Process for Cleansing and Bleaching Fibrous Substances, and for Fixing Organic Coloring Matters thereon by Means of Acid and Alkaline Residues of Naphtha Manufacture, or of Specially Prepared Substances Analogous thereto.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 15th May, 1889
Complete Specification Left, 14th Feb., 1890-Accepted, 19th Apr., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Process for Cleansing and Bleaching Fibrous Substances, and for
Fixing Organic Coloring Matters thereon by Means of Acid and
Alkaline Residues of Naphtha Manufacture, or of Specially
Prepared Substances Analogous thereto.
We, VLADIMIR SCHEVELIN, of Balakhna, Russia, Technological Engineer, and
PETER MINDOVSKY, of Moscow, Russia, hereditary honorary Citizen, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The sulpho castor oil-acid, sulpho pyro-terebene-acid and sulpho oleine acid have,
up to the present time been used in manufactures only as mordants in the dyeing of
fabrics but not for cleansing and bleaching the same.
Our researches and experiments have shewn that the above named sulpho-acids,
when mixed with alkalis, effect the cleansing of unbleached as also of bleached fibres
much more energetically than can be done with soap.
By means of parallel experiments instituted, it has been ascertained firstly that a
similar cleansing action in regard to fibrous materials is also possessed by the so called
soda- and acid-residues which are obtained in naphtha or petroleum works when
treating the products of distillation of naphtha or crude petroleum oil by sulphuric
acid and alkalis, and which residues can advantageously replace the above named
expensive sulpho acids; and secondly that the soda. residues, when saturated with
sulphur-dioxide up to an acid reaction on litmus, excercise upon fibrous materials,
not only a cleansing action similar to that of soap, but also a bleaching action. In
the mineral oil works which produce illuminating, lubricating and other mineral oils,
a dark colored tar-like product of varying consistency is obtained by treating the
mineral oil or the products of its distillation by sulphuric acid, which material receives
in practice various different names, for instance: acid sludge, acid tar kerosene sludge,
acid deposit, etc.
All these special names are included under the generic term "acid
residues."
The mineral oil first purified by means of sulphuric acid, is, after separation of the
so-called acid residues, treated with alkalis, mostly caustic soda, whereby there are
separated from the mineral oil, products variable in their color, consistency and com-
position, and to which in practice a number of different names are applied, such as
kerosene glue, bleaching glue, bleaching water, bleaching oil, mineral glue etc.
these special names form part of the generic term "soda residues."
All
Up to the present time, the acid and soda residues have only constituted a com-
paratively useless drug in the mineral oil manufacturing industry, because the acid
residues have only been employed in small quantity for the regeneration of the free
sulphuric acid contained in them, while the soda residues have only served for the
regeneration of the small quantity of soda contained in them.
The large quantities of soda and acid residues that are at present obtained in
manufacturing mineral oils and their products can, according to our discovery, be
employed for cleansing and bleaching vegetable and animal fibrous materials and of
fabrics produced therefrom as also for fixing organic coloring matters on vegetable
fibres. For this purpose, we employ, either the acid and soda residues as produced at
the factories, or we prepare them ourselves according to any of the usual methods for
treating mineral oils, or by the following process: The mineral oil distillates or the
mineral oil itself is mixed at a temperature of from 15° to 35° C. from to 2 hours
carefully with sulphuric acid (of from 64 to 66 per cent.) this being employed in a
quantity of from about 5 to 12 per cent. by weight of the other material. The mixture is
allowed to stand for not less than two hours, and the supernatent mineral oil produced

page_text: by this means is separated from the acid residues which are formed below. The oil
is neutralised by means of alkalis (caustic soda or carbonate of soda) with continuous
stirring, and heated to from 70° to 80° C. after which the mass is allowed to stand
again.
The mineral oil separated from the soda residues and heated to from 35° to 90° C.
is again treated with from 1 to 12 per cent. of sulphuric acid with addition of from
two to three per cent. of chromic acid (or the corresponding quantity of potassium
bichromate with sulphuric acid). An acid residue is again formed by this means,
while the oil separated therefrom is again neutralised by means of alkali. If this
treatment is repeated several times the greater part of the distillate or mineral oil
operated upon can be converted into the acid and soda residues, which is not effected
by the process carried out at the ordinary factories.
