concentration processing apparatus 10 of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

The housing 120 of the second embodiment has an upper wall 120U which is inclined, and an outlet 138 formed between the housing 120 and the side wall 120S as shown in FIG. An opening / closing lid 134 is rotatably attached to the upper end of the upper wall 120U by a hinge 140, and the opening / closing opening 138 can be opened / closed by rotating the opening / closing lid 134.

In the second embodiment, the evaporating dish 124 has substantially the same shape as the evaporating dish 24 of the first embodiment.
The difference from the first embodiment is that the collection bag 164 is set in the inside 24.

The collection bag 164 is formed in a drawstring bag shape having an opening 164A, and is set in the evaporation dish 124 with the opening 164A facing upward. Opening 164A
Waste liquid L is collected in the collection bag 164 (that is, the evaporating dish 12
4), and the moisture and the like of the processing waste liquid L diffuse into the housing 120.

A closing string 166 extends from the periphery of the opening 164A, and by pulling the closing string 166,
The opening 164A can be sealed. In addition, collection bag 1
The material forming the closing cord 64 and the closing cord 166 is selected from the viewpoint of heat resistance, corrosion resistance, chemical resistance, and the like. For example, a polypropylene resin can be used.

Also, in the second embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, as shown in detail in FIG.
A Peltier element 142 is attached to the lower surface of 2B with the high temperature side up. For this reason, the high temperature side is always
B is in surface contact. Then, when the Peltier element 142 is energized, the temperature on the high-temperature side rises, and the heat is transmitted to the processing waste liquid L stored in the evaporating dish 24 via the receiving dish 22 and the evaporating dish 24. Thereby, the processing waste liquid L is heated, and the moisture and the like in the processing waste liquid L evaporate.

In this embodiment, the Peltier device 14
2. Form by Ohm Electric Co., Ltd .: OCE-40
Using F (cooling capacity: 40 W nominal), the cooling fan attached to the Peltier element 42 was removed in advance, and the Peltier element 42 was bonded to the bottom plate 22B of the tray 22.

On the low temperature side (lower surface side) of the Peltier element 142, a condensation fin 144 is attached. Water evaporated from the processing waste liquid L (steam in the housing 120)
Is cooled and condensed by the condensing fins 144 and falls as water droplets onto the bottom of the housing 120.

A temperature sensor 145 is attached to the condensation fin 144. The temperature sensor 145 indirectly measures the temperature on the low temperature side of the Peltier element 142 via the condensing fin 144, and outputs the measured value to the control device 23 (FIG. 7).
reference).

As described above, the Peltier element 142 has a sufficient function as long as it can heat the processing waste liquid L on the high-temperature side and cool and condense the vapor in the housing 20 on the low-temperature side. The heat storage element attached to the Peltier element is unnecessary. Also,
It is preferable that the Peltier element is provided with a protective cover made of a material having high corrosion resistance (chemical resistance to the treatment waste liquid L) and high heat conductivity.

A cooling fan 150 is attached to the side wall 120 S of the housing 120 via cooling fins 148. The cooling fins 148 cool the inner surface of the housing 120 by the outside air sent from the cooling fan 150. Thereby, the water vapor evaporated from the processing waste liquid L is condensed not only on the condensing fins 144 but also on the inner surface of the housing 120, and the condensing efficiency is improved.

In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the liquid level sensor 26, the temperature sensor 145, and the liquid level sensor 58 are connected to the control device 123, and the Peltier element 142, the steam agitating fan, and the like. 46, cooling fan 15
0, the waste liquid pump 18 and the recovery pump 54 are connected. The controller 23 includes a liquid level sensor 26, a temperature sensor 14
5 and the Peltier element 1 based on the information from the liquid level sensor 58.
42, the steam stirring fan 46, the cooling fan 150, the waste liquid pump 18, and the recovery pump 54 are controlled.

In the photographic waste liquid concentrating apparatus 110 of the second embodiment having such a configuration, the collection bag 1 is placed on the evaporating dish 24.
64 is set so that the opening 164A faces upward, and the opening / closing cover 134 is closed. Otherwise, the treatment waste liquid is concentrated in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Peltier device 1
The high-temperature side of the bottom plate 22 of the tray 22 which is substantially horizontal
B in contact with the Peltier element 142
Is energized, heat on the high-temperature side is transferred to the pan 22, the evaporating pan 124
And the processing waste liquid L in the evaporating dish 24 via the collection bag 164.
(Not shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, see FIG. 2). Even if the volume of the processing waste liquid L is reduced by concentration, the heat transfer area from the Peltier element 142 does not decrease, so that the processing waste liquid L can be sufficiently heated and dried.

