SCOURING OF RAW WOOL USING FREON TF SOLVENT.
Abstract
Wool scouring in large volume plant operations can create serious pollution problems. A small closed-loop wool scouring method using Freon TF was developed. Smallscale work showed that a flow of Freon TF through a stationary bed of raw wool, in sequence with a water rinse, produced adequately clean wool. A subsequent air or stream current removed the remaining Freon TF from the material without causing significant solvent losses. The process was energy-efficient and produced low volumes of effluent. In addition, the solvent was recycled and clean wool grease was obtained. A pilot-plant-scale scouring unit based on this technique has been built and used for development of the process. The unit seems suitable for intermediate-scale scouring and is potentially transportable.