The soda residues of the factories, as also those produced as above described, always
contain free sulphuric acid, which is removed until weak alkaline reaction is obtained
by repeated washing with hot water and subsequent neutralisation by means of an
alkali, such as caustic soda or carbonate of soda (or also lime). By this means a
neutralised acid residue is obtained.
The neutralised acid residues are only used for cleansing dirty and very greasy
fibres. For the bleaching and the fixing of coloring matters thereon, they are
purified in such a way that the neutralised acid residue, (which if it is too thick, or
even solid, is dissolved in light mineral oil distillates), is mixed with an excess of
lime, and the lime compound thus formed is washed with light mineral oil products,
benzine, kerosene or pyronaphtha in order to remove the mineral oil which has not
combined with the lime, and the coloring constituents contained in the acid residues,
whereupon the line compounds are treated with a weak acid, preferably hydrochloric
acid, at a temperature of from 15° to 35° C. By means of the acid, there is at first
removed from the lime compounds about from 10 to 15 per cent. of the entire mineral
oil product contained therein, which, after it has collected above the lime compound, is
run off. The lime compound is then entirely decomposed by means of weak acid until
the whole quantity of the mineral oil product has been separated, which is run off
from the solution of the lime-salts produced and is saturated with alkali (caustic soda
or carbonate of soda) until it gives a weak alkaline reaction, and it is then used as
purified neutralised residue.
The soda residues resulting from the working of benzene, kerosene and generally
all mineral illuminating oils, are used directly for cleansing fibrous materials and
manufactures thereof without any previous preparation, for bleaching however, they
are saturated with sulphur dioxide up to a weak acid reaction, but if the cleansing is
combined with dyeing by means of any organic coloring matter, there must be separated
from the soda residues the unconverted mineral oil which is always contained therein,
such separation being effected as follows: The soda residue is mixed with water to an
extent not exceeding 9 parts water to 1 part of residue and the mixture is heated to
from 90° to 80° C. The unconverted mineral oil collects over the solution of the
soda residue and can be easily removed.
If lighter tints of color are to be fixed, the soda residue, after the removal of the
mineral oil therefrom, is mixed in solution with an excess of lime up to the complete
separation of the whole quantity of the mineral oil product from the solution. The
obtained precipitate of the lime compound is washed with water two or three times
and decomposed by means of weak acid, preferably hydrochloric acid, until the
separation of not more than 10 per cent. of the mineral oil product is effected. The
latter is poured off while the remaining lime compound is eventually decomposed by
means of weak acid, until the complete separation of the whole of the mineral oil
product contained therein. The latter after having been poured off from the solution
of the produced lime salts is then saturated with caustic soda or carbonate of soda
until it gives a weak alkaline reaction. By this means a purified soda residue is
obtained.
The soda residues obtained from the lubricating oils are employed together with the
soda residues of the illuminating oils for cleansing fibrous materials. If however,

page_text: the residues contain much unconverted mineral oil, they are previously washed under
careful stirring with warm or hot water. The opalescent washing-water produced can
be employed directly, while the oil swimming upon the same, after decantation and
removal of the water contained therein, is treated with sulphuric acid and alkali,
whereby acid and soda residues are again obtained which can be worked as above
described.
The process of cleansing and bleaching by means of the soda residues and the
neutralised acid residues consists in the following: The fibrous material, or
the fabric produced therefrom, is boiled either under pressure or in the open air in the
solutions of the residues having a percentage not exceeding 10 per cent., the
reaction being sometimes alkaline and sometimes acid.
The alkaline reaction of the solutions is converted into the acid reaction by
saturating with sulphur dioxide, whereby the bleaching action is strengthened. The
number of times and the duration of the repeated boiling depend upon the quality of
the fibrous material under treatment and upon the purposes to which it is to be
employed. If necessary, a subsequent bleaching is effected in the solution of a mix-
ture of chloride of lime with an excess of carbonate of soda (part chloride of lime
to 1 part of carbonate of soda and 30 parts water).
The operation of cleansing and bleaching flax, hemp and cotton fabrics is carried
out as follows: The fabrics introduced in boilers (stills) or tanks are boiled in a
solution of the residues (having a percentage not exceeding 10 per cent.) of alkaline
reaction, either under pressure or in the open air, for from 1 to 5 hours, whereupon
the solution is discharged from the boiler into another one in order there to act upon
another quantity of fabric, while in the first boiler a solution of the residues is
introduced which has before been saturated with sulphur dioxide up to acid reaction.
