JPH0934086A - Photosensitive material processing method and photosensitive material processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) 【Abstract】 PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently clean a reverse osmosis membrane and prevent clogging without providing a piping system or a cleaning tank, which causes an increase in size and cost of the device. A first on-off valve provided in parallel with a first outlet pipe 50 on the concentrated water side of the reverse osmosis membrane 44 when the flow rate of permeated water that has passed through the reverse osmosis membrane 44 decreases below a certain value. Three
2 is opened for a predetermined time to increase the flow rate on the concentrated water side of the reverse osmosis membrane 44. At this time, the pump 24 is alternately switched between the normal rotation operation and the reverse rotation operation, and the flow direction is alternately switched. The substance adhering to the reverse osmosis membrane is stripped off by the wash water in which the flow velocity is increased and the flow direction is alternately switched, and the life of the reverse osmosis membrane is improved.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a treatment of a light-sensitive material, particularly a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material, in which a washing water is filtered and reused by reverse osmosis in a water washing step after development and bleach-fixing treatment. A method and a photosensitive material processing apparatus,
The present invention relates to a photosensitive material processing method and a photosensitive material processing apparatus capable of improving the life of the reverse osmosis membrane by cleaning the reverse osmosis membrane.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a process of developing and bleach-fixing a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material (hereinafter, referred to as a light-sensitive material) and then washing with water, washing water involved in the washing treatment is supplied to a reverse osmosis membrane to reverse osmosis. It is known that the permeated water is reused by separating it into clean permeated water that has permeated the membrane and concentrated water that has not permeated. By performing reverse osmosis treatment on the wash water contaminated by washing the photosensitive material, the amount of supplemental wash water in the processing device can be reduced, and as a result, the amount of waste liquid discharged from the processing device can also be reduced.

The water washing step is a step of washing the light-sensitive material in order to remove processing liquid components from the emulsion film of the light-sensitive material. When the washing is insufficient, a bleach-fixing agent, iron salt (EDTA-Fe), remains in the emulsion film of the light-sensitive material, which becomes yellow stain during storage of the light-sensitive material after processing.
Yellow stains are more likely to occur as the final stage washing water becomes dirty, for example, when the Fe ion concentration of the final washing bath exceeds 15 (ppm). Therefore, it is necessary to adjust the replenishment amount of the washing water according to the processing amount of the light-sensitive material so that the Fe ion concentration in the final washing bath does not exceed the specified value.

The permeated water flow rate passing through the reverse osmosis treatment apparatus is
It is adjusted by the opening of the pressure valve provided in the flow path of concentrated water, so if the pump discharge pressure is kept constant, the buildup or clogging of substances attached to the membrane may occur over time as the reverse osmosis membrane is used. The permeate flow rate gradually decreases. In order to keep the Fe ion concentration in the final washing bath below a certain reference value, the required permeate flow rate is determined as the minimum necessary amount according to the treatment amount (for example, the treatment amount for one day).

The reverse osmosis membrane needs to be replaced when the permeate flow rate decreases due to clogging during the treatment and the permeate flow rate falls below the required flow rate. On the other hand, in order to wash the deposits deposited on the reverse osmosis membrane with a cleaning liquid, a method of providing a cleaning pipe system for flowing the cleaning liquid exclusively from the cleaning liquid tank in addition to the piping system for the reverse osmosis treatment of normal wash water is proposed. is there.

Further, the pressure of the washing water supplied to the reverse osmosis membrane during the normal treatment is intermittently lowered for a predetermined time to increase the flow rate of the water supplied to the reverse osmosis membrane, whereby a dedicated washing tank is provided. There is also a method of cleaning the reverse osmosis membrane without providing.

[0007]

However, providing a dedicated piping system for cleaning in addition to a piping system for reverse osmosis of ordinary washing water requires a cleaning liquid tank, a switching valve, etc. This leads to higher costs. In addition, without providing a dedicated cleaning tank, reverse the pressure of the washing water supplied to the reverse osmosis membrane during normal processing to intermittently lower the pressure for a predetermined time to increase the supply flow rate to the reverse osmosis membrane. The cleaning effect of the osmotic membrane was not sufficiently satisfactory.

In consideration of the above facts, the present invention provides a method of processing a photosensitive material and a photosensitive material processing apparatus which effectively removes deposits deposited on a reverse osmosis membrane without increasing the size of the apparatus and keeping the cost low. The purpose is to do.

[0009]

[Means for Solving the Problems] Generally, a spiral type reverse osmosis membrane is used as the reverse osmosis membrane, but in the case of ordinary reverse osmosis treatment, the stock solution is placed in the axial direction of the cylindrical spiral type reverse osmosis membrane. On the other hand, flow in a certain direction while applying pressure.
Although the undiluted substance represented by silver sulfide is contained in the undiluted solution, these non-dissolved substances remarkably adhere to the end surface of the cylindrical spiral type reverse osmosis membrane on the undiluted solution supply side. When the non-dissolved substance adheres to the end surface on the stock solution supply side, the flow rate of the stock solution flowing in the axial direction of the spiral type reverse osmosis membrane decreases, and as a result, the permeate flow rate decreases. It was found that the non-dissolved substance adhering to the end surface of the stock solution supply side flows down when the flow direction of the stock solution is reversed.

