EP0547189B1 - Process for giving wool a felt-free finish - Google Patents

Abstract

In order to finish or treat wool or woollen fibre so as to provide as felt-free a surface as possible, the wool or fibres are briefly treated by means of a substantially strongly acid, aqueous solution of potassium permanganate.

Description

The present invention relates to a method for finishing felt-free wool. of wool fibers.

It is generally known that wool gradually becomes matted during washing or in general after prolonged contact with water, i.e. the individual fibers in woolen fabrics lose their elasticity and crimp and the textile material is compacted. Correspondingly, wool items must either be cleaned chemically or washed extremely gently - certainly unfavorable conditions at a time when all items should be washable with the washing machine as universally and easily as possible.

For this reason, the number of known felt-free finishing processes of wool, respectively. variety of wool fibers and the most common and best-known finishing process is the so-called chlorine-Hercosett process, which is mainly used on woolen rovings, the application of which gives good results in felt-free finishing. An in-depth appreciation of this procedure can be dispensed with, since this procedure in the relevant industry or is well known from the relevant literature. The processing performed in the first stage of this process the chlorination of the wool fibers is the longer the more problematic for environmental reasons as apply (alogen compounds = A bsorbierbare, O rganic H) in the waste water resulting from the chlorination absorbed chlorine compounds, so-called AOX substances . Legislative requirements for The future with regard to permissible AOX in chemical plants is such that the further use of the chlorine-Hercosett process has to be questioned. Another disadvantage of this process is the use of a polyamide resin in a further process step to increase the felt-free effect and to protect the wool fiber trunk on the chlorine-treated wool fiber.

FR-2 359 233 describes a device or a method for the continuous impregnation of textile threads, the threads being passed through individual tubes for the coating process. The advantage of this system or this process control is that the bath volume can be reduced as a result and a reduced air mixing can take place on the surface of the bath. The disclosed device is not suitable for the finishing of fiber strands, in particular the felt-free finishing of wool fiber strands, but it must be possible to define concentration gradients that must be precisely set during the treatment process, or it must be possible to set a precisely defined concentration drop in the treatment bath as the treatment duration progresses to be able to. For the felt-free process with potassium permanganate, it is imperative that the fiber material newly entering the liquor come into contact with liquor of the same initial concentration at all times and that the used ambient liquor of the emerging wool must have a constant final concentration (towards zero) when leaving this device.

The system proposed in FR-2 359 233 is particularly suitable for treating textile webs with treatment solutions which show no or only a very weak chemical reaction with the solid fiber material, ie the concentration of the treatment solution does not change or only slightly, as is the case with continuous impregnation or dyeing. If there is to be a stronger interaction between the so applied fleet and the textile goods, this takes place outside the application device, for example in a subsequent heater, dryer or steamer.

Against the background of these disadvantages, the enzymatic treatment of wool was developed, for which the article by H.R. Haefely, Textilveredelung 24, (1989), 7,8, pages 271-276. This "enzyme process" can dispense with the use of the undesirable polyamide, but in practice it has been shown that chemical pretreatment of the wool is still necessary in a first stage, albeit with a greatly reduced effect .

GB-PS 586 020 proposes wool or wool fibers in an acidic solution of potassium permanganate with a pH <2, preferably in a pH range of 1.5-1.7, for a period of 1-2 minutes to treat a liquor ratio of 1 kg wool to 14 liter liquor. However, it has been shown that this treatment only leads to acceptable results if either the wool is washed intensively before the treatment, or if it is provided with a wetting agent so that the wool fiber is holistically separated from it in the short treatment time of approx. 1 minute Wetting solution is penetrated. The method described has not proven itself in practice, since an enrichment of the wetting agents washed out of the wool has resulted in the felt-free finish being impeded by excessive brownstone precipitations and corresponding inequality. In addition, the method described in GB-PS 586 020 is not suitable for continuous processes. Therefore it will only examples of discontinuous batch treatments are given.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to propose a continuous felt-free finishing process whose efficiency in felt-free finishing corresponds to the processes known today, but in which chemical pretreatment using chlorine can be dispensed with entirely.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by means of a method according to the wording according to claim 1. According to the invention, the wool is proposed. briefly treat the wool fibers for a felt-free finish with an essentially strongly acidic, aqueous solution of potassium permanganate.

