Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to an improved process for scouring wool and apparatus
to carry out wool scouring.
Background Art
[0002] Wool is one of the most important animal fibres used in textile manufacture. Wool
is considered superior to other fibres because of its outstanding natural properties
of feel, moisture absorption, strength and its ability to hang. Before wool can be
used in textile manufacture or for other uses, it must undergo a number of treatment
processes (see US-A-3702264).
[0003] Raw wool from sheep and other animals contains many constituents considered contaminants
by wool processors and the contaminants must be substantially removed from the wool
prior to use. The type and amount of contaminants can vary according to breed, nutrition,
environment and position of the wool on the animal. The main contaminants are a solvent-soluble
fraction called wool grease, protein material, a water-soluble fraction (largely perspiration
salts collectively termed suint), dirt and vegetable matter in the form of burrs and
seeds from pastures. A fleece may contain up to 30% by weight of contaminants, depending
on the animal, so it is important that the wool is treated before use.
[0004] The first process of preparing wool involves the removal of the contaminants and
this process is termed scouring.
[0005] In traditional wool scouring, the contaminants on the wool, mainly grease, dirt,
suint and protein material are washed from the wool fibre using water and detergents.
The contaminants remain in the waste water either in emulsion or suspension (grease,
dirt, protein) or in solution (suint). Extraction of the waste water produces grease
contaminated with detergent and suint and is termed wool grease. The traditional methods
of wool scouring involve extensive processing, the addition of detergents, and the
use of large amounts of water. Typical scouring plants can consume up to half a million
litres of water per day. Apart from the requirement of a large amount of water, there
is a problem of disposing of the waste water without unduly contaminating the environment.
The problem of disposal involves further expense and, with stricter environmental
emission controls. requires some form of treatment prior to release into the environment.
[0006] Other contaminants present in raw wool include herbicides and pesticides which often
require specific treatment to remove them from waste water produced in conventional
scouring. Any increased costs of scouring wool are usually passed on to the consumer
and therefore result in an increase in the price of wool in relation to other competing
fibres, including man-made fibres, used in the same industries.
[0007] The present inventor has developed a method for scouring wool that requires substantially
less water consumption than present methods and involves an efficient means of producing
clean wool.
Disclosure of Invention
[0008] In a first aspect the present invention consists in a process for scouring wool comprising
the steps of:
(a) treating the wool so as to cause at least partial liquefaction of grease contaminants
present in the wool;
(b) adding to the wool a material capable of absorbing liquefied grease contaminants
in wool, steps (a) and (b) can be carried out in any order;
(c) mixing the wool and the grease-absorbing material such that a desired amount of
the liquefied grease contaminants absorb to the material; and
(d) separating the grease-absorbed material from the wool.
[0009] In a second aspect, the present invention consists in an apparatus for scouring wool
comprising:
(a) a treating means to cause at least partial liquefaction of grease contaminants
present in the wool;
(b) a vessel adapted to receive wool and a material capable of absorbing liquefied
grease contaminants present in wool;
(c) means for mixing the wool and grease-absorbing material in the vessel; and
(d) means for separating the grease-absorbed material from the wool, wherein the treating
means causes at least partial liquefaction of the grease contaminants when the wool
is in the vessel, and the wool and the grease-absorbing material are mixed in the
vessel by the mixing means such that a desired amount of the liquefied-grease contaminants
absorb to the material prior to separation.
[0010] Preferably, the treating involves heating the wool. More preferably, the treating
involves differential heating such that the grease contaminants are heated while the
wool fibres and the grease-absorbing material are substantially unheated or at least
heated less than the grease contaminants.
[0011] Liquefaction of the grease contaminants occurs around 50-60°C. In order reduce the
possibility of causing damage to the wool fibres, the temperature of the wool fibres
during scouring should preferably not exceed about 70°C. In order to obtain the differential
heating, the treating step preferably involves heating by irradiation with microwave
energy. It will be appreciated that any other treatment that causes the grease contaminants
to at least partially liquefy while not substantially heating the wool or the grease-absorbing
material to the same temperature of the grease contaminants could also be used for
the present invention.
[0012] Treating the wool and mixing the wool with the grease-absorbing material are preferably
carried out in the one vessel. This assists in the control of the scouring process
and ensures that the wool and the grease-absorbing are mixed sufficiently to allow
the liquefied grease to come in contact with the grease-absorbing material and be
removed from the wool. Any vessel that can induce mixing of the wool and grease-absorbing
material would be suitable. Examples of suitable vessels include cyclone chambers,
rotary drums and augers.
