SU1755248A1 - Laboratory apparatus for processing photographic materials - Google Patents

Abstract

Usage: in the preparation of photo-solutions and photo processing. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION: The device includes a housing 1 with a thermostatically controlled working chamber, made single or multiple, with sections 3-5. The body is made of heat-conducting, metal. The body and sections 3-5 may have any shape. The bottom of the working chamber is made hollow, containing cavity 6. The side walls of the sections of the working chamber are also hollow with cavities 7. Cavities 6 and 7 communicate with each other. Cavities 6 and 7 are filled with working fluid 8. A resistive heater 9 of fluid 8 is thermally connected to the bottom area 6 of the working chamber. Heater 9 is made flat and placed on the outer surface of the bottom or in the form of a rod and installed in a plugged tubular recess of the evaporator. A temperature sensor 11 is installed inside any of the sections. Case 1 is placed in a heat insulating casing 12, which may contain removable elements 13, covering the heater 9. Sections 3.4 can be closed with lids, and section 5 with stoppers 14, Sections 2-5 equipped with drain nozzles 15. The flushing tank 4 is equipped with a water supply nozzle and a guide socket, which serves as a water circulation element and separates the working volume of the tank 4 into the central treatment cavity and the peripheral water heating cavity. 5 hp f-ly, 5 ill. Yo

Description

The invention relates to laboratory equipment with an active thermostatisation of the working volume, in particular, devices for preparing photo-solutions and photo-processing devices for creating a uniform temperature field in the working volume and stabilizing the temperature of photochemical solutions and washing water before and during photo-processing.

A laboratory bench for chemical-photographic processing is known, which is a single development tank, the temperature stabilization in which is carried out by reducing heat losses through the walls of the casing and by compensating them with a heater. For this, the tank is made of a material with a low thermal conductivity (for example, polyurethane) and reinforced with a material with a high heat reflectance (for example, aluminum). An electric heater, made, for example, in the form of a tubular electric heater, is introduced into the interior of the production tank.

The disadvantage of this laboratory bench is that it is impossible to ensure a given uniformity of the temperature field, in particular, the required volumetric isothermal nature of the treatment solution with

Xi

01

after that

00

fluctuations in the ambient temperature, which is associated with local heat input by means of an electric heater to the treatment solution,

In addition, inefficient use of the working volume of the tank, part of which is occupied by an electric heater, necessitates an increase in the amount of treatment solution. All this affects the performance of the laboratory bench.

A laboratory bench for fast processing of photographic materials is known, which is a processing chamber having the shape of a parallelepiped whose dimensions correspond to the format of the processed photographic material. In the upper part of the device there is an opaque cover, which is removed when the photo material is loaded. The temperature of the treatment solution is maintained by a water jacket surrounding the treatment chamber. The water supplied to the water jacket is heated by an electric heater equipped with a thermostat. Before starting work, the required amount of treatment solution is poured into the treatment chamber and after adjusting its temperature to the regulated dark material, the exposed photographic material is loaded.

The disadvantage of this laboratory bench is a long exit to the installation mode, due to the need to heat a large volume of liquid water jacket and a significant amount of treatment solution. In addition, the lack of uniformity of the temperature of the water jacket's floor, due to the presence of stagnant zones in it, does not ensure the required uniform heating of the treatment solution. All this impairs the performance characteristics of the laboratory test bench.

Closest to the present invention is a device comprising N placed in a housing in series with one-section thermostatically controlled working chambers, where M is 1.2m

k, as well as a temperature sensor and heater.

The disadvantage of this laboratory bench is the considerable thermal inertia of the heat carrier of the water bath, causing the device to go to the installation thermal regime. Due to poor heat transfer conditions from the heater to the photo solution layers near the photographic material in the device, it is also impossible to quickly achieve the regulated photo processing mode. Moreover, the need to create a forced circulation of the coolant in the tank to increase the uniformity of the 5 working chambers working environment and the need to manage it during operation of the device. The disadvantage is also the need to fill its reservoir before each photo by working with water and draining this water after finishing the photo processing with the subsequent cleaning of its walls, which increases the labor intensity of the work. The purpose of the invention is to improve the operational characteristics by reducing processing time and facilitating maintenance.

