EP0711337A1 - Peroxy acids or precursors thereof for use in the cleaning of textile, and processes for cleaning textile by means of such peroxy acids or precursors - Google Patents
Peroxy acids or precursors thereof for use in the cleaning of textile, and processes for cleaning textile by means of such peroxy acids or precursorsInfo
- Publication number
- EP0711337A1 EP0711337A1 EP94926403A EP94926403A EP0711337A1 EP 0711337 A1 EP0711337 A1 EP 0711337A1 EP 94926403 A EP94926403 A EP 94926403A EP 94926403 A EP94926403 A EP 94926403A EP 0711337 A1 EP0711337 A1 EP 0711337A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- phase
- water
- washing
- acid
- sudsing
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 85
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 title claims abstract description 82
- 150000004965 peroxy acids Chemical class 0.000 title claims abstract description 44
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 29
- 239000004753 textile Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 18
- 239000002243 precursor Substances 0.000 title description 4
- 238000005406 washing Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 81
- 238000006386 neutralization reaction Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 27
- 238000004061 bleaching Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 25
- 238000002791 soaking Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 25
- 125000004432 carbon atom Chemical group C* 0.000 claims abstract description 15
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 claims abstract description 14
- 239000007844 bleaching agent Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 10
- 238000011065 in-situ storage Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 239000000645 desinfectant Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 239000000022 bacteriostatic agent Substances 0.000 claims abstract 2
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 52
- 239000003795 chemical substances by application Substances 0.000 claims description 21
- 239000002253 acid Substances 0.000 claims description 17
- QTBSBXVTEAMEQO-UHFFFAOYSA-N Acetic acid Chemical compound CC(O)=O QTBSBXVTEAMEQO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 12
- JHUXOSATQXGREM-UHFFFAOYSA-N dodecanediperoxoic acid Chemical compound OOC(=O)CCCCCCCCCCC(=O)OO JHUXOSATQXGREM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 9
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- BDAGIHXWWSANSR-UHFFFAOYSA-N methanoic acid Natural products OC=O BDAGIHXWWSANSR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 6
- OSWFIVFLDKOXQC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 4-(3-methoxyphenyl)aniline Chemical compound COC1=CC=CC(C=2C=CC(N)=CC=2)=C1 OSWFIVFLDKOXQC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000007900 aqueous suspension Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 235000019253 formic acid Nutrition 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000003825 pressing Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000000746 purification Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 229920000663 Hydroxyethyl cellulose Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000004354 Hydroxyethyl cellulose Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- PMZURENOXWZQFD-UHFFFAOYSA-L Sodium Sulfate Chemical compound [Na+].[Na+].[O-]S([O-])(=O)=O PMZURENOXWZQFD-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 claims description 2
- 235000019447 hydroxyethyl cellulose Nutrition 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000004615 ingredient Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 229910052938 sodium sulfate Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 2
- 235000011152 sodium sulphate Nutrition 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000004094 surface-active agent Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- WQYVRQLZKVEZGA-UHFFFAOYSA-N hypochlorite Chemical compound Cl[O-] WQYVRQLZKVEZGA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 26
- MHAJPDPJQMAIIY-UHFFFAOYSA-N Hydrogen peroxide Chemical compound OO MHAJPDPJQMAIIY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 18
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 11
- HEMHJVSKTPXQMS-UHFFFAOYSA-M Sodium hydroxide Chemical compound [OH-].[Na+] HEMHJVSKTPXQMS-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 9
- 244000005700 microbiome Species 0.000 description 9
- 239000003599 detergent Substances 0.000 description 8
- 239000000725 suspension Substances 0.000 description 8
- 239000000344 soap Substances 0.000 description 7
- 150000007513 acids Chemical class 0.000 description 6
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 description 6
- 238000004659 sterilization and disinfection Methods 0.000 description 6
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 6
- 238000011282 treatment Methods 0.000 description 6
- 230000000249 desinfective effect Effects 0.000 description 5
- -1 peroxide compound Chemical class 0.000 description 5
- 239000002351 wastewater Substances 0.000 description 5
- KFSLWBXXFJQRDL-UHFFFAOYSA-N Peracetic acid Chemical compound CC(=O)OO KFSLWBXXFJQRDL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- CDBYLPFSWZWCQE-UHFFFAOYSA-L Sodium Carbonate Chemical compound [Na+].[Na+].[O-]C([O-])=O CDBYLPFSWZWCQE-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 4
- 239000000654 additive Substances 0.000 description 4
- 125000000217 alkyl group Chemical group 0.000 description 4
- QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N atomic oxygen Chemical compound [O] QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 230000003385 bacteriostatic effect Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000004453 electron probe microanalysis Methods 0.000 description 4
- UFZOPKFMKMAWLU-UHFFFAOYSA-N ethoxy(methyl)phosphinic acid Chemical compound CCOP(C)(O)=O UFZOPKFMKMAWLU-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 239000003925 fat Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000001301 oxygen Substances 0.000 description 4
- 229910052760 oxygen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 4
- SUKJFIGYRHOWBL-UHFFFAOYSA-N sodium hypochlorite Chemical compound [Na+].Cl[O-] SUKJFIGYRHOWBL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 239000002689 soil Substances 0.000 description 4
- 241000894006 Bacteria Species 0.000 description 3
- LSNNMFCWUKXFEE-UHFFFAOYSA-M Bisulfite Chemical compound OS([O-])=O LSNNMFCWUKXFEE-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 3
- SCKXCAADGDQQCS-UHFFFAOYSA-N Performic acid Chemical compound OOC=O SCKXCAADGDQQCS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 208000035415 Reinfection Diseases 0.000 description 3
- 239000004115 Sodium Silicate Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000005708 Sodium hypochlorite Substances 0.000 description 3
- DPXJVFZANSGRMM-UHFFFAOYSA-N acetic acid;2,3,4,5,6-pentahydroxyhexanal;sodium Chemical compound [Na].CC(O)=O.OCC(O)C(O)C(O)C(O)C=O DPXJVFZANSGRMM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 239000001768 carboxy methyl cellulose Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 150000002978 peroxides Chemical class 0.000 description 3
- 102000004169 proteins and genes Human genes 0.000 description 3
- 108090000623 proteins and genes Proteins 0.000 description 3
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 3
- 235000019812 sodium carboxymethyl cellulose Nutrition 0.000 description 3
- 229920001027 sodium carboxymethylcellulose Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 235000011121 sodium hydroxide Nutrition 0.000 description 3
- 235000019795 sodium metasilicate Nutrition 0.000 description 3
- NTHWMYGWWRZVTN-UHFFFAOYSA-N sodium silicate Chemical compound [Na+].[Na+].[O-][Si]([O-])=O NTHWMYGWWRZVTN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 229910052911 sodium silicate Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 125000001424 substituent group Chemical group 0.000 description 3
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon Chemical group [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- ZAMOUSCENKQFHK-UHFFFAOYSA-N Chlorine atom Chemical compound [Cl] ZAMOUSCENKQFHK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 241000196324 Embryophyta Species 0.000 description 2
- UQSXHKLRYXJYBZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Iron oxide Chemical compound [Fe]=O UQSXHKLRYXJYBZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- NBIIXXVUZAFLBC-UHFFFAOYSA-N Phosphoric acid Chemical compound OP(O)(O)=O NBIIXXVUZAFLBC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000003568 Sodium, potassium and calcium salts of fatty acids Substances 0.000 description 2
- 125000000129 anionic group Chemical group 0.000 description 2
- 230000000721 bacterilogical effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000008280 blood Substances 0.000 description 2
- 210000004369 blood Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- 150000001720 carbohydrates Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 239000000460 chlorine Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910052801 chlorine Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000000470 constituent Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000001035 drying Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000000975 dye Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000035784 germination Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000008187 granular material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000002045 lasting effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000003921 oil Substances 0.000 description 2
- 150000007524 organic acids Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- HWGNBUXHKFFFIH-UHFFFAOYSA-I pentasodium;[oxido(phosphonatooxy)phosphoryl] phosphate Chemical compound [Na+].[Na+].[Na+].[Na+].[Na+].[O-]P([O-])(=O)OP([O-])(=O)OP([O-])([O-])=O HWGNBUXHKFFFIH-UHFFFAOYSA-I 0.000 description 2
- 230000002035 prolonged effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 description 2
- GEHJYWRUCIMESM-UHFFFAOYSA-L sodium sulfite Chemical compound [Na+].[Na+].[O-]S([O-])=O GEHJYWRUCIMESM-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 2
