Systems and methods for preparing deoxygenated dye compositions

A method of making a deoxygenated liquid dye material comprising the steps of:

• (a) supplying a deoxygenated inert gas to a liquid dye material that is susceptible to oxidation;
• (b) supplying a metered amount of at least one dye formulation component to be mixed with the liquid dye material by a peristaltic pump;
• and
• (c) mixing the liquid dye material in the presence of the supplied deoxygenated inert gas with water and the at least one dye formulation component selected from the group consisting of reducing agents, pH adjusters, foaming agents, wetting agents and auxiliary chemicals to form a deoxygenated aqueous dye composition having an oxygen content of 30 ppm oxygen or less.

A system for making a deoxygenated liquid dye material comprising:

• a source of deoxygenated inert gas, wherein the source of deoxygenated inert gas comprises an inert gas purifier to reduce oxygen content in the inert gas to 500 ppb oxygen or less;
• a source of liquid dye material that is susceptible to oxidation fluid connected to the source of deoxygenated inert gas;
• and
• a mixer fluid-connected to the source of deoxygenated inert gas for mixing the liquid dye material in the presence of the deoxygenated inert gas with water and at least one dye formulation component selected from the group consisting of reducing agents, pH adjusters, foaming agents, wetting agents and auxiliary chemicals to form a deoxygenated aqueous dye composition having an oxygen content of 30 ppm or less.

A system for making a deoxygenated liquid dye material comprising:

• a source of deoxygenated inert gas;
• a source of liquid dye material that is susceptible to oxidation fluid connected to the source of deoxygenated inert gas;
• a peristaltic pump for supplying a metered amount of at least one dye formulation component to be mixed with the liquid dye material;
• and
• a mixer fluid-connected to the source of deoxygenated inert gas for mixing the liquid dye material in the presence of the deoxygenated inert gas with water and at least one dye formulation component selected from the group consisting of reducing agents, pH adjusters, foaming agents, wetting agents and auxiliary chemicals to form a deoxygenated aqueous dye composition having an oxygen content of 30 ppm or less.