SCOURING OP WOOL IN BELGIUM 
 GP3AT BRITAIN AND GERMANY
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 
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 SCOURING OF WOOL IN BELGIUM, GERMANY, AND 
 GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 BELGIUM. 
 
 REPORT Of CONSUL ROBERTSON. 
 
 Wool-washing proper is divided into three processes. 
 
 First process. The wool is first put into large cone-shaped tubs (small 
 end down) with holes in the bottom. Cold water is then poured on until 
 the tubs are full, and allowed to filter through the wool, which is left in 
 the tubs until the water ceases to run. This water, escaping through 
 the holes in the bottom of the tub, carries with it most of the grease 
 from the wool, and is collected in reservoirs, from which it is taken in 
 reservoir wagons to an establishment, there being but one in Verviers, 
 which collects from all the wool-washers, where it is boiled down to 
 evaporate the water. The solid product thus obtained is in furnaces 
 turned into potash. Illustration No. 1 shows another machine which is 
 by some substituted for the cone-shaped tubs in this first process, and 
 which is arranged to automatically transfer the wool to the next set of 
 tubs for second process. 
 
 Second process. The wool is next put into a tub or trough, about 5 
 feet wide, 10 feet long, and perhaps 1.8 inches to 2 feet deep, of hot water 
 (about 100 Fahr.). This bath contains soda and a soap made of oleine. 
 It is here stirred and passed along through a series of two or three of 
 these baths (troughs) by revolving rakes with long curved iron teeth 
 (see Illustration No. 2) into the rinsers. 
 
 Third process. Consists of a rinsing bath of cold water, the purest 
 obtainable, and is accomplished in the same manner as the second bath, 
 in a tub or trough, stirred and thrown out automatically. (See Illustra- 
 tion No. 3.) 
 
 In these three processes the wool loses from one-third to three-quar- 
 ters of its weight, according to kind and quality. 
 
 The rinsing water, which is continually chau'ging, and issues from the 
 tub comparatively clean, is allowed to run directly into the river; but 
 the water from the aecond bath (second process) is taken by a collecting 
 canal to two large reservoirs, in the first of which it remains about twenty- 
 four hours, it is then passed to the second to remain an equal length 
 of time. This is in accordance with police regulations. The sediment 
 remaining in these reservoirs is taken out from time to time, and is used 
 for agricultural purposes, making, it is said, a very rich fertilizer. 
 
 The stream, the Vesdre, into which all this water eventually finds its 
 way is nevertheless a most filthy one, and no life can exist in it, though 
 its volume is not sufficient to materially contaminate the river Meuse, 
 into which it empties. 
 
 3 
 
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 4 SCOURING OF WOOL. 
 
 From the rinsing bath the wool is put into copper vessels about 2 
 feet in diameter, and perhaps the same depth, the sides and bottoms of 
 which are perforated like a sieve. These vessels hold from 30 to 40 
 pounds of wool. They are made to revolve with great velocity (1,000 
 turns per minute) and the water is thrown out, escaping through the 
 sides and bottoms, so that the wool when removed is comparatively dry; 
 quite so to the touch. 
 
 This operation requires from two to three minutes, and the drying is 
 then completed on racks in lofts, which are heated by steam to a tem- 
 perature of about 100 Fahr. 
 
 The foreign substances contained in the wool, such as burs, &c., are 
 combed out by machinery after the wool has been, when necessary, 
 passed through a series of corrugated rollers to break them (i. e., the 
 burs, &c.) up. The combings are then treated in a bath containing 
 sulphuric acid (the water from which is also run into the settling reser- 
 voirs), rinsed in pure cold water, and then dried in kilns at an average 
 temperature of 245 Fahr. This removes whatever is left of the sulphur, 
 and also burns up any foreign substances still remaining. 
 
 G. D. ROBERTSON, 
 
 Consul. 
 
 UNITED STATES CONSULATE, 
 
 Liege, Belgium, November 28, 1885. 
 
 GERMANY. 
 
 REPORT OF CONSUL DITHMAR. 
 