- 235000019832 sodium triphosphate Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 239000000271 synthetic detergent Substances 0.000 description 2
- LJGHYPLBDBRCRZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 3-(3-aminophenyl)sulfonylaniline Chemical compound NC1=CC=CC(S(=O)(=O)C=2C=C(N)C=CC=2)=C1 LJGHYPLBDBRCRZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 241000193830 Bacillus <bacterium> Species 0.000 description 1
- 241000193755 Bacillus cereus Species 0.000 description 1
- 244000063299 Bacillus subtilis Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000014469 Bacillus subtilis Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 229920003043 Cellulose fiber Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920000742 Cotton Polymers 0.000 description 1
- DGAQECJNVWCQMB-PUAWFVPOSA-M Ilexoside XXIX Chemical compound C[C@@H]1CC[C@@]2(CC[C@@]3(C(=CC[C@H]4[C@]3(CC[C@@H]5[C@@]4(CC[C@@H](C5(C)C)OS(=O)(=O)[O-])C)C)[C@@H]2[C@]1(C)O)C)C(=O)O[C@H]6[C@@H]([C@H]([C@@H]([C@H](O6)CO)O)O)O.[Na+] DGAQECJNVWCQMB-PUAWFVPOSA-M 0.000 description 1
- 229910019093 NaOCl Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- BPQQTUXANYXVAA-UHFFFAOYSA-N Orthosilicate Chemical compound [O-][Si]([O-])([O-])[O-] BPQQTUXANYXVAA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000004952 Polyamide Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920002472 Starch Polymers 0.000 description 1
- LSNNMFCWUKXFEE-UHFFFAOYSA-N Sulfurous acid Chemical compound OS(O)=O LSNNMFCWUKXFEE-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- XSQUKJJJFZCRTK-UHFFFAOYSA-N Urea Chemical compound NC(N)=O XSQUKJJJFZCRTK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000003213 activating effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000004913 activation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000996 additive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 150000008051 alkyl sulfates Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 229940045714 alkyl sulfonate alkylating agent Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 150000008052 alkyl sulfonates Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 125000002947 alkylene group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 229910000147 aluminium phosphate Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 150000001412 amines Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 230000000844 anti-bacterial effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000845 anti-microbial effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 235000013949 black currant juice Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000004202 carbamide Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000014633 carbohydrates Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 229910052799 carbon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 150000001767 cationic compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 125000002091 cationic group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 239000004927 clay Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000007797 corrosion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005260 corrosion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000354 decomposition reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 150000001991 dicarboxylic acids Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 235000014113 dietary fatty acids Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 150000002170 ethers Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 239000004744 fabric Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000019197 fats Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000000194 fatty acid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229930195729 fatty acid Natural products 0.000 description 1
- 150000004665 fatty acids Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 239000000945 filler Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000013305 food Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 230000002070 germicidal effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- JEGUKCSWCFPDGT-UHFFFAOYSA-N h2o hydrate Chemical compound O.O JEGUKCSWCFPDGT-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 125000001183 hydrocarbyl group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 230000006872 improvement Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000007794 irritation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004900 laundering Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000012528 membrane Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000002906 microbiologic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 150000007522 mineralic acids Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 229910052757 nitrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 125000004433 nitrogen atom Chemical group N* 0.000 description 1
- 235000019198 oils Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 125000000864 peroxy group Chemical group O(O*)* 0.000 description 1
- 229920002647 polyamide Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920000151 polyglycol Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000010695 polyglycol Substances 0.000 description 1
- 159000000001 potassium salts Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 235000013966 potassium salts of fatty acid Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000000843 powder Substances 0.000 description 1
- CZPZWMPYEINMCF-UHFFFAOYSA-N propaneperoxoic acid Chemical compound CCC(=O)OO CZPZWMPYEINMCF-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 235000018102 proteins Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000010453 quartz Substances 0.000 description 1
- 150000003856 quaternary ammonium compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 238000007665 sagging Methods 0.000 description 1
- 150000003839 salts Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 239000004576 sand Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003352 sequestering agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N silicon dioxide Inorganic materials O=[Si]=O VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052708 sodium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- VYKVQJFOZDGJLN-UHFFFAOYSA-M sodium hydrogen sulfite sulfurous acid Chemical compound [Na+].OS(O)=O.OS([O-])=O VYKVQJFOZDGJLN-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 1
- 159000000000 sodium salts Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 235000013875 sodium salts of fatty acid Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000010265 sodium sulphite Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002904 solvent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004071 soot Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003381 stabilizer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000019698 starch Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000008107 starch Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 description 1
- 235000000346 sugar Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 150000008163 sugars Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 125000000472 sulfonyl group Chemical group *S(*)(=O)=O 0.000 description 1
- ZIBGPFATKBEMQZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N triethylene glycol Chemical compound OCCOCCOCCO ZIBGPFATKBEMQZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
- C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
- C11D3/00—Other compounding ingredients of detergent compositions covered in group C11D1/00
- C11D3/39—Organic or inorganic per-compounds
- C11D3/3902—Organic or inorganic per-compounds combined with specific additives
- C11D3/3905—Bleach activators or bleach catalysts
- C11D3/3907—Organic compounds
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
- C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
- C11D3/00—Other compounding ingredients of detergent compositions covered in group C11D1/00
- C11D3/39—Organic or inorganic per-compounds
- C11D3/3945—Organic per-compounds
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F31/00—Washing installations comprising an assembly of several washing machines or washing units, e.g. continuous flow assemblies
- D06F31/005—Washing installations comprising an assembly of several washing machines or washing units, e.g. continuous flow assemblies consisting of one or more rotating drums through which the laundry passes in a continuous flow
-
- C11D2111/44—
Definitions
- the present invention relates to the cleaning of textile by means of wet cleaning processes, in particular industrial laundering processes.
- the object of wet cleaning is to remove dirt and stains and to clear the laundry of microorganisms and materials giving the laundry an unpleasant smell.
- the kinds of dirt occurring in textile can be subdivided into water-soluble dirt and water-insoluble dirt that partly consists of suspendable or emulsifiable dirt.
- Water-soluble dirt comprises, e.g., sugars, acids, salts, and urea;
- water-insoluble dirt comprises, e.g., sand, clAy, proteins, fats, oils, soot, dyes, and microorganisms.
- Suspendable and emulsifiable dirt comprises, inter alia, proteins, starch, foods, fats, oils, and blood constituents.
- the invention particularly relates to wet cleaning processes carried out in a so-called washing tube or washing line.
- a washing tube is a (semi)continuous washing equipment comprising a number of successive chambers. In the different chambers different phases of the washing process are carried out, of which a phase can extend over more than one chamber.
- the phases (see Fig. 1) of such a wet cleaning process mostly comprise a soaking phase, one or more sudsing phases, a rinsing phase, a bleaching phase, and a neutralization phase.
- the dirty laundry is contacted with water and a detergent so that the dirt can swell.
- the actual washing step takes place in the sudsing phase in which washing is carried out at a temperature of about 85°C in the presence of a washing agent.
- washing agent and detached dirt are rinsed out.
- Bleaching agent is added in the bleaching phase in order to oxidize and/or discolor soils that cannot be washed out.
