Determination of the Optimum Conditions for the Recovery of Silver from Photographic Fixer Solutions Used in Hospitals and Clinics at Anbar, Iraq

Abstract

A low cost metal replacement method has been used to determine the optimum conditions for a typical recovery of silver from photographic fixer solutions used in different clinics. The chosen experimental perimeters were (i) pH range 4-5, (ii) suitable acid at concentration range 5-10 % (by weight), (iii) room temperature process condition, (iv) different waste metals and metal alloys, (v) reaction time 3-12 days, (vi) silver concentration in the manageable fixer solutions (< 5 mg/L). This method of using the above optimum conditions was found particularly suitable for the local treatment of fixer solutions in a manner which enables silver recovery at a considerably minimized cost and reduced environmental pollution.