Design and construction of a radiographic film dryer

Radiographs are vital in hospital diagnostic processes. After a radiograph is processed from the developer, it must be dried before it can be interpreted by the radiologist. Two methods are basically available for radiograph drying – open sun drying and oven drying. Despite variability in weather conditions which can hamper effective radiograph drying, most diagnostic centers still rely on the open sun drying method due to the unavailability of radiograph dryer. This project presents the design and construction of a radiographic film dryer that is cost effective, user friendly and serviceable using local technology. The dryer is composed of a heater, a blower, an extractor and a drying cabin that is capable of containing 25 detachable film hangers (49.5 cm) placed into two rails (37 cm) at both sides. Good quality of dried radiographs were obtained when chamber heating/air evacuation were done at 5 minutes time interval. 25 radiographs of two major sizes; 18 cm × 24 cm (smallest) and 35 cm × 43 cm (largest) were dried approximately 5 and 10 minutes respectively at maximum temperature of 55 0C. The drying process was both temperature and time controlled as moisture content was removed from the processed films in real time for quick diagnostic processes.