In the present embodiment, the Peltier element 42
By adjusting the applied voltage.
Although it is possible to set in the range of ° C. to 95 ° C., in the present embodiment, a constant voltage is applied to the Peltier element 42,
The temperature of the processing waste liquid L in the evaporating dish 24 was set to be approximately 70 ° C.

Here, in the state where the water is evaporated from the processing waste liquid L in the evaporating dish 124 (that is, the state where the processing waste liquid L is not yet dried), the heat of the Peltier element 142 is
Since the processing waste liquid L is deprived as latent heat of evaporation for evaporating the processing waste liquid L, the surface temperature of the aggregation fins 44 is maintained lower than in the case where the processing waste liquid L is not evaporated. When the state where the temperature of the aggregation fin 144 is low is detected by the temperature sensor 145 in this manner, the control device 123 continues energizing the Peltier element 1.

When the processing waste liquid L in the evaporating dish 124 approaches a dry state and the amount of evaporating vapor decreases, the temperature of the Peltier element 142 does not decrease due to the deprivation of the latent heat of evaporation. The temperature rises sharply. When this temperature rise is detected by the temperature sensor 145, the control device 123 stops energizing the Peltier element 142 after a predetermined time required to completely dry the processing waste liquid L.

As described above, by measuring the temperature rise of the aggregation fin 144 (Peltier element 142) due to the decrease in the amount of steam from the processing waste liquid L, the end point of heating the processing waste liquid L, that is, the Peltier element Since the end point of energization of the processing waste liquid L can be made coincident with the time when the processing waste liquid L is dried, heating is continued even after the processing waste liquid L is dried, or conversely, heating is performed before the processing waste liquid L is dried. It doesn't stop. Further, there is no influence from the type of the processing waste liquid L or the surrounding atmosphere (the temperature and humidity around the housing 120). Therefore, similarly to the first embodiment, the processing waste liquid L can be surely dried to a minimum amount of energy consumption without wasting energy.

When the processing waste liquid L dries, the operator turns the open / close lid 134 to open the outlet 138, and then pulls the closing cord 166 to seal the opening 164 A of the collection bag 164. Then, the dried processing waste liquid is taken out of the housing 120 integrally with the collection bag 164. Evaporating dish 124
Then, a new collection bag 164 is set with the opening 164A facing upward, and the processing waste liquid L can be concentrated using the photographic waste liquid concentration processing device 110 again.

As described above, in the photographic waste liquid concentrating apparatuses 10 and 110 of the present invention, when the processing waste liquid L in the evaporating dishes 24 and 124 is concentrated to dryness, the heater 42
Alternatively, since the power supply to the Peltier element 142 is stopped, useless energy is not consumed in drying the processing waste liquid L.

The specific configuration for drying the treatment waste liquid L without consuming wasteful energy is not limited to the above. For example, in the first embodiment, a Peltier element 142 similar to the second embodiment may be provided as a heating unit instead of the heater 42.
In addition to this, a condensation fin 144 is attached to the cooling side of the Peltier element 142, and
The temperature of 44 may be measured by the temperature sensor 145. In this case, the two temperature sensors 45 and 145 indicate that the generation of steam from the processing waste liquid L has been reduced.
Can be detected in combination with each other, so that it is possible to control the timing of stopping the power supply to the Peltier element 142 with higher accuracy.

In the second embodiment, the cooling fins 148 and the cooling fan 150 may be replaced with the same Peltier element 48, condensing fins 44 and cooling fan 50 as in the first embodiment. In short, as the heating means of the present invention, if the treatment waste liquid L can be heated to evaporate and concentrate a part of its components and finally make the treatment waste liquid L dry, The specific configuration is not limited. In particular, by using a Peltier element as the heating means as in the second embodiment, it is possible to effectively heat the treatment waste liquid L and evaporate moisture and the like. In addition, the steam can be cooled and condensed by using the low temperature side of the Peltier element as a cooling means.

Similarly, the specific structure of the cooling means of the present invention is not limited as long as the steam from the processing waste liquid L can be cooled and condensed. In particular, by using the Peltier element as in the first embodiment, the steam can be effectively cooled and condensed. Further, it is possible to heat the processing waste liquid L by using the high temperature side of the Peltier element as a heating means.

The number of heating means and cooling means is not limited, either, and may be one or more.

In the first embodiment, the Peltier device 4
2 is indirectly measured by the temperature sensor 45 attached to the condensing fin 44, and similarly in the second embodiment, the temperature on the low temperature side of the Peltier element 142 is attached to the condensing fin 144. Although measured indirectly by 145, the temperature sensors 45 and 145 may be attached to the Peltier elements 42 and 142. In any case, it is preferable that the mounting position of the temperature sensors 45 and 145 is a position where the temperature change is most remarkable.

