Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: What are you doing with used xenon bulbs?

This is topic What are you doing with used xenon bulbs? in forum Digital Cinema Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://ft-forum.com/ft/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=16;t=001675

Posted by Justin Hamaker (Member # 2165) on 10-23-2013, 11:15 PM:

Since the change to digital, theatres are now going through 2-4 times as many bulbs as with film projectors. I'm just curious to know what you're doing with your used bulbs. Is anyone aware of any recycling programs specifically for xenon bulbs? I imagine the various components for the bulbs could be melted down and reused, and the plastic shields could be reused.

Posted by Phil Ranucci (Member # 3820) on 10-23-2013, 11:51 PM:

Tru dat! We've got quite a pile going now that we change at warranty hours.
There was a thread about warranties and it mentioned one maker that had a longer warranty than published for explosion damage. Who was that?
We switched to Phillips xenon lamps, and their covers are too long. You can't get the adaptor on (Barco). I smashed some Ushio 35mm covers and rinsed them out to use on the Phillips. Other than that, I don't think there is anything recyclable. There was a post about silver carbon holders. Nobody would take them.
http://www.film-tech.com/ubb/f1/t011531.html

Posted by Stephen Furley (Member # 1277) on 10-24-2013, 09:49 AM:

I would have thought that it would be worth recycling the xenon gas, given that:

1. It's expensive, over 1,000 times the price of argon for example.

2. It only makes up a fraction of a part per million, so you need to distill a lot of air to produce it.

3. It's almost inert, it can just about form compounds with Fluorine, but there won't have been any of that in the lamp. If extracted it would still be pure.

Maybe there just aren't enough xenon lamps being disposed of to make it worthwhile.

Posted by Alan Gilbertson (Member # 242) on 10-26-2013, 03:32 PM:

In our area the tungston is recycleable and most scrap yards will take it. Check prices before you sell!