It is well known from the past to add potassium permanganate in alkaline solution or together with sodium hypochlorite for the felt-free finishing of wool use. Such processes based on potassium permanganate were largely replaced by the chlorine-Hercosett process, since the felt-free finishing effect was too weak with the greatest possible protection of the wool. obviously the oxidative effect of potassium permanganate was in an alkaline environment resp. not sufficient together with sodium hypochlorite to the wool resp. to finish the wool fibers so that they are felt-free so that they meet today's standards for washing processes. Attempts were made to use potassium permanganate in an acid medium, but the felt-free finishing effect was such that if the felt-free finish was sufficient, the fiber was damaged too much.

According to the invention and surprisingly, it has now been shown that when using appropriately moderately concentrated, strongly acidic (ph <1), aqueous potassium manganate solution and extremely short-term treatment of the wool or. the wool fiber can be finished in a felt-free manner in accordance with the known and required standards, without the fiber trunk being damaged.

The concentration of potassium permanganate in the reaction solution is preferably 0.5-3 g of potassium permanganate per liter of solution, while the concentration of technically concentrated sulfuric acid (52%) is 15-40 g per liter of solution.

The treatment time or the contact time of the aqueous potassium permanganate solution with the wool resp. the wool fibers is 5-20 seconds, preferably 5-10 seconds.

Further preferred process conditions are characterized in claims 2-8.

When using the method defined according to the invention, it has been dependent on the wool quality or Provenance of wool is shown that it may be advantageous to carry out the short-term treatment repeatedly with a strongly acidic, aqueous solution of potassium permanganate, with the wool or the wool fibers being treated with a reducing agent such as sodium sulfite after each treatment is to be cleaned in order to remove brown stone.

Furthermore, it is preferably proposed that the felt-free finishing of the wool resp. The wool fibers are made in that the same, preferably in the form of wool slats, together with an essentially strongly acidic, aqueous potassium permanganate solution through an essentially closed through-channel or. a flow channel with inlet and outlet opening is (are) passed through. Important resp. it is essential that the packing density of the wool slats in the continuous channel, respectively. the channel is such that the reaction solution is also transported to the wool ridge essentially at a constant relative speed. Accordingly, a liquor ratio in the pass-through channel is preferably selected, which is 6-9 l / kg wool.

A correspondingly preferred embodiment variant of such a reaction process, respectively. such a felt-free finish of wool resp. of wool combs is characterized according to the wording according to one of claims 9 or 10.

According to the invention, a device according to the wording according to claim 11 is proposed for carrying out the preferred embodiment variants mentioned above.

• eine Einzugseinrichtung für das Einziehen der Wolle resp. des Wollkammzuges und das Beschicken mit der erfindungsgemässen Reaktionslösung, und
• anschliessend an die Einzugseinrichtung eine im wesentlichen geschlossene Durchlaufrinne resp. einen Durchlaufkanal mit Ein- und Austrittsöffnung für das Hindurchführen des zu behandelnden Gutes zusammen mit der Reaktionslösung.

A reaction device is proposed for carrying out the essentially continuous felt-free finishing of the wool by means of the reaction solution according to the invention, which is characterized by:

• a feed device for pulling the wool resp. the wool comb and the loading with the reaction solution according to the invention, and
• then an essentially closed flow channel resp. a flow channel with inlet and outlet opening for the passage of the material to be treated together with the reaction solution.

Preferred embodiments of the devices according to the invention for carrying out the method according to the invention are characterized in claims 12 and 13.