On the other hand, if an insoluble substance adheres to the surface of the raw material side membrane of the spiral type reverse osmosis membrane, the permeated water flow rate also decreases due to the clogging of the membrane. It was also found that the non-dissolved substance attached to the surface of the undiluted solution side film also has a high cleaning effect when the flow direction of the undiluted solution is reversed.

At the time of processing an ordinary light-sensitive material, the supply pressure of washing water is set to a high value to some extent in order to secure a flow rate of permeated water processed by the reverse osmosis membrane above a certain value. Therefore,
At this time, the flow rate (flow velocity) of the untreated wash water flowing through the stock solution side of the reverse osmosis membrane is smaller than the flow rate that the pump can discharge when there is no load and the pressure is zero.

Therefore, when the reverse osmosis membrane is washed, if the bypass valve provided in parallel with the pressure adjusting valve of the concentrated water outlet pipe is opened, the pump discharge flow rate increases and the reverse osmosis membrane is effectively washed. I found that I would be exposed. further,
It was found that the non-dissolved substance adhering to the membrane surface and the non-dissolved substance adhering to the end face of the spiral type reverse osmosis membrane on the side of feeding the undiluted solution can be effectively washed by operating the pump in reverse.
When the pump is operated in reverse, the valve provided in the stock solution supply pipe is closed, and the stock solution is allowed to flow through the bypass pipe provided in parallel with this valve to remove the insoluble substance removed from the reverse osmosis membrane by washing. It has been found that the collection in the filter is good for keeping the flush water in the flush tank good.
It was also found that it is good to provide a check valve in the permeate pipe so that the reverse pressure is not applied to the reverse osmosis membrane when the pump is operated in reverse.

The present invention has been made in view of the above facts. According to the first aspect of the invention, the washing baths are arranged in a plurality of stages along the conveying route of the photosensitive material, and the washing water in any of the washing baths is supplied to the reverse osmosis membrane to form concentrated water and clean permeated water. And the concentrated water and the permeated water are supplied to the washing tank so that at least the permeated water is supplied to the washing tank at the latter stage than the concentrated water. In the treatment method, the flow rate on the concentrated water side of the reverse osmosis membrane is increased for a predetermined time and the flow direction on the concentrated water side is alternately switched between the forward direction and the reverse direction at the time of normal use. I am trying.

According to the first aspect of the invention, the flow rate on the concentrated water side of the reverse osmosis membrane is increased for a predetermined time at each predetermined time, and the flow direction on the concentrated water side is set to the order of normal use. The direction and the reverse direction are switched alternately. As the flow rate increases,
The flow velocity of the wash water flowing near the reverse osmosis membrane increases, and as a result, the deposits such as silver sulfide that have been deposited on the concentrated water side of the reverse osmosis membrane are removed. Further, by alternating the flow direction with the forward direction and the reverse direction at the time of normal use when the flow rate is increased, the effect of removing deposits is enhanced more than in the case where the flow direction is only one direction. This makes it possible to prevent the deposition of deposits on the reverse osmosis membrane and the reduction in the permeated water flow rate due to clogging, and to extend the life of the reverse osmosis membrane.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the washing tanks are arranged in a plurality of stages along the conveying route of the photosensitive material, and the washing water in one of the washing tanks is supplied to the reverse osmosis membrane to clean the concentrated water. The permeated water, and at least the permeated water is supplied to the washing tank at a stage subsequent to the concentrated water, while the concentrated water and the permeated water are supplied to the washing tank, the photosensitive material after the developing treatment is washed. In a photosensitive material processing apparatus, the flow rate on the concentrated water side of the reverse osmosis membrane is increased for a predetermined time period and the flow direction of the concentrated water side is alternately switched between the forward direction and the reverse direction during normal use in a predetermined time period. It is characterized by having a flow rate increasing means.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the flow rate increasing means increases the flow rate of the reverse osmosis membrane on the concentrated water side for a predetermined time at each predetermined time, and the flow direction of the concentrated water side is changed. Alternating forward and backward during normal use.
When the flow rate increases, the flow velocity of the wash water flowing near the reverse osmosis membrane increases, and as a result, the deposits such as silver sulfide that have been deposited on the concentrated water side of the reverse osmosis membrane are removed (so-called flushing wash). Be done.). Further, by alternately switching the flow direction between the forward direction and the reverse direction at the time of increasing the flow rate, the effect of removing the adhering substances is enhanced as compared with the case where the flow direction is only one direction. This makes it possible to prevent the deposition of deposits on the reverse osmosis membrane and the reduction in the permeated water flow rate due to clogging, and to extend the life of the reverse osmosis membrane.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the photosensitive material processing apparatus according to the second aspect, there is provided a pump capable of forward and reverse operation.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the pump is normally rotated, the washing water in any of the washing tanks is supplied to the reverse osmosis membrane to separate the concentrated water and the clean permeated water. Then, at least the permeated water is supplied to the water washing tank at the latter stage than the concentrated water, and the normal treatment is performed.