The fabrics are again boiled in this vessel for from 2 to 8 hours, the solution is
then discharged and the fabrics are removed, pressed, washel with water, again
pressed, and then introduced into a bath, the solution of which is prepared
according to the following recipe: One part chloride of lime 2 parts carbonate of
soda and 60 parts water. The fabrics are left in this bath for a period of about
7 hours, whereupon they are pressed, rinsed with water, then washed in soap and
water, heated to about 50° C. and then again rinsed with water and pressed. Lastly
the fabrics are dried and treated in the usual manner.
According to another method, the fabrics are first boiled for from 2 to 5 hours in
a solution of the residues having an alkaline reaction whereupon the solution is drawn
off for boiling with a fresh quantity of fabrics and is replaced by a fresh solution
having been previously treated to saturation with sulphur dioxide until it gives an
acid reaction.
In this solution, the fabrics are also boiled from 1 to 5 hours, whereupon, without
removing the solution, carbonate of soda or caustic soda is added until an alkaline
reaction ensues. The fabric is then again boiled for 3 hours, and the solution is then
discharged into another boiler in order to act in a similar manner on a further
quantity of fabric.
In this systematic sequence, the boiling of the fabric is repeated, being at the end
of each third boiling pressed between rollers until the desired tint is produced on the
fabric. After the completion of the boiling in the solutions, the fabric is pressed and
washed, first once or twice in warm soap and water and then in pure water.
then again pressed, dried and treated in the usual manner.
It is
If cotton fabrics have been boiled in a solution containing lime, they are, after
treatment with acid, boiled in a 10 per cent. solution of the residues, having alkaline
reaction for from 1 to 5 hours, when they are pressed and then washed, first in warm
soap and water (resin soap), and then with pure water. They are then pressed, dried
and treated in the usual manner.
The cleansing and bleaching of yarns and fibres is effected in the same manner as
with the fabrics, but they do not require to be hoiled for so long a time, nor in such
concentrated solutions.

page_text: The soda residues and the neutralised acid residues have also proved serviceable for
washing wool and woollen fabrics.
The washing of dirty (greasy) wool is effected in the following manner: If the
potash salts are to be obtained from the dirty (greasy) wool, this is first washed with
warm water which then serves for obtaining the potash, whereupon the wool is intro-
duced into a solution of the residues heated to a temperature not exceeding 95° C.
and the strength of which does not exceed 10 per cent. The reaction of the solution
must be neutral or slightly alkaline in order that no felting of the wool may take
place. On removal from the solution, the wool is pressed, rinsed with water, again
pressed and dried. If the potash salts are not to be separated, the wool is introduced
directly into a solution of the residues, heated to a temperature not above 95° C., and
having a neutral or slightly alkaline reaction. It is then pressed, rinsed, again pressed
and dried.
The fats contained in the wool are readily dissolved and are washed off by the
residue solution, by means of which a more complete removal of the grease is obtained
than with the usual methods of washing.
The washing of woollen fabrics is effected as follows: The fabrics are passed
through or washed in a hot solution (up to 95° C.) of the residues whereby, if the
felting of the wool is to be produced, the solution is rendered alkaline, or if this is
not desired, a neutral or slightly alkaline solution is employed. After the boiling, the
fabric is pressed, rinsed with water, again pressed and dried. When washing silk.
soap is used, whereby an excess of alkali is avoided, as this deteriorates the silk.
The soda residues which replace the soap constitute a very suitable medium for
washing silk, as a neutral reaction can be very easily obtained therewith.
Soda residues and neutralised acid residues give with the salts of lime, calcium,
aluminium, tin, lead, copper and iron variously colored combinations that are insoluble
in soap and water. In addition to this, bleached fabrics of vegetable fibres, when
boiled in solutions of soda residues and neutralised acid residues and then washed with
water, attain the property, when dipped in solutions of organic coloring matters, of
fixing these so that they cannot be removed afterwards by washing in water. The
coloring matters will be fixed more firmly when the fabric is boiled in a mixture of
the solutions of the residues and of the organic coloring matters. These properties
permit of the use of the soda residues and the neutralised acid residues for fixing
organic coloring matters on vegetable fibres, but as the soda residues and the
neutralised acid residues at the same time exercise a cleansing and bleaching action
on the vegetable fibres the dyeing of the vegetable fibres can be effected without
previous preparation thereof for this purpose, because the cleansing by means of the
residues at the same time constitutes a preparatory operation on the fibres for the
dyeing, that is to say, it takes the place of the mordant.
