TECHNICAL INFORMATION

2000RT
DEVELOPER/
REPLENISHER &
FIXER/
REPLENISHER
LIQUID CONCENTRATE CHEMICALS FOR ALL RC PAPER MACHINE
PROCESSING APPLICATIONS
DESCRIPTION Mixing instructions
ILFORD 2000RT developer and ILFORD 2000RT Working strength 2000RT developer and fixer
fixer are liquid concentrate chemicals designed for solutions can either be mixed manually or by
high temperature, machine processing of resin using automatic solution mixing equipment. If
coated, black and white photographic paper. automatic mixing equipment is used follow the
Once diluted they can be used as both the process equipment manufacturer’s recommendations and
tank and the replenisher solutions. The addition of advice.
a developer starter solution is not needed for
2000RT developer. Note Photographic chemicals are not hazardous
when used correctly. It is recommended that
2000RT developer and fixer are compatible with gloves, eye protection and an apron or overall are
all types of machine used to process resin coated worn when handling and mixing all chemicals.
black and white photographic paper. They are Always follow the specific health and safety
particularly recommended for use with the past recommendations on the chemical packaging.
and present range of ILFORD roller transport paper Photochemical material safety data sheets
processors. containing full details for the safe handling,
disposal and transportation of ILFORD chemicals
2000RT developer and fixer are, economical, easy are available from ILFORD agents or directly from
to use, clean working, robust and have a high the ILFORD web site at. www.ilfordphoto.com
print capacity. They are capable of producing
superb quality prints from all ILFORD RC papers For all paper machine processing applications
and the high quality RC papers made by other 2000RT developer and fixer are diluted 1+4 with
manufacturers. They can be used in the water.
temperature range of 20–40ºC (68–104ºF).
Liquid chemical concentrates do not readily mix
With most neutral tone papers 2000RT developer with water, particularly fixers, therefore to ensure a
gives an image colour just slightly cool of neutral. working strength solution performs correctly it is
very important to stir it thoroughly during
2000RT fixer is a non-hardening rapid fixer, it preparation. When making a solution make sure
must not be used with fix hardeners. 2000RT fixer that the mixing vessel is large enough for the
is compatible with all methods of silver recovery volume of solution to be mixed and stirred.
but for maximum efficiency electrolytic methods are Measure out the required amount of concentrate
recommended as the treated fixer can be recycled and water accurately. Pour the concentrate into the
or reused. mixing vessel and gradually add the water while
stirring.

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2000RT

Ensure that all utensils, processing tanks, These times are for non-replenished systems, with
replenishment tanks and mixing vessels are a maximum solution life of seven days. They are
thoroughly rinsed and cleaned before mixing fresh also for replenished systems with a solution life of
batches of 2000RT developer or fixer. Wash out up to three months. The suggested developer
the mixing vessels thoroughly after use. Do not let replenishment rate is 150–250ml/m2 (14–
developer contaminate the fixer or fixer 23ml/ft2) paper processed.
contaminate the developer.
The solution life is dependent on paper
After filling a processor with fresh 2000RT tank throughput, and a suggested minimum is 2.8m2 of
and replenisher solutions, switch it on and allow it paper/l (31ft2/US quart) of working strength
to get up to temperature and circulate the solution per week. If paper throughput is
solutions. After the working temperature is reached considerably less than this, to maintain print
leave it re-circulating for at least 10 minutes to quality, it may be necessary either to make up
ensure the fresh chemicals are thoroughly mixed fresh tank solution every 6 weeks instead of 12
before attempting to process any paper. Always weeks, or to double the replenishment rates.
replace any tank covers used on the process and
replenishment solutions. Adjusting specific gravity SG
In high temperature processors the SG of the
pH and specific gravity working strength developer bath may become too
The following table gives the pH and specific high, it concentrates due to water evaporation.
gravity (SG) for fresh, working strength 2000RT This can be restored by topping up the tank with
developer/replenisher and 2000RT water. In some situations stirring may not be
fixer/replenisher. These figures were obtained possible, e.g. in a roller transport processor, here
under carefully controlled laboratory conditions the action of the processor’s moving parts and re-
and may differ slightly from measurements made circulation system should be enough to give
by users in their own working areas. Users should sufficient stirring.
make their own control measurements from their
own accurately mixed fresh solutions for later Suggested fixing times
comparison. Ideally a pH meter should be used to The same times and temperatures as for
measure solution pH but if one is not available pH development can be used for fixing. The actual
measurement sticks can be used. These are fixing time, however, is shorter, and 20 seconds is
available in various pH ranges, for the developer ample above 20ºC/68ºF. These recommendations
those covering the range from pH9–pH11 can be are suitable for both replenished and non-
used, whereas for the fixer those covering the replenished systems. In non-replenished systems,
range pH4–pH6 are necessary. SG can be the maximum paper throughput is 4m2/l (44ft2/US
measured by using a hydrometer and one quart) of working strength solution. The suggested
covering the range from 1.000 to 1.200 is useful fixer replenishment rate for replenished systems is
for a wide range of working strength 300–450ml/m2 (28–41ml/ft2) of paper processed.
photographic process solutions. The maximum silver concentration in the fixer bath
can be 4–6g/l.
dilution 1+4 pH SG at 20ºC
2000RT developer 10.35–10.45 1.045–1.055 Note If fixing is not complete, then adequate
2000RT fixer 5.0–5.5 1.070–1.080 washing is impossible.