On the other hand, when the flow rate on the concentrated water side of the reverse osmosis membrane is increased so that the flow direction on the concentrated water side is the reverse direction of normal use, the pump is operated in reverse.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the light-sensitive material processing apparatus according to the second or third aspect, a normal first outlet pipe for flowing concentrated water to a washing tank and the first Of the pressure adjusting valve provided in the outlet pipe of the first bypass pipe, and the first bypass pipe capable of flowing the concentrated water to the washing tank independently of the first outlet pipe when necessary. A first on-off valve provided, and a first deposit removal means provided on the first bypass pipe to remove the substance separated from the reverse osmosis membrane before reaching the washing tank.
It is characterized by having.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the first opening / closing valve provided in parallel with the pressure adjusting valve provided in the normal concentrated water first outlet pipe is used for the first predetermined time. Open the on-off valve. Then, while the first on-off valve is open, the pressure on the concentrated water side of the reverse osmosis membrane is made smaller than the supply pressure of washing water to the reverse osmosis membrane during normal processing. As a result, the load of the pump that sends the washing water from the washing tank to the reverse osmosis membrane is reduced, the pump discharge flow rate increases, and the supply flow rate to the reverse osmosis membrane increases. Therefore, the substance such as silver sulfide attached to the reverse osmosis membrane is stripped off and tries to flow out to the washing tank through the first opening / closing valve. However, as the first deposit removing means, for example, a filter or the like is provided in the pipe on the way from the first opening / closing valve to the washing tank, so that the substance such as the stripped silver sulfide is It is possible to prevent contamination of the washing water mother liquor of the development processing device by being trapped.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the light-sensitive material processing apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the normal inlet pipe for supplying the washing water in the washing tank to the reverse osmosis membrane and the inlet pipe are A second bypass pipe capable of independently allowing the concentrated water to flow out to the washing tank as needed, a second opening / closing valve provided in the inlet pipe, and a reverse osmosis membrane provided in the second bypass pipe. A second deposit removing means for removing the peeled substance before reaching the washing tank.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the flow rate on the concentrated water side of the reverse osmosis membrane is increased and the flow direction on the concentrated water side is changed to
When making it the reverse direction of normal use, the 2nd on-off valve is closed. As a result, the wash water tends to flow out to the wash tank through the second bypass pipe. However, since a filter or the like is provided in the second bypass as the second deposit removing means, the stripped-off substance such as silver sulfide is trapped here, and the cleaning water mother liquor of the developing processing apparatus is contaminated. Can be prevented.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the light-sensitive material processing apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the permeated water is supplied to a washing tank at a stage subsequent to the concentrated water.
The second outlet pipe is provided with a check valve for blocking the flow of permeated water from the water washing tank at the latter stage to the reverse osmosis membrane.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when the flow rate on the concentrated water side of the reverse osmosis membrane is increased and the flow direction is set to the reverse direction of normal use, a reverse pressure load is applied to the reverse osmosis membrane. Although trying to act, the check valve provided in the second outlet pipe that supplies the permeated water to the washing tank at a stage subsequent to the concentrated water prevents a reverse pressure load on the reverse osmosis membrane.

The invention described in claim 7 is the same as claim 5
The light-sensitive material processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first opening / closing valve is opened, the pump is alternately switched between normal rotation operation and reverse rotation operation, and the second opening / closing operation is performed when the pump is operated in reverse rotation. It is characterized in that a control means is provided for performing flushing cleaning of the reverse osmosis membrane by closing a valve.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the control means opens the first opening / closing valve, alternately switches the pump between the normal rotation operation and the reverse rotation operation, and when performing the reverse rotation operation of the pump. The reverse osmosis membrane is flushed by controlling the on-off valve 2 to be closed.

[0028]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows a photosensitive material processing apparatus according to this embodiment.

The photosensitive material 10 is exposed to light in a pre-process (not shown) and reaches the development processing section 12 shown in FIG.

The development processing section 12 includes a plurality of processing solution tanks (see FIG. 1).
The color developing tank 14 and the bleach-fixing tank 20 are provided in this order from the left. A rack (not shown) to which rollers and guide plates are attached is arranged in each of these tanks. By being guided by the rollers and guide plates of this rack,
As shown in FIG. 1, the photosensitive material 10 is soaked in each tank in a substantially U-shaped transport path to be subjected to development processing and the like.

Adjacent to the bleach-fixing tank 20, the light-sensitive material 10
A first water washing tank 22A, a second water washing tank 22B, a third water washing tank 22C, and a fourth water washing tank 22D are arranged in this order from the upstream side in the conveyance direction.

The washing process is carried out in the above four washing tanks,
It has a multi-stage countercurrent cascade system configuration in which washing water overflows sequentially in the direction opposite to the conveying direction of the photosensitive material 10 and is replenished in the front tank. Therefore, the fourth washing tank 22D located at the most downstream side in the conveying direction has the highest cleanliness, and the upstream washing tank contains a large amount of the components mixed from the bleach-fixing solution and the components eluted from the emulsion film, resulting in a low degree of cleanliness. . The dirty washing water is discharged from the first upstream washing tank 22A by overflow.