Fig.1

zeigt als Vergleichsbeispiel einen Durchlaufkanal im Längsschnitt;

Fig. 1a

den Durchlaufkanal von Fig. 1 im Querschnitt entlang der Linie I-I;

Fig. 2

einen als weiteres Beispiel im Längsschnitt dargestellten Durchlaufkanal;

Fig. 3

im Längsschnitt eine erfindungsgemäße, halbkreisförmig ausgebildete Durchlaufrinne, gebildet durch ein muldenartiges Behältnis mit einem darin angeordneten Rotationskörper,

Fig. 4

die Vorrichtung gemäss Fig. 2 im Querschnitt entlang der Linie II-II; und

Fig. 5

im Längsschnitt zwei nacheinander angeordnete Vorrichtungen gemäss Fig. 3.

The invention will now be explained in more detail, for example and with reference to the accompanying figures. Show:

Fig. 1

shows as a comparative example a flow channel in longitudinal section;

Fig. 1a

the flow channel of Figure 1 in cross section along the line II.

Fig. 2

a flow channel shown as a further example in longitudinal section;

Fig. 3

in longitudinal section an inventive semicircular flow channel, formed by a trough-like container with a rotating body arranged therein,

Fig. 4

2 in cross section along the line II-II; and

Fig. 5

in longitudinal section two successively arranged devices according to FIG. 3.

In Fig. 1, the reaction sequence of the felt-free finishing of wool or. of wool slats in a flow channel according to the invention. shown a closed flow channel.

For the felt-free finishing of a wool comb 1 is in advance in a separate mixing vessel. tube 5 produces a strongly acidic, aqueous potassium permanganate solution. For this purpose, an aqueous potassium permanganate solution 2a, together with an aqueous sulfuric acid solution 2b, containing a wetting agent, such as ethylene oxide adducts, are fed into the mixing tank 5 and briefly mixed to form a homogeneous reaction solution 7. This is then immediately fed into a feed basin 3, where the solution 7 is brought into contact with the wool comb 1. It is important that the sulfuric acid solution 2b, containing the wetting agent with the potassium permanganate solution 2a, is brought together and mixed shortly before contact with the wool sliver 1, since the potassium permanganate affects the effectiveness of the wetting agent relatively quickly negatively. this oxidizes. On the other hand, the sulfuric acid solution 2b and the potassium permanganate solution 2a would be fed directly into it Feeding basin 3 is disadvantageous in this case, since in this case the homogeneity of the solution is not absolutely guaranteed, which would not guarantee the levelness of the finishing process of the wool.

In a preferred embodiment, a potassium permanganate solution 2a was used, the concentration of which is 50 gr KMnO ₄ / l. The concentration of the sulfuric acid solution 2b supplied is 35 gr of technically concentrated sulfuric acid (62%) per liter of solution. The mixing ratio between streams 2a and 2b is 1:18 in the selected example. In a further example, approximately 2 gr / l of a polyphosphonic acid was added to the sulfuric acid solution. This prevents the precipitation of manganese dioxide (MnOz), which makes correct surface treatment possible in the first place.

The wool comb 1 is now guided, for example, via a driven transport roller 9 together with the reaction solution through an inlet opening 11 into a closed flow channel 13 which, as shown in FIG. 1 a, has a rectangular cross section. For good wetting of the wool when it is drawn into the flow channel 13, the solution, as mentioned above, is preferably mixed with a commercially available wetting agent. Since the packing density of the wool ridge in the pass-through channel 13 is relatively large, the reaction solution 7 is together with the wool ridge to the outlet opening 15 of the pass-through channel, respectively. of the closed channel. In the present example the packing density is approx. 100 gr wool per liter channel volume and the chosen liquor ratio is approx. 6.5 l reaction solution per kg wool.

When leaving the continuous channel or of the closed channel 13 at the outlet opening 15, the wool comb 1 is drawn off via take-off rollers 17 and, at the same time, the fully reacted reaction solution contained therein is squeezed out. The reaction solution also emerging from the trough 13 passes via an edge 19 into a collecting basin 21, in which the used reaction solution 23 is collected. This is then either concentrated again via a line 25 and fed to the catchment basin 3, or else recycled or neutralized and fed to the waste water.