- residues of washing agent and bleaching agent are neutralized and rinsed out.
- the different phases of the washing process are spatially separated in a washing tube (see Fig. 2) .
- the figure shows a conventional washing tube. In chambers l through 3 soaking takes place.
- the sudsing phase is carried out in chambers 4 through 8. In this phase it is possible to supply steam at different places to increase the sudsing temperature.
- the process is carried out partly in countercur ent.
- the waste water is discharged into chamber 4.
- the sudsing phase is followed by the rinsing phase which is generally also carried out in countercurrent.
- the rinsing phase is followed by the bleaching phase in which hitherto hypochlorite solutions are generally used, in particular in processes for cleaning white laundry and wash- fast and chlorine-fast colored laundry.
- the last phase is the neutralization phase in which basic washing agent residues and hypochlorite are mostly neutralized by means of sodium hydrogen sulfite (bisulfite) .
- the hydrogen peroxide process peroxide, instead of hypochlorite, is added in a second sudsing phase. In this case there is no separate bleaching phase.
- the bleaching agents and/or disinfecting agents hitherto used particularly' in combination with the conventional neutralization by means of sulfite, have a number of drawbacks.
- Dye stains and burned-in proteinic stains can only be removed by means of a bleaching treatment or a treatment with hot caustic soda.
- bleaching is carried out with a sodium hypochlorite solution at a pH of about 9.5-11 and at a temperature of 25°C.
- the active chlorine concentration is about 0.25 g/1 at a bleaching time of about 10 minutes.
- a higher temperature gives too much chemical wear.
- the use of perborate and/or hydrogen peroxide requires a higher temperature (>60°C) in order to obtain a somewhat bleaching action.
- the above-described bleaching agents also have a somewhat disinfecting action, although the disinfecting action of peroxide is not great.
- the procedures according to the prior art cannot prevent the reinfection of the textile with microorganisms in the last phases of the washing process because the disinfecting agent must be completely neutralized.
- hypochlorite complete neutralization is necessary because strong chemical wear occurs in the presence of residues of active hypochlorite in the laundry or the water to be fed back to the process.
- the water consumption of a washing tube is no less than 13 1 (including steam) per kg of laundry.
- hypochlorite process see Fig. 2
- this can be done with water after the neutralization phase, which may be reused in the soaking phase; and with water after the sudsing phase which can be used again in the soaking phase and/or sudsing phase.
- water after the first sudsing phase can be added again to the beginning of the first sudsing phase, ithout the present invention this is the most feasible reuse of process water.
- hypochlorite or hydrogen peroxide process water must be added again with care because, e.g., the water to be fed back to the soaking bath is warmer than is conventional in the soaking phase and that in the presence of residual hydrogen peroxide fixation of proteinic stains occurs, while in the case of hypochlorite a strong bleaching action and therefore chemical damage to the textile occurs owing to the increased tenperature.
- the present invention provides a process, compositions, uses, and a device using a special peroxide compound, in which reinfection by microorganisms in the last washing phases - either through a bactericidal action or through a bacteriostatic (germicidal) action - does not occur, a high degree of reuse of the process water is possible, and yet a sufficient bleaching action is obtained.
- the present invention comprises a process for wet cleaning textile in at least five phases comprising a soaking phase, at least one sudsing phase, a rinsing phase, a bleaching phase, and a neutralization phase, in which in a second sudsing phase or in the rinsing phase a peroxy acid having at least 6 carbon atoms or a compound converted in situ into such a peroxy acid is added.
- the bleaching step is thus physically combined with a second sudsing phase or the rinsing phase.
- the same washing result can be obtained using a washing line having a lower capacity, or the overcapacity of the washing line can be utilized for other purposes.
- a peroxy acid having a somewhat longer hydrocarbon residue, or a compound converted into it during the washing process By using in the process according to the invention a peroxy acid having a somewhat longer hydrocarbon residue, or a compound converted into it during the washing process, a surprisingly better disinfection and a good bacteriostatic action is obtained because at least part of the peroxy acid adheres to the fibers of the textile so that peroxy acid remains present in the laundry after washing and thus the disinfecting action of that peroxy acid also remains present after the neutralization phase.
- the peroxy acid used according to the invention also remains active during storage- of the moist laundry until the drying process so that then the spore-forming microorganisms do not multiply either.
- the above-mentioned peroxy acids are readily biodegradable. Processes are further known for formulating the above peroxy acids to fully safe products. Safe products can be in the form of granules or aqueous suspensions. For use in wet cleaning processes preference is given to suspensions. Compositions of insoluble peroxycarboxylic acids containing alkyl groups and suspended in water are, as stated above, extensively described in the prior art. A feature of such suspensions is that they contain additives preventing the sagging or creaming of the peroxy compounds.
- Known stabilizing agents are described in GB-A-153 504, EP-A-0 160 342, EP-A-0 176 124, EP-A-0 188 025, EP-A-0 201 958, EP-A-0 283 791, EP-A-0 283 792, EP-A-0 347 988, and EP-A-0 386 566.
- compositions further comprise additives for ensuring or at least improving chemical stability.
- additives for ensuring or at least improving chemical stability comprise the addition of specific sequestering agents and the limitation of the acidity to a pH in the range of 3 to 5.
- the process according to the invention preferably makes use of a suspension free of surface active compounds.
- This suspension can be dosed into the washing tube in the final phase of the washing process.
- a suspension with which excellent results are obtained in the process according to the invention comprises 20-35%, preferably 25-30%, most preferably 27% DPDDA; 2-5%, preferably 3-4% sodium sulfate; about 0.2% xanthane gum; and about 0,2% hydroxyethyl cellulose in water having a pH adjusted to a value in the range of 3 to 4, preferably 3.7.
- the percentage of active oxygen is about 3%.
- the specific composition is readily pumpable and phase-stable.
- the amount of peroxy acid required per kg of laundry and/or per liter of washing liquid is not directly critical and is substantially determined by the degree of pollution of the laundry, the amount of peroxy acid will mostly range between 10 and 50 mmol per kg of dry laundry, which corresponds to 2 to 10 mmol per liter of washing liquid.
- This acid can be both an inorganic acid, e.g. phosphoric acid, and an organic acid. If preference is given to the use of an organic acid, in particular acetic or formic acid is used.
- the acid is preferably added in such an amount that a pH of 7.5 to 5, preferably between 7 and 6, is obtained in the laundry, which for formic acid corresponds to, e.g. , 1 g per kg of dry laundry.
- the washing process according to the invention is therefore carried out at a temperature between 25 and 75°C, in particular at a temperature between 45 and 65°C.
- the processes according to the invention can be carried out within broad limits for the pH.
- the neutralization phase the process is carried out with acid, hence the pH is lower then, also for the purpose of better activating the peroxy acids.
- Fig. 4 shows a washing process according to the invention in which at different places process water is fed back into the washing process.
- the process water to be fed back it is subjected to a purification step.
- the lower washing temperature which can be obtained because of the better chemical disinfection of the laundry by the peroxy acids according to the invention enables a much more intensive reuse of the water.
- the peroxy acids for use in the invention can be added in the washing process in many ways, e.g. in a solution with conventional solvents, as a granulate with the conventional fillers, as a suspension, or as a paste. They can also be added together with the washing agent in the (or the first or second) sudsing phase.
- the peroxy acids according to the invention and the processes according to the invention can be combined with all conventional further treatments of the laundry. They can be used in processes with the conventional steps and with the conventional agents, particularly in the so-called industrial wet cleaning processes in which washing tubes or washing lines are used.
- the industrial wet cleaning process is generally carried out with the following agents. Soap and/or detergents
- soaps are still being used regularly, particularly in combination with synthetic detergents.
- Soaps are in general sodium and/or potassium salts of fatty acids.