As a result, the photosensitive material 10 transferred from the bleach-fixing tank 20 is dipped in the order of the first water washing tank 22A, the second water washing tank 22B, the third water washing tank 22C and the fourth water washing tank 22D shown in FIG. The processing liquid (particularly the processing liquid in the bleach-fixing tank 20) attached to the photosensitive material 10 can be washed away.

As shown in FIG. 1, a purifying device 42 having a reverse osmosis membrane 44 is interposed between the third water washing tank 22C and the fourth water washing tank 22D. The washing water is supplied to the purifying device 42 by the pump 24.

The purifying device 42 is provided with a reverse osmosis membrane 44, and is divided by the reverse osmosis membrane 44 into two rooms, a concentrated water side 42A and a permeated water side 42B. An inlet pipe 60 for supplying wash water by the pump 24 and a first outlet pipe 50 for flowing the concentrated water to the third wash tank 22C are connected to the concentrated water side 42A.
Further, the permeated water on the permeated water side 42B is filled with the permeated water by the fourth washing tank 22D.
Is connected to a second outlet pipe 52. The purifying device 42 may be provided between the washing tanks other than the third washing tank 22C and the fourth washing tank 22D.

The washing water supplied to the purifying device 42 is pressed against the reverse osmosis membrane 44 by the supply pressure of the pump 24, whereby the washing water is permeated into the reverse osmosis membrane 44. Then, the clean permeated water that has permeated the reverse osmosis membrane 44 passes through the second outlet pipe 52 on the permeated water side 42B to the fourth flush tank 22.
Concentrated water that was supplied to D and did not permeate was concentrated water side 42A.
It is returned to the third washing tank 22C again through the first outlet pipe 50 of.

By the way, the inlet pipe 60 for supplying washing water from the third washing tank 22C to the purifying device 42 has a second
An on-off valve 62 is provided. In addition, a second bypass pipe 61 is provided in parallel with the inlet pipe 60, and the second sub-filter 64 is provided in the second bypass pipe 61.
Is provided.

That is, the inlet pipe 60 has the second opening / closing valve 62.
Immediately before the branch, one pipe is connected to the second opening / closing valve 62.
And the other pipe is connected to the second sub-filter 64. The pipe coming out of the second sub-filter 64 joins the pipe coming out of the second on-off valve 62 again and reaches the purifying device 42.

The second on-off valve 62 is a kind of solenoid valve and is opened and closed by the driving force of the solenoid 66 attached to the second on-off valve 62.

The solenoid 66 is connected to the control device 46 and is driven by a command from the control device 46. That is, the second opening / closing valve 62 is opened / closed by a command from the control device 46.

The second sub-filter 64 is stripped from the reverse osmosis membrane 44 and traps only the substance such as silver sulfide flowing through the pump 24 and the like. As a result, it is possible to prevent the third washing tank 22C from being soiled.

A pressure gauge 28 is attached to the first outlet pipe 50 for returning the concentrated water from the concentrated water side 42A of the purifying device 42 to the third washing tank 22C, and is attached to the reverse osmosis membrane 44. The supply pressure of the flush water is measured.

Further, in the first outlet pipe 50, a pressure adjusting valve 30 is provided downstream of the pressure gauge 28. The pressure of the pressure adjusting valve 30 restricts the supply pressure of the concentrated water side 42A. It can be adjusted.
During the processing of the ordinary photosensitive material 10, the flow rate of the permeated water processed by the reverse osmosis membrane is maintained at a certain value or more, so that the supply pressure of the washing water is maintained at a high level to some extent. The opening is set.

By the way, when silver sulfide or the like is deposited on the reverse osmosis membrane, the flow rate of the permeated water is reduced. Therefore, in order to keep the permeated flow rate above a certain level, the pressure on the concentrated water side 42A is increased. The pressure control valve 30 must be adjusted to increase the permeation flow rate.

A first bypass pipe 51 is provided in parallel with the first outlet pipe 50, and a first opening / closing valve 32 and a first sub-filter 36 are provided in the first bypass pipe 51. Has been. That is, the first outlet pipe 50
Is branched into two immediately before the pressure control valve 30, one pipe is connected to the pressure control valve 30, and the other pipe is connected to the first opening / closing valve 32 and the first sub-filter 36. . The pipe from the first sub-filter 36 joins the pipe from the pressure adjusting valve 30 again to reach the third flush tank 22C.

During the processing of the ordinary light-sensitive material 10,
The first on-off valve 32 is closed, and the pressure on the concentrated water side 42A is kept constant by adjusting the pressure adjusting valve 30. However, once the first opening / closing valve 32 is opened, the washing water on the concentrated water side 42A normally passes only through the pipe in which the pressure regulating valve 30 is interposed, and the first opening / closing valve 32 is interposed. Since it also flows out into the pipe, the pressure on the concentrated water side 42A decreases. When the pressure on the concentrated water side 42A decreases, the load applied to the pump 24 is reduced, so that the discharge flow rate of the pump 24 increases and the flow rate of wash water flowing on the concentrated water side 42A increases.

The first on-off valve 32 is a kind of electromagnetic valve, and is opened and closed by the driving force of the solenoid 34 attached to the first on-off valve 32.

The solenoid 34 is connected to the control device 46 and is driven by a command from the control device 46. That is, the first on-off valve 32 is opened and closed according to a command from the control device 46.