 \ 
 
 Eemoval of all foreign substances from the wool usually precedes the 
 scouring. This preliminary cleaning is done by hand-picking, by beat- 
 ing, and by machinery constructed for the purpose. . 
 
 The factory cleaning, to which all wools are subjected, consists of three 
 distinct operations: (1) Removal of the grease; (2) thorough washing; 
 and (3) drying the wool. The methods by which these objects are ac- 
 complished differ according as the wool. is long or short staple. 
 
 The long staple spinner in the scouring process seeks to soften the 
 wool and make it pliable. It is placed in water heated to 168 Fahr., 
 and to which 6 pounds of soap is added to every hundredweight of 
 wool, and sometimes also a quantity of soda. Alter the wool has re- 
 mained for some time in this soapy bath it is taken out and passed 
 through rollers, again thoroughly washed in soapsuds, and after being 
 a second time passed through rollers is immersed in clean water heated 
 to 140 Fahr. The wool being thus thoroughly cleansed of all impuri- 
 ties, is passed through rollers a third time, and is now, although not 
 quite dry and still warm, ready for the other processes which precede 
 the spinning. 
 
 Short staple is soaked in ammonia, usually made of one part decom- 
 posed urine to two parts water, and heated to 140 Fahr. In this bath 
 the wool is placed, loosely packed in wicker or wire baskets, and moved 
 backward and forward for about fifteen minutes, and when it has be- 
 come somewhat dry and cool, after being taken out, is rinsed in clear 
 running water, and is then placed on hurdles to dry. 
 
 To rid the wool of the harshness caused by the scouring it is greased 
 with olive oil in the proportion of 1 pound of oil to 8 or 10 pounds of
 
 SCOURING OF WOOL. 5 
 
 wool. In some places goose-grease or fresh unsalted butter is used in- 
 stead of oil. 
 
 Wool that has been stored five or six months after clipping and is 
 well dried contains less grease and cleans more readily than fresher 
 wool. 
 
 The loss of wool resulting from the scouring is estimated at 2 to 7 per 
 cent., according to the strength of the lyes and the temperature of the 
 water. 
 
 The grease resulting from the wool washing is put to various uses, 
 principally for making axle-grease and cheap soaps. From the liquid 
 remaining, potash is sometimes manufactured ; sometimes it serves for 
 irrigation. When the potash has been extracted, the remainder, like 
 the obnoxious fluids from sugar factories, is filtered and allowed to take 
 its course to the nearest stream. The general law against the pollution 
 of streams by factory offal includes wool-washing as well as dyeing and 
 sugar-making. 
 
 HENRY DITHMAR, 
 
 Consul. 
 
 UNITED STATES CONSULATE, 
 
 Breslau, December 8, 1885. 
 
 GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 HE PORT BY CONSUL GEINNELL. 
 
 Consul William F. Grinnell, of Bradford, transmits to the Department, 
 under date December 4, 1885, the following letters, courteously written 
 in reply to certain inquiries addressed by him to the writers: 
 
 BRADFORD, November 10, 1885. 
 
 DKAR SIR : In reply to yonr favor of the 9th instant, we have much pleasure in sup- 
 plying the information you ask for, respecting wool-washing, &c. 
 
 Before being submitted to any process of manufacture, all wools are washed or 
 scoured in a solution of soft soap and hot water, technically called " suds." When 
 the cleansing qualities of this solution are exhausted, the waste or dirty water is con- 
 veyed into a cistern, and, while still warm, a certain quantity of oil of vitriol (B. 
 O. V.) is introduced, by which the solid matter and grease are precipitated. 
 
 After standing for a few hours, for the separation to be completed, the clear water 
 is run off into the public sewer. 
 
 The solid matter, while still in a semi-liquid condition, is then run off into filter- 
 ing frames lined with cocoanut matting, through which the remaining water perco- 
 lates and runs into the public sewer. Thus there is left in the frame the dirt and fatty 
 matter in the form of a thick paste, called " magma." 
 
