The pH of the mixed developer and MetaAid solution are passed over a pH probe in the reactor and the pH is measured. The pH probe has a feed back loop to the controller that automatically adjusts the speed of the Neutralizer pump up or down depending on what the pH probe is reading.

You can notify Metafix at ctp@metafix.com that you have used columns and we will make arrangements to have them brought back to us for proper disposal.

Once the pH of the spent developer is adjusted the liquid is passed through two silver recovery columns, a MiX 5000 and a Mix 2000. The MiX 5000 is used to remove the metallic silver (that’s the purple sludge you see when cleaning your processor) and the Mix2000 is used to remove the Ionic silver. Once the spent liquid leaves the columns for the drain it has the color and consistency of apple juice.

The system will shut down and sound an alarm, either pH high or pH low. These alarms do not reset by themselves, there must be user intervention in order to reset the alarms.

We can’t tell you how many days because it all depends on your production. What we can say is that the Mix5000 should be changed every 1,500 liters and the Mix 2000 every 2000 liters or both columns should be changed at least once per year, whichever comes first.

The Metafix Poly Plate System is specifically designed to treat the activator & stabilizer used in the processing of Polyester plates.

You call Metafix technical support to report the alarm, they will go over the unit with you to see if they can determine the cause of the alarm and instruct you on what needs to be done to resolve any issue if one is found and how to reset the alarm. The call is free (1-888-636-1087) or if you prefer you can e-mail them at ctp@metafix.com.

Yes, The R4 treats waste effluent at a rate of 6.34 USG/hr (24 L/Hr) and can treat a total of 152 USG (576 liters) in a 24 hour period. This is large enough for all Ctp lines currently in operation.

This unit was specifically designed to treat any Ctp developer that contains silver in the effluent such as the Agfa developers that are used with their LAP-V or LAP-O plates.

All Metafix pH control units are internet ready. This means that if you provide an eithernet connection where the unit is to be installed the system will download its processing information after every cycle and all alarms go directly to Metafix technical support.

The unit has a foot print of 4 SqF.

The pH Control R4 is designed to treat the waste developer from Ctp processors. This unit can treat the waste developer for all thermal or violet plates.

The information is reviewed by Metafix technical support to make sure your unit is functioning properly. The information these downloads provide us help us to track the units performance. The alarms alert us to any potential issue with the unit, these alarms are reviewed along with the other data received from your unit and if its required a Metafix Technical support member will contact you to notify and resolve the issue.

We also keep this information on file and can provide it to you on a monthly basis for your records. This proves to the local inspectors that your on top of whats being discharged and that you have a program in place.

You need to have a regular 110V power source, a cold water line with a shut off valve and a drain close to where the unit will be situated. If you do not have a drain and are using a sump pump you should contact Metafix Technical support with the specifications of your sump system to determine if the system can be connected to it.

Yes, the Poly plate system treats waste effluent at a rate of 6.34g/min (24L/hr) and can treat a total of 152 USG (576 liters) in a 24 hour period. This is large enough for all Ctp lines currently in operation.

All you need to do is provide and eithernet connection where the unit is going to be installed. The system comes configured to run with DHCP but static IP address’s can be assigned if required.

If your IT department wants to assign static addresses then our installer will need the IP, router and DNS server address’s your IT department want to assign at the time of installation.

The unit is usually installed at the discharge end on either side of the processor. Which side exactly is dependent on the configuration of the Ctp line itself and the sites workflow around the Ctp line.

There are two versions of this system, the Online (connected to the processor) and the Offline (stand alone and not connected to the processor). The On line system requires 4SqfFof floor space while the Offline unit uses only 2.17SqF.

Nothing, It is a value added service we provide all our end users as long as you are using our unit and MetaAid neutralizing solution.

Yes, but this means that you would have to supply sump pumps to pump the developer from the processor to the room where the Metafix will be installed. This can be done but it is not something we would recommend. It is best that the pH control be  installed beside the processor.