PROCESSING Washing times

The suggestions below are only a guide, before Wash for at least 15 seconds at temperatures
choosing a process temperature it is essential that above 5ºC/41ºF. Set the water flow so as to fill
the processing cycle of the processor is checked. the wash tank in 4 minutes or less.

Suggested development times Drying

The preferred temperature range is All hot air dryers can be used with resin coated
20–30ºC/68–86ºF. black and white photographic papers at
temperatures above 85ºC/185 ºF. Infra red dryers
are recommended if a high even gloss is required
Temperature Development time (sec) on the paper.
(ºC/ºF) including transfer time to next tank
20/68 46
25/77 32
30/86 22
35/95 15
40/104 12

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2000RT

CHECKING AND MAINTAINING 2000RT In high temperature processors the SG of the

FIXER ACTIVITY working strength fixer bath may become too high,
Stop Bath it concentrates due to water evaporation. This can
After development and before fixing we be restored by topping up the tank with water. In
recommend that whenever possible papers are some situations stirring may not be possible, e.g.
rinsed in an acid stop bath. When tanks of in a roller transport processor, here the action of
process solutions are in use a stop bath the processor’s moving parts and re-circulation
immediately stops development and reduces carry system should be enough to give sufficient stirring.
over of excess developer into the fixer bath
helping to maintain the activity and prolong the Silver concentration
life of the fixer solution. However, the design of RC papers can be processed in fixers containing
many paper processors means that a stop bath levels of silver between 4–6 g/l as the paper base
cannot be included in the process system, there is protected on both sides by an impervious
should be no processing problems provided that polythene coating but the level of silver that can
the fixer activity is monitored and adequate fixer be tolerated really depends on the degree of
replenishment rates are used image permanence required. If a high level of
image permanence is required for commercial use
When a stop bath can be used ILFOSTOP PRO is the silver concentration in the fixer should be kept
recommended for all machine processing below 1g/l. This approximates to 20 20.3 x 25.4
applications. cm (8 x 10 in) RC prints per litre.

ILFORD Stop Bath ILFOSTOP PRO However, print throughput can only be a guide to
Dilution 1+19 silver concentration as it depends on the
Temperature range 20–40 ºC proportion of exposed to unexposed areas on the
(68–104ºF) prints being processed. Silver estimator papers are
Time (seconds) usually not sensitive enough to test the very low
20ºC (68ºF) 10 silver levels suitable for optimum permanence. For
Capacity - sheets of important prints it is recommended that paper is
20.3 x 25.4 (8 x 10 in) tested in the following way to ensure adequate
RC paper/ litre (unreplenished 90
fixing.
Replenishment rate 100- 200 ml/m2
9 - 18 ml/ft2
Prepare the testing solution by dissolving 2g of
sodium sulphide in 125ml of water.
The process time given is the minimum required at
20ºC. Due to the design and configuration of NB Take care to follow the health and safety
some processing machines a longer stop bath time information supplied by the sodium sulphide
at a higher temperature would be given manufacturer.
automatically, this should not cause any process
problems provided it is not excessive. For use, dilute the testing solution 1+9 with water.
Adjusting fixer pH To establish a permanent reference for a particular
If a stop bath is not used and the pH of the fixer type of paper, place a drop of the diluted testing
bath is found to be to high when measured, i.e. solution on a white area of a print that is known to
more alkali than it should be, then a few drops of
be well fixed and thoroughly washed. (Use the
a 50% acetic acid solution may be added to
two bath fixing method). Remove any excess
lower the pH value. This addition should be done
solution with clean blotting paper or absorbent
gradually and with thorough stirring. Do not lower
tissue and a barely visible cream tint should be
the pH of the fixer bath too far, the limits are given
left. This is the reference colour for a well fixed
above.
and washed print on this type of paper.
Adjusting specific gravity SG
Any subsequent prints that show a yellowing of the
If the solution concentration of a fixer bath is too
test spot when tested are not properly fixed. Soak
high or too low efficiency is reduced and poor
the prints in water for 5 minutes, then repeat the
fixing can be experienced.
recommended fixing and washing sequence, using
fresh fixer.
If the SG of the working strength fixer bath is too
low, i.e. the solution is too dilute, it can be
Prints must be well washed before using the test, it
restored by adding fresh fixer concentrate,
is not effective on prints direct from the fixer bath.
however any addition of fixer concentrate must be
stirred in thoroughly.

