Preparing Smaller-Than-Package-Size Amounts of KODAK Processing Chemicals

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SPLITTING PACKAGED CHEMICAL AMOUNTS--YOUR DECISION

You will get the best, most consistent results from Kodak chemicals by mixing them to produce the full volume marked on the package. Kodak supplies photographic chemicals in a variety of sizes to make it easy to choose the volume you need. However, you may want to mix chemicals in amounts that are more suitable for your conditions. Although we do not recommend mixing smaller volumes, we provide this information to simplify calculations. If you measure the chemicals and follow the mixing directions carefully, you should obtain the same results produced by a mix made with the entire package. The information provided here applies to splitting Liquid chemicals only.

DIVIDING PACKAGED CHEMICALS

Use one of the following methods. When you select a method, consider the one that offers sufficient protection against oxidation for your needs. These methods are Listed in order of preference.

1. Draw off the chemicals from flexible plastic containers stored in an inverted position. Flexible containers stored in this manner keep air and other vapors from coming into contact with the concentrate.
   
   
2. Divide the concentrate into smaller amounts and store them in full stoppered bottles for use as needed.
   
   
3. Take the portions from the original bottle as needed. This method has the greatest potential for oxidation.

If you use method 2 or 3, be sure to use the entire amount within two weeks. This is particularly important with developers or other solutions that are very susceptible to oxidation.

MIXING CHEMICALS

	Accurate Measurement is essential. Always read the liquid level at the bottom of the meniscus.
	Rinse each container or graduate with a small amount of water and add the rinse water to the mix.
	Protect Against Oxidation by storing the unused concentrate properly.

Discard excess concentrate that you draw off accidentally. Do not return it to the original container; it can be a source of contamination.

Always add concentrate to the water--never add water to the concentrate.

Use metric measurements whenever possible. The most accurate and widely available measuring devices are calibrated in metric measurements.

Do not split packages of dry chemicals. The components of dry chemicals may not be uniform within the batch.

HOW TO USE THE TABLES

For each chemical, the number of mililitres per Litre (mL/L) are given. For Larger volumes, use the following conversion factors:

3785 mL	= 1 gal (U.S.)
3.785 L	= 1 gal (U.S.)
1000 mL	= 1 L
29.57 mL	= 1 fl oz
128 fl oz	= 1 gal (U.S.)

Example:

Suppose you have a package of KODAK FLEXICOLOR Developer Replenisher to make 25 U.S. gallons, but you need only 8 gallons. This is how you would determine the amount of each part to use:

1. Find the table for mixing FLEXICOLOR Developer Replenisher from replenisher concentrate (Table 1).
   
   
2. Read across the row for 25, 75 gallons of FLEXICOLOR Developer Replenisher. It indicates to start with 700 mL of water at 27 to 32° C (80 to 90° F) for each Litre of developer replenisher you prepare.
   
   
3. To the water, add 80.0 mL/L of Part A, 9.37 mL/L of Part B, and 10.0 mL/L of Part C. Using these numbers as the basis for calculating the amount of concentrate needed for 8 gallons, multiply each number by

   3.785 x 8 = 30.28

   The starting volume of water is
   700 x 30.28 = 21196 mL or 21.196 L Round this to 21.2 L

   Part A: 80.0 x 30.28 = 2422.4 mL or 2.4224 L Round this to 2.42 L

   Part B: 9.37 x 30.28 = 283.72 mL, rounded to 283.7 mL

   Part C: 10.0 x 30.28 = 302.8 mL (No rounding needed.)

Therefore, to make an 8-gallon mix, begin with 21.2 L of water and add 2.42 L of Part A, 283.7 mL of Part B, and 302.8 mL of Part C. Complete the mix by adding water to bring the final volume to 8 gallons. Check the instructions packed with the chemicals for mixing times and other information.

Rounding (reducing the decimal places to a reasonable number) before the final step in the calculation and using inaccurate factors are potential sources of error when you split Larger sizes to make smaller mixes. Use only the conversion factors given in the following pages to make your calculations.

Table 1
Preparing Replenisher Solutions from Replenisher Concentrates

^aUse full strength (1000 mL), or dilute 667 mL bleach replenisher with 333 mL water for 6-minute bleach. (See KODAK Publication No. Z-119.)

Preparing Replenisher Solutions from Replenisher Concentrates (continued)

Preparing Replenisher Solutions from Replenisher Concentrates (continued)

^aRA Developer Additive, CAT No. 122 4930.
^bAdjust pH of regenerated replenisher to 10.75-10.85.
^cRA Developer Regenerator Converter, Process RA-4, CAT No. 896 9453.
^dRA Bleach-Fix Additive, CAT No. 803 6832.
^eUse 50 percent of Part C when replenisher will be used to start a working tank.

Preparing Replenisher Solutions from Replenisher Concentrates (continued)

^aAdjust pH to 5.0 ±0.1 to make replenisher. Specific gravity aim is 1.054 ±0.003 at 86°F.
^bAdjust pH to 7.5. Specific gravity aim is 1.091 ±0.005 at 86°F.
^cAdjust pH to 7.5.