Due to the constant conveyance of reaction solution 7 through the continuous trough. the closed channel 13 must be continuously fed to the feed vessel 3 fresh reaction solution 5, whereby a largely constant concentration gradient through the entire device is guaranteed even without appropriate control. Due to the relatively high packing density of the wool sliver to be treated in the flow channel, a constant liquor ratio along the entire reaction path is further guaranteed. In the selected example, the amount of reaction solution 7 continuously fed to the feed vessel 3 is approximately 4.4 l / min. while at the same time 656 gr wool per minute are passed through the trough 13.

It goes without saying that the response time resp. the contact time of the reaction solution with the wool by corresponding length of the channel, respectively. the gutter 13 and / or by the speed at which the wool comb 1 through the gutter, respectively. the channel 13 is passed can be influenced. For example, the contact time or the response time is only a few seconds, such as 5-10 seconds. be.

Another advantage of the device according to the invention is that the volume of the reaction solution can be kept very small, i.e. For example, a treatment liquor with a volume of 5 to 12 liters can be used on 1 kg of wool sliver. Of course, this value depends on the packing density in the flow channel.

It is essential for the felt-free finishing according to the invention that the wool resp. the wool crest at the inlet or is completely wetted with the chemical solution in the intake vessel, and that during the passage of the wool through the closed channel to the outlet opening 15, the reaction has taken place to such an extent that the chemical treatment of the outermost layer of the individual wool fibers, or. Wool hair, the so-called cuticle, is largely completed in accordance with the requirements for a felt-free finish, while the actual fiber stem, resp. the cortex has not yet been attacked by the reaction solution. For the most level possible felt-free finishing of the wool, it is also important that the liquor ratio can be kept constant along the entire channel, for which it is necessary that the feed 7 of reaction solution or. to fleet corresponds to the supply of woolen roving 1. By appropriate choice of the packing density it can further be ensured that the relative speed of the liquor to the wool can be kept constant within the channel 13.

During the felt-free finishing reaction process described above, it is occasionally possible that manganese oxides or. forms what is known as brown stone, which precipitates and can, for example, settle in the wool comb and in the treatment unit. Well It has been shown that the use of sulfuric acid in combination with polyphosphonic acid products greatly reduces the formation of manganese in the liquor. Nevertheless, it is necessary to post-treat the wool sliver after the reaction step described above, which can be done in a known manner using reducing agents.

Occasionally, depending on the nature of the wool quality and the nature and amount of fiber accompanying substances, the formation of manganese dioxide on the wool can even lead to the fact that the felt-free finish is insufficient, since the reaction with potassium permanganate is inhibited. It can therefore be advantageous to repeatedly apply the short-term treatment with strongly acidic potassium permanganate solution, for example by connecting the device according to the invention in series, as shown in the figures. A cleaning stage must be interposed between the felt-free treatment processes, with cleaning or "washing out" of manganese dioxide using conventional reducing agents, such as, for example, sodium bisulfite.

By means of the reaction device according to the invention shown in FIG. 1, it is moreover also possible to treat any textile or non-textile, fibrous draws or strands with a reaction solution which have a high reaction rate with the textile or non-textile material to be treated. It is important that the reaction only to the outermost layer of the fibers. individual fibrils of the textile or non-textile goods is limited, but not, for example, as mentioned above, the fiber stem (cortex) is attacked by the reaction solution.

The reaction device according to the invention shown in FIG. 1 also has the great advantage that no pumping or conveying devices have to be provided for conveying the reaction solution, since this is also conveyed as a result of the set packing density by conveying the textile goods to be treated. 1 clearly shows that the terminal overflow edge 19 has a substantially higher level than the reaction solution in the feed basin 3. If, for example, the packing density were chosen too low, or in the case of an unclosed flow channel, the reaction solution would constantly flow backwards and in Conveying the reaction solution with the textile goods would not be possible.

2 in turn shows a further embodiment of a reaction trough proposed according to the invention. of the closed channel 13 is shown, the pass-through channel no longer being designed to rise upward in a straight line, but rather being semicircular in the transport direction of the wool comb 1 to be treated. Both the feed basin and the extraction device are designed essentially analogously to the device in FIG. 1, but a catch basin 15 with a drainage channel 19 is provided at the end of the flow channel 13 in FIG. 2.