- the sodium salts generally give hard soaps, whereas the potassium salts give the soft soaps.
- the anionic washing agents include, inter alia, known alkylaryl sulfates, alkyl sulfonates, alkyl sulfates, sulfated alkylene oxide condensates, etc.
- ⁇ on-ionic washing agents are, inter alia, alkyl polyglycol ethers, amine oxides, polyalkyl saccharides, etc.
- Cationic compounds are in general quaternary ammonium compounds in which two substituents of the nitrogen atom are alkyl groups having 16 or more carbon atoms.
- a frequently used additive to washing agents is, e.g., sodium carboxymethyl cellulose. Also, trinitriloacetic acid is often used. Besides, optical brightener, washing alkalis, soda, sodium metasilicate, sodium hydroxide, etc., are often used.
- the composition of the washing agent can influence the pH, the bleaching action of the peroxy acid being optimal.
- This optimum pH can be readily determined by a skilled man.
- the constituents of washing agents having different functions, in particular the detergents, the basic additives, and the bleaching agents are often added in the washing process at different places in the correct concentration. In such a situation a suspension of a peroxy acid according to the invention is preferred because of the ability of being dosed.
- compositions suitable for use in the process according to the invention are the following.
- a first combination consists of a detergent mixture to be used in the soaking phase and the sudsing phase, comprising 0-60% fatty acid soap, 5-70% non-ionic detergent, 0-5% of a conventional isotropic aid, and water; a basic builder, comprising 0-60% soda, 0-80% sodium metasilicate, 0.1-2% sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, 0-1% optical brightener, 0-20% sodium triphosphate, and 0-2% ⁇ TA.
- a second composition is formed by a complete powder to be used both in the soaking bath and in the sudsing phase, comprising at least 5% surfactant, 0-20% soda, 1-60% sodium metasilicate, 0-10% sodium hydroxide, 0.1-2% sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, 0-1% optical brightener, 0-40% sodium triphosphate, and 0-1% TA.
- Fig. l gives an example of a washing process in five phases. 1 is the soaking phase, 2 is the sudsing phase, 3 is the rinsing phase, 4 is the bleaching phase, and 5 represents the neutralization phase.
- Fig. 2 shows a washing tube suitable for carrying out the classical hypochlorite process in which the temperatures of the process water in the different phases can be expressed in °C.
- the full arrows represent the water streams; the broken arrows represent the water streams to be fed back; and the numerals represent the amount of water to be discharged.
- Fig. 3 shows a hydrogen peroxide process with bisulfite neutralization in which the temperatures of the process water in the different phases are expressed in °C; the full arrows represent water streams; the discontinuous arrows represent the water to be fed back; and the numerals at the arrows express the amount of water to be discharged in units of 1/kg of laundry.
- Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of a washing tube and a washing process according to the invention in which the temperatures of the process water in the different phases are expressed in °C; the full arrows represent water streams; the broken arrows represent the water to be fed back; and the numerals represent the amount of water to be discharged.
- a washing tube Charged into a washing tube according to the invention, as shown in Fig. 4, are 1200 kg of laundry (per hour), together with patches provided with standard dirt (KWIJOVE (quartz, iron oxide, and fat) , VEKOPROP (fats, carbohydrates, and proteins) , and SUNAK (blackcurrant juice) , obtainable from IR-TNO, The Netherlands; and EMPA 111 (pig's blood), obtainable from EMPA, Switzerland) .
- the soaking phase comprises a treatment lasting 9 minutes with 200 ml of washing agent at an average temperature of 40°C and an average pH of 10.5.
- the laundry is then subjected to a sudsing phase for 12 minutes.
- the sudsing phase comprises 330 ml of washing agent and is carried out at an average temperature of 66°C and an average pH of 10.
- the laundry is then subjected to a second sudsing phase, comprising no washing agent but DPDDA (1.3 g/kg of laundry) .
- the laundry is then rinsed for 6 minutes and neutralized with 2.5 g/kg of laundry acetic acid.
- the dosage of the acid was so selected that in the neutralization phase a pH in the range of 8 to 4, preferably of 7 to 5, was obtained. If the pH attains a value above 8, the laundry turns yellow; whereas a pH below 4 can lead to corrosion at the plants.
- a pH in the range of 8 to 4 preferably of 7 to 5
- the laundry turns yellow; whereas a pH below 4 can lead to corrosion at the plants.
- 80% of the water is discharged, purified and fed back to the soaking phase.
- In the neutralization phase 10% of the water is discharged, and 90% is fed back to the second sudsing phase and to the soaking phase. Of the water released during neutralization and pressing of the laundry, everything is fed back to the soaking phase.
- test material After neutralization the test material is judged by the removal of the model dirt by measuring the (blue) light remission in a manner known to the skilled man.
- the hygiene is tested by subjecting water and textile samples to conventional microbiological studies.
- Charged into a washing tube according to the invention are 1200 kg of laundry (per hour) , together with patches with standard soils (VEKOPROP, KWIJOVE, SU ⁇ AK, and EMPA 111) .
- the soaking phase comprises a treatment lasting 9 minutes with 60 ml of washing agent at an average temperature of 39°C and an average pH of 10.6.
- the laundry is then subjected to a sudsing phase for 12 minutes.
- the sudsing phase comprises 2.5 1 of washing agent and is carried out at an average temperature of 82°C and an average pH of 11.5.
- the laundry is subjected to a bleaching phase, comprising hypochlorite (20 ml/kg of laundry) .
- a bleaching phase comprising hypochlorite (20 ml/kg of laundry) .
- the laundry is then rinsed for 6 minutes and neutralized with 2.5 g/kg of laundry bisulfite.
- test material After neutralization the test material is judged by light remission. Hygiene is tested by taking bacteriological samples.
- Table 3 shows the results of the bacteriological studies to which reference is made in Examples 1 and 2. More in particular, it has been determined how many spore-forming bacteria are present per ml of suds for reuse and per ml of liquid from the press.
- the number of spore-forming bacteria is so much lower in the processed washing liquids that they are very suitable for reuse.
Abstract
The invention provides processes for the cleaning of textile by means of wet cleaning processes, in particular carried out in washing tubes. The present invention comprises a process for cleaning textile by means of wet cleaning in at least five phases, comprising a soaking phase, at least one sudsing phase, a rinsing phase, a bleaching phase, and a neutralization phase, in which in a second sudsing phase or in the rinsing phase a peroxy acid having at least 6 carbon atoms or a compound converted in situ into such a peroxy acid is added. The invention further comprises the use of peroxy acid having at least six carbon atoms or a compound giving in situ a peroxy acid having at least six carbon atoms for use as a disinfectant or bacteriostatic agent and/or as a bleaching agent in such a process.
Description
Title: Peroxy acids or precursors thereof for use in the cleaning of textile, and processes for cleaning textile by means of such peroxy acids or precursors.
The present invention relates to the cleaning of textile by means of wet cleaning processes, in particular industrial laundering processes.
The object of wet cleaning is to remove dirt and stains and to clear the laundry of microorganisms and materials giving the laundry an unpleasant smell.
The kinds of dirt occurring in textile can be subdivided into water-soluble dirt and water-insoluble dirt that partly consists of suspendable or emulsifiable dirt. Water-soluble dirt comprises, e.g., sugars, acids, salts, and urea; water-insoluble dirt comprises, e.g., sand, clAy, proteins, fats, oils, soot, dyes, and microorganisms.