[0013] It will be appreciated that the grease-absorbing material can be added before or
during the treating step. The scouring process may be carried out in batch or in a
continuous manner depending on the apparatus being used to carry out the process.
[0014] The grease-absorbing material is preferably a particulate material. A particulate
material particularly suitable for the present invention is diatomaceous earth. Other
materials which absorb grease, however, would also be suitable for use in the present
invention. Examples of such materials include talc powder, silicon dioxide, hydroxylapatite,
silica gel and other particulate matter capable of absorbing grease and oils. As diatomaceous
earth is known for its ability to absorb water, it would be appreciated that other
hygroscopic materials may also absorb grease, fats and oils present in wool and therefore
may be suitable for the present invention.
[0015] The amount of grease-absorbing material added to the wool varies depending on the
degree of contamination of the wool and the extent of scouring required. Furthermore,
the ratio of grease-absorbing material to wool would depend on the grease-absorbing
capacity of the material used and the type and degree of contamination of the wool
to be scoured. The quality and quantity of grease and other contaminants in the wool
would also influence the amount of grease-absorbing material required. It will be
appreciated that different types of wool may also require different amounts of grease-absorbing
material.
[0016] Upon liquefaction of the grease contaminants, the mixing of the grease-absorbing
material with the wool results in the grease contaminants absorbing to the material
and therefore being removed from the wool fibres. It would also be appreciated that
some of the other contaminants present in the wool, for example dirt and vegetable
matter, will also be associated with the liquefied grease and be removed from the
fibres by the present invention.
[0017] One advantage of the present invention is that there is no requirement for the addition
of significant amounts of water during the scouring process. It will be appreciated,
however, that there will be moisture associated with the wool.
[0018] The process of the present invention is adaptable so that the extent of removal of
the grease contaminants from the wool can be manipulated. In order that the scoured
wool may be treated efficiently for textile use, a small proportion of grease is usually
retained in the wool in order to assist handling. The present invention allows the
control of the amount of grease removed from wool by manipulating the degree of treatment,
the amount of grease-absorbing material used during scouring, and the extent of mixing.
[0019] The present process and apparatus for wool scouring is suitable for all forms of
wool and not limited to wool produced by sheep. For example, wool from alpacas, goats
and the like could also be scoured with the method and apparatus of the present invention.
[0020] It will be expected that the degree of contamination of wool, in particular from
sheep, varies greatly according to the breed of animal and the environment in which
the animal is raised. In Australia, wool from sheep raised in Queensland often contains
less grease contaminants but more dust and dirt compared to sheep raised, for example,
in the cooler climates in southern Australia. Furthermore, lambs wool has a much lower
percent of contaminants than wool from adult sheep and therefore requires less treatment
to be scoured appropriately. The present method can be controlled so as ensure optimum
scouring of different wools. When the treating means includes microwave radiation,
the degree of irradiation can be changed in proportion to the amount of grease contaminants
in the wool. By including monitors within the apparatus of the present invention,
continual feedback on the degree of removal of the grease contaminants can be obtained.
It will be appreciated that microprocessor and computer control can be applied to
the apparatus such that the degree of scouring required can be monitored and adjusted
accordingly.
[0021] The apparatus of the present invention can be used in isolation or several units
may be coupled in series so that gradual scouring is achieved as the wool passes to
each successive apparatus. The scoured wool may be treated subsequently, for example
washed, to remove remaining dirt and other particulate matter, and the wool processed
further in the usual manner.
[0022] The grease-absorbed material may be processed further such that the grease is removed
and the material can be re-used. The grease removed from the wool may be processed
further to produce lanolin in the usual manner.
[0023] The use of microwave energy to heat the wool utilises the fact that compounds with
different dielectric constants absorb microwave energy differently. Materials with
high dielectric constants absorb microwaves preferentially and therefore are heated
before materials with lower dielectric constants. As grease contaminants in wool have
high dielectric constants, they preferentially absorb microwaves and are heated while
wool and the grease-absorbing material, which have lower dielectric constants, absorb
microwaves substantially less than the grease and therefore are not heated to the
same degree.
[0024] The microwave frequency used in the present invention is in the order of 2.45 GHz.
