Wool :- (Part 1)
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Wool:-
Row wool must be cleaned before it can be efficiently carded, combed, otherwise processed, or dyed. Loose wool, as obtained from the sheep, contains 30-80% impurities consisting of wool grease, dried preparation, dirt, seeds and burrs. Methods of scouring the wool vary widely, depending upon the type of wool and the amount and types of soil. The equipment for washing wool by the counter current method usually consists of four to five bowls in sequence, each about 3 ft. deep and fitted with 15 in. Deep perforated trays, which support the wool. Forks suitably arranged from above keep the wool moving along toward heavy squeeze roolers located at the end of each bowl and designed to squeeze out dirty liquor before the wool is passed onto the next bowl. Soap and soda ash, historically used for wool scouring, have been largely replaced by nonionic surfactants with or without soda ash. In order to prevent harshening of the wool, soda ash percentage are kept at a minimum. Scouring temperatures normally range from 115-1150F, depending upon the system and type of wool to be cleaned.
