Kodak Polychrome Graphics, Gmbh

Randolph Alben Horton

Dean Ginther

Pradip Goolab Gopal

A process for treating alkaline solutions obtained from lithographic printing plate processing comprises admixing at least one alkaline solution and at least one acidic solution in the presence of at least one aqueous solution to obtain a discharge solution having a pH in the range of about 5.0 to 11.5. Another process for treating alkaline solutions obtained from lithographic printing plate processing comprises admixing at least one alkaline solution and at least one aqueous waste water solution to obtain an aqueous alkaline solution, and admixing the resultant aqueous alkaline solution with at least one acidic solution to obtain a discharge solution having a pH in the range of about 5.0 to 11.5, and to control systems for such processes, and methods of controlling such processes. The alkaline solution has a pH greater than 7.0, preferably greater than about 12.5, and the acidic solution has a pH less than 7.0, preferably less than about 2.5. The alkaline, acidic and aqueous solutions are admixed in volume ratios in the range of about 1 part alkaline: 0.2-4.0 parts acidic: &gE;50 parts aqueous. The invention advantageously avoids the formation of unacceptable gels, sludge, or precipitate which typically occurs if the acidic solution is used to neutralize the alkaline solution.

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Greenboro, NC, United States of America

Randolph Alben Horton