GB190429137A - Improvements in the Treatment of Rhea Grass Wood Fibre and the like for Spinning and other purposes - Google Patents

Abstract

29,137. Harris, J. Dec. 30. Retting; lubricating fibres.-The object is to eliminate the gummy compounds and colouring- matters contained in rhea grass, wood fibre, &c. The material, after being decorticated or crushed, is steeped for six hours in a one per cent. solution of an alkali into which steam is admitted, and is then drained and digested under a steam pressure of about 60lb. with a two per cent. solution of sodium chloride or with a 5¢ per cent. solution of soft soap, caustic alkali, and linseed oil mixed in the proportion of 4 to 1 to ¢ respectively ; or the treatment with sodium chloride may be con- ducted at a temperature of 200‹ F. in a centrifugal apparatus running at a high velocity, the treatment being continued until all feeling of harshness has left the fibre. The material is then well washed and partly dried and submitted in a closed cham- ber for four or five hours to the action of steam and ozone or ozonized air, which are blown into the chamber either together or alternately, and by which such of the gummy &c. compounds as have not been eliminated by the previous treatment are oxidized, crystallized, and rendered neutral and the fibres are bleached. The material may then be combed and simultaneously sprayed with water to carry away the oxidized compounds, and the fibres, if they appear dull, may have worked into them a two per cent. solution of soft soap and linseed oil mixed in the proportion of about 3 to 1 and at a temperature of 110‹ F.