The operation is carried out in the following manner: The fabric is taken direct
from the loom and is boiled for from to 5 hours in a mixture of the solutions of the
soda residues and the organic coloring matter in boilers or vats: (aš above stated,
there is employed for the solutions a soda residue from which the unconverted mineral
oil has been removed). From the said boilers or tanks they are removed, pressed,
slightly rinsed and passed through the solutions of lime-aluminium-or other salts, or
mixtures thereof, at a temperature of from 35° to 50° C. for fixing the color. The
choice of the salt for fixing depends upon the color of the coloring matter to be
employed. Thus, for instance, for fixing light colors aluminium salts are used, which
also serve, either by themselves or together with copper vitriol, for green colors. The
fabric is removed from the vat in which the fixing is effected, is rinsed with water
and then dried and further treated in the usual manner. With careful work, if fine
colors are to be obtained, the residues are previously purified, as above described and
a fabric is taken which has been previously bleached, either by the methods generally
employed or by means of residues. In the same manner the fixing of the colors on
yarn and fabric is effected.
According to another method, the operation is carried out in the following

page_text: manner: A mixture, prepared at ordinary temperature (15° to 25° U.), of the organic
coloring matter, the soda residues having a neutral or slightly acid reaction, and
clay, is spread upon the fabric which has previously been cleansed by means of the
soda residues and is saturated with residues having an alkaline reaction. The fabric
is then treated with steam or is introduced into a vat containing hot water, with
or without an addition of carbonate of soda. It is then rinsed in cold and warm
water, pressed and dried; or it may be further treated in the usual manner.
The coal tar oils when first treated with sulphuric acid and then, as with the mineral
oil and its products, with alkali, also give an acid and soda residue, which may be used
as a substitute for the soda and acid residues from the mineral oils.
Dated this 15th day of May 1889.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agent for the Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Process for Cleansing and Bleaching Fibrous Substances, and for
Fixing Organic Coloring Matters thereon by Means of Acid and
Alkaline Residues of Naphtha Manufacture, or of Specially
Prepared Substances Analogous thereto.
We, VLADIMIR SCHEVELIN, of Balaklıma, Russia, Technological Engineer, and
PETER MINDOVSKY, of Moscow, Russia, hereditary honorary Citizen, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
The sulpho castor oil-acid, sulpho pyroterebene-acid and sulpho oleine-acid have, up
to the present time been used in manufactures only as mordants in the dyoing of fabrics
but not for cleansing and bleaching the same.
Our researches and experiments have shown that the above named sulpho-acids,
when mixed with alkalis, effect the cleansing of unbleached as also of bleached fibres
much more energetically than can be done with soap.
By means of parallel experiments instituted, it has been ascertained firstly that a
similar cleansing action in regard to fibrous materials is also possessed by the so
called soda and acid residues which are obtained in naphtha or petroleum works
when treating the products of distillation of naphtha or crude petroleum oil. by
sulphuric acid and alkalis, and which residues can advantageously replace the above
named expensive sulpho acids; and secondly that the soda residues, when saturated
with sulphur-dioxide up to an acid reaction on litmus, exercise upon fibrous materials,
not only a cleansing action similar to that of soap, but also a bleaching action. In the
mineral oil works which produce illuminating, lubricating and other mineral oils, a
dark colored tar-like product of varying consistency is obtained by treating the
mineral oil or the products of its distillation of sulphuric acid, which material receives
in practice various different names, for instance, acid sludge, acid tar, kerosene sludge,
acid deposit etc. All these special names are included under the generic term "acid
residues."
The mineral oil first purified by means of sulphuric acid, is, after separation of the
so called acid residues, treated with alkalis mostly caustic soda, whereby there are
separated from the mineral oil, products variable in their color, consistency and
composition, and to which in practice a number of different names are applied such as
kerosene glue, bleaching glue, bleaching water, bleaching oil, mineral glue, etc. All
these special names form part of the generic term "soda residues."
