Nitrogen Burst Processor

bascom49 · Jan 5, 2016

I'm just about to pull the plug on ordering a nitrogen burst system from Alistair Inglis. His setup is fantastic.
The setup that he is putting together for me is an 8x10 four compartment tank with custom hangers for four sheets of 8x10.
Also hangers for 4x5 and 5x7 that will work in the 8x10 tanks. Given the prices for new Jobo cpp3 processors with Expert drums
the pricing for the setup seems the way to go. My research thus far tells me nitrogen burst is the way to go.

But,I do'nt have any experience with nitrogen burst systems, can anyone here give me any feedback or notes from their experiences ?

Thanks
Charles

Photo Engineer · Jan 5, 2016

Excellent system. I've produced many prints and lots of film using this method.

PE

HiHoSilver · Jan 5, 2016

'Never heard of it, Bascom. Where does one read up on it?

AgX · Jan 5, 2016

Nitrogen burst was the first step in automation of open tank processing set-ups. The next step were machines that in addition auomatically transferrered hangers from tank to tank.

A punctured tube is installed in the bottom of a tank, automatically a valve opens for some moment and leads Nitrogen from a high-pressur tank into the tube.

HiHoSilver · Jan 5, 2016

AgX - Thank You.

AgX · Jan 6, 2016

The idea of that gas burst is to induce agitation to the bath, likely more effectiv than just a vertical movement of the hanger by motor.

Luis-F-S · Jan 6, 2016

bascom49 said:
I'm just about to pull the plug on ordering a nitrogen burst system from Alistair Inglis....does anyone have any experience with nitrogen burst systems, can anyone here give me any feedback or notes from their experiences ?

Thanks
Charles

That was the question. Surely someone on this forum has used one?????????? L

Photo Engineer · Jan 6, 2016

See my post!!!

blindpig · Jan 7, 2016

A possible problem with this type system is insuring that the burst doesn't rise unevenly and cause flow patterns on the film.I don't know about the system you are buying but in my experience the closer the dispersion tubes are to the film hangers the worse this condition may become. Otherwise as PE says it's a good system.

Photo Engineer · Jan 7, 2016

In practice, the sparger (technical name for the tube with holes in it) is at the bottom of the tank with the racked film above it. Ideally, you supplement the nitrogen burst for the first cycle to break up the tracks of the bubbles and to avoid having bubbles adhere to a dry surface before it becomes fully wetted.

PE

bascom49 · Jan 8, 2016

Thanks for the comments thus far.
A problem that some have had with a nitrogen burst system is streaking with stainless steel hangers.
This system is supposed to eliminate that issue with redesigned plexiglass hangers that include the sparger.

There is also an article published in View Camera magazine several years back that promoted nitrogen burst agitation and referenced a Kodak technical bulletin.
From that it seems that the purpose of the timed nitrogen burst is to raise the developer 5/8 of an inch, thus providing agitation.
The agitation is adjusted as a function of the gas pressure and the burst interval provided by the adjustable timer.

Bob Carnie · Jan 8, 2016

Even distribution of the burst is key, The big refremas for E6 were modified by a specialist to give even nitrogen burst along the rack..

Nitrogen Burst Processor

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