In the downstream pipe of the first opening / closing valve 32,
First sub-filter 3 as first adhering matter removing means
6 is interposed between the reverse osmosis membrane 44 and the first open / close valve 32 and the like, and only the substance such as silver sulfide is trapped. As a result, it is possible to prevent the third washing tank 22C from being soiled.

On the other hand, the second outlet pipe 5 on the permeate side 42B
A flow rate sensor 38 is attached to 2 to measure the flow rate of permeated water that passes through the reverse osmosis membrane 44 and flows out to the fourth washing tank 22D. Further, the flow rate sensor 38 is adapted to visually display the flow rate and is also connected to the control device 46 so that the measured flow rate pulse signal is transmitted.

Incidentally, when the reverse osmosis membrane 44 is clogged, the flow rate of the permeated water displayed on the flow rate sensor naturally decreases, but in such a case, the permeated water is adjusted by adjusting the pressure adjusting valve 30. It is necessary to keep the flow rate of above a certain level.

A check valve 40 is provided in the second outlet pipe 52 upstream of the flow rate sensor 38 so that the reverse flow of permeate can be prevented and the load of reverse pressure on the reverse osmosis membrane can be avoided. It has become.

Although not shown, the fourth washing tank 22
At D, a tip of a pipe extended from a pipe tank in which a washing replenisher (fresh water) is stored is arranged. A pump is interposed in the middle of this pipe so that the washing replenisher stored in the tank can be supplied to each washing tank.

The cleaning process according to this embodiment comprises steps as shown in FIG. Note that FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an outline of the cleaning process according to this embodiment.

First, in step 100, a normal rinsing process of the light-sensitive material is performed. At this time, the second opening / closing valve 62 is opened, the first opening / closing valve 32 is closed, and the pump 24
Is rotated in the normal direction and the washing water in the third washing tank 22C is supplied to the purifying device 42. Here, by the pressure adjusting valve 30,
Pressure concentrated water side 42A is kept constant, the permeate that has passed through the reverse osmosis membrane, in order to suppress the F _e ion concentration of the fourth washing tank 22D below a predetermined value, with a constant or more flow, 4th
It is supplied to the washing tank 22D.

In the next step 102, it is judged whether or not the flow rate R of the permeated water supplied is equal to or less than a constant flow rate R ₀ . In the case of a negative determination, the amount of permeated water supplied is sufficient, so that the water washing process is usually performed. In the case of a positive determination, the process proceeds to the next step 104.

In step 104, the first opening / closing valve 32 is opened. As a result, the pressure on the concentrated water side 42A decreases,
The flow rate of the wash water supplied to the reverse osmosis membrane 44 increases as the discharge flow rate of the pump 24 increases.

In the next step 106, the first on-off valve 3
It is determined whether or not a predetermined time T1 has elapsed since opening 2. If the determination is negative, step 106 is executed again. That is, step 106 is repeated until the predetermined time T1 has elapsed. In the case of a positive determination, the process proceeds to step 108.

In step 108, the second opening / closing valve 62 is closed and the pump 24 is operated in reverse. As a result, the wash water on the concentrated water side 42A side of the purifier 42 flows into the third wash tank 22C via the second sub-filter 64.

In the next step 110, the second on-off valve 6
2 is closed, and it is determined whether or not a predetermined time T2 has elapsed since the pump 24 was reversely operated. In the case of negative determination, step 110 is executed again. That is, step 110 is repeated until the predetermined time T2 has elapsed. In the case of a positive determination, the process proceeds to step 112.

In step 112, the pump 24 is temporarily stopped, the second opening / closing valve 62 is opened, and then the pump 24 is normally rotated.

In the next step 114, the first on-off valve 3
It is determined whether or not a predetermined time T3 has elapsed since opening 2. In the case of negative determination, the processing returns to step 104,
In the case of a positive determination, the process proceeds to step 116.

At step 116, the first opening / closing valve 32 is closed. Then, the process returns to step 100, and the normal water washing process is continued. Hereinafter, the same processing is repeated.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. In the normal water washing process, the first opening / closing valve 32 is closed, and the pressure adjusting valve 30 causes the purifying device 42.
The pressure on the concentrated water side 42A is kept constant. This pressure exerts a constant load on the pump 24,
The washing water supplied from the washing tank 22C to the concentrated water side 42A of the purifying device 42 maintains a constant flow rate.

The wash water supplied to the concentrated water side 42A permeates the reverse osmosis membrane 44 at a constant pressure.
The rinsing water in the rinsing tank 22C contains a mixture of the fixing solution and the developing solution components adhering to the emulsion film of the light-sensitive material 10. These components do not permeate the reverse osmosis membrane very well, and the concentrated water side 4
It will be accumulated in 2A. Therefore, concentrated water having a rich concentration of the fixer and the developer is generated on the concentrated water side 42A.
On the other hand, since the component that has passed through the reverse osmosis membrane contains almost no such developer component, it flows to the permeated water side 42B as clean water.