Up to the present time, the acid and soda residues have only constituted a com-
paratively useless drug in the mineral oil manufacturing industry, because the acid
residues have only been employed in small quantity for the regeneration of the free
sulphuric acid contained in them, while the soda residues have only served for the
regeneration of the small quantity of soda contained in them.
The large quantities of soda and acid residues that are at present obtained in
manufacturing mineral oils and their products can, according to our discovery, be

page_text: employed for cleansing and bleaching vegetable and mineral fibrous materials and of
fabrics produced therefrom as also for fixing organic coloring matters on vegetable
fibres. For this purpose, we employ, either the acid and soda residues as produced at
the factories, or we prepare them ourselves according to any of the usual methods for
treating mineral oils, or by the following process. The mineral oil distillates or the
mineral oil itself is mixed at a temperature of from 15° to 35° C. from to 2 hours
carefully with sulphuric acid (of from 64 to 66 per cent.) this being employed in a
quantity of from about 5 to 12 per cent. by weight of the other material. The mixture
is allowed to stand for not less than two hours, and the supernatent mineral oil
produced by this means is separated from the acid residues which are formed below.
The oil is neutralised by means of alkalis (caustic soda or carbonate of soda) with
continuous stirring, and heated to from 70° to 80° C. after which the mass is allowed
to stand again.
The mineral oil separated from the soda residues and heated to from 35° to 90° C. is
again treated with from 15 to 12 per cent. of sulphuric acid with addition of from two
to three per cent. of chromic acid (or the corresponding quantity of potassium bichromate
with sulphuric acid). An acid residue is again formed by this means, while the oil
separated therefrom is again neutralised by means of alkali. If this treatment is
repeated several times the greater part of the distillate or mineral oil operated upon
can be converted into the acid and soda residues, which is not effected by the process
carried out at the ordinary factories.
The acid residues of the factories as also those produced as above described always
contain free sulphuric acid, which is removed until weak alkaline reaction is obtained by
repeated washing with hot water and subsequent neutralisation by means of an alkali,
such as caustic soda or carbonate of soda (or also lime). By this means a neutralised
acid residue is obtained.
The neutralised acid residues are only used for cleansing dirty and very greasy
fibres. For the bleaching and the fixing of coloring matters thereon, they are
purified in such a way that the neutralised acid residue (which if it is too thick, or
even solid, is dissolved in light mineral oil distillates) is mixed with an excess of lime,
and the lime compound thus formed is washed with light mineral oil products,
benzine kerosene, or pyronaptha in order to remove the mineral oil which has not
combined with the lime, and the coloring constituents contained in the acid residues,
whereupon the lime compounds are treated with a weak acid preferably hydrochloric
acid at a temperature of from 15° to 35° C. By means of the acid, there is at first
removed from the lime compounds about from 10 to 15 per cent. of the entire mineral
oil product contained therein, which, after it has collected above the lime compound is
run off. The line compound is then entirely decomposed by means of weak acid until
the whole quantity of the mineral oil product has been separated, which is run off from
the solution of the lime salts produced and is saturated with alkali (caustic soda or
carbonate of soda) until it gives a weak alkaline reaction, and it is then used as purified
neutralised residue.
The soda residues resulting from the working of benzene, kerosene and generally all
mineral illuminating oils, are used directly for cleansing fibrous materials and
manufactures thereof without any previous preparation, for bleaching however, they
are saturated with sulphur dioxide up to a weak acid reaction, but if the cleansing is
combined with dyeing by means of any organic coloring matter, there must be
separated from the soda residues the unconverted mineral oil which is always
contained therein, such separation being effected as follows:-The soda residue is
mixed with water to an extent not exceeding 9 parts water to 1 part of residue and
the mixture is heated to from 90° to 80° C. The unconverted mineral oil collects
over the solution of the soda residue and can be easily removed.
