(Sanitized) LABORATORY PROPOSAL

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78B04747A001800030005-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 17, 2001
• Sequence Number: 5
• Publication Date: June 22, 1961
• Content Type: MF

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TIMMY:a:
SUBJECT:
41 0,
68
Una
: Director, National Photographic Interpretation Center
Chief, Technical Plans and Development Staff
Laboratory Proposal
1. The proposal submitted. by concerning a 12tabaa
quality processing facility has been reviewed.
2. The design and environment for the proposed laboratory reflects
some very advanced tlainkleg and thorough understanding of the attendant
problems of processing high-quality, high-resolution film and the generation
of subsequent photographic reproductions. Particular attention he. been
given to air conditioning, humidity control and dust control. The views
on this particular subject have been expressed several times by the under-
signed in memoranda to Chief, TISD, and Chief, DMD. The testing of incoming
chemicals and photographic supplies has also been advocated by this writer
as a means of quality control. The particular subject of the incoming water
treatment is a matter of some controversy among chemists with thorn this
subject has been discussed over the past two years. There appears to be
two schools of thought almost diametrically opposed. One school advocates the
use of demineralized, de-ionized and distilled water, particularly that water
which is used for mixing chemical solutions and even the washing of photo-
graphic product:DJ such as film, glass plates and paper prints. The other
group demonstrates rather conclusively that certain impurities in the water
are a necessary requirement for the desired chemical reactions incurred in
the reduction of silver salt to metallic silver. however, both schools are
agreed on the one point of prover filtration to the particular sizes mention-
ed in the proposal.
3. It is the opinion of the undersigned that these chemical Mauritius
in the water are more necessary in color processing ive and sub-
tractive and the use of pure water has some advantages in the black and
white processes.
4. The design of the laboratory area in regard to floors, ceilings
and yells and the regard for personnel hygiene is indicative of a complete
appreciation of the existing problems. In the peat two years the andersigaee
has visited many so-called "white gloves" photographic laboratories. None
of the installations visited achieved the degree of cleanliness and environ-
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Declass Review by NIMA / DoD
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5. At first glance it night appear that this proposal is a little am-
bitious in its desire to achieve a processing facility having almost perfect
environment and. equipment and. the attendant cost of achieving these goals
is reflected by their desire to achieve perfection. For some years, it has
been the opinion of the undersigned that the amount of money expended in the
photograrbie laboratory processing facility has been totally inadequate
when compared to the coat of the various collection systems, the exploitation
equipment =1 the need to generate highest quality photographic materials.
Ibe equipment and envirOnment which were more Or less adequate when dealing
with low resolution materials (10 to 30 lines per etillimeter) are entirely
uneatable when considering higher resolution materials (50 lines per milli-
meter and mere). problems of equipment and environment become extremely
acute When considering 100 liras per millimeter or more and the type of
laboratory necessary to generate materials of erxtrenely high resolution has
been adequately described, in the proposal. 25X1A
6. In conclusion, the photographic laboratory facility plasmed for
25X1AINeethould include all of the features mentioned in this proposal
We
Any 'would. be indicative of poor planning.
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I. LABORATORY DESIGN
Primary consideration has been given to maximum efficiency
in work flow and the extremely high quality of the final product.
In addition, the mechanical layout of water, electricity, walls,
doors, etc. lends itself to simple installation of additional photo-
graphic processing and printing equipments r to more sophisticated
types of processing and printing machines.
For maximum cleanliness, the processing solutions are pumped
from a central chemical mix room to each of the developing rooms.
Each of the dark rooms may be isolated from the Laboratory proper
with no inconvenience to overall laboratory operations.
Moving parts, such as pumps, blowers compressors tc have
been isolated away from the critical laboratory proper and into a
central equipment room.
II. FACILITIES AND UTILITIES
The entire building is divided into four zones. Offices, library,
conference rooms, etc. designated as general area will be controlled
at 70?/ 3?F - 50% / 5% RH dust count 200 particles per cubic foot
maximum size 5 microns. The processing machine section, and wet
darkrooms will be maintained at 70? / 1?F 50% / 2% RH dust count
10 particles per cubic foot maximum size 1 micron. Film storage,
sensitometry sections, etc. will be maintained at 700/ 4? F, 50% /
4% RB, dust count 5 particles per cubic foot maximum size 0.3 microns.