This goal is achieved by the fact that in a well-known laboratory bench for processing photographic materials containing N consecutively installed single-section thermostatted working chambers placed in a housing, where N 1,2, ..., hpk, as well as a temperature sensor and a heater, heater thermally connected with the bottom area of the housing, and the bottom area of the housing and the side walls of the single-section thermostatically controlled working chambers are hollow, evacuated and connected to each other.

The post-oiled goal is also achieved by the fact that the single-section thermostatically controlled working chamber is made in the form of a vertical treatment tank or a horizontal cuvette for processing.

This goal is also achieved by the fact that the single-section thermostatically controlled working chamber is designed as a tank for a spare working medium.

This goal is also achieved by the fact that the single-section thermostatically controlled working chamber is designed as a tank for flushing medium.

The goal is also achieved

5 by the fact that N series-mounted single-section thermostatically controlled chambers are placed in rows parallel to each other, and the heater is made flat or in the form of a rod and installed

0, respectively, on the outer surface of the bottom area of the housing or in the muffled tubular recess of the bottom area of the body.

Fig, 1 shows the proposed

5 multisection device, general view. incision; in fig. 2 - one-section device in the form of a vertical tank, general view, section; in fig. 3 - the same, in the form of a horizontal cuvette, general view, section; in fig. 4 - multisection device in

form of photothermostat with sections in the form of fixed containers for the working medium, general view, section; Fig. 5 shows a single-section device in the form of a wash tank, general view, section.

The proposed laboratory bench includes a general body 1 (Fig. 1-5) with a thermostatically controlled working chamber, made either single-section (sections 2, 3, 4, respectively, in Fig. 2, 3, 5) or containing several consecutive sections 3- 5 (Fig. 1) or 5 (Fig. 4), intended for carrying out different or identical laboratory operations, for example, chemical and photographic processing operations. The housing 1 is made of heat-conducting, metallic, for example, stainless steel or titanium. The shape of the housing 1 and section 2-5 (Fig, 1-5) of the working chamber can be arbitrary. In particular, section 2 (fig. 2) of the working chamber can be made in the form of a vertical processing tank of rectangular or circular cross section. Section 3 (Fig. 1.3) can also be made in the form of a horizontal cuvette. In addition, section 4 (Figs. 1, 5) can be made in the form of a wash tank. Finally, section 5 (FIGS. 1, 4) can be made in the form of a container for the working medium (for example, for a spare photochemical solution).

The bottom of the working chamber is hollow, forming a cavity 6 (Fig. 1-5). The side walls of the sections of the working chamber are also hollow with cavities 7. The cavities 6 of the bottom and the cavities 7 of the side walls of the sections of the working chamber are made communicating with each other. The bottom of the working chamber and the side walls of its sections form a single heat pipe, the evaporator of which 6 is made in the form of a bottom, and the condenser 7 is in the form of a system of side walls of the sections. The evaporator 6 and the heat pipe condenser 7 form a closed sealed enclosure from which the non-condensing gas is removed. The heat pipe is made without a smooth wall (thermosiphon type). However, a heat pipe is also possible, on the inner surface of the casing of which a capillary-porous structure is located — a wick (not shown). The sealed metal case of the heat pipe is filled with working fluid 8 (Fig. 1-5), for example, with water, which serves as a heat carrier capable of efficiently transferring heat in the temperature range 40-180 ° C, sufficient for the device to operate. The working fluid 8 should be in the cavity of the heat pipe in both the liquid and the

and in the vapor phase. In the heat pipe filled with the amount of working fluid 8, in which it occupies 15-25% of the volume of its internal cavity. The evaporator b of the heat pipe is designed to absorb heat by the evaporating working fluid 8, and the condenser 7 to release heat by the condensing vapor of the working fluid. A heat pipe is an independent circulation loop of a heat transfer fluid that undergoes phase transitions (evaporation - condensation).

A working heater 9 is thermally coupled to the bottom area 6 of the working chamber.

5 of liquid 8, which is one of the elements of the heating system of section 2-5 of the working chamber. The heater 9 is made resistive, electrically insulated from the environment and forms a single setpoint for the temperature of the working fluid 8 in the working volume of the heat pipe performer 6. In one embodiment of a specific implementation of the laboratory bench, the heater 9 (FIGS. 1, 3, 5) is made flat, detachable, placed on the bottom of the side external to the cavity 6, and placed on thermal contact with the evaporator 6 of the heat pipe. In another embodiment of the device, the heater 9 (FIGS. 2, 4) is made in

0 as a rod and installed in the plugged tubular recess 10 of the evaporator 6 of the heat pipe on the thermal contact with it. In this structurally, the heater 9 can be performed by any known scheme.