However, since the washing water is continuously discharged from the pump 24, the concentrated water accumulated on the concentrated water side 42A is
The pressure passes through the first outlet pipe 50 and the third washing tank 2
It is returned to 2C again. Further, the permeated water flowing to the permeated water side 42B flows out to the fourth water washing tank 22D through the second outlet pipe 52.

The permeated water flowing out from the second outlet pipe 52 is prevented from flowing back to the permeated water side 42B by the check valve 40. Thereby, the reverse osmosis treatment can be efficiently advanced.

By the way, the required amount of permeated water that permeates the reverse osmosis membrane 44 is F contained in the rinse water in the fourth rinse tank 22D.
_In order to keep the _e- ion concentration below a certain standard value, it is determined as the minimum necessary amount according to the treatment amount (for example, the treatment amount for one day).

By replenishing the permeated water which has been subjected to the reverse osmosis treatment to the fourth washing tank 22D as described above, the amount of the separately prepared replenishing washing water can be reduced. As a result, the fourth washing tank 2
While maintaining the effect of preventing the yellow stain housed within a specified value F _e ion concentration contained in a 2D washing water, reducing the amount of replenishing washing water in the processing apparatus, the waste liquid amount can be reduced.

However, as the above steps were repeated, substances such as silver sulfide contained in the washing water adhered to the reverse osmosis membrane 44,
It accumulates and causes clogging of the reverse osmosis membrane 44. As a result, the flow rate of the permeated water flowing out from the second outlet pipe 52 decreases, and the flow rate measured by the flow rate sensor 38 decreases.

The flow rate sensor 38 constantly measures the flow rate of the permeated water flowing through the second outlet pipe 52, and transmits the measured flow rate as a pulse signal to the control device 46. When the flow rate of the transmitted permeated water decreases within a fixed reference value, the control device 46 issues a drive command for the first on-off valve 32 to the solenoid 34 to fully open the first on-off valve 32.

When the first on-off valve 32 is fully opened, the concentrated water can also pass through the branch pipe of the first on-off valve 32, so that the flow rate of the first outlet pipe 50 is increased at once.
Then, according to Bernoulli's theorem, the pressure on the concentrated water side 42A decreases, and as a result, the load applied to the pump 24 is reduced, and the discharge flow rate per unit time by the pump 24 increases. Therefore, while the first on-off valve 32 is open, the flow rate of the concentrated water flowing from the concentrated water side 42A to the first outlet pipe 50 per unit time increases.

The flow rate flowing into the concentrated water side 42A increases,
When the flow velocity of the wash water near the reverse osmosis membrane 44 increases, the substance such as silver sulfide attached to the reverse osmosis membrane 44 is peeled off, and the first
Out through the outlet pipe 50. That is, the reverse osmosis membrane 44
Therefore, the cleaning effect can be obtained.

Moreover, from the downstream of the first on-off valve 32 to the third
Since the first sub-filter 36 is provided in the pipe on the way to the washing tank 22C, suspended substances such as silver sulfide are trapped there and do not flow into the third washing tank 22C. This can prevent contamination of the third washing tank 22C.

When the first opening / closing valve 32 is opened and a predetermined time has elapsed, the control device 46 drives the solenoid 34,
This time, the second opening / closing valve 62 is closed and the pump 24 is operated in reverse. As a result, the flow direction of the wash water flowing along the surface of the reverse osmosis membrane 44 is reversed. At this time, since the second sub-filter 64 is provided in the second bypass pipe 61 on the way from the pump 24 to the third washing tank 22C, suspended substances such as silver sulfide are trapped there.
It does not flow into the third washing tank 22C. This can prevent contamination of the third washing tank 22C. Further, when the pump 24 operates in the reverse direction, the check valve 40 causes the reverse osmosis membrane 4 to operate.
The back pressure load on 4 is prevented.

In the present embodiment, the flow direction of the wash water flowing along the surface of the reverse osmosis membrane 44 is reversed every predetermined time, so that the wash water has only one direction for washing. Is improved.

When the reverse osmosis membrane 44 is washed for a predetermined time, the first on-off valve 32 is closed and the concentrated water side 42A is again opened.
Since the outlet of the concentrated water flowing out from the pipe is only the pipe passing through the pressure regulating valve 30, the flow rate of the first outlet pipe 50 is reduced. As a result, the pressure on the concentrated water side 42A increases, and the normal reverse osmosis process is resumed.

When the normal reverse osmosis treatment is resumed, the rinse water supplied again permeates the reverse osmosis membrane 44. However, since the deposits on the reverse osmosis membrane 44 are removed to some extent by the above treatment, The amount of water increases accordingly. Therefore, the amount of permeated water flowing out from the second outlet pipe 52 increases, and the flow rate measured by the flow rate sensor 38 also increases.

If the flow rate measured by the flow rate sensor 38 is still below the predetermined value, the controller 46
The reverse osmosis membrane 44 is washed again as described above. The above process is repeated until the flow rate of the permeated water measured by the flow rate sensor 38 reaches a predetermined value or more. In addition, in order to prevent the adhered matter of the reverse osmosis membrane 44 from being removed even by the above-mentioned cleaning and thus repeating the above processing infinitely,
A number of times may be limited.

