Method for automated dyebath reuse
AssigneeGeorgia Tech Research Corporation
InventorsJames Leonard Clark, Wayne Coleman Tincher, Wiley Don Holcombe, Richard A. Carey, Elizabeth Wise White
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Abstract
The present invention is a fully automated modified batch dyeing process that provides a process that reduces water consumption, reduces environmental pollution, and reduces the energy and chemical consumption of the conventional batch dyeing process through efficient reuse of spent dyebath. The invention provides a holding tank which stores the spent dyebath, and an analysis system which allows for the analysis of the dyebath in the holding tank so that the dyebath may be reconstituted and used in the batch dyeing process.
Claims15
A method of dyeing at least a first and second textile in dyebaths, the second textile dyed subsequent to the first textile, said method of dyeing providing for the reuse of a portion of the dyebath used for dyeing the first textile during the dyeing of the second textile, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a first and second vessel;
- (b) pre-rinsing the first textile in the first vessel with an initial pre-rinse solution;
- (c) preparing an initial dyebath in the second vessel with which the first textile is to be dyed and then transferring the initial dyebath from the second vessel to the first vessel;
- (d) dyeing the first textile in the first vessel with the initial dyebath;
- (e) analyzing the first textile for proper dyeing;
- (f) transferring to and storing in the second vessel a portion of the initial dyebath, away from the first textile in the first vessel;
- (g) cooling the first textile in the first vessel;
- (h) removing the dyed, first textile from a remaining portion of the initial dyebath not transferred and stored away from the first textile by step (f);
- (i) analyzing the transferred and stored initial dyebath in the second vessel for its concentration of auxiliary chemicals and dyes;
- (j) reconstituting the stored initial dyebath with dyes and auxiliary chemicals providing a second dyebath in the second vessel in preparation of dyeing a second textile with the second dyebath in the first vessel;
- (k) pre-rinsing the second textile with a second pre-rinse solution in the first vessel;
- (l) transferring the second dyebath from the second vessel to the first vessel;
- and
- (m) dyeing the second textile in the first vessel with the second dyebath.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.