As the temperature sensors 45 and 145, for example, those which can directly output an electric signal by temperature detection, such as a platinum resistance thermometer and a thermocouple, are preferable, but are not limited to these.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, the control device 23,
Although the configuration is such that the power supply to the heater 42 or the Peltier element 142 is stopped by the power supply 123, the power supply may be stopped manually by an operator. That is, the operator may read the temperature measured values by the temperature sensors 45 and 145 and manually stop energizing the heater 42 or the Peltier element 142 after a lapse of a predetermined time from the time when the temperature has changed. Of course, the control unit 23, 12
By performing in step 3, it is possible to reduce the number of work steps.

The shape of the waste liquid storage member of the present invention is not limited to the shape of the evaporating dish 24 described above. That is, a predetermined amount of the processing waste liquid L can be stored in the waste liquid tank 14.
Any container may be used as long as it is provided with at least one opening for allowing the processing waste liquid L to flow therethrough or for allowing water to diffuse to the outside.

Further, the above-mentioned tray 22 is not always necessary. If the tray 22 is not provided, the high-temperature side (heating means) of the heater 42 or the Peltier element 142 may be arranged so as to be in direct surface contact with the evaporating dishes 24 and 124.

[0083]

According to the present invention, the treatment waste liquid can be solidified reliably with minimum energy consumption.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a photographic waste liquid concentration processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the vicinity of an evaporating dish of the photographic waste liquid concentration processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control system of the photographic waste liquid concentration processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a state where solidified processing waste liquid is taken out from the photographic waste liquid concentration processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a photographic waste liquid concentration processing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing the vicinity of an evaporating dish of a photographic waste liquid concentration processing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a control system of a photographic waste liquid concentration processing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a state where solidified processing waste liquid is taken out from a photographic waste liquid concentration processing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a conventional developing waste liquid concentration device.

FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a conventional developing waste liquid concentration device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 photo waste liquid concentration processing device 23 control device (first control means) 24 evaporating dish (waste liquid storage member) 42 heater (heating means) 45 temperature sensor (first temperature detection means) 48 Peltier element (cooling means) 110 photo waste liquid concentration Processing device 123 Control device (second control means) 124 Evaporating dish (waste liquid storage member) 142 Peltier element (heating means) 145 Temperature sensor (second temperature detection means)

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2H016 CA00 2H098 BA33 BA37 DA02 2H112 AA11 BC08 BC24 BC27 EA20 4D034 AA20 BA01 CA12 CA21 4D076 AA01 BA21 DA21 DA22 EA02Y EA04X EA04Y EA05X EA05Y EA06 EA08 EA08 EA08 EA08 EA08 EA06

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A waste liquid storage member capable of storing a processing waste liquid of a photosensitive material, a heating unit for heating the processing waste liquid stored in the waste liquid storage member, and a steam generated by heating by the heating unit is cooled. A photographic waste liquid concentration processing device comprising: cooling means for condensing; and first temperature detecting means capable of detecting the temperature of the cooling means. 2. When the first temperature detecting means detects a decrease in the temperature of the cooling means due to a decrease in the generation of steam from the processing waste liquid stored in the waste liquid storing member, the heating by the heating means is stopped. The photographic waste liquid processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a first control means for controlling the heating means. 3. A photographic waste liquid concentration processing method for concentrating a processing waste liquid of a photosensitive material using the photographic waste liquid concentration processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing waste liquid stored in the waste liquid storage member is removed. A heating step of evaporating and concentrating a part of the components of the treatment waste liquid by heating by the heating means; and And a heating stop step of stopping the heating by the heating means when the temperature detection means detects the temperature. 4. A waste liquid storage member capable of storing processing waste liquid of a photosensitive material, heating means for heating the processing waste liquid stored in the waste liquid storage member, and a second temperature detector capable of detecting the temperature of the heating means. Means, and a photographic waste liquid concentration processing apparatus, comprising: 5. When the second temperature detecting means detects an increase in the temperature of the heating means due to a decrease in the generation of steam from the processing waste liquid stored in the waste liquid storing member, the heating by the heating means is stopped. The photographic waste liquid concentration processing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a second control means for controlling the heating means. 6. A photographic waste liquid concentration processing method for concentrating processing waste liquid of a photosensitive material using the photographic waste liquid concentration processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the processing waste liquid stored in the waste liquid storage member is removed. A heating step of evaporating and concentrating a part of the components of the treatment waste liquid by heating by the heating means; And a heating stop step of stopping the heating by the heating means when the temperature detection means detects the temperature.