The above is the method or apparatus for cleaning the reverse osmosis membrane 44 according to the present embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in order to increase the flow rate of rinsing water supplied to the reverse osmosis membrane, the first opening / closing valve 32
Is provided in parallel with the pressure adjusting valve 30 to reduce the pressure on the concentrated water side 42A and increase the discharge flow rate of the pump 24.
Any means can be used as long as the supply flow rate can be increased. For example, the pressure on the concentrated water side 42A may be reduced by adjusting the pressure adjusting valve 30.

Further, in this embodiment, the control device 46, the flow rate sensor 38, the first opening / closing valve 32 and the second opening / closing valve 6 are provided.
Although the automatic cleaning using 2 or the like has been described, a method of manually opening and closing the first on-off valve 32 and the second on-off valve 62 while watching the flow rate sensor 38 may be used. [Test Example] The results of comparing Example 1 in which the above-described cleaning processing means is used in an actual color paper developing processor with Comparative Example 1 and Comparative Example 2 in which the cleaning processing means is not used are as follows. Shown in.

First, the conditions for the equipment used are as follows:
It is as follows. In each of Example 1, Comparative Example 1 and Comparative Example 2, as a color paper developing processor, a processor comprising a color developing tank, a bleach-fixing tank, first to fourth washing tanks and a drying section (Fuji A photographic film printer / processor PP1820V) was used.

In this developing processor, as a purifying device, a spiral reverse osmosis membrane module (hereinafter, RO module) made of polyamide / polysulfone / polyester, etc., with a membrane area of 1 m ² , _Fe ion rejection rate of 98% and discharge pressure were used. Five.
A 5 (kg / cm ² ) gear pump or the like was attached.

The wash water in the third wash tank was subjected to reverse osmosis, and the permeated water was sent to the fourth wash tank and the concentrated water was sent to the third wash tank. A micro flow sensor (0F05ZZT-A0) manufactured by Aichi Watch Denki Co., Ltd. was attached to the outlet pipe of the permeated water as a permeated water flow rate detecting means, and a check valve was attached downstream thereof.

The comparative example 1 differs from the example 1 in that, as shown in FIG. 3, the first bypass pipe 51 and the first on-off valve 3 are provided.
2, first sub-filter 36, second bypass pipe 6
The first, second on-off valve 62, second sub-filter 64 and check valve 40 are removed.

The difference between Comparative Example 2 and Example 1 is that
As shown in FIG. 4, the second bypass pipe 61, the second opening / closing valve 62, the second sub-filter 64 and the check valve 40 are removed.

Under the above set conditions, a new reverse osmosis membrane was attached to the processor of Comparative Example 1, and 3000 sheets (L
Size) print processing was performed. The reverse osmosis treatment was continuously performed with the opening of the pressure regulating valve being kept constant during the operation for 8 hours a day on average, and the reverse osmosis membrane was not washed as shown in the examples.

As a result of continuing the above-mentioned treatment for about one year, the permeate flow rate 3 immediately after the start of the treatment in the new reverse osmosis treatment was 3
00 ml / min (pressure 4.0 kg / cm ² ) is 150
It fell to ml / min (pressure 4.8 kg / cm ² ).

Also, a new reverse osmosis membrane was attached to the processor of Comparative Example 2 and 3000 sheets (L size) were printed every day. After performing the normal reverse osmosis treatment for 3 hours during the average operation time of 8 hours a day, open the first opening / closing valve 32 for 10 minutes to reduce the pressure to increase the flow velocity on the concentrated water side of the reverse osmosis membrane. Then, the flushing cleaning was performed.

As a result of continuing the above-mentioned treatment for about one year, the permeate flow rate 3 immediately after the start of the treatment in the new reverse osmosis treatment
00 ml / min (pressure 4.0 kg / cm ² ) is 250
It fell to ml / min (pressure 4.8 kg / cm ² ).

[0091] Incidentally, while reducing the pressure, increasing the F _e ion concentration of the fourth washing tank for a short time interrupt the normal processing is very small, on photographic performance problem was no.

On the other hand, a new reverse osmosis membrane was also attached to the processor of Example 1, and 3000 sheets (L size) of print processing were performed every day. After performing the normal reverse osmosis treatment for 3 hours during the average operation time of 8 hours a day, open the first opening / closing valve 32 for 10 minutes to reduce the pressure to increase the flow velocity on the concentrated water side of the reverse osmosis membrane. Then, flushing cleaning was performed. Further, in this 10 minutes, the pump 24 was repeatedly operated for 30 seconds in the normal direction and then for the next 30 seconds in the reverse operation to repeat flushing cleaning. When the pump 24 is operated in the reverse direction, the second opening / closing valve 62 of the inlet pipe 60 is closed to allow the liquid to flow to the second sub-filter 64.

As a result of continuing the above-mentioned treatment for about one year, the permeate flow rate 3 immediately after the start of the treatment in the new reverse osmosis treatment
00 ml / min (pressure 4.0 kg / cm ² ) is 275
It was proved that the cleaning method of the example was superior to the comparative example 2 only by the decrease to ml / min (pressure 4.8 kg / cm ² ).

[0094] Incidentally, while reducing the pressure, increasing the F _e ion concentration of the fourth washing tank for a short time interrupt the normal processing is very small, on photographic performance problem was no.

