Comparing Potential Energy Between Fibers and Particulate Soil with Dynamic Energy from Liquid Flow and Their Effects on Detergency

Abstract

A theoretical study and analysis of experimental values was done to clarify whether the potential energy between fibers and particulate soil or the dynamic energy from liquid flow influences detergency more strongly. The theoretical treatment shows clearly that particle detachment rate is proportional to ϕ3exp(— K d Vn) and particle redeposition rate is proportional to ϕ3exp(— KrVm), where Vm is the maximum potential energy, Vn is the energy difference between Vm and the potential energy at the closest approach of 5Å for two substrates, ϕ is the liquid flow velocity, and Kd and Kr are constants, respectively. An analysis of the experimental values obtained from cotton fabrics soiled with carbon black particles or clay particles shows that increasing the dynamic energy from liquid flow can only slightly decrease the minimum particle retention, but varying potential energy shows some possibility for decreasing it.