The advantage of the reaction device according to FIG. 2 is that, due to the very large radius of curvature of the through-channel 13, the friction of the wool sliver 1 is greatly reduced. The friction caused by the tensile action by means of the rollers 17 can be further reduced by the walls 13 in the through-channel having longitudinal grooves.

FIG. 3 shows a further preferred embodiment variant of the device according to the invention according to FIG. 2, again in longitudinal section. The starting point is a trough-like container 12 which has a semicircular base, the base being largely circular. In the fixed trough 12 is a closed rotary body 41, the axis of rotation 43 of which is arranged in the center of the circular bottom of the trough 12 and is connected to the trough in such a way that the rotary body 41 is freely rotatable. It is essential that the radius r of the rotating body 41 is made smaller than the inner radius R of the container base 10. By arranging the rotating body 41 in the trough 12, the peripheral surface 45 of the rotating body 41 and the inner bottom surface 10 now result the trough 12, the flow channel described according to the invention. the closed channel 13, which in turn serves for the wool comb 1 to be conveyed from the inlet opening 11 to the outlet opening 15. The trough 12 has at the end, upstream of the inlet opening 11, a projection 3, which forms the feed basin, and downstream of the outlet opening 15, an overflow edge 16 or. an overflow channel 19 for the removal of the reaction solution. 3 is analogous to the device according to FIG. 1.

4, the rotation device according to FIG. 3 is shown in cross section along the line II-II, it being clearly visible that the rotation body 41 is arranged in the trough-like container 12 in such a way that it practically fills the latter, but is nevertheless freely rotatable. At the lower end of the rotating body 41, the continuous channel is. the closed channel 13 through which the wool 1 is conveyed is visible.

Depending on the training of the person to be treated or of the material to be conveyed, it may be sufficient for the rotary body 41 to be freely rotatable. If the wool ridges are very loose, resp. are easily tearable, it is possible to rotate the body. to drive the rotary drum 41 synchronously with the take-off rollers 17. It is also possible to provide the surface 45 of the drum 41 with transverse grooves, while the bottom 10 of the trough-like container 12 preferably has longitudinal grooves. Ultimately, for cleaning purposes, it is advantageous to arrange a trigger device 14 at the lower end of the trough 12 so that the channel or. the channel 13 can be emptied.

3 and 4, essentially the same reaction conditions as mentioned with reference to FIG. 1 can be used. Essentially the same requirements and reaction conditions apply as stated under FIG. 1. Please refer to the following example:

Example of a 1: 1 prototype of a rotating device according to FIGS. 3 and 4 for carrying out operational tests.

• r = 50,0 cm;
• R = 51,2 cm;
• dadurch resultierende Höhe des Reaktionskanales 13: 1,2 cm;
• Breite der Rotationswalze resp. des Rotors 41: 61,3 cm;
• Länge des Reaktionskanales: 122 cm (der Kanal erstreckt sich über einen Winkelabschnitt von 138,5°);

Querschnitt des Reaktionskanales: 75,7 cm².A prototype with the following dimensions was used to carry out operational tests for the felt-free finishing of wool ridges:

• r = 50.0 cm;
• R = 51.2 cm;
• resulting height of the reaction channel 13: 1.2 cm;
• Width of the rotary roller, respectively. rotor 41: 61.3 cm;
• Length of the reaction channel: 122 cm (the channel extends over an angular section of 138.5 °);

Cross section of the reaction channel: 75.7 cm ² .

• Einlaufbereich gemäss Referenzzahl 3: 170 cm²;
• Durchlaufrinne resp. Kanal 13: 147 cm²;
• Auslaufbereich gemäss Referenzzahl 16: 31 cm².

The following surface sections result in the longitudinal section according to FIG. 3:

• Inlet area according to reference number 3: 170 cm ² ;
• Flow channel resp. Channel 13: 147 cm ² ;
• Outlet area according to reference number 16: 31 cm ² .