As shown in the above example, by performing the cleaning shown in the examples, there is a remarkable effect of preventing the reverse osmosis membrane from being clogged and extending the life of the reverse osmosis membrane. Moreover, since even interrupt the normal reverse osmosis treatment is short, increase of the F _e ion concentration of the fourth washing tank is very small, influence on the photographic performance was not a problem.

[0096]

As described above, the processing method and the processing apparatus for a photosensitive material according to the present invention increase the flow rate of the wash water supplied and wash the reverse direction in order to wash the reverse osmosis membrane. (1) The amount of permeate flow due to the deposition and clogging of non-soluble substances on the reverse osmosis membrane and the adhesion of the non-soluble substance to the end surface of the spiral type reverse osmosis membrane on the side of the stock solution supply. It suppresses the deterioration and significantly extends the life of the reverse osmosis membrane. (2) By providing a filter, the insoluble substance that has been deposited on the reverse osmosis membrane can be removed, and the washing water mother liquor can be maintained in a clean state. (3) Since the tank for exclusive use of the reverse osmosis membrane cleaning liquid is not required, the apparatus is downsized. (4) In order to wash the reverse osmosis membrane, it is possible to more efficiently prevent the clogging of the reverse osmosis membrane than in the case where the flow rate of the wash water supplied is increased and the flow direction is only one direction.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a photosensitive material processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a cleaning process for a reverse osmosis membrane in the photosensitive material processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a photosensitive material processing apparatus according to Comparative Example 1.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a photosensitive material processing apparatus according to Comparative Example 2.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Photosensitive Material 22C Third Washing Tank 22C 22D Fourth Washing Tank 22D 24 Pump (Flow Rate Increasing Means) 28 Pressure Gauge 30 Pressure Adjusting Valve 32 First Open / Close Valve (Flow Increasing Means) 36 First Sub Filter (First Adhesion removing means) 38 Flow rate sensor 40 Check valve 42 Purification device 44 Reverse osmosis membrane 50 First outlet pipe (flow increasing means) 51 First bypass pipe 60 Inlet pipe 61 Second bypass pipe 62 Second opening / closing Valve 64 Second sub-filter (second deposit removing means)

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification number Office reference number FI technical display location G03C 5/395 G03C 5/395 G03D 3/13 G03D 3/13

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A washing tank is arranged in a plurality of stages along a photosensitive material transport route, and the washing water in one of the washing tanks is supplied to a reverse osmosis membrane to separate concentrated water and clean permeated water. , At least the permeated water is supplied to the washing tank of the latter stage than the concentrated water, while supplying the concentrated water and the permeated water to the washing tank, in the processing method of the photosensitive material to wash the photosensitive material after development processing, A photosensitive material characterized by increasing the flow rate on the concentrated water side of the reverse osmosis membrane for a predetermined period of time and switching the flow direction of the concentrated water side alternately between the forward direction and the reverse direction during normal use at predetermined time intervals. Processing method. 2. A washing tank is arranged in a plurality of stages along a photosensitive material conveying route, and the washing water in one of the washing tanks is supplied to a reverse osmosis membrane to separate concentrated water and clean permeated water. , At least the permeated water is supplied to the washing tank in the latter stage than the concentrated water, while supplying the concentrated water and the permeated water to the washing tank, in the processing apparatus of the photosensitive material for cleaning the photosensitive material after development processing, It has a flow rate increasing means for increasing the flow rate on the concentrated water side of the reverse osmosis membrane for a predetermined time and switching the flow direction on the concentrated water side alternately between the forward direction and the reverse direction at the time of normal use at every predetermined time. Characteristic photosensitive material processing device. 3. The light-sensitive material processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a pump capable of forward and reverse operation. 4. A normal first outlet pipe for flowing the concentrated water to the washing tank, a pressure regulating valve provided in the first outlet pipe, and the first outlet pipe are required independently of each other. Correspondingly, a first bypass pipe capable of causing concentrated water to flow out into the washing tank, a first opening / closing valve provided in the first bypass pipe, and a reverse osmosis membrane provided in the first bypass pipe 4. A photosensitive material processing apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising: first adhering matter removing means for removing the deposited substance before reaching the washing tank. 5. A normal inlet pipe for supplying the rinse water in the rinse tank to the reverse osmosis membrane, and the concentrated water can flow out to the rinse tank independently of the inlet pipe as required. Bypass pipe, a second opening / closing valve provided in the inlet pipe, and a second adhering substance removing means provided in the second bypass pipe for removing the substance separated from the reverse osmosis membrane before reaching the washing tank. The photosensitive material processing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising: 6. A second outlet pipe for supplying permeated water to a washing tank at a stage subsequent to the concentrated water, wherein the second outlet pipe has a permeated water from the washing bath at the latter stage to the reverse osmosis membrane. 6. The photosensitive material processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a check valve for blocking the flow. 7. The first on-off valve is opened, the pump is alternately switched between normal rotation operation and reverse rotation operation, and the second on-off valve is closed when the pump is operated in reverse rotation. 6. The photosensitive material processing apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising control means for performing flushing cleaning of the reverse osmosis membrane.