This frequency is the one available for use in Australia but other frequencies may
also be used in the present invention. For a wool scouring plant treating about 4
tonne of wool grease per day using the apparatus of the present invention would require
approximately 100 kW of energy per hour. One advantage of the use of microwave technology
is the amount of energy needed can be adjusted up to about 520 kW using microwave
generators presently available.
[0025] In a third aspect, the present invention consists in wool scoured by the process
according to the first aspect of the present invention.
[0026] In order that the present invention may be more clearly understood. forms will be
described with reference to the drawings.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0027]
Figure 1 is a schematic of an apparatus including a rotating drum and a de-duster
for scouring wool according to the present invention;
Figure 2 is a schematic side elevation of an embodiment of a cyclone that can be used
for scouring wool; and
Figure 3 is a schematic plan view of the cyclone of Figure 2.
Modes for Carrying Out the Invention
[0028] As indicated in Figure 1, the wool scouring apparatus 10 of this embodiment comprises
a rotating drum 20, a microwave energy source 30 and a de-dusting machine 40. The
drum 20 is provided with inlets 21 and 22 at one end through which wool and a grease-absorbing
material can be added.
[0029] The drum 20 is also provided with an inlet port 23 through which microwave radiation
is transmitted from the microwave energy source 30.
[0030] After treatment, the wool and grease-absorbing material exit the drum 20 via port
24 along passage 25 through to port 41 of the de-dusting machine 40 where the scoured
wool is separated from the grease-absorbed material. The scoured wool exits through
port 42 and the grease-absorbed material exits through port 43.
[0031] In use, unscoured raw ("greasy") wool is fed into the drum 20 through port 21. The
grease-absorbing material in the form of diatomaceous earth is fed into the drum 20
through port 22. Typically, the wool and diatomaceous earth are conveyed pneumatically
through their respective inlet ports 21 and 22.
[0032] Microwave radiation is transmitted into the drum 20 through port 23. The wool and
diatomaceous earth are mixed by rotation of the drum 20 while being subjected to the
microwave radiation. This microwave energy is absorbed by the grease contaminants
in the wool, thereby heating the grease and causing at least some of it to liquefy.
The diatomaceous earth absorbs the liquid grease as the two come in contact while
being mixed within the drum 20. Other contaminants, including dirt and suint, associated
with the grease may also absorb to the grease-absorbing material and also be removed
by the scouring process. Once the wool and diatomaceous earth have been mixed for
a period of time such that the required amount of grease is removed from the wool
to the diatomaceous earth, the mixture is fed from the drum 20 via port 24 to the
de-dusting machine 40 through port 41. The scoured wool is then separated from the
grease-absorbed diatomaceous earth through a combination of mechanical and air movement
and removed through port 42.
[0033] The grease-absorbed diatomaceous earth is removed via port 43 of the de-dusting machine
40. If required, the grease-absorbed diatomaceous earth is optionally conveyed to
a reprocessing plant where the diatomaceous earth and the wool grease are separated.
This may be through a combination of microwave energy exposure and chemical washing.
The "cleaned" diatomaceous earth may then be reused for further scouring.
[0034] The amount of irradiation can be adjusted according to the volume of wool to be scoured
and the degree of contaminants in the wool. Furthermore, the amount of grease-absorbing
material may also be adjusted depending on the amount of grease present in the wool
and the degree of scouring required. The scouring process can be monitored
in situ and the volume of wool, amount of irradiation and amount of grease-absorbing material
changed in order to optimise the scouring process.
[0035] Although the embodiment described above utilises an apparatus to separate the scoured
wool from the grease-absorbed material, it will be appreciated that the whole process
can be carried out in the one apparatus. Furthermore, any means that will allow the
removal of the scoured wool from the grease-absorbed material would be suitable. Such
methods would include cyclone separation, washing, willowing, shaking, filtering and
spinning.
[0036] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the wool scouring apparatus of this embodiment comprises
a cyclone 1 having a cyclone chamber defined by a cylindrical housing mounted on top
of an inverted frustro-conical section. The chamber is provided with inlet ports 2,
3 through which material may be added into the chamber.
[0037] The chamber is also provided with inlet ports 4 through which microwave radiation
is transmitted into the chamber. Typically, inlet ports 4 are waveguides connected
to the cyclone 1. The microwave ports 4 are suitably spaced equi-angularly around
the cyclone housing 1, and at vertically spaced locations, as shown more clearly in
Figure 3. Microwave transparent window screens are suitably provided between the cyclone
chamber and the ports 4, to prevent material from entering the ports 4 from the cyclone
chamber.