Suspendable and emulsifiable dirt comprises, inter alia, proteins, starch, foods, fats, oils, and blood constituents. The invention particularly relates to wet cleaning processes carried out in a so-called washing tube or washing line. A washing tube is a (semi)continuous washing equipment comprising a number of successive chambers. In the different chambers different phases of the washing process are carried out, of which a phase can extend over more than one chamber. The phases (see Fig. 1) of such a wet cleaning process mostly comprise a soaking phase, one or more sudsing phases, a rinsing phase, a bleaching phase, and a neutralization phase. In the soaking phase the dirty laundry is contacted with water and a detergent so that the dirt can swell. The actual washing
step takes place in the sudsing phase in which washing is carried out at a temperature of about 85°C in the presence of a washing agent. In the subsequent rinsing phase washing agent and detached dirt are rinsed out. Bleaching agent is added in the bleaching phase in order to oxidize and/or discolor soils that cannot be washed out. Finally, in the neutralization phase residues of washing agent and bleaching agent are neutralized and rinsed out.
In general, the different phases of the washing process are spatially separated in a washing tube (see Fig. 2) . The figure shows a conventional washing tube. In chambers l through 3 soaking takes place. The sudsing phase is carried out in chambers 4 through 8. In this phase it is possible to supply steam at different places to increase the sudsing temperature.
In the sudsing phase the process is carried out partly in countercur ent. The waste water is discharged into chamber 4. The sudsing phase is followed by the rinsing phase which is generally also carried out in countercurrent. The rinsing phase is followed by the bleaching phase in which hitherto hypochlorite solutions are generally used, in particular in processes for cleaning white laundry and wash- fast and chlorine-fast colored laundry.
The last phase is the neutralization phase in which basic washing agent residues and hypochlorite are mostly neutralized by means of sodium hydrogen sulfite (bisulfite) .
In an alternative process, the hydrogen peroxide process, peroxide, instead of hypochlorite, is added in a second
sudsing phase. In this case there is no separate bleaching phase.
The bleaching agents and/or disinfecting agents hitherto used, particularly' in combination with the conventional neutralization by means of sulfite, have a number of drawbacks.
Firstly, different textile fibers are poorly resistant to sodium hypochlorite and/or peroxide; the fibers are attacked by them. This attack results in a reduction of the strength of the textile. Thus, cellulose fibers are damaged by sodium hypochlorite and hydrogen peroxide, particularly at the relatively high washing temperatures. Proteinic fibers are poorly resistant to hypochlorite. However, e.g. polyamide is poorly resistant to compounds containing active oxygen, such as perborate and hydrogen peroxide. For this reason the use of these processes is actually limited to cotton and white • laundry.
Because certain kinds of dirt are hard, if at all, to remove with a washing agent, a bleaching process is often necessary. Dye stains and burned-in proteinic stains can only be removed by means of a bleaching treatment or a treatment with hot caustic soda.
In general, bleaching is carried out with a sodium hypochlorite solution at a pH of about 9.5-11 and at a temperature of 25°C. The active chlorine concentration is about 0.25 g/1 at a bleaching time of about 10 minutes. A higher temperature gives too much chemical wear.
The use of perborate and/or hydrogen peroxide requires a higher temperature (>60°C) in order to obtain a somewhat bleaching action.
Moreover, the environment for these bleaching agents must be strongly basic. For this reason they are mostly added in a second sudsing phase.
The above-described bleaching agents also have a somewhat disinfecting action, although the disinfecting action of peroxide is not great. The procedures according to the prior art, however, cannot prevent the reinfection of the textile with microorganisms in the last phases of the washing process because the disinfecting agent must be completely neutralized. Particularly in the case of hypochlorite complete neutralization is necessary because strong chemical wear occurs in the presence of residues of active hypochlorite in the laundry or the water to be fed back to the process.
In the industrial wet cleaning treatment it is of great importance that water and energy be treated efficiently for the purposes of cost control and reduction of the amount of waste water.
The water consumption of a washing tube is no less than 13 1 (including steam) per kg of laundry.
In waste water from laundries, inter alia detergents, soda, silicate, sodium sulfite, and dirt occurs. It is therefore of great importance for laundries to limit the amount of waste water.
A good possibility of saving water and energy is to feed back (purified) process water to other parts of the process.
In the hypochlorite process (see Fig. 2) this can be done with water after the neutralization phase, which may be reused in the soaking phase; and with water after the sudsing phase which can be used again in the soaking phase and/or sudsing phase. In the hydrogen peroxide process (see Fig. 3) water after the first sudsing phase can be added again to the beginning of the first sudsing phase, ithout the present invention this is the most feasible reuse of process water. Moreover, in processes in which hypochlorite or hydrogen peroxide is used process water must be added again with care because, e.g., the water to be fed back to the soaking bath is warmer than is conventional in the soaking phase and that in the presence of residual hydrogen peroxide fixation of proteinic stains occurs, while in the case of hypochlorite a strong bleaching action and therefore chemical damage to the textile occurs owing to the increased tenperature.
The present invention provides a process, compositions, uses, and a device using a special peroxide compound, in which reinfection by microorganisms in the last washing phases - either through a bactericidal action or through a bacteriostatic (germicidal) action - does not occur, a high degree of reuse of the process water is possible, and yet a sufficient bleaching action is obtained.
The present invention comprises a process for wet cleaning textile in at least five phases comprising a soaking phase, at least one sudsing phase, a rinsing phase, a bleaching phase,
and a neutralization phase, in which in a second sudsing phase or in the rinsing phase a peroxy acid having at least 6 carbon atoms or a compound converted in situ into such a peroxy acid is added. In fact, in the process according to the invention the bleaching step is thus physically combined with a second sudsing phase or the rinsing phase. In the process according to the invention the same washing result can be obtained using a washing line having a lower capacity, or the overcapacity of the washing line can be utilized for other purposes. A report from the Instituut voor Reinigingstechnieken TNO (Institute for Cleaning Techniques) summarily describes a comparable process in so-called "open end" washing machines [M332 CO] . According to the report, the washing processes described therein did not even satisfy the hygiene requirements to be imposed on washing processes, certainly in the wet cleaning industry, whereas DPDDA in the process described in this report is used in a concentration of 100 mg of active oxygen per liter, or 4.1 g DPDDA per kg of fabric, which concentration is high and largely falls outside economic feasibility.
The addition of a much shorter peroxy acid in the last phase of the washing process is known per se. The international patent application 91/03590 illustrates the use of peracetic acid in combination with acetic acid as a disinfectant. Furthermore, the possible use of performic acid and perpropionic acid is suggested. It is not used as a bleaching agent, nor can it be used als a disinfectant of prolonged action, since it does not properly adhere to the
laundry. Besides, the short percarboxylic acids, e.g. peracetic acid, have a good many practical drawbacks. They are corrosive, mordant and cause irritation of skin, eyes and bronchial tubes. In fact, only in fully automatized dosing devices can it be processed safely.
Besides, it is known from Belgian patent 860,743 that aqueous suspensions of alkyl peroxycarboxylic acids having a water solubility of less than 1% have an antimicrobial action. Furthermore, EP-A-0 386 566 describes solid peroxycarboxylic acid suspensions which include a specific non-ionic tenside. The problem underlying this publication is how to provide a percarboxylic acid composition that is both chemically stable and stable during storage. Finally, reference is made to U.S. patent 4,147,720, describing a process for preparing diperoxy dicarboxylic acids capable of being used in the process according to the invention. None of the publications, however, describes the process according to the invention or suggests the advantages of this process. In particular, the prolonged disinfecting action and the bacteriostatic activity of such compounds in washing tubes are neither described nor suggested.
By using in the process according to the invention a peroxy acid having a somewhat longer hydrocarbon residue, or a compound converted into it during the washing process, a surprisingly better disinfection and a good bacteriostatic action is obtained because at least part of the peroxy acid adheres to the fibers of the textile so that peroxy acid remains present in the laundry after washing and thus the
disinfecting action of that peroxy acid also remains present after the neutralization phase.