Table 2
Processing Kits (Small Sizes)

^aParts available individually (i.e., not available in a kit).
^bAvailable in 5-L size only in KODAK PROFESSIONAL Single-Use Chemistry Kit, Process E-6.

Table 3
Preparing Tank Solutions from Replenisher Solutions

^aFirst Developer Starter, Process E-6, CAT No. 156 4871.
^bColor Developer Starter, Process E-6, CAT No. 156 4012.
^cBleach Starter, Process E-6, CAT No. 177 9792.
^dFLEXICOLOR Developer Starter, CAT No. 195 3009.
^eFLEXICOLOR Developer Starter LORR, CAT No. 848 5153.
^fFLEXICOLOR Bleach Starter, 1-gal concentrate, CAT No. 856 6796.
^gEKTACOLOR RA Developer Starter, CAT No. 102 6681.
^hUse 50 percent of Part C when preparing replenisher to make a tank solution.
ⁱAdjust pH to 5.0 ±0.1. Specific gravity aim is 1.035 ±0.003 at 86°F.
^jAdjust pH to 7.5. Specific gravity aim is 1.048 ±0.003 at 86°F.

Table 4
Preparing Tank Solutions from 55-Gallon Drums or AR Cubitainers of Concentrate

^aEKTACOLOR RA Developer Regenerator Converter, Process RA-4, CAT No. 896 9453.
^bEKTACOLOR RA Developer Starter, CAT No. 102 6681.
^cFLEXICOLOR Developer Starter, CAT No. 195 3009

STORING AND HANDLING KODAK PHOTOGRAPHIC CHEMICALS

Unopened Chemicals--Processing chemicals in the
original unopened containers are the easiest to handle and store. Follow the recommendations on the package. Avoid storing dry chemicals on floors that are damp or susceptible to water overflows from sinks, clogged drains, etc. Store unopened chemicals on a wooden platform about four inches high.

Storage Temperature--Store chemicals at 4.4 to 26.6° C(40 to 80° F). Below that temperature range, ingredients in Liquid concentrates may come out of solution or crystallize. Higher temperatures accelerate chemical reactions and cause deterioration. As a general rule, every increase of 5.5° C (10° F ) will double reaction rates.

Store chemicals in a cool, dry place. In warm climates, storage temperatures of 60° C (140° F) can make chemicals unusable in just a few days. This applies to almost all processing chemicals, with the possible exception of stop bath, which is not as affected by heat.

Working Solutions and Oxidation--Once the original container is opened, the chemicals are exposed to oxidation. Reaction of chemicals, especially developers, with oxygen in the air will gradually cause them to deteriorate. Oxidation continues to some extent even if the container is immediately resealed. You can reduce oxidation by storing working solutions in amounts that can be used all at one time. For example, if you open a 10-gallon-size package, mix the entire amount, and then store the solution in 1-gallon containers. Then, each time you open a container you can use the entire amount, and the remaining mix is not exposed to air.

Chemical Containers--When you use plastic bottles to store working solutions, fill the bottle to the top and cap it tightly to exclude air completely. The best way to do this is to squeeze the bottle gently before you cap it to raise the chemical Level to the top of the neck.

When you fill glass bottles, Leave a small amount of air at the top of the neck before capping. This is necessary because chemical expansion due to temperature or pressure changes can cause a completely filled glass bottle to burst. Glass, however, is preferable to plastic for storing photographic chemicals for Long periods because air can slowly penetrate plastic.

Flexible plastic containers stored in a cardboard box can minimize oxidation. The plastic container collapses as chemicals are removed, thereby minimizing the amount of air in the container. With rigid bottles and drums, air remains inside, causing oxidation. With drums, you must consider the method of dispensing the chemicals. A drum stored on its side will expose a greater Liquid surface area to the air than a drum stored upright. No container can completely stop aerial oxidation; it can only minimize it.

Liquid and Dry Chemicals--Dry chemicals have a Longer shelf Life than Liquid concentrates, and both unopened dry chemicals and Liquid concentrates keep considerably Longer than working solutions. For that reason, mix the smallest amount of working solution that you will need for your processing conditions.

Liquid chemical concentrates are uniform throughout. You can use small portions as needed to mix any amount of working solution. However, with dry chemicals, mix the entire contents at one time because the chemicals are not uniform throughout. Shipping and handling will cause the ingredients to settle in different ways. As a result, working solutions made from portions of dry packaged chemicals may be nonuniform and inconsistent. Once dry chemicals are converted to Liquid working solutions, you can then subdivide them for use and storage.

Read the Mixing Instructions--The most up-to-date source of information on mixing and storing chemicals is the instructions provided with each chemical. Instructions are written to provide you with accurate information. Follow instructions carefully to save money.

Kodak, Ektacolor, Ektachrome, Electrosilver, Flexicolor, Prime, and Kodak Professional are trademarks.

CIS-49  • December, 2004