• Anzahl einzelne Bänder: 36;
• Gewicht eines einzelnen Bandes: 20 g/m;
• Gewicht des gesamten Kammzuges: 720 g/m;

Tauchlänge des Kammzuges in der Vorrichtung gemäss Fig. 4: 155 cm, wovon 24 cm im Einlaufbereich, 122 cm im Reaktionskanal und 9 cm im Auslaufbereich.

• Vliesgewicht im Tauchbereich: 1,12 kg;
• Vliesvolumen im Tauchbereich: 0,86 l;
• Vliesgewicht im Reaktionskanal 13: 878 g;
• Vliesvolumen im Reaktionskanal 13: 0,68 l;
• Kammzugdichte im Kanalbereich 13: 0,095 g/cm³.

A wool comb was used for experimental purposes with the following key figures:

• Number of individual tapes: 36;
• Weight of a single band: 20 g / m;
• Weight of the entire sliver: 720 g / m;

4: 155 cm, of which 24 cm in the inlet area, 122 cm in the reaction channel and 9 cm in the outlet area.

• Fleece weight in the diving area: 1.12 kg;
• Fleece volume in the diving area: 0.86 l;
• Fleece weight in reaction channel 13: 878 g;
• Fleece volume in reaction channel 13: 0.68 l;
• Comb density in channel area 13: 0.095 g / cm ³ .

• Flottenvolumen ohne Kammzug: 21,4 l;
• Flottenvolumen mit eingeführten Wollkammzügen: 20,5 l;
• Flottenvolumen ohne Wolle im Reaktionskanal 13: 9,28 l;
• Flottenvolumen im Kanal 13 mit eingeführtem Kammzug: 8,6 l.

Equipment tests were carried out under the following conditions:

• Fleet volume without crest: 21.4 l;
• Fleet volume with inserted wool slats: 20.5 l;
• Fleet volume without wool in the reaction channel 13: 9.28 l;
• Fleet volume in channel 13 with inserted crest: 8.6 l.

• bezogen auf Gesamtanlage = 18,3 l/kg Wolle;
• bezogen auf Reaktionskanal 13: 9,8 l/kg Wolle.

The following fleet ratios result:

• based on total system = 18.3 l / kg wool;
• based on reaction channel 13: 9.8 l / kg wool.

Plant operating conditions: Tab. 1: Ridge pull speed Throughput throughput Fleet throughput Dwell time in the diving area (m / min) (kg / min) (l / min) (sec) 4.0 2.88 22.5 23.2 5.0 3.60 28.1 18.6 6.0 4.32 33.7 15.5 7.0 5.04 39.3 13.3 8.0 5.76 44.9 11.6

The speed ratio of the sliver to the reaction liquor is largely constant.

Number of revolutions of the rotary rotor 41 (circumference = 3.14 m): Tab. 2 Ridge pull speed Number of tours (m / min.) (- / min) 4.0 1.27 6.0 1.91 8.0 2.55 With the above-mentioned operating conditions and the device proposed according to the invention, wool combs were equipped with various oxidizing agent solutions in a felt-free manner, for example with permanganate solution according to the method defined according to the invention, etc. Finally, it is a question of optimization, taking into account the chosen oxidizing agent, the selected concentration, the set pH range, etc., how the device according to the invention is to be operated or the operating data must be selected.

The device according to FIGS. 3 and 4 can be used analogously to the devices according to FIGS. 1 and 2 wherever a textile or non-textile material has to be briefly equipped with a highly reactive reaction solution, the reaction only on the surface of the Good things have to be done.

5 shows two devices according to FIG. 4 arranged one after the other in a longitudinal section. The wool ridge 1 is about the induction. the cantilever 3 is immersed in the reaction solution 7 and drawn through the inlet opening 11 into a first semicircular reaction channel 13a. This flow channel 13a is formed by a first container 12a having a semicircular base and the correspondingly rotating body 41a rotating therein, which rotates about the axis of rotation 43a. After passing through this first reaction channel 13a, the ridge is guided over a shoulder 51 into a reaction channel 13b adjoining it, which is accordingly formed by a second container 12b having a semicircular base and the corresponding rotating body 41b rotating therein. Analogously to the device according to FIG. 3, the wool comb pull leaves the flow channel 13b via the outlet opening 15 and is drawn off in the draw-off rollers or rollers 17, in which the reaction solution is squeezed off. The reaction solution itself is discharged over the overflow rim 16.