More in detail, it has been found when carrying out the process according to the invention that the use of the percarboxylic acids having at least 6 carbon atoms gives a clear bacteriostatic action, in particular with respect to bacillus spores. Spores of Bacillus cereus and Bacillus subtilis form part of the normal soiling of many kinds of laundry. In the spore form these microorganisms can even withstand conventional washing processes, in spite of the fact that these washing processes comprise a thermic disinfection step in which microorganisms are killed. By the presence of the perocy acid according to the invention these spores do not germinate in the last phase of the washing process so that no vegetative cells that can multiply are formed in the laundry. Besides, the spores can be easily rinsed out.
The peroxy acid used according to the invention also remains active during storage- of the moist laundry until the drying process so that then the spore-forming microorganisms do not multiply either.
During drying at higher temperatures (e.g. 110-150°C) the peroxy acids adhering to the laundry decompose. This decomposition provides that microorganisms and spores deactivate. This means an additional improvement over known washing processes. A problem frequently occurring in the known washing processes is that laundry in moist condition is going to develop an unpleasant smell owing to germination of the above spores. In fact, it has been found that the short-chain
peroxy acids used in the known washing processes evaporate or hydrolyze rapidly to form acids and the volatile hydrogen peroxide.
Peroxy acids for use in the process according to the invention are compounds satisfying the formula R- (C=0) -OOH in which R is a carbon chain or substituted carbon chain having at least 5 carbon atoms. Also, compounds satisfying the formula HOO(C=0) -Rλ - (C=0)OOH in which Rj. contains at least 4 carbon atoms in the main chain, which main chain may or may not be substituted with substituents conventional in this field of the art, can be used for the invention. Particularly suitable substituents are, e.g., sulfonyl groups and nonylamino groups.
A number of peroxy acids to be used in the washing process is described in, e.g., European patent application
No. 0 376 360, but also other peroxy acids, as described in European application No. 0 458 327, e.g. N-carbamoyl-ll- aminoperoxyundecancic acid can be used according to the invention. Because of the commercial availability, preference is given to the use of diperoxydodecanedioic acid (DPDDA) .
In general, the above-mentioned peroxy acids are readily biodegradable. Processes are further known for formulating the above peroxy acids to fully safe products. Safe products can be in the form of granules or aqueous suspensions. For use in wet cleaning processes preference is given to suspensions. Compositions of insoluble peroxycarboxylic acids containing alkyl groups and suspended in water are, as stated above, extensively described in the prior art. A feature of
such suspensions is that they contain additives preventing the sagging or creaming of the peroxy compounds. Known stabilizing agents are described in GB-A-153 504, EP-A-0 160 342, EP-A-0 176 124, EP-A-0 188 025, EP-A-0 201 958, EP-A-0 283 791, EP-A-0 283 792, EP-A-0 347 988, and EP-A-0 386 566.
These compositions further comprise additives for ensuring or at least improving chemical stability. Known possibilities of influencing chemical stability comprise the addition of specific sequestering agents and the limitation of the acidity to a pH in the range of 3 to 5.
It is not necessary for the process according to the present invention that because of security aspects compounds like triethylene glycol are used, as taught in EP-A-0 412 599. Although, in practice, many compositions containing percarboxylic acid can be used, the process according to the invention preferably makes use of a suspension free of surface active compounds. This suspension can be dosed into the washing tube in the final phase of the washing process. A suspension with which excellent results are obtained in the process according to the invention comprises 20-35%, preferably 25-30%, most preferably 27% DPDDA; 2-5%, preferably 3-4% sodium sulfate; about 0.2% xanthane gum; and about 0,2% hydroxyethyl cellulose in water having a pH adjusted to a value in the range of 3 to 4, preferably 3.7. In such a composition the percentage of active oxygen is about 3%. The specific composition is readily pumpable and phase-stable.
Although the amount of peroxy acid required per kg of laundry and/or per liter of washing liquid is not directly critical and is substantially determined by the degree of pollution of the laundry, the amount of peroxy acid will mostly range between 10 and 50 mmol per kg of dry laundry, which corresponds to 2 to 10 mmol per liter of washing liquid.
Instead of the conventional neutralization step with bisulfite a neutralization with an acid is carried out for the present invention. This acid can be both an inorganic acid, e.g. phosphoric acid, and an organic acid. If preference is given to the use of an organic acid, in particular acetic or formic acid is used.
By selecting this neutralization step, the disinfecting action of the peroxy acid is further enhanced, while detergents and other washing agent ingredients are readily neutralized.
The acid is preferably added in such an amount that a pH of 7.5 to 5, preferably between 7 and 6, is obtained in the laundry, which for formic acid corresponds to, e.g. , 1 g per kg of dry laundry.
In contrast to the prior art washing processes a thermic disinfection is not necessary because the disinfection of the peroxy acid in combination with the activation thereof by the acid is sufficient. For this reason the washing step can be carried out at a much lower temperature, which leads to a considerable saving of energy and, moreover, gives fewer problems when the process water is fed back to the soaking phase. Preferably, the washing process according to the
invention is therefore carried out at a temperature between 25 and 75°C, in particular at a temperature between 45 and 65°C.
The processes according to the invention can be carried out within broad limits for the pH. In the neutralization phase the process is carried out with acid, hence the pH is lower then, also for the purpose of better activating the peroxy acids.
An important advantage of the invention over the prior art processes is that a much larger amount of process water can be reused in the washing process. The temperature of the water from the sudsing phase is lower than the temperature of the preceding phase(s) and can therefore more easily be fed back to the soaking phase in which the temperature must not be too high because of the possible burning in of stains. In the prior art processes the temperature of the sudsing phase cannot be lowered because that high temperature is necessary for thermic disinfection. Fig. 4 shows a washing process according to the invention in which at different places process water is fed back into the washing process. Optionally, before feeding back to the process the process water to be fed back, it is subjected to a purification step. In this step factors that may disturb the washing process are removed from the water as much as possible, by means of known separation techniques, e.g., membrane separation techniques. By selecting the separation technique in such a manner that it can be used in the process, heat losses can be limited. The use of this method results in a more efficient energy economy and a reduced consumption of water and washing agent, while it
is possible to reduce the degree of pollution of the waste water to be discharged. The presence of peroxy acids as used according to the invention in these purification steps prevents the occurrence of pollution by the germination and growth of microorganisms and, consequently, of a reinfection of the laundry as a result of reuse of the water to be recycled.
The lower washing temperature which can be obtained because of the better chemical disinfection of the laundry by the peroxy acids according to the invention enables a much more intensive reuse of the water.
The peroxy acids for use in the invention can be added in the washing process in many ways, e.g. in a solution with conventional solvents, as a granulate with the conventional fillers, as a suspension, or as a paste. They can also be added together with the washing agent in the (or the first or second) sudsing phase.
The peroxy acids according to the invention and the processes according to the invention can be combined with all conventional further treatments of the laundry. They can be used in processes with the conventional steps and with the conventional agents, particularly in the so-called industrial wet cleaning processes in which washing tubes or washing lines are used. The industrial wet cleaning process is generally carried out with the following agents.
Soap and/or detergents
In the industrial wet cleaning process soaps are still being used regularly, particularly in combination with synthetic detergents. Soaps are in general sodium and/or potassium salts of fatty acids. The sodium salts generally give hard soaps, whereas the potassium salts give the soft soaps.
As synthetic detergents which, in structure, often resemble soaps, anionic, non-ionic, cationic or amphoteric detergents are used.
The anionic washing agents include, inter alia, known alkylaryl sulfates, alkyl sulfonates, alkyl sulfates, sulfated alkylene oxide condensates, etc.
Νon-ionic washing agents are, inter alia, alkyl polyglycol ethers, amine oxides, polyalkyl saccharides, etc.
Cationic compounds are in general quaternary ammonium compounds in which two substituents of the nitrogen atom are alkyl groups having 16 or more carbon atoms.
