JPH08123038A - Reutilizing method of washing water for automatic developing machine and device therefor, replenishing method of replenishing solution and device therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To reduce the quantity of a waste water produced in processing a photosensitive material with an automatic developing machine by eluting components incorporated in a washing water to a water immiscible solvent and reutilizing the collected water to the washing water. CONSTITUTION: The washing water containing the components eluted from a developer and a photosensitive layer washed by the washing water in a washing water tank 11 is circulated to a storage tank 15 with a pump 17 provided at the halfway of a circulating passage 16a. In the storage tank 15, the washing water supplied from the washing water tank 11 and the water immiscible solvent are mixed by a mixing means and the solvent soluble components in the washing water are transferred to the solvent and removed from the washing water. After that, the extraction processed washing water is separated into upper and lower two layers of a solvent layer S and a water layer W by the difference of the specific gravity and the liquid of the washing layer W is returned to the washing water tank 11 by a pump 18 provided at the half way of a circulating passage 16b and is used again for washing.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for processing a light-sensitive material using an automatic processor and an automatic processor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, the processing of a photosensitive material, for example, a photosensitive lithographic printing plate by an automatic developing machine, usually supplies a developing solution to the photosensitive layer while conveying the photosensitive lithographic printing plate to form an image on the photosensitive layer. After the elution, the developer containing the eluate adhering to the surface is washed with water and washed away. Then, as the form of use of washing water in washing, the washing water contained in the washing tank is sprayed from the shower nozzle onto the surface of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate to wash it, and the water used for washing is returned to the washing tank. Circulation reuse methods are in place. The processing solution used for washing with water and the fatigued processing solution containing the elution component of the photosensitive layer is discharged from the automatic developing machine as a waste solution and subjected to processing such as disposal and regeneration.

For users who process photosensitive materials,
The problem of waste liquid treatment has been increasing in recent years. Therefore, various devices for treating the waste liquid have been developed. Of these, the waste water treatment technology is a method of evaporating water to recover the remaining solid content, a method of performing neutralization coagulation treatment to separate the wash water into water and solid content, and reusing the water. Are known. In addition, the combined use of the coagulation method and the filtration is expected to spread the apparatus because the treated washing water can be returned to the automatic processor and reused. However, since many treatments including neutralization, coagulation, filtration and, in some cases, adsorption are required, it is difficult to optimize the conditions of these various treatment steps, and the cost of the consumable agent cannot be easily reduced.

On the other hand, in recent years, many efforts have been made to reduce the amount of processing waste liquid as a measure against the problem of waste liquid processing such as developing solutions and post-processing solutions. One of the most effective means among them is a method of reducing the replenishment amount to reduce the amount of processing waste liquid to be discharged. For this purpose, a method of increasing the activity of the replenisher is adopted. However, since the replenisher is usually prepared by diluting the stock replenisher with diluting water, the current situation is that it has not led to a dramatic reduction in the replenisher amount. On the other hand, when the replenishment amount is reduced, as the replenishment amount decreases, the amount of the replenisher liquid adhering to the replenisher liquid feed nozzle becomes non-negligible, which causes a problem that the replenishment accuracy decreases. This tendency is more remarkable when only the stock solution is replenished without diluting the replenishment stock solution, and when replenishing the developer having a higher alkalinity, problems such as deterioration of the liquid delivery nozzle occur. Until now, it could not be put to practical use.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of reducing the amount of waste liquid generated in the processing of a photosensitive material by an automatic processor.

[0006]

The constitutions of the present invention for achieving the above-mentioned objects of the present invention are as follows.

The washing water used for washing in the washing step after development by an automatic processor is mixed with water and an immiscible solvent,
The components mixed in the wash water are eluted into the solvent and allowed to stand,
A method of reusing washing water, characterized in that the water collected in the water layer is reused as washing water.

A washing water reclaiming device of an automatic processor equipped with a washing device for washing after development, comprising a storage tank for storing the washing water and a solvent immiscible with water, and the washing device to the storage tank. A washing water recycling device for an automatic developing machine, comprising: a washing water supplying means for supplying used washing water and a washing water circulating means for circulating washing water from the storage tank to the washing device.

In a method for replenishing a replenisher with a replenisher, the replenisher is added to the replenisher in the process vessel of an automatic processor equipped with the replenisher. A method for replenishing a replenisher for an automatic processor, which comprises diluting a part of the solution and supplying the diluted solution to the processing tank.

An automatic processor having means for processing a light-sensitive material with a processing solution used by replenishing a replenishing solution, wherein a storage tank for storing the processing solution, the processing solution and the replenishing solution are mixed. A mixing tank, a processing solution supplying means for supplying the processing solution from the storage tank to the mixing tank, and a replenishing solution supplying means for replenishing the replenishing solution mixed with the processing solution from the mixing tank to the storage tank. An automatic processor characterized by having.