If lighter tints of color are to be fixed, the soda residue after the removal of the
mineral oil therefrom is mixed in solution with an excess of lime up to the complete
separation of the whole quantity of the mineral oil product from the solution. The
obtained precipitate of the lime compound is washed with water two or three times
and decomposed by means of weak acid preferably hydrochloric acid until the

page_text: separation of not more than 10 per cent. of the mineral oil product is effected. The
latter is poured off while the remaining lime compound is eventually decomposed by
means of weak acid until the complete separation of the whole of the mineral oil product
contained therein. The latter after having been poured off from the solution of the
produced line salts is then saturated with caustic soda or carbonate of soda until it
gives a weak alkaline reaction. By this means a purified soda residue is obtained.
The soda residues obtained from the lubricating oils are employed together with the
soda residues of the illuminating oils for cleansing fibrous materials. If however the
residues contain much unconverted mineral oil, they are previously washed under
careful stirring with warm or hot water. The opalescent washing water produced can
be employed directly, while the oil swimming upon the same after decantation and
romoval of the water contained therein is treated with sulphuric acid and alkali,
whereby acid and soda residues are again obtained which can be worked as above
described.
The process of cleansing and bleaching by means of the sola residues and the
neutralised acid residues consists in the following. The fibrous material or the fabric
produced therefrom, is boiled either under pressure or in the open air in the solutions
of the residues having a percentage not exceeding 10 per cent. the reaction being
sometimes alkaline and sometimes acid.
The alkaline reaction of the solutions is converted into the acid reaction by
saturating with sulphur dioxide whereby the bleaching action is strengthened. The
number of times and the duration of the repeated boiling depend upon the quality of
the fibrous material under treatment and upon the purposes to which it is to be
employed. If necessary a subsequent bleaching is effected in the solution of a
mixture of chloride of lime with an excess of carbonate of soda (part chloride of
lime to 1 part of carbonate of soda and 30 parts water).
The operation of cleansing and bleaching flax hemp and cotton fabrics is carried out
as follows: The fabrics introduced in boilers (stills) or tanks are boiled in a solution of
the residues (having a percentage not exeeding 10 per cent.) of alkaline reaction either
under pressure or in the open air for from 1 to 5 hours whereupon the solution is
discharged from the boiler into another one in order there to act upon another quantity
of fabric, while in the first boiler a solution of the residues is introduced which has
before been saturated with sulphur dioxide up to acid reaction. The fabrics are again
boiled in this vessel for from 2 to 8 hours, the solution is then discharged and the
fabrics are removed pressed washed with water, again pressed, and then introduced
into a bath, the solution of which is prepared according to the following recipe. One
part chloride of lime 2 parts carbonate of soda and 60 parts water. The fabrics are
left in this bath for a period of about 7 hours, whereupon they are pressed, rinsed with
water, then washed in soap and water, heated to about 50° C. and then again rinsed
with water and pressed. Lastly the fabrics are dried and treated in the usual
manner.
According to another method, the fabrics are first boiled for from 2 to 5 hours in a
solution of the residues having an alkaline reaction whereupon the solution is drawn
off for boiling with a fresh quantity of fabrics and is replaced by a fresh solution
having been previously treated to saturation with sulphodioxide until it gives an
acid reaction.
In this solution, the fabrics are also boiled from 1 to 5 hours, whereupon without
removing the solution carbonate of soda or caustic soda is added until an alkaline
reaction ensues. The fabric is then again boiled for 3 hours, and the solution is then
discharged into another boiler in order to act in a similar manner on a further quantity
of fabric.
In this systematic sequence, the boiling of the fabric is repeated, being at the end of
each third boiling pressed between rollers until the desired tint is produced on the
fabric. After the completion of the boiling in the solutions the fabric is pressed and
washed, first once or twice in warm soap and water and then in pure water. It is then
again pressed, dried and treated in the usual manner.
If cotton fabrics have been boiled in a solution containing lime, they are, after

page_text: treatment with acid boiled in a 10 per cent. solution of the residues, having alkaline
reaction for from 1 to 5 hours, when they are pressed and then washed first in warm
soap and water (resin soap) and then with pure water. They are then pressed, dried
and treated in the usual manner.
The cleansing and bleaching of yarns and fibres is effected in the same manner as
with the fabrics, but they do not require to be boiled for so long a time, nor in such
concentrated solutions.
The soda residues and the neutralised acid residues have also proved serviceable for
washing wool and woolen fabrics.
The washing of dirty (greasy) wool is effected in the following manner.
