Cleaning used chem bottles - hmmm

nick mulder · Feb 3, 2010

Hello,

I've just obtained a CPA2 which came with a truck load of bottles - they've been used for B&W, E6, Cibachrome and some mystery 'Tetanal' process (E6?)

They are marked 1st dev, 2nd dev, blix, fixer, water etc... and my guess is that the previous one owner was fastidious about this, as some have obvious stains more than others.

I'll try to use the same containers for each process but there are some differences - like 3 bath vs. 5 (?) E6, Pyro fixers, and reversal B&W - all processes I want to use them for.

Question is: how do I go about neutralizing them ?

Not necessary ? perhaps just a wash out with water ? or does each container need an rinse of acid, base or otherwise ?

Any help appreciated...
Regards,
Nick

Anscojohn · Feb 3, 2010

You don't say of what material the bottles are made. The trick with old glass bottles was a handful of aquarium gravel, hot water and soap, well shaken and rotated to get all the crud off the inside of the bottles. Some old timers used a packet of BB shot instead of aquarium gravel.

nick mulder · Feb 3, 2010

They are the Jobo rotary bottles ... plastic, most clear - some black

Athiril · Feb 3, 2010

Hot 40% HCl has cleaned every stain (include permanganate) off my lab glassware. My stuff is boroscilliate glass though.

If they're plastic, strong HCL is fine to use in high density polyethelene plastic.. probably not for many other types. like PET or drinking water bottles

edit: check your code - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resin_identification_code

nick mulder · Feb 3, 2010

I have sulphuric and citric off the top of my head ... no HCl - at least those are the chems with 'acid' after them, likely have more ...

ricksplace · Feb 3, 2010

Put them in your dishwasher.

Mike Wilde · Feb 3, 2010

My fave (with the right PPE) is half fill with hot water, add 10mL sulphuric acid, cap loosely, and, over sink, wearing rubber gloves, shake, let stand, shake, stand, rinse rinse rinse.

If plastic, then if changing from one use to another, let stand with exhausted batch of target solution stored in them to get any accrued pH right.

nick mulder · Feb 4, 2010

Mike Wilde said:
Llet stand with exhausted batch of target solution stored in them to get any accrued pH right.

Ah ha - smart approach ...

Well, I resorted to elbow grease - got some surface abrasive cleaner in them and a brush... Now they are sitting out back in the sun filled with water, likely leave them out there for a while - target solution = neutral Ph

When I tip the water from each I'll note any discoloration and might if I feel frisky enough get a Ph tester kit

mts · Feb 4, 2010

Chromic acid (sulfuric + pot. dichromate) = Kodak tray cleaner, from their old B&W formula book also works well, but is definitely not environmentally friendly. The acid + bottle brushes and abrasive pellets works well, for glass anyway.

nick mulder · Feb 4, 2010

What proportions ? I have both of these at hand (reversal developing and other alt. proc).

Oil of Vitriol as conc. as you can buy it and Dichromates at two dilutions I cant remember which

Cleaning used chem bottles - hmmm

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