GB744418A - Improvements relating to wet processing - Google Patents

Abstract

<PICT:0744418/IV(c)/1> In apparatus for wet-processing textile materials of the kind comprising a closed circulatory system, the treatment liquid being circulated through a kier 1 by means of a pump 7, hydrostatic pressure is applied to the circulatory system at the suction side of the pump by means of the head of liquid, e.g. water, contained in a pipe 15 and open-topped tank 17. The articles to be processed, which may be packages 3 to be dyed, are arranged on spindles 4 in the kier 1. During the initial process valves 12 and 14 are opened and valve 16 is closed and the liquid is commenced circulating through the kier 1, pump 7, heater 9 and two-way valve 8. Trapped air escapes through the pipe 13, any excess liquor also being discharged through the pipe 13 into the open-topped expansion tank 10. When the initial clearing run is completed, the valves 12 and 14 are closed and valve 16 is opened so that the liquor is cycled in a closed circuit and is subjected at the same time to the head of pressure maintained by the tank 17. This excess pressure assists the pumping action thus enabling a smaller pump to be used than would be otherwise possible. By choosing the pressure head correctly evolution of vapour within the kier at the temperature of operation may be prevented, while the danger of excessive pressure arising if the temperature should increase is reduced. In a modification, Fig. 2 (not shown, the tank of 17 is connected into the system through the expansion tank 10.