GB517923A - Process for the retting of cocoa-nuts - Google Patents

Abstract

517,923. Refining cellulosic fibres. MAISANT,B. Aug. 9, 1938, No. 23444. [Class 2 (ii)] Fibres are obtained from coco anuts by a process comprising a cold treatment of the crushed or uncrushed cocoanuts in an aqueous medium having a pH value greater than 7 and a surface tension which is lower than that of pure water at the same temperature by at least 0.02 dynes per centimetre. The difference between the surface tension of the aqueous medium and that of pure water is preferably very small. The surface tension may be adjusted to the desired value by the addition of ethyl, propyl, butyl, amyl, or other alcohol to the alkaline medium. In order to facilitate removal of parenchyma and other substances from the fibres, substances may be present in the treating solution which exhibit the Brownian movement. For this purpose the solution may be prepared by adding alcohol to pure water, then adding a sulphonated vegetable oil which has previously been rendered slightly alkaline by addition of a solution of caustic soda or sodium carbonate and ammonia. The resulting solution also contains sulphates resulting from the action of the alkali on the sulphonated oil. The composition of the treating bath may be such as to prevent the growth of fungi and other organisms, but, if desired, antiseptic substances may be added to the bath. The treatment may require 24 hours or less to render the fibres free from encrusting substances.