Figure AI-2.—Electrolytic recovery unit.
the silver flake, or the flake can be scraped off with a
small putty knife.
SILVER RECOVERY FROM
SCRAP FILM AND PAPER
The silver that remains in black-and-white film and
paper after processing can also be recovered when the
film and paper become scrap. When an imaging facility
has a sufficient amount of black-and-white scrap, the
value of the silver in it can be substantial.
Recovering silver from black-and-white film and
paper scrap is more difficult than from solutions. This
process requires equipment beyond the scope of Navy
imaging facilities. Two factors make silver recovery
difficult. First, the base must be removed; second, the
silver is not in solution. Two basic methods are used to
recover silver from scrap film and paper. One method
is to burn the scrap, leaving a silver-rich ash. The other
method is to remove the silver by a wet-chemical
treatment. Both methods require further steps to
separate the silver from the ash or the chemical solution.
The need to recover as much silver as possible has
caused the Department of Defense (DoD) to set up a
precious metals recovery program.
Figure AI-3.—Electrolytic unit with a rotating cathode.
PRECIOUS METALS RECOVERY
PROGRAM
Within DoD there is a continuing requirement for
precious metals in the manufacture ofdefense materials.
Because of the diminishing supply of these precious
metals from domestic sources and an effort to reduce
the procurement cost of equipment containing precious
metals, it has become necessary for DoD to establish a
Precious Metals Recovery Program (PMRP). As a
Photographer’s Mate, you should be concerned with the
recovery of silver. The requirements of the PMRP are
set forth in the Navy Precious Metals Program,
AI-3
