Wool Color Changes in Superheated Steam

Abstract

As a prelude to studying drying characteristics of wool in superheated steam, wool yellowing in that medium at short exposure times at various temperatures is measured with an apparatus that reduces uncertainties in time/temperature exposure conditions. This has led to a useful database of wool yellowing characteristics at various temperatures, times, and moisture conditions, which extends the information formerly available. The data from these experiments are generally consistent with other data in the literature, given the experimental uncertainties inherent in most of the latter. The magnitudes of yellowing changes are not sufficiently great to disbar superheated steam drying of wool, even though drying will be confined to temperatures where drying rates (though still acceptably high) will be below those in air at comparable temperatures.