By arranging such semicircular containers one after the other, it is possible to significantly increase the throughput speed of the wool comb and at the same time to keep the contact time constant by lengthening the reaction path. Of course, depending on requirements and needs, it is also possible to arrange three or more such devices in a row. The same naturally also applies to the devices shown in FIGS. 1 to 4.

If necessary, it is even possible to interpose a cleaning process between each of the various devices arranged one after the other, by means of which brown stone formed, for example with sodium bisulfite solution, is removed from the wool. Of course, it is also possible to use any other reducing agent to clean the wool from brown stone.

Following the reactions in FIGS. 1 to 5, it is of course possible to treat the wool comb according to the known methods with a polyamide resin or with an enzyme in order to further improve the freedom from felt of the wool material. The schematic reaction sequence shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 can of course be modified or modified in any way. be varied or modified. Ultimately, it is a question of optimization whether the concentration of the potassium permanganate and sulfuric acid in the reaction solution is chosen to be higher while reducing the reaction time, or whether to work with a less concentrated solution while increasing the reaction time accordingly. Ultimately, temperature control is also a question of optimization. It is essential to the invention that the wool material with an essentially aqueous, relatively strongly acidic potassium permanganate solution is briefly treated, the reaction solution preferably containing a wetting agent.

The reaction devices shown, for example, in FIGS. 1 to 5 can, of course, be modified or modified in any desired manner. For example, it is possible to make the flow channel round by appropriately designing the walls of the devices according to FIGS. 1 to 5. The move in. the deduction to the devices according to FIGS. 1 to 5 can be modified in any way, since these are usual transport or Feed or discharge techniques that are not part of the present invention. Mixing and supplying the reaction solution, as well as removing, possibly concentrating or regulating the concentration in the reaction solution is known technology and is not further described in the present invention. It is also possible to manufacture the devices according to the invention in any materials, preferably transparent plastic materials such as polyacrylic, polycarbonate or polyamide being used, the material to be used, of course, having to have sufficient chemical resistance in accordance with the chosen reaction solutions. But of course it is also possible to manufacture the devices from stainless steel, aluminum, glass or other materials.

Claims (13)

