Application of ultrasound in textile wet processing, Phase 1

Technical Report · Sun Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1992

OSTI ID:6975642

Smith, C B ^[1]

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1. North Carolina State Univ., Raleigh, NC (United States). Coll. of Textiles

The US textile industry urgently needs new technologies to keep the industry competitive. This study was designed to develop a pilot plant-scale ultrasonic continuous yarn-dyeing system and to establish a foundation for continuing research in the use of ultrasonic energy in textile processes. On the basis of their findings in the literature on ultrasound-enhanced textile wet processing, researchers designed laboratory- and pilot-scale equipment and conducted studies using various dye and fiber combinations. In laboratory studies they used small vessels of approximately 1-liter capacity and ultrasound probes of 400--1200 W output. Pilot studies were conducted in a 40-gallon dye tank using ultrasound power of approximately 5 kW. Investigations on dye diffusion showed that ultrasound increased diffusion coefficients by typically 30% and permeability coefficients by more than 300%, thereby enhancing dye penetration. The apparent activation energy of diffusion was decreased by approximately 24%. The decrease in activation energy shows a potential for reducing dyeing temperatures. Ultrasound also increased the reactivity of fiber-reactive dyes. Researchers obtained the most promising pilot plant results in the dyeing of nylon with acid dyes. Ultrasonic techniques may also benefit polyester dyed with disperse dyes. One hundred percent polyester dyed in the laboratory had approximately 150 percent increased depth. This knowledge of ultrasonic effects on fundamental processes leads to a better design for the dyeing process in pilot plant and commercial scale-up applications. The study shows that the use of ultrasound for dyeing will replace expensive thermal energy and chemicals, which have to be treated in waste water, with electricity. It also improves the quality of dyed fiber, thereby potentially enhancing the competitiveness of the US textile industry.

• Research Organization: Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA (United States); North Carolina State Univ., Raleigh, NC (United States). Coll. of Textiles
• Sponsoring Organization: EPRI; Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA (United States)
• OSTI ID: 6975642
• Report Number(s): EPRI-TR-101379
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
DYES
DIFFUSION
ULTRASONIC WAVES
USES
DATA COMPILATION
EFFICIENCY
PILOT PLANTS
TEXTILE INDUSTRY
DATA
FUNCTIONAL MODELS
INDUSTRY
INFORMATION
SOUND WAVES
320303* - Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization- Industrial & Agricultural Processes- Equipment & Processes