[0038] Outlet ports 5, 6 are provided respectively at the top and bottom of the cyclone
1.
[0039] In use, unscoured raw ("greasy") wool is fed into the cyclone 1 through port 2. At
the same time, a grease-absorbing material (such as diatomaceous earth) is fed into
the cyclone chamber through port 3. Typically, the wool and diatomaceous earth are
conveyed pneumatically through their respective inlet ports.
[0040] Microwave radiation is transmitted into the cyclone chamber 1 through ports 4.
[0041] The wool and diatomaceous earth are mixed by the action of the turbulent flow created
inside the cyclone chamber 1, while being subjected to the microwave energy. This
microwave energy is absorbed by the grease contaminants, thereby heating the grease
and causing it to become liquid. The diatomaceous earth absorbs the liquid grease
as the two come in contact while being mixed within the cyclone chamber. Other contaminants,
including dirt and suint, associated with the grease may also absorb to the grease
absorbing material.
[0042] As a result of such absorption of the liquefied wool grease, the density or weight
of the diatomaceous earth increases, causing it to migrate to the bottom of the cyclone
chamber as it can no longer be supported by the turbulent air flow. The grease-containing
diatomaceous earth is then removed from the outlet port 6 of the cyclone 1 by a metering
device (such as a rotary feeder or valve) and/or pneumatic conveyor.
[0043] Conversely, the density or weight of the wool decreases as the grease is removed
therefrom, and hence the clean wool migrates to the top of the cyclone 1 where it
is removed through outlet port 5 by a metering device and/or pneumatic conveyor.
[0044] The grease-absorbed diatomaceous earth removed from the cavity is suitably conveyed
to a reprocessing chamber where the two elements, namely the diatomaceous earth and
the wool grease, are separated, e.g. through a combination of microwave exposure and
chemical washing. The "cleaned" diatomaceous earth may then be reused for further
scouring.
[0045] The amount of irradiation can be adjusted according to the volume of wool to be scoured
and the content of contaminants in the wool. Furthermore, the amount of grease-absorbing
material may also be adjusted depending on the amount of grease present in the wool
and the degree of scouring required. The scouring process can be monitored
in situ and the volume of wool, amount of irradiation, and amount of grease absorbing material
changed in order to optimise the process.
[0046] In order to test the efficiency of the process according to the present invention,
experiments were carried out in an apparatus as previously described with reference
to Figure 1 comprising a rotating drum and a de-dusting machine. Two kilograms of
greasy wool (comprising about 25% per weight wool grease) were treated by different
variations of the process as shown in Table 1. Diatomaceous earth was used as the
grease-absorbing material and was mixed with the wool in the ratios (wt/wt) as described.
In order to test whether an additional washing/extraction step was of use to improve
the scouring process, a water or 1,1,2-Trichloroethane solvent rinse was also incorporated
in some of the tests. Residual ash is defined as grease-absorbing material, vegetable
matter and any other particulate material present during scouring. The temperature
indicated is the temperature to which the grease contaminants were heated with microwave
irradiation in the rotating drum.
[0047] Table 1 shows the results of tests carried out on wool scoured according to several
variations of the process of the present invention. As can be seen from the results,
the process allows substantial removal of grease and other contaminants from wool.
[0048] The present invention provides a fast and economical method of scouring wool. Moreover,
the wool is scoured in a substantially "dry" process which leaves minimal waste products
and is environmentally acceptable.
[0049] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or
modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without
departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present
embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not
restrictive.
Table 1
Sample Test |
Temperature (°C) |
Grease-Absorbing Material/ Wool Ratio |
Water Rinse |
Solvent Rinse |
Ash Removal |
Residual Grease (%) |
Residual Ash (%) |
1 |
58 |
1:1 |
N |
N |
A |
5.60 |
14.89 |
2 |
58 |
1:1 |
N |
N |
A |
5.89 |
12.58 |
3 |
58 |
1:1 |
N |
N |
B |
3.87 |
10.58 |
4 |
58 |
1:1 |
N |
N |
B |
3.68 |
10.20 |
5 |
58 |
1:2 |
N |
N |
C |
2.67 |
5.87 |
6 |
58 |
1:2 |
N |
N |
C |
2.69 |
5.99 |
7 |
58 |
1:2 |
N |
N |
D |
1.89 |
3.57 |
8 |
58 |
1:2 |
N |
N |
D |
1.89 |
3.62 |
9 |
58 |
1:2 |
N |
N |
E |
1.38 |
1.76 |
10 |
58 |
1:2 |
N |
N |
E |
1.40 |
1.70 |
11 |
58 |
1:2 |
N |
Y |
B |
0.85 |
1.26 |
12 |
58 |
1:2 |
N |
Y |
B |
0.78 |
1.28 |
13 |
58 |
1:2 |
Y |
N |
B |
0.92 |
1.29 |
14 |
58 |
1:2 |
Y |
N |
B |
0.87 |
1.17 |
Notes
Water Rinse Rinse after microwave treatment and ash removal
Solvent Rinse Rinse after microwave treatment and ash removal |
Ash removal:
A No ash removal
B one pass through non-adjustable commercial removal unit
C two passes through non-adjustable commercial removal unit
D three passes through non-adjustable commercial removal unit
E four passes through non-adjustable commercial removal unit |
1. A process for scouring wool comprising the steps of:
(a) treating the wool to cause at least partial liquefaction of grease contaminants
present in the wool;
(b) adding to the wool a material capable of absorbing liquefied grease contaminants
in wool wherein steps (a) and (b) can be carried out in any order;
(c) mixing the wool and the grease-absorbing material such that at least some of the
liquefied grease contaminants absorb to the material; and
(d) separating the grease-absorbed material from the wool;
characterised in that the treating step (a) is undertaken by irradiation with microwave energy which provides
differential heating such that the grease contaminants are heated while wool fibres
are substantially unheated or heated less than the grease contaminants.
2. The process according to Claim 1 wherein when step (a) occurs after step (b).
3. The process according to Claim 2 wherein the temperature of the wool fibres during
the scouring process is less than about 70°C.
4. The process according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein steps (a), (b) and (c) are
carried out in one vessel.
5. The process according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the grease-absorbing material
is selected from the group consisting of diatomaceous earth, talc powder, silicon
dioxide, hydroxylapatite, and silica gel.
6. The process according to claim 5 wherein the grease-absorbing material is diatomaceous
earth.
7. The process according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the wool is obtained from
sheep.
8. A process for scouring wool, the process comprising the steps of:
(a) treating the wool to cause at least partial liquefaction of grease contaminants
present in the wool wherein the temperature of the wool fibres during the process
is less than about 70°C;
(b) adding to the wool diatomaceous earth capable of absorbing liquefied grease contaminants
in wool;
(c) mixing the wool and the diatomaceous earth with a cyclone chamber, a rotary drum,
or an auger such that at least some of the liquefied grease contaminants absorb to
the diatomaceous earth; and
(d) separating the grease-absorbed diatomaceous earth from the wool; wherein the treating
step (a) is undertaken by irradiation with microwave energy which provides differential
heating such that the grease contaminants are heated while wool fibres are substantially
unheated or heated less than the grease contaminants.
9. The process according to claim 8 wherein the wool is obtained from sheep.
10. An apparatus for scouring wool, the apparatus comprising:
(a) a vessel adapted to receive wool and a material capable of absorbing liquefied
grease contaminants in wool;
(b) means to treat wool in the vessel causing at least partial liquefaction of grease
contaminants present in the wool;
(c) means for mixing the wool and the grease-absorbing material in the vessel; and
(d) means for separating the grease-absorbed material from the wool;
wherein the wool and the grease-absorbing material are mixed in the vessel by the
mixing means such that at least some of the liquefied grease contaminants absorb to
the material prior to separation; and wherein the means to treat the wool generates
microwave energy which provides differential heating such that the grease contaminants
are heated while wool fibres are substantially unheated or heated less than the grease
contaminants.
11. The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the mixing means is selected from the
group consisting of cyclone chamber, a rotary drum, and an auger.
12. The apparatus according to Claim 11, wherein the mixing means is a rotary drum.
13. The apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 12 wherein the means for separating
the greased-absorbed material is a de-dusting machine.
1. Verfahren zum Entfetten von Wolle, das die folgenden Schritte umfaßt:
a) Behandeln der Wolle, um eine wenigstens teilweise Verflüssigung der in der Wolle
vorhandenen Fettverunreinigungen zu bewirken,
b) Zugeben eines Materials zur Wolle, das verflüssigte Fettverunreinigungen in Wolle
absorbieren kann, wobei die Schritte a) und b) in jeder Reihenfolge ausgeführt werden
können,
c) Mischen der Wolle und des fettabsorbierenden Materials derart, daß wenigstens einige
der verflüssigten Fettverunreinigungen in das Material absorbiert werden,
d) Abscheiden des fettabsorbierten Materials von der Wolle,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Behandlungsschritt a) durch Bestrahlung mit Mikrowellenenergie unternommen wird,
die ein differenziertes Erhitzen gewährleistet derart, daß die Fettverunreinigungen
erhitzt werden, während die Wollfasern wesentlich unerhitzt bleiben oder weniger erhitzt
werden als die Fettverunreinigungen.
2. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, bei dem der Schritt a) nach dem Schritt b) erfolgt.
3. Verfahren nach Anspruch 2, bei dem die Temperatur der Wollfasern während des Entfettungsverfahrens
weniger als etwa 70°C beträgt.
4. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, bei dem die Schritte a), b) und c) in
einem Gefäß ausgeführt werden.
5. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, bei dem das fettabsorbierende Material
aus der Gruppe gewählt wird, die aus Kieselgur, Talkumpuder, Siliziumdioxid, Hydroxyl-Apatit
und Silicagel besteht.
6. Verfahren nach Anspruch 5, bei dem das fettabsorbierende Material Kieselgur ist.
7. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 6, bei dem die Wolle von Schafen gewonnen
wird.
8. Verfahren zum Entfetten von Wolle, das die folgenden Schritte umfaßt:
a) Behandeln der Wolle, um eine wenigstens teilweise Verflüssigung der in der Wolle
vorhandenen Fettverunreinigungen zu bewirken, wobei die Temperatur der Wollfasern
während des Verfahrens weniger als etwa 70°C beträgt,
b) Zugeben von Kieselgur zur Wolle, die in der Lage ist, verflüssigte Fettverunreinigungen
in Wolle zu absorbieren,
c) Mischen der Wolle und der Kieselgur mit einer Zyklonkammer, einer Drehtrommel oder
einer Schnecke derart, daß wenigstens einige der verflüssigten Fettverunreinigungen
in die Kieselgur absorbiert werden, und
d) Abscheiden der fettabsorbierten Kieselgur von der Wolle, wobei der Behandlungsschritt
a) durch Bestrahlung mit Mikrowellenenergie unternommen wird, die ein differenziertes
Erhitzen gewährleistet derart, daß die Fettverunreinigungen erhitzt werden, während
die Wollfasern wesentlich unerhitzt bleiben oder weniger erhitzt werden als die Fettverunreinigungen.
9. Verfahren nach Anspruch 8, bei dem die Wolle von Schafen gewonnen wird.
10. Vorrichtung zum Entfetten von Wolle, wobei die Vorrichtung folgendes umfaßt:
a) ein Gefäß, das für die Aufnahme von Wolle und einem Material geeignet ist, das
verflüssigte Fettverunreinigungen in Wolle absorbieren kann,
b) Mittel zum Behandeln der Wolle im Gefäß, um eine wenigstens teilweise Verflüssigung
der in der Wolle vorhandenen Fettverunreinigungen zu bewirken,
c) Mittel zum Mischen der Wolle und des fettabsorbierenden Materials im Gefäß und
d) Mittel zum Abscheiden des fettabsorbierten Materials von der Wolle,
bei der die Wolle und das fettabsorbierende Material im Gefäß durch die Mischmittel
derart gemischt werden, daß vor dem Abscheiden wenigstens einige der verflüssigten
Fettverunreinigungen in das Material absorbiert werden, und bei der das Mittel zum
Behandeln der Wolle Mikrowellenenergie erzeugt, die ein differenziertes Erhitzen gewährleistet
derart, daß die Fettverunreinigungen erhitzt werden, während die Wollfasern wesentlich
unerhitzt bleiben oder weniger erhitzt werden als die Fettverunreinigungen.
11. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 10, bei der das Mischmittel aus der Gruppe gewählt wird,
die aus einer Zyklonkammer, einer Drehtrommel und einer Schnecke besteht.
12. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 11, bei der das Mischmittel eine Drehtrommel ist.
13. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 10 bis 12, bei der das Mittel zum Abscheiden
des fettabsorbierten Materials eine Entstaubungsmaschine ist.
1. Procédé de lavage de laine, comprenant les étapes:
(a) traitement de la laine pour entraîner une liquéfaction au moins partielle des
contaminants de graisse présents dans la laine;
(b) addition à la laine d'un matériau capable d'absorber les contaminants de graisse
liquéfiés dans la laine, les étapes (a) et (b) pouvant être exécutées dans un ordre
quelconque;
(c) mélange de la laine et du matériau d'absorption de la graisse de sorte qu'au moins
certains des contaminants de graisse liquéfiés sont absorbés par le matériau; et
(d) séparation du matériau d'absorption de la graisse de la laine;
caractérisé en ce que l'étape de traitement (a) est effectuée par irradiation avec de l'énergie micro-onde
assurant un chauffage différentiel de sorte que les contaminants de graisse sont chauffés,
les fibres de laine n'étant pratiquement pas chauffées ou chauffées moins que les
contaminants de graisse.
2. Procédé selon la revendication 1, dans lequel l'étape (a) est effectuée après l'étape
(b).
3. Procédé selon la revendication 2, dans lequel la température des fibres de laine au
cours du procédé de lavage est inférieure à environ 70°C.
4. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, dans lequel les étapes (a),
(b) et (c) sont effectuées dans une cuve.
5. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, dans lequel le matériau d'absorption
de la graisse est sélectionné dans le groupe constitué de terre à diatomées, de poudre
de talc, de dioxyde de silicium, d'hydroxapathite et de gel de silice.
6. Procédé selon la revendication 5, dans lequel le matériau d'absorption de la graisse
est de la terre à diatomées.
7. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6, dans lequel la laine est
de la laine d'agneau.
8. Procédé de lavage de laine, le procédé comprenant les étapes:
(a) traitement de la laine pour entraîner une liquéfaction au moins partielle des
contaminants de graisse présents dans la laine, la température des fibres de laine
au cours du procédé étant inférieure à environ 70°C;
(b) addition à la laine de terre à diatomées, capable d'absorber les contaminants
de graisse liquéfiés de la laine;
(c) mélange de la laine et de la terre à diatomées par l'intermédiaire d'une chambre
à cyclone, d'un tambour rotatif, ou une vis sans fin, de sorte qu'au moins certains
des contaminants de graisse liquéfiés sont absorbés par la terre à diatomées; et
(d) séparation de la terre à diatomées à absorption de la graisse de la laine; l'étape
de traitement (a) étant effectuée par irradiation avec de l'énergie micro-onde assurant
un chauffage différentiel de sorte que les contaminants de graisse sont chauffés,
les fibres de laine n'étant pratiquement pas chauffées ou chauffées moins que les
contaminants de graisse.
9. Procédé selon la revendication 8, dans lequel la laine est de la laine d'agneau.
10. Dispositif de lavage de laine, le dispositif comprenant:
(a) une cuve, destinée à recevoir la laine et un matériau capable d'absorber les contaminants
de graisse liquéfiés dans la laine;
(b) un moyen destiné à traiter la laine dans la cuve, entraînant au moins une liquéfaction
partielle des contaminants de graisse présents dans la laine;
(c) un moyen destiné à mélanger la laine et le matériau d'absorption de la graisse
dans la cuve; et
(d) un moyen destiné à séparer le matériau d'absorption de la graisse de la laine;
la laine et le matériau d'absorption de la graisse étant mélangés dans la cuve
par un moyen de mélange, de sorte qu'au moins certains des contaminants de graisse
liquéfiés sont absorbés par le matériau avant la séparation; le moyen destiné à traiter
la laine produisant une énergie micro-onde assurant un chauffage différentiel, de
sorte que les contaminants de graisse sont chauffés, les fibres de laine n'étant pratiquement
pas chauffées ou chauffées moins que les contaminants de graisse.
11. Dispositif selon la revendication 10, dans lequel le moyen de mélange est sélectionné
dans le groupe constitué d'une chambre à cyclone, d'un tambour rotatif et d'une vis
sans fin.
12. Dispositif selon la revendication 11, dans lequel le moyen de mélange est un tambour
rotatif.
13. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 10 à 12, dans lequel le moyen
destiné à séparer le matériau d'absorption de la graisse est une machine de dépoussiérage.