1. Method of continuous felt-free finishing of wool or wool fibres on the basis of potassium permanganate in an acid environment, characterised in that the wool or wool fibres is (are) guided through a strongly acid aqueous reaction solution of potassium permanganate with a pH value of < 1 and thereby treated, wherein the treatment time is 5 to 20 seconds and the reaction solution which is used in the treatment and is carried along by the wool or wool fibres which is (are) to be treated or has (have) been treated is drawn off and continually replaced by unused reaction solution.
2. Method as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the aqueous reaction solution which is added to the wool or the wool fibres has a concentration of sulphuric acid in the solution in the range from 15 to 40 g concentrated industrial sulphuric acid (approximately 62%) per litre of solution as well as a concentration of 0.5 to 5 g potassium permanganate per litre of aqueous solution.
3. Method as claimed in one of Claims 1 or 2, characterised in that before treatment of the wool or the wool fibres 1.5 to 4.5 g of a polyphosphonic acid per litre of potassium permanganate solution are added to the strongly acid aqueous solution of potassium permanganate.
4. Method as claimed in one of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that before the treatment of the wool or the wool fibres one part of the aqueous solution of potassium permanganate with a concentration of 5 g per litre of solution is admixed with 4.6 parts of an aqueous solution of 35 g concentrated or industrially concentrated sulphuric acid per litre of solution.
5. Method as claimed in one of Claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the felt-free finishing of the wool or the wool fibres with the strongly acid aqueous potassium permanganate solution takes place in a bath ratio in the range from 5 to 12 litres of solution per kg of wool or wool fibres.
6. Method as claimed in one of Claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the treatment takes place at room temperature or slightly raised temperature.
7. Method as claimed in one of Claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the brief treatment with strongly acid aqueous solution of potassium permanganate solution takes place repeatedly, and after each treatment the wool or the wool fibres is/are cleaned in each case with a reducing agent in order to remove manganese dioxide which has been produced.
8. Method as claimed in one of Claims 1 to 7, characterised in that following the felt-free finishing the wool or the wool fibres is (are) then subjected to an aftertreatment with a synthetic resin or silicone elastomer or enzymatically treated.
9. Method as claimed in one of Claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the wool or the wool fibres in the form of combed wool tops is (are) introduced together with a reaction solution consisting of a strongly acid aqueous potassium permanganate solution by way of a feed arrangement into a closed through-flow channel with an inlet and outlet opening, are guided or conveyed together through the channel and after the outlet opening are again separated and drawn off.
10. Method as claimed in Claim 9, characterised in that the combed wool top and the reaction solution are guided or drawn through a closed channel or a trough (13), wherein the trough (13) or channel is formed by a stationary semi-circular round basin-like container (12) with a rotating body (41) which is disposed in the basin and is freely¹ rotatable, the radius (r) thereof being smaller than the internal radius (R)of the basin-like container (12) and the width (b) being almost equal to the internal width (B) of the basin-like container (12), so that between the peripheral surface (45) of the rotating body (41) and the inner container base (10) there is formed a closed channel (13) or trough which is semi-circular in the longitudinal direction with a rectangular cross-section, and wherein during the passage or the transport of the combed wool top together with the reaction solution through the closed channel (13) or trough the freely rotatable rotating body rotates synchronously with the transport speed of the combed wool top.
11. Apparatus for carrying out the method as claimed in one of Claims 1 to 10, for continuous felt-free finishing of wool conveyed through a reactor with a reaction solution, with

    - a feed arrangement for drawing in the material (1) and supplying it with reaction solution (5, 7),

    - following the feed arrangement (3) an elongated through-flow trough (13) or through-flow channel with an inlet opening (11) and an outlet opening (15) for the wool (1) to be treated to pass through together with the reaction solution (7),

    - following the outlet opening (15) an extraction arrangement (19) for collecting or drawing off the reaction solution,

    - the through-flow trough (13) or through-flow channel being closed on all sides so that the side walls of the trough (13) or the channel are disposed close along the entire length in the region provided for conveying the material (1) in order to be able to set a packing density which fills the trough or the channel, so that due to the transport of the textile material the reaction solution (5, 7) is conveyed through the through-flow trough or the through-flow channel, and that with the exception of the through-flow trough or through-flow channel the feed arrangement and the extraction arrangement are thoroughly separated from one another, or there is no further direct communication between them, in order to prevent the used reaction solution from flowing back,

    characterised in that the trough (13) or channel is formed by at least one stationary semi-circular round basin-like container (12) with a rotating body (41) which is disposed in the basin and is freely rotatable, the radius (r) thereof being smaller than the internal radius (R) of the basin-like container (12) and the width (b) being almost equal to the internal width (B) of the basin-like container (12), so that between the peripheral surface (45) of the rotating body (41) and the inner container base (10) there is formed a channel (13) or a trough which is semi-circular in the longitudinal direction with a rectangular cross-section.
12. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 11, characterised in that the trough (13) or the channel consists of at least two or more successive stationary semi-circular round basin-like containers (12a, 12b) with a rotating body (41a, 41b) which is disposed in each basin and is freely rotatable, the radius (r) thereof being smaller than the internal radius (R) of each of the basin-like containers (12a, 12b) and the width (b) being almost equal to the internal width (B) of each of the basin-like containers (12a, 12b), so that in each case between the peripheral surface of the rotating body (41a, 41b) and the inner container base (10) there is formed a closed channel (13a, 13b) or a trough which is semi-circular in the longitudinal direction with a rectangular cross-section.
13. Apparatus as claimed in one of Claims 11 or 12, characterised in that the rotating body (41) is driven in the direction of transport of the wool (1) conveyed through the trough (13).

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