The present invention will be described in detail below.

In the invention according to claim 1 or 2, as the water-immiscible solvent mixed with the wash water used, a solvent having low toxicity and high solubility of the components dissolved in the wash water is preferable. The following solvents can be preferably used.

Benzene, toluene, diphenylbenzene, ethyl propionate, propyl propionate, butyl propionate, ethyl butyrate, butyl butyrate, octyl sebacate, octyl diphenyl phosphate, ethyl vinyl ether, dibutyl cellosolve, benzyl cellosolve, dibutyl carbitol, anisole. , Dimethyldioxane,
Trioxane, methyl isobutyl ketone, ethyl butyl ketone, butyrone, methyl amyl ketone, valerone, cyclohexane, isophorone.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows a schematic construction of an embodiment of an automatic processor equipped with an embodiment of the washing water reclamation apparatus of the invention according to claim 2. The figure also shows an example of an automatic processor equipped with an apparatus for carrying out the method for reusing the washing water according to the first aspect of the invention. The automatic developing machine shown in FIG.
And a water washing device B, and the developing device A has conveying rollers 1, 2 and 3 for conveying the photosensitive lithographic printing plate, guide rollers 6 and 7, and a developing tank 8 for performing immersion development. Ten
Is oval lo pipe. The rinsing device B includes conveyance rollers 4 and 5, a rinsing water tank 11 for containing rinsing water, a spray 12 for injecting rinsing water on the photosensitive lithographic printing plate, and a rinsing water tank 11.
It is mainly composed of a pump 13 for sending the washing water inside to a spray 12. PS is a conveyance path for the photosensitive lithographic printing plate. In FIG. 1 and the following drawings, * and * are connected by piping.

The rinsing water regenerating apparatus 14 is a circulation path 16a for circulating the rinsing water containing the components eluted from the developing solution and the photosensitive layer to be rinsed in the rinsing water tank 11 to the storage tank 15.
It has 16b. Reference numeral 17 is a pump for supplying the washing water in the washing water tank 11 provided in the circulation path 16a to the storage tank 15,
Reference numeral 18 is a pump provided in the middle of the circulation path 16b for returning the washing water in the storage tank 15 to the washing water tank 11. Storage tank 15
Inside, the washing water sent from the washing water tank 11 and a solvent immiscible with water are mixed by a stirring means (not shown), and a component soluble in the solvent in the washing water is transferred to the solvent to wash the water. From which the component is removed. Thereafter, the wash water subjected to this extraction process is vertically separated into two layers of a solvent layer S and a water layer W in the storage tank 15 due to a difference in specific gravity with the solvent, and the liquid of the water layer W is separated. The pump 18 returns to the washing water tank 11 and is used again for washing. Reference numeral 22 is an adsorbent column provided in the middle of the circulation path 16b for removing the solvent remaining in the treated washing water. The operations of the pumps 17 and 18 are controlled by a control unit 23 having a timer, and wash water is circulated under set conditions. In the above apparatus, the flush water supply means of the flush water reclaimer 14 includes a storage tank 15, a circulation path 16a, and a controller.
In FIG. 23, the flush water circulation means is composed of the pump 18, the circulation path 16 b and the control unit 23. Floating lid in storage tank 15
A layer 24 covers the surface of the solvent layer S to prevent the solvent from evaporating and being released into the environment.

In the flush water reclaimer 14, the storage tank 15
An outlet 25 for discharging washing water is provided at or near the bottom of the storage tank when the specific gravity of the water immiscible with the water to be put into the storage tank 15 is smaller than that of the water, and at the upper part of the storage tank when the specific gravity is large. When the outlet is provided at or near the bottom of the storage tank, it is preferable to preliminarily pour water to a height at which the outlet is completely covered in order to prevent the solvent from leaking.

In the invention according to claim 1 or 2, after the washing water is regenerated, it is adsorbed by a known adsorbent such as activated carbon before reuse to remove the residual solvent. preferable. Further, in order to mix the washing water used for washing with the water-immiscible solvent, the treatment efficiency can be improved by stirring with a known stirring means such as a magnetic stirrer, a mechanical stirrer, or a static mixer. In this case, it is necessary to allow the solution to stand after stirring, separate the solvent and water, and then return the solution to the washing tank of the washing apparatus. In the treatment of mixing the washing water used for washing with the water-immiscible solvent, in order to prevent the solvent from being released into the environment, the treatment tank (the storage tank 1 in FIG.
5) can be a container that can be sealed, or a means such as a float can be provided as shown in FIG.