The fourth zone will be known as sterishields. These are special designed
enclosures around film analysing machines with dust counts less than
5 particles per cubic foot maximum size 0.1 micron. Dust, temperature
and relative humidity will be maintained by separate air-handling
systems for the sterishields.
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.EQUIPMENT AN7rFACILITIES
In addition to equipment familiar to those versed in the state
of the art, specialized equipment will be installed in the super-
critical area.
For example, all incoming chemicals will be certified according
to ASA specifications. Formulae and processing solutions will he
maintained according to Strict specifications. These and many more
chemical analytical assays will be conducted with visible, ultra
violet and infrared spectroscopy. Polarography, titrimetry and pH
measurements will be continuously performed.
Microscopic slides of micron sections of film will be prepared
and analyzed. Dust counts (size, shape and number) will be studied
under high power microscopes and photographed for reference.
Sensitometers and densitometers will be available capable of
resolving 500-1000 lines/mm. An extremely high calibre darkroom
will be available for sensitometric analysis of film and processing
conditions.
Incoming water will be demineralized and tripledistilled in
order to prevent sludge deposits larger than 0.1 microns from
adhering to or forming in the photographic emulsions.
Mixing rooms and storage tanks will be housed in ultra clean
areas. Floating lids and/or nitrogen atmosphere can be !provided for.
Stand by generators will guarantee continuous operation of air
handling equipment and non-interruption of processing machine. Stand
by equipment in critical areas will eliminate down time.
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White room technology will exist through the laboratory.
Conductive linoleum which prevents static electricity will be
used throughout. Stainless steel walls and air ducts will provide'
for minimum dust promotion. Floors and ceiling will be coved.
Air locks pressure chambers sticky mats, shoe brushes non-filament
wearing apparel will be standard equipment. Continuous personnel
hygiene and work habits will be under strict surveillance and control.
Furniture will be specially designed.
IV. SUMMARY
Dust count and analysis will be conducted primarily as a quality
control function. In addition sausitive agents can be identified
and becomes a primary tool in education of personnel. A systematic
screening (personnel interview) and follow up (education) will
guarantee the continuous employment of a white room type" and the
fulfillment of the street objectives set forth.
V. Es'rIMATED COST FOR:
1 White Roos
1 Process Machine
1 Darkroom
All specialized test equipment.
Approximate Cost:
Additional Process
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IV. EQUIPMENT AW FACILITIES
A. Chemical Laboratory - In addition to the accepted laboratory
furniture the additional equipment will be as follows:
1. UV and Visible Spectrophotometer 25X1A
Model DK-2 recording
25X1A 24 Infrared Spectrophotometer recording
- Model #137
25X1A 3. Analytical Bal. Type S
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5.
6. Manual Larogroph - Model 3
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Zeromatic pH Meter - Model 15
Auto Titrimeter Model IC
B. Optical Lab.
1.
2.
Approximate Cost
Res. Microcope Model RTES-98
- Model L Camera
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3. Other accessories-(ocular, objectives, 25X1A
micrometer stage, illuminatortetc.)
C. Sensitometry
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25X1A o Model 3 - Microdensitometer or 25X1A
Model 23050-Recording Micro photometer
Microdensitometer. 25X1A
25X1A 2. Sensitometer or III 25X1A
ns ome er
Approximate Cost
Approximate Cost
D. Office
Dictaphone Telecord Dic a ion system complete
Approximate Cost
E. Water Supply
25X1A Deminerelizer and Distilling equipment
complete for 300 gals, per hr. cap.
Approximate Cost
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F. Wide Webinrocess Machine-
Approx. speed 4 ft. per min - 18" wide cap.
Approximate Cost
Approximate Cost
Mixins and Storage Area (price dependent upon daily
production)
G. Miscellaneous Dark Room
White ROOM - This white room will Approximate Cost
be approx. 5,000 SQ. ft.
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