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2000RT

SILVER RECOVERY Properly replenished 2000RT fixer in regular use

Any method of silver recovery can be used with should have a very long life. The only sure way of
2000RT fixer but for maximum efficiency the always knowing that the activity of a fixer is
electrolytic method is recommended as the treated adequate is to use the techniques described above
fixer can be recycled or reused. Electrolytic silver but as a general guide it is advisable to replace it
recovery units can be either an off-line remote unit, after 12 months in the processing tank.
or an on-line unit in a processor’s re-circulation
system. When collecting silver by electrolytic Unreplenished 2000RT fixer working strength
methods care must be taken not to pass too large solutions should last for up to:-
a current through the solution as this may cause
the fixers active ingredients to breakdown when 6 months in full tightly capped bottles
the silver concentration becomes too low. Silver 2 months in a tank with a floating lid
sulphide may be formed and deposited on the 1 month in a half full tightly capped bottle.
units cathode, this is called sulphiding, the
efficiency of the fixer and the silver recovery STORAGE
process are both reduced by sulphiding. Vigorous Full, unopened bottles of 2000RT developer and
electrolysis may also lead to hazardous hydrogen fixer concentrates stored in cool conditions
sulphide gas (bad eggs smell) being released. 5–20ºC (41–68ºF) will keep for two years. Once
opened use completely within six months and keep
Properly set up an electrolytic silver recovery all bottles tightly sealed until used.
system can considerably reduce the silver in a
fixer solution and thereby increase its efficiency AVAILABILITY AND CAPACITY
and capacity and so allow lower replenishment ILFORD 2000RT developer/replenisher is available
rates to be used. Silver concentrations of around in 5 litre bottles, 10 litre bag in box cubes, 25
50–100 ppm can be commonly achieved. litre kegs and 205 litre barrels.

In conjunction with primary electrolytic silver At a replenishment rate of 200ml/m2 (18ml/ft2 ) a

recovery systems, a processor’s fix and wash 5 litre bottle of 2000RT developer/replenisher
overflows can be further treated by secondary and concentrate makes enough working strength
tertiary units using ion exchange and metal developer solution to replenish for 125m2 (1375
exchange. Properly maintained these can reduce ft2) of paper equivalent to 2427 20.3 x 25.4cm (8
silver in the overflow to very low levels, around x 10 in) RC prints.
3ppm, allowing processing waste discharges to
meet to most demanding of effluent controls ILFORD 2000RT fixer/replenisher is available in 5
litre bottles, 10 litre bag in box cubes, 25 litre
To use silver recovery units for best results consult kegs and 120 litre barrels.
the information provided by the relevant silver
recovery equipment and processor suppliers. More At a replenishment rate of 400ml/m2 a 5 litre
general information about silver recovery and bottle of 2000RT fixer/replenisher concentrate
other waste treatment, disposal and recycling is makes enough working strength developer solution
available from our web site at. to replenish for 62.5 m2 (687 ft2)of paper
www.ilfordphoto.com equivalent to 1213 20.3 x 25.4cm (8 x 10 in) RC
prints.
Working solution life
The life of a developer or fixer solution in a A wide range of fact sheets is available which describe and
give guidance on using ILFORD products. Some products in
replenished paper system is mainly dependent on
this fact sheet might not be available in your country
paper throughput, replenishment rates and
processing temperature.

Properly replenished 2000RT developer in regular

use should have a very long life but as a general
guide it is advisable to replace it after 6 months in
the processing tank.

Unreplenished 2000RT developer working strength

solutions should last for up to:-

1 month in full tightly capped bottles HARMAN technology Limited, Ilford Way,
1 month in a tank with a floating lid Mobberley, Knutsford, Cheshire WA16 7JL, England
www.ilfordphoto.com
2 weeks in a half full tightly capped bottle.

Page 4 of 4 July 2010