5 To ensure forced heating of the working fluid 8 (Fig. 1-5) in the starting mode of the device, the heater 9 can be made in the form of two autonomous, starting and working, heating

0 items (not shown). When using the heater 9 (FIG. 2.4) in the form of a rod, the possibility of inserting this rod inside the tubular can also be provided to adjust its power.

5 recesses 10 at different depths.

Electric heater 9 (Fig. 1-5) is part of a thermal stabilization system, which also includes a temperature sensor 11 and an external control and regulation unit

0 temperature (not shown). The temperature sensor 11 may be any known device installed inside any of the sections 2-5 of the working chamber. The temperature sensor 11 and the heater 9 are electrically connected to an external control and temperature control unit, the signals of which are used to control the winding current of the heater 9.

Another important element of the system of thermal stabilization of sections 2-5 of the working chamber is the casing 12, made of heat insulating material, for example, polyurethane foam or vinyl plastic. The casing 12 may also contain several layers of heat insulator (not shown), among which may be heat-reflecting screens, the shell of the casing 12, which fits tightly the working chamber (housing 1), in addition to its heat insulating properties, provides for its high mechanical strength. supporting structure to which the working chambers 2-5 are fastened. The casing 12 may contain removable elements 13 (Fig. 1, 3), closing the heater 9, necessary when replacing a failed heater 9.

Sections 2-4 (figs 1-3, 5) of the working chamber from above can be closed with easily removable lids (not shown), also made of heat insulating material. Section 5 (Fig. 1, 4) are closed by insulating plugs 14. Section 2-5 (Fig. 1, 2) are equipped with drain pipes 15.

Flushing tank 4 (Fig. 5), except for the drain pipe 15, is equipped with a central water supply pipe 16. The washing tank 4 also includes circulation elements of the washing water, made, for example, in the form of a guide socket 17 with one (upper) open end, the walls of which are equidistant relative to the side walls of the section. The spout 17 divides the working volume of the wash tank 4 into its two main cavities, the central treatment cavity 18 and the peripheral water heating cavity 19.

Sections 3-5 (Fig. 1) of the working chamber are located in one row. However, sections of a multisection working chamber can be located in several parallel rows (not shown).

The device works as follows.

The laboratory bench is installed at the workplace in such a way as to ensure water supply from the water supply system and discharge of the spent solutions by gravity and water under pressure into the sewage system. In the initial state, the external control and temperature control unit is not turned on, all covers and tubes 14 (Figs 1, 4) are removed. Sections 2-5 (Figs. 1-5) of the working chamber are filled with treatment solutions. When the ambient temperature is significantly lower than that regulated by the processing mode, the output of the device is forced to the specified temperature. When applying the required voltage to the starting and / or operating heater 9 with the help of the control and regulation unit and the flow of electric current through its winding, the heater 9 is heated and the bottom wall is heated from it.

hollow bottom 6 of the working chamber, which is the heat-receiving surface of the evaporator of the heat pipe. Heat supplied to the evaporator b is transferred through its wall to the coolant - working fluid.

08 (water). On the surface of the working fluid 8, evaporation occurs. The vapor under the action of the concentration difference is transferred to the condenser 7 of the heat pipe, where it is condensed due to overcooling. In this way, steam is condensed at the same time on the inner side walls and the bottom of sections 2-5 of the working chamber. Condensate formed under its own weight returns through the smooth wall structure of a heat pipe of a thermosiphon type or under the action of surface tension forces through a capillary-porous structure of a conventional heat pipe to the evaporator 6. Due to the fact that the latent heat of vaporization occurs in the heat pipe, the evaporator 6 can transfer capacitor

7 large heat fluxes. A vapor-like coolant in the slot cavities surrounding sections 2-5 of the working chamber, condensing on the walls of these sections, transfers them its heat. The walls of sections 2-5 transfer the received heat to the working medium, which fills the internal volume of these sections. Vacuuming cavities b and 7 heat pipes

5 enables the working fluid vapor

8 evenly fill the volume of these cavities by aligning the concentrated heat flux emitted by the heater 9 over the surface area of sections 2-5 of the working

0 cameras. The vapor of working fluid 8 in the heat pipe begins to more intensively condense on the colder sections of the walls of sections 2-5, which leads to an increase in the intensity of heat and mass transfer in these areas. Moreover, heat is supplied to a greater degree to the surface sections of sections 2-5 moistened with the working medium poured into these sections. This intensifies the heat exchange processes and increases the uniformity of temperature in the working volume.