A frequently used additive to washing agents is, e.g., sodium carboxymethyl cellulose. Also, trinitriloacetic acid is often used. Besides, optical brightener, washing alkalis, soda, sodium metasilicate, sodium hydroxide, etc., are often used.
The composition of the washing agent can influence the pH, the bleaching action of the peroxy acid being optimal. This optimum pH, however, can be readily determined by a skilled man.
In industrial plants the constituents of washing agents having different functions, in particular the detergents, the basic additives, and the bleaching agents, are often added in the washing process at different places in the correct concentration. In such a situation a suspension of a peroxy acid according to the invention is preferred because of the ability of being dosed.
Specific examples of compositions suitable for use in the process according to the invention are the following. A first combination consists of a detergent mixture to be used in the soaking phase and the sudsing phase, comprising 0-60% fatty acid soap, 5-70% non-ionic detergent, 0-5% of a conventional isotropic aid, and water; a basic builder, comprising 0-60% soda, 0-80% sodium metasilicate, 0.1-2% sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, 0-1% optical brightener, 0-20% sodium triphosphate, and 0-2% ΝTA.
A second composition is formed by a complete powder to be used both in the soaking bath and in the sudsing phase, comprising at least 5% surfactant, 0-20% soda, 1-60% sodium metasilicate, 0-10% sodium hydroxide, 0.1-2% sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, 0-1% optical brightener, 0-40% sodium triphosphate, and 0-1% TA.
The above list is far from being complete and, therefore, cannot be construed as limitative to the present invention.
Description of the figures
Fig. l gives an example of a washing process in five phases. 1 is the soaking phase, 2 is the sudsing phase, 3 is
the rinsing phase, 4 is the bleaching phase, and 5 represents the neutralization phase.
Fig. 2 shows a washing tube suitable for carrying out the classical hypochlorite process in which the temperatures of the process water in the different phases can be expressed in °C. The full arrows represent the water streams; the broken arrows represent the water streams to be fed back; and the numerals represent the amount of water to be discharged.
Fig. 3 shows a hydrogen peroxide process with bisulfite neutralization in which the temperatures of the process water in the different phases are expressed in °C; the full arrows represent water streams; the discontinuous arrows represent the water to be fed back; and the numerals at the arrows express the amount of water to be discharged in units of 1/kg of laundry.
Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of a washing tube and a washing process according to the invention in which the temperatures of the process water in the different phases are expressed in °C; the full arrows represent water streams; the broken arrows represent the water to be fed back; and the numerals represent the amount of water to be discharged.
The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the following examples.
Example 1
Charged into a washing tube according to the invention, as shown in Fig. 4, are 1200 kg of laundry (per hour), together with patches provided with standard dirt (KWIJOVE (quartz,
iron oxide, and fat) , VEKOPROP (fats, carbohydrates, and proteins) , and SUNAK (blackcurrant juice) , obtainable from IR-TNO, The Netherlands; and EMPA 111 (pig's blood), obtainable from EMPA, Switzerland) . The soaking phase comprises a treatment lasting 9 minutes with 200 ml of washing agent at an average temperature of 40°C and an average pH of 10.5.
The laundry is then subjected to a sudsing phase for 12 minutes. The sudsing phase comprises 330 ml of washing agent and is carried out at an average temperature of 66°C and an average pH of 10.
The laundry is then subjected to a second sudsing phase, comprising no washing agent but DPDDA (1.3 g/kg of laundry) . The laundry is then rinsed for 6 minutes and neutralized with 2.5 g/kg of laundry acetic acid. The dosage of the acid was so selected that in the neutralization phase a pH in the range of 8 to 4, preferably of 7 to 5, was obtained. If the pH attains a value above 8, the laundry turns yellow; whereas a pH below 4 can lead to corrosion at the plants. In the rinsing phase 80% of the water is discharged, purified and fed back to the soaking phase. In the neutralization phase 10% of the water is discharged, and 90% is fed back to the second sudsing phase and to the soaking phase. Of the water released during neutralization and pressing of the laundry, everything is fed back to the soaking phase.
After neutralization the test material is judged by the removal of the model dirt by measuring the (blue) light
remission in a manner known to the skilled man. The hygiene is tested by subjecting water and textile samples to conventional microbiological studies.
The process conditions and a number of results of the determinations are listed in Table 1.
Table 1
Chamber (Fiq. 4) T(°C; ± 1°C) PH (±0.2) [DPDDA] *
1 32 10.4 0
5 67 11.3 0
7 64 10.2 6
8 - 8.0 27
9 55 8.4 12
11 35 8.4 5
14 29 7.2 0
Consumption of water water: 6.4 m3 and energy per ton of laundry:* enerqy: 1058 MJ
Co-washed Measured blue light model soils: remission after washing
KWIJOVE 68
VEKOPROP 69
SUΝAK 64
EMPA 111 73
mg of active oxygen per liter
Example 2
In this example a standard hypochlorite process is described for the purpose of comparison.
Charged into a washing tube according to the invention are 1200 kg of laundry (per hour) , together with patches with standard soils (VEKOPROP, KWIJOVE, SUΝAK, and EMPA 111) .
The soaking phase comprises a treatment lasting 9 minutes with 60 ml of washing agent at an average temperature of 39°C and an average pH of 10.6. The laundry is then subjected to a sudsing phase for 12 minutes. The sudsing phase comprises 2.5 1 of washing agent and is carried out at an average temperature of 82°C and an average pH of 11.5.
Then the laundry is subjected to a bleaching phase, comprising hypochlorite (20 ml/kg of laundry) . The laundry is then rinsed for 6 minutes and neutralized with 2.5 g/kg of laundry bisulfite.
In the rinsing phase 67% of the water supplied is discharged, purified and fed back to the sudsing and soaking phase. Of the water released during neutralization and pressing of the laundry, everything is fed back to the soaking phase.
After neutralization the test material is judged by light remission. Hygiene is tested by taking bacteriological samples.
The results are listed in Table 2.
Table 2
* concentration of hypochlorite as mg of active chlorine per liter
A comparison of the processes described in Examples 1 and 2 shows that the process according to the invention gives a similar result with respect to the washing efficiency, while much less water and energy are required than in the very heavy prior art bleaching process. Although the bleaching results in case of using the process according to the invention (Table l)
are somewhat lower than those in case of using the much heavier bleaching process described in Example 2 (Table 2) , all bleaching results on test soils clearly satisfy the standards set in this field of the art.
Example 3
Table 3 shows the results of the bacteriological studies to which reference is made in Examples 1 and 2. More in particular, it has been determined how many spore-forming bacteria are present per ml of suds for reuse and per ml of liquid from the press.
Table 3
number of spore-forming bacteria per ml of sample
Process bleaching agent sudsing phase liquid from the press
Ex. 1 DPDDA 145 450 Ex. 2 NaOCl 3000 3000
In the process according to the invention the number of spore-forming bacteria is so much lower in the processed washing liquids that they are very suitable for reuse.
Claims
1. A process for cleaning textile by means of wet cleaning in at least five phases, comprising a soaking phase, at least one sudsing phase, a rinsing phase, a bleaching phase, and a neutralization phase, in which in a second sudsing phase or in the rinsing phase a peroxy acid having at least 6 carbon atoms or a compound converted in situ into such a peroxy acid is added.
2. A process according to claim l, in which the peroxy acid is diperoxydodecanedioic acid.
3. A process according to claim l or 2, in which the peroxy acid is present in an amount of 0.1-10 g/kg of dry laundry.
4. A process according to claim 1, 2 or 3, in which an acid is added in the neutralization phase.
5. A process according to claim 4, in which the acid used is acetic or formic acid in such an amount that this leads to a pH in the range of 8 to 4 in the neutralization phase.
6. A process according to claim 5, in which the pH of the washing liquid in the neutralization phase is in the range of 5 to 7.
