Evaluation of Cleaning and Washing Processes for Cotton Fiber

Abstract

A brief survey of wet-processing equipment of potential interest for washing cotton staple prior to spinning is provided, emphasizing continuous processes for staple-and highlighting a) wool-scouring equipment, b) rayon-washing equipment, and c) various adaptations of the full scour-and-bleach process developed by Cotton Incorporated for cotton staple in continuous batt formation. A series of seven different washing treatments ranging from simple warm- and hot-water washes to a full scour and bleach were applied to cotton in continuous batt formation for subsequent evaluation by other authors of this series of papers. They characterize these washed cottons with respect to dust levels, carding and spinning properties, and the chemical nature and biological activities of the dust remaining on the cotton fiber subsequent to washing. Technical and economic feasibility perspectives are also discussed. The remarkable reduction in biological activity of residual cotton dust remaining on the cotton fiber subsequent to washing, as reported by Battigelli [1] and Fisher [6], indicates that reasonable washing disciplines inherent in continuous-washing systems should be highly effective in qualifying cotton for exemption from the dust standard.