FIG. 2 shows the schematic construction of an embodiment of the automatic developing machine of the invention according to claim 4. The figure also shows an example of an automatic processor equipped with an example of an apparatus for carrying out the method for replenishing replenisher according to claim 3.

The automatic developing machine shown in FIG. 2 comprises a developing device A for developing and a washing device B for washing with water. The developing device A is a conveying roller 1 for conveying a photosensitive lithographic printing plate.
3, 4, guide rollers 2, 7, a spray 9 for spraying a developing solution onto a photosensitive lithographic printing plate, a developing tank 8 for immersion development
a, a circulation path 31 for circulating the developer in the developing tank 8a
A pump 32, a developer impedance detection sensor 33 and a float 34 provided in the circulation path 31.

The developing device A is designed to replenish the developing liquid in the developing tank 8a with the replenishing liquid by the following developing liquid replenishing device. That is, the developing solution replenishing device sends a developing replenishment stock solution tank 35 for containing the developing replenishment stock solution, a mixing tank 36 for mixing the developing replenishment stock solution and the developing solution, and the developing replenishment stock solution in the developing replenishment stock solution tank 35 to the mixing tank 36. A pipe 37, a pump 38, a circulation path 39a for circulating the developing solution in the developing tank 8a, which is a storage tank for storing the processing solution, to the mixing tank 36, and a pump 40 for feeding the developing solution in the developing tank 8a to the mixing tank 36, Mixing tank
A pump 41 for sending the liquid in the developing tank 8a to the developing tank 8a, and a pump based on the detection result of the developing liquid impedance detection sensor 33.
It is mainly composed of a replenishment controller 42 for controlling the operation of 38, 40, 41. A mechanical stirrer is installed in the mixing tank 36 (not shown). In the above apparatus, the processing liquid supply means for supplying the processing liquid from the storage tank to the mixing tank is composed of the circulation path 39a, the pump 40 and the replenishment controller 42, and replenishes the replenishing liquid mixed with the processing liquid from the mixing tank to the storage tank. The replenisher supply means is a circulation path 39b,
It is composed of a pump 41 and a replenishment controller 42.

The washing device B is mainly composed of the conveying rollers 4 and 5, the washing water tank 11a, a spray 12 for spraying the washing water onto the photosensitive lithographic printing plate, and a pump 13 for sending the washing water in the washing water tank 11a to the spray 12. It is configured.

Next, the operation of the automatic processor shown in FIG. 2 will be described. The impedance value detected by the developer impedance detection sensor 33 is input to the controller 42, and the pumps 38, 40, 41 based on a predetermined standard.
Is controlled to feed the developing replenishing stock solution in an amount corresponding to the fatigue of the developing solution to the mixing tank 36, and in the mixing tank 36, the developing solution in the developing tank 8a is mixed with the circulating developing solution.

In the invention according to claim 3 or 4, the supplement amount is 10
Particularly effective in a treatment system of 0 ml / m ² or less, 70 ml
More effective with a treatment system of less than / m ² . Diluting water may be used for diluting the replenisher for the purpose of replenishing the evaporation amount and adjusting the sensitivity, but it may not be used together. For the above purpose, for example, by installing a lid on the treatment tank or using a known precision liquid sensitivity adjusting means, it is effective to use no dilution water to reduce the amount of waste liquid. .

In the invention according to claim 3 or 4, the ratio of the processing solution to be mixed with the replenishing stock solution is generally 1: 1 to 100, although the replenishment amount for one time greatly varies depending on the type of the system and the processing conditions. A wide range of 1: 1 can be mixed.
If the ratio of the treatment liquid to be mixed is too large, the stirring efficiency of the wash water and the water-immiscible solvent in the mixing tank is lowered, and if it is too small, the diffusion efficiency to the treatment bath is lowered. Before and after the mixing tank, a purifying device such as a filter or an adsorbent column can be appropriately provided. For mixing wash water and water-immiscible solvent, a method of constantly replenishing a fixed amount of liquid regardless of changes in the supply amount of the replenishing stock solution, and the amount of processing liquid supplied to the mixing tank according to the supply amount of the replenishing stock solution There is a method of controlling the above, and the effect of the present invention can be obtained by either method. It is preferable to stir the liquid supplied to the mixing tank by a known means such as a mechanical stirrer, a magnetic stirrer, or a static mixer.

Next, the invention according to claim 1 will be described more specifically by way of examples.