No, the unit can operate of f any 110V 15amp circuit. It does not have to be dedicated.

NO! You do not NEED a connection to use our system. It will work perfectly fine without one! However, if you do not connect the unit to the internet we will request that you complete a weekly log manually so we can keep some sort of tabs on your unit.

The Metafix pH control R4Ag is designed to work with Metafix MetaAid CA20F Neutralizing solution.

If you have an online system your processors activator & stabilizer will empty into the units holding tank for processing.  If you are using the stand alone system you should commingle the activator & stabilizer in a jug that you can bring to the unit for treatment.

NO! Traffic from our unit is outbound only!

Usually the preventative maintenance involves a probe cleaning and calibration and possibly flushing of the developer lines inside the unit. With the Agfa LAP-V and LAP-O plates a purple sludge will build up on the bottom of the holding tank over time. This sludge will need to be removed and the rinsed at least once a year.

For the On line system the unit is usually installed at the discharge end on either side of the processor. Which side exactly is dependent on the configuration of the Ctp line itself and the sites workflow around the Ctp line. For the stand alone unit you can install it anywhere as long as you have the power, cold water line and drain in the same location.

This will depend on how much volume your produce.

The pH Control R4 is designed to treat the waste developer from Ctp processors. This unit can treat the waste developer for all thermal or violet plates.

Yes, the online unit can but only under specific conditions. You should contact Metafix to discuss your particular situation to get clarification if you are interested in doing this.

Yes, The R4 treats waste effluent at a rate of 500ML per minute and can treat a total of 152 USG (576 liters) in a 24 hour period. This is large enough for all Ctp lines currently in operation.

Yes, but this means that you would have to supply sump pumps to pump the water and developer from the processor to the room where the Metafix will be installed if your using the online system. This can be done but it is not something we would recommend. It is best that the pH control be  installed beside the processor. A better option would be for you to use the offline unit and physically bring you spent chemistry to it for treatment.

Usually the preventative maintenance involves a probe cleaning and calibration and possibly flushing of the developer lines inside the unit.

When you dump your processors developer tank ALL of the waste developer is directed to the Metafix unit for treatment before discharge to the drain. The developer holding tank on the Metafix unit can hold a total of  28 USG (105 liters) in a singe dump.

Yes, this has been done at several locations. You would however have to provide the proper plumbing from the processors to the area where the Poly plate unit will be installed. Again, if this is of interest you should contact Metafix Technical support to discuss, they will be able to provide you with the requirements based on your specific site requirements.

The column is used to remove the silver that comes off the plates during processing.

The pH of the mixed developer and process wash water that is contained in the lower holding tank is blended with the MetaAid neutralizing solution in a reactor. That blended solution is then passed over the pH probe and the pH is measured. The pH probe has a feed back loop to the controller that automatically adjusts the speed of the Neutralizer pump up or down depending on what the pH probe is reading.

The column should be changed every 528g (2000L) or once per year, whichever comes first.

This is dependent of several things.
1) The type of plates and developer your using, some are relatively clean processes while others are extremely dirty.
2) The volume of plates and chemistry you are producing. Obviously if you are an extremely busy site using a very dirty developer ten your frequency will be higher then a lower volume site using a clean chemistry.

This is difficult to say as each sites plate throughput is different. However, a good rule of thumb is to use a 10:1 ratio. For every 10 liters of waste developer you produce you will consume approximately 1 liter of neutralizer.

Unfortunately no. There is enough silver in the waste effluent to be picked up at the fence line if you were being tested but its not the same quantity as film. The cost of getting the columns back and the disposal usually eats up any value of silver contained in them.

Usually the preventative maintenance involves a probe cleaning and calibration and possibly flushing of the developer lines inside the unit if you are using a dirty process. It could also include a flush of the water holding tank on occasion if you have hard water.