The temperature stabilization of the working medium (photochemical solution and water) in sections 2-5 of the working chamber is automatically maintained by the control and regulation unit

5 by disconnecting the electric heater 9 from the voltage source when the working medium (photochemical solution or water) reaches the desired treatment temperature and then connect it to the source while lowering

the temperature of the solution is below a predetermined value due to the heat dissipated by the tank into the environment. When using the temperature sensor 11 of the working medium with its own heat capacity, substantially less than the heat capacity of the swollen photoflo, the thermal constant of the connection time between the heater 9 and the temperature sensor 11 is significantly less than the pstop time between the heater 9 and the photolayer. Therefore, the temperature sensor 11 will almost instantly react to changes in the temperature of the working medium in sections 2-5.

At the end of the full processing cycle, the working solutions of sections 2-5 of the working chamber are drained using the nozzles 15 of the drain. The device is ready for the subsequent operation described above.

Sections 2, 3 (Fig. 2, 1) of the working chamber (or some of them) were filled with exposed photographic material (not shown) in total darkness or under non-actual lighting, which was processed in accordance with any known regimen by mixing photo solutions. by any known means.

The treatment cavity 18 of section L (FIG. 5) is loaded with a washed photo material (not shown). In the cavity of heating 19 through the pipe 16 of the water supply flowing water from the pipeline. Rising in the cavity 19, the water is heated and, through the edge of the guide socket 17, is poured into the treatment cavity 18, washing the photographic material. The waste water is discharged into the sewer through the pipe 15.

The cavities of the containers 5 (Fig. 4.1) for the working medium are filled by removing the plugs 14 from the necks of the containers with the corresponding reserve processing solutions and are again closed with the plugs 14. After the processing solutions in the container 5 are heated to the required temperature, the required amount of solution is discharged into the beaker through the discharge pipe at the bottom of each tank 5.

The application of the proposed technical solution allows creating processing devices with a wide range of shapes and sizes without significant changes in the design and manufacturing technology and at the same time reducing the relative dimensions of the device thermostats. The use of the proposed device allows for a high degree of isothermality of the working chamber volume due to a solid and developed heat generation. heating surface and the symmetric temperature field of the heater. Sentence

reduces the time required to remove the device to the required thermal conditions and makes it possible to quickly bring solutions to readiness. The use of the proposed device will make it easier to maintain it and improve the production culture, eliminating the need to refuel the device before working with coolant and then drain it. The walls of the housing and the working chamber, due to the use of corrosion-resistant steel or titanium, have high chemical resistance and mechanical strength, and therefore have durability. The proposed method of supplying heat flow into the working chamber increases the reliability and service life of the heater. The ability to quickly remove and install the heater ensures the maintainability of the device. All this improves the performance of the laboratory bench.

Claims (6)

1. A laboratory stand for processing photographic materials containing N single-section thermostatically arranged in a housing working chambers, where N 1,2t ..., K, and also temperature sensor and heater, characterized in that, in order to improve performance by reducing processing time and ease of maintenance, the heater is thermally coupled to the bottom area of the housing, and the bottom area of the housing and side walls of the single-section thermostatically controlled chambers are hollow, evacuated bathrooms and interconnected. 2. A stand according to claim 1, characterized in that the single-section thermostatically controlled working chamber is made in the form of a vertical treatment tank or a horizontal treatment cuvette. 3. The stand according to claim 1, wherein the one-section thermostatically controlled working chamber is designed as a container for a spare working medium. 4. A stand according to claim 1. characterized in that the one-section thermostatically controlled working chamber is made in the form of a container for the washing medium. 5. A stand according to claim 1, characterized in that the N series-installed single-section thermostatically controlled working chambers are arranged in rows parallel to each other. 6.Stand according to claim 1. characterized in that the heater is flat or in the form of a rod and installed respectively on the outer surface of the bottom area housing or in a plugged tubular recess of the bottom area of the housing. // J 15 / J FIG. one FIG. 2 with sr CM in YU r tf Rch YU 04 FIG. five 12