Example 1 24 l of developer S was placed in the developing tank 8 of the automatic processor shown in FIG.
DR-1 (manufactured by Konica Co., Ltd.) was added at a predetermined dilution, 10 liters of tap water was placed in the washing water tank 11, and 3 liters of ethyl acetate was placed in the storage tank 15 to set an automatic processor. The positive type photosensitive lithographic printing plate KM (manufactured by Konica Corporation) was processed at a speed of 100 m ² / day to a processing speed of 2/10 minutes. That is, 2 liters of rinsing water is supplied to the storage tank 15 at a time and stirred for 5 minutes to obtain 5
After leaving for a minute, the process of returning the washing water to the washing water tank 11 and again supplying 2 l of washing water to the storage tank 15 was repeated. In this way, a total of 1000 m ^{2 was} processed for 10 consecutive days, but a stable and good printing plate could be obtained without deterioration of printing performance such as stains, sensitivity fluctuations, and printing durability.
According to the present invention, the amount of waste water of the washing water is reduced to 1/10 of the processing of 1000 m ² of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate as compared with the conventional method of circulating the washing water and discarding the fatigued washing water. Was done. That is, in the conventional method, 10 l of washing water was discarded in the treatment of 100 m ² of the photosensitive lithographic printing plate.
It was possible to treat 1000 m ² with the above washing water.

Next, the invention according to claim 3 will be described more specifically by way of examples.

Example 2 24 l of developing solution SDR-1 (manufactured by Konica Corporation) was added to the developing tank 8a of the automatic developing machine shown in FIG. -1R (manufactured by Konica Corp.), set the automatic processor so that the mixing ratio of the developing replenishing stock solution and the processing solution was 1: 9, and positive type photosensitive lithographic printing plate KM (Konica Corp.) Ltd.) was 3000 m ² process, the calculated total amount of waste, the replenishment rate and development waste volume for takeout amount was equal to the next tank was 24l. During the treatment, neither stains nor blurring of sensitivity were observed, and a stable and good printing plate was obtained.

Comparative Example 1 A photosensitive lithographic printing plate was prepared in the same manner as in the above Example except that the automatic developing machine shown in FIG. 1 described in JP-A-1-292345 was used instead of the automatic developing machine shown in FIG. When treated, the total amount of waste liquid was 72 liters.

Comparative Example 2 The same experiment as in Comparative Example 1 was carried out except that the operation of the pump 13 shown in FIG. 1 was stopped, that is, only the developing replenishing stock solution was supplied to the developing tank. However, a decrease in sensitivity occurred after 50 m ² treatment. After that, replenishment was carried out while feeding back the liquid sensitivity, but stains and film loss were often observed during the treatment.

[0031]

According to the present invention, there are provided a processing method and a processing apparatus for a photosensitive material capable of reducing the amount of waste liquid. In addition to the above effects, according to the invention according to claim 1 or 2, in addition to the above effects, a consumable agent is not used as compared with a method for treating a washing waste liquid in which a consumable agent is used, so that the cost of waste liquid treatment can be reduced. According to the invention according to claim 3 or 4, the drawback that the replenishment accuracy is lowered in the method of increasing the activity of the replenisher is improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a flush water reclamation apparatus of the invention according to claim 2.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an automatic developing machine according to a fourth aspect of the invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 8,8a Development tank 11,11a Rinsing water tank 14 Rinsing water regenerating device 15 Storage tank 16a, 16b Circulation path 23 Control unit 33 Impedance detection sensor 35 Development replenishing stock solution tank 36 Mixing tank 39a, 39b, Circulation path 42 Replenishment controller A Development Equipment B Water washing equipment PS Transport path

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A washing water used for washing in a washing step after development by an automatic processor is mixed with a solvent immiscible with water,
The components mixed in the wash water are eluted into the solvent and allowed to stand,
A method of reusing washing water, characterized in that the water collected in the water layer is reused as washing water. 2. A washing water reclaiming device for an automatic developing machine equipped with a washing device for washing after development, comprising: a storage tank for storing washing water and a solvent immiscible with water; and a reservoir from the washing device. A washing water reclaiming device for an automatic processor comprising: a washing water supply means for supplying used washing water to a tank; and a washing water circulating means for circulating washing water from the storage tank to the washing device. 3. A method of replenishing a replenishing solution with a replenishing solution, wherein the replenishing solution is replenished to the replenishing solution in an automatic developing machine equipped with the replenishing solution. A method of replenishing a replenisher for an automatic processor, the method comprising diluting with a part of the treatment solution and supplying the diluted solution to the processing tank. 4. An automatic processor having means for processing a light-sensitive material with a processing solution which is used by replenishing a replenishing solution, the storage tank storing the processing solution, the processing solution and the replenishing solution. Mixing tank, a processing liquid supply means for supplying the processing liquid from the storage tank to the mixing tank, and a replenishing liquid supply for replenishing the replenishing liquid mixed with the processing liquid from the mixing tank to the storage tank. And an automatic developing machine.