If the
potash salts are to be obtained from the dirty (greasy) wool, this is first washed with
warm water which then serves for obtaining the potash, whereupon the wool is intro-
duced into a solution of the residues heated to a temperature not exceeding 95° C.
and the strength of which does not exceed 10 per cent. The reaction of the solution
must be neutral or slightly alkaline in order that no felting of the wool may take
place. On removal from the solution, the wool is pressed, rinsed with water, again
pressed and dried. If the potash salts are not to be separated, the wool is introduced
directly into a solution of the residues, heated to a temperature not above 95° C., and
having a neutral or slightly alkaline reaction. It is then pressed, rinsed, again pressed
and dried.
The fats contained in the wool are readily dissolved and are washed off by the
residue solution, by means of which a more complete removal of the grease is obtained
than with the usual methods of washing.
The washing of woollen fabrics is effected as follows: The fabrics are passed
through or washed in a hot solution (up to 95° C.) of the residues whereby if the
felting of the wool is to be produced, the solution is rendered acid, or if this is not
desired a neutral or slighty alkaline solution is employed. After the boiling, the
Tabric is pressed, rinsed with water, again pressed and dried. When washing
silk, soap is used, whereby an excess of alkali is avoided as this deteriorates
the silk. The soda residues which replace the soap constitute a very suitable
medium for washing silk, as a neutral reaction can be very easily obtained
Therewith.
Soda residues and neutralised acid residues give, with the salts of lime calcium
aluminium, tin, lead, copper and iron variously colored combinations that are in-
soluble in soap and water. In addition to this, bleached fabrics of vegetable fibres,
when boiled in solutions of soda residues and neutralised acid residues and then
washed with water, attain the property, when dipped in solutions of organic
coloring matters, of fixing these so that they cannot be removed afterwards by
washing in water.
The coloring matters will be fixed more firmly when the fabric is boiled in a
mixture of the solutions of the residues and of the organic coloring matters. These
properties permit of the use of the soda residues and the neutralised acid residues for
fixing organic coloring matters on vegetable fibres, but as the soda residues and the
neutralised acid residues at the same time exercise a cleansing and bleaching action
on the vegetable fibres the dyeing of the vegetable fibres can be effected without
revious preparation thereof for this purpose, because the cleansing by means of the
esidues at the same time constitutes a preparatory operation on the fibres for the
dyeing, that is to say, it takes the place of the mordant.
1
The operation is carried out in the following manner: The fabric is taken direct
from the loom and is boiled for from to 5 hours in a mixture of the solutions of the
oda residues and the organic coloring matter in boilers or vais (as above stated, there
is employed for the solutions a soda residue, from which the unconverted mineral oil
as been removed). From the said boilers or tanks they are removed pressed, slightly
rinsed and passed through the solutions of lime aluminium or other salts, or mixtures
hereof, at a temperature of from 35° to 50° C. for fixing the color. The choice of
the salt for fixing depends upon the color of the coloring matter to be employed.
Thus for instance, for fixing light colors aluminium salts are used, which also serve,

page_text: either by themselves or together with copper vitriol, for green colors. The fabric is
removed from the vat in which the fixing is effected, is rinsed with water and then
dried and further treated in the usual manner. With careful work, if fine colors are
to be obtained, the residues are previously purified, as above described and a fabric is
taken which has been previously bleached, either by the methods generally employed
or by means of residues. In the same manner the fixing of the colors on yarn and
fabric is effected.
According to another method, the operation is carried out in the following manner..
A mixture, prepared at ordinary temperature (15° to 25° C.) of the organic coloring
matter, the soda residues having a neutral or slightly acid reaction, and clay, is.
spread upon the fabric which has previously been cleansed by means of the soda
residues and is saturated with residues having an alkaline reaction.
The fabric is then treated with steain or is introduced into a vat containing hot
It is then rinsed in cold
water, with or without an addition of carbonate of soda.
and warm water pressed and dried, or it may be farther treated in the usual
manner.
The coal tar oils when first treated with sulphuric acid and then, as with the
mineral oil and its products, with alkali also give an acid and soda residue,
be used as
a substitute for the soda and acid residues from the
which
may
mineral oils.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
The process of cleansing and bleaching fibrous substances and of fixing organic
coloring matters thereon by treating the same with acid, neutral, or alkaline residues of
naphtha manufacture or of artificially prepared analogous substances substantially
as herein described.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicants.