Non-destructive testing keeps aircraft, pipelines and power plants safe, and film radiography is still one of its most trusted tools. Every film that goes through a processor leaves something behind: wastewater carrying dissolved silver. That silver is a regulated heavy metal, and it is also worth money.
Where the silver comes from
A radiographic film runs through developer, fixer and a final wash. The developer turns exposed silver halide into the image. The fixer dissolves the unexposed silver halide and carries it away, so used fixer leaves the processor saturated with silver. The same is true whether the film was developed in a compact processor on an inspection truck or in a high-volume lab running around the clock.
Why it matters
- Compliance. Silver discharge to sewer is strictly limited across North America and most of the world. Exceeding a permit risks fines and stoppages.
- Revenue. Dissolved silver is a recoverable asset. Pouring fixer away, or paying to haul it, discards value.
- Disposal cost. Silver-laden liquid waste is expensive to store, manifest and ship.
- Logistics. Field crews work across many sites, and large labs process volume without pause. Both need recovery that fits how they already work.
How Metafix recovers it
Metafix silver recovery units use our patented metallic-exchange media to capture silver as fixer and developer flow through the filter columns. No chemicals are added and no toxic sludge is produced. Treated effluent meets discharge limits, and the recovered silver goes to refining.
- Fixed labs. The MBX-1000 connects to up to 5 processors, treats 0.26 gal/min (1 L/min) and schedules filter changes from measured volume, not guesswork.
- Mobile and field NDT. The MBX-MI fits a 24" × 24" footprint on an inspection truck and draws from a 55-gal (208 L) or 250-gal (946 L) holding tank.
- Chemistry supply. The BCMS mixes fixer and developer to FUJIFILM or AGFA spec in two 250-gal (946 L) tanks and replenishes up to 5 processors.
- Monitoring. Metatrax watches every unit 24/7 and emails your team when something needs attention.
Recovers 99.99% of the silver from the fixer and developer of up to 5 processors, with no chemicals and no toxic sludge.
Silver recovery sized for NDT trucks and field labs, on a 24" × 24" footprint.
Mixes fixer and developer to spec in two 250-gal (946 L) tanks and feeds up to 5 processors.
The bottom line
Silver in NDT wastewater is a compliance risk if you ignore it and a revenue stream if you recover it. With 38 years in the field and more than 200 units in operation, Metafix builds recovery that fits a single field truck or a full radiography lab. Tell us how many processors you run and we will size the right system.