7. A process according to any of the preceding claims, in which the water from the bleaching phase, the water from the sudsing phase and/or the water from the rinsing phase and/or the water from the pressing phase is at least partly reused in the washing process.
8. A process according to claim 7, in which the water to be reused is subjected to a purification step, followed by reusing the water in the soaking phase and/or in the sudsing phase.
9. A peroxy acid having at least 6 carbon atoms or a compound giving in situ a peroxy acid having at least 6 carbon atoms for use in a washing process for cleaning textile by means of wet cleaning in at least five phases, comprising a soaking phase, at least one sudsing phase, a rinsing phase, a bleaching phase, and a neutralization phase.
10. A peroxy acid having at least 6 carbon atoms or a compound giving in situ a peroxy acid having at least 6 carbon atoms for use as a disinfectant or bacteriostatic agent and/or as a bleaching agent in a washing process for cleaning textile by means of wet cleaning in at least five phases, comprising a soaking phase, at least one sudsing phase, a rinsing phase, a bleaching phase, and a neutralization phase.
11. A washing agent for use in a wet cleaning process, comprising, in addition to the conventional ingredients, a peroxy acid having at least 6 carbon atoms or a compound giving in situ a peroxy acid having at least 6 carbon atoms.
12. An aqueous suspension without surfactants for use in the process according to the invention according to claim 11, comprising 20-35%, preferably 25-30%, most preferably 27% DPDDA; 2-5%, preferably 3-4% sodium sulfate; about 0.2% xanthane gum; and about 0.2% hydroxyethyl cellulose in water having a pH adjusted to a value in the range of 3 to 4.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
NL9301339 | 1993-07-30 | ||
NL9301339A NL9301339A (en) | 1993-07-30 | 1993-07-30 | Peroxyacids or precursors thereof for use in the cleaning of textiles, and methods and devices for cleaning textiles using such peroxyacids or precursors. |
PCT/NL1994/000177 WO1995004128A1 (en) | 1993-07-30 | 1994-07-29 | Peroxy acids or precursors thereof for use in the cleaning of textile, and processes for cleaning textile by means of such peroxy acids or precursors |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0711337A1 true EP0711337A1 (en) | 1996-05-15 |
Family
ID=19862718
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP94926403A Withdrawn EP0711337A1 (en) | 1993-07-30 | 1994-07-29 | Peroxy acids or precursors thereof for use in the cleaning of textile, and processes for cleaning textile by means of such peroxy acids or precursors |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0711337A1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU7625194A (en) |
NL (1) | NL9301339A (en) |
WO (1) | WO1995004128A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP2485399A1 (en) | 2009-01-26 | 2012-08-08 | Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited | Sampling |
US11180385B2 (en) | 2012-10-05 | 2021-11-23 | Ecolab USA, Inc. | Stable percarboxylic acid compositions and uses thereof |
Families Citing this family (18)
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DE10150403A1 (en) * | 2001-10-11 | 2003-04-30 | Ecolab Gmbh & Co Ohg | Disinfectant washing process with peracids |
GB0216173D0 (en) * | 2002-07-12 | 2002-08-21 | Fabric Care Res Ass Ltd | A laundry preparation |
GB0428202D0 (en) * | 2004-12-23 | 2005-01-26 | Fabric Care Res Ass Ltd | A method of disinfecting textile articles during laundering and a laundry preparation for use in said method |
US8809392B2 (en) | 2008-03-28 | 2014-08-19 | Ecolab Usa Inc. | Sulfoperoxycarboxylic acids, their preparation and methods of use as bleaching and antimicrobial agents |
US8871807B2 (en) | 2008-03-28 | 2014-10-28 | Ecolab Usa Inc. | Detergents capable of cleaning, bleaching, sanitizing and/or disinfecting textiles including sulfoperoxycarboxylic acids |
US8470053B2 (en) | 2009-02-02 | 2013-06-25 | Fariborz Dawudian | Compositions for laundering and subsequently drying delicate garments without incurring any damage and methods to use them |
US10253281B2 (en) | 2012-08-20 | 2019-04-09 | Ecolab Usa Inc. | Method of washing textile articles |
US9752105B2 (en) | 2012-09-13 | 2017-09-05 | Ecolab Usa Inc. | Two step method of cleaning, sanitizing, and rinsing a surface |
US10165774B2 (en) | 2013-03-05 | 2019-01-01 | Ecolab Usa Inc. | Defoamer useful in a peracid composition with anionic surfactants |
US20140256811A1 (en) | 2013-03-05 | 2014-09-11 | Ecolab Usa Inc. | Efficient stabilizer in controlling self accelerated decomposition temperature of peroxycarboxylic acid compositions with mineral acids |
US8822719B1 (en) | 2013-03-05 | 2014-09-02 | Ecolab Usa Inc. | Peroxycarboxylic acid compositions suitable for inline optical or conductivity monitoring |
DE102013006200A1 (en) | 2013-04-11 | 2014-10-16 | Herbert Kannegiesser Gmbh | Process for wet treatment, preferably washing, of laundry items |
CA2971416C (en) | 2014-12-18 | 2024-01-23 | Ecolab Usa Inc. | Methods for forming peroxyformic acid and uses thereof |
JP6802166B2 (en) | 2014-12-18 | 2020-12-16 | エコラボ ユーエスエー インコーポレイティド | Production of peroxyformic acid by polyhydric alcohol formic acid |
EP3310398A1 (en) * | 2015-06-16 | 2018-04-25 | Ecolab USA Inc. | Damp storage of cleaning textiles |
US10172351B2 (en) | 2015-09-04 | 2019-01-08 | Ecolab Usa Inc. | Performic acid on-site generator and formulator |
EP3904526A1 (en) | 2015-09-10 | 2021-11-03 | Ecolab USA Inc. | Self indicating antimicrobial chemistry |
AU2019285304B2 (en) | 2018-06-15 | 2021-10-14 | Ecolab Usa Inc. | On site generated performic acid compositions for teat treatment |
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US3650667A (en) * | 1969-02-26 | 1972-03-21 | Steiner American Corp | Laundry process for producing fabrics that are substantially free from bacteria and bacterial spores |
DE2547494A1 (en) * | 1975-10-23 | 1977-05-05 | Boco Waeschedienst Ernst Rethw | Continuously cleaning soiled garments - by simultaneously washing, bleaching and brightening in a tank at higher temps. |
DE2554592C3 (en) * | 1975-12-04 | 1981-11-26 | Bosch-Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH, 7000 Stuttgart | Washing process for textiles to be carried out in an automatic washing machine and the device for carrying it out |
DE3907131A1 (en) * | 1989-03-06 | 1990-09-13 | Henkel Kgaa | BLEACH SUSPENSION |
DE3929335A1 (en) * | 1989-09-04 | 1991-03-07 | Henkel Kgaa | METHOD FOR DISINFECTION OF TEXTILES IN WASHSTAINS |
-
1993
- 1993-07-30 NL NL9301339A patent/NL9301339A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
-
1994
- 1994-07-29 EP EP94926403A patent/EP0711337A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1994-07-29 WO PCT/NL1994/000177 patent/WO1995004128A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1994-07-29 AU AU76251/94A patent/AU7625194A/en not_active Abandoned
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
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Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP2485399A1 (en) | 2009-01-26 | 2012-08-08 | Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited | Sampling |
EP2485400A1 (en) | 2009-01-26 | 2012-08-08 | Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited | Sampling |
US11180385B2 (en) | 2012-10-05 | 2021-11-23 | Ecolab USA, Inc. | Stable percarboxylic acid compositions and uses thereof |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO1995004128A1 (en) | 1995-02-09 |
NL9301339A (en) | 1995-02-16 |
AU7625194A (en) | 1995-02-28 |
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