 The magma is next put into canvas bags or wrappers, and placed in a steam-heated 
 hydraulic press, where it undergoes a process similar to that of ordinary seed-crush- 
 ing. The fatty matter, both from the wool and soap used in the washing now oozes 
 ou; in the form of a brown liquid, which is run into casks, and, when cold, forms the 
 substance known in the trade as " brown grease." This grease is used for a variety 
 of purposes, such as the lubricating of axles, &c.; but the bulk of it is bleached and 
 made into what are called wax candles, vestas, &c. In this latter proess an oil is ob- 
 tained which is largely used for lubricating shafting and the like. 
 
 The solid matter remaining in the canvas wrappers in the hydraulic press after 
 the grease has been squeezed out is used by the farmers as manure. 
 
 Any further information, so far as we may be able, we shall at all times most will- 
 ingly give you, and in the meantime we remain, 
 Yours, very respectfully, 
 
 THOS. AMBLER & SONS. 
 
 WILLIAM F. GRINNKLL, Esq., 
 
 United States Consul, Bradford.
 
 6 SCOURING OF WOOL. 
 
 Report from Messrs. William Ramsden $ Co., Bradford, to William F. Grinntll, United 
 States Consul. 
 
 SCOURIKG OF RAW WOOL. 
 
 From the earliest times stale or putrid urine has beeu employed for scouring wool, 
 but it has now been almost entirely supplanted by soaps, used either alone or mixed 
 with potassium or sodium carbonate. The active ingredient in stale urine is ainmo'- 
 nium carbonate, which is a mild alkali admirably suitable for the washing of wool; 
 but it is too expensive for general use. Potash soap is now almost universally employed 
 in wool-scouring. It has been fully proved that better results are obtained by th 
 employment of soap made with potash than by one made with soda. The most suit- 
 able fatty matters to be combined with the potash are those in which oleic acid pre- 
 dominates. 
 
 It is most important that the soap employed should be free from caustic alkalies, 
 since these bodies act very injuriously upon woolen fiber. 
 
 The temperature of the washing liquor should not exceed 100 Fahr. 
 
 The usual method followed in England is to wash the wool successively in three 
 or four tanks. One lot of wool is allowed to steep in one of the tanks while another 
 lot is passing through the machine. The liquor which is in the first tank has already 
 been fouled to a certain extent in the second and third tanks, and that in the second 
 tank has been previously used in the third. The great bulk of the grease, dirt, &c., 
 is collected in tank No. 1, and at certain intervals, varying according to the nature of 
 th wool which is being cleansed, the liquor is run off into large vessels, where the 
 soapy matters are decomposed and the grease recovered. 
 
 Tank No. 1 is now filled with the liquor from tank No. 2, and the latter is then iu 
 a similar manner charged with the liquor from tank No. 3. Fresh soap solution i& 
 placed in the last tank only. 
 
 If the wool is very greasy it is usual to add an alkaline carbonate, preferably potas- 
 sium carbonate (pearlashes), to the liquor in the first tank, but the other tanks (es- 
 pecially the last bath) should contain only a solution of neutral potash soap. The 
 wool is worked up with iron forks; and is gradually carried forward by means of an 
 endless band ; after leaving each tank it passes through a pair of rollers, which 
 squeeze out the excess of soapy liquor. The wool is finally thrown off by a fan in a 
 loose, open condition. 
 
 In France the wool, before scouring, is systematically treated with tepid water, in 
 order to remove a peculiar fatty body termed " suint," from which a very pure potas- 
 sium carbonate is obtained. When the liquor baa become of a certain degree of 
 strength it is evaporated to dryness and the residue ignited. The organic fatty mat- 
 ter burns away and potassium carbonate remains in the form of a dirty gray mass. 
 Potassium carbonate is very soluble in water, and may easily be separated from cer- 
 tain impurities associated with it in the ignited residue. 
 
 Carbon disulphide has been used for the cleansing of wool, but although even on a 
 large scale a certain degree of success has been attained, the method does not appear 
 to have been adopted to any great extent. It is said that wool cleansed in this way 
 is stronger, and that it will spin to finer counts of yarn than the same quality of wool 
 which has been scoured and washed in the ordinary way. 
 
 RECOVERY OF THE GREASE. 
 
 The waste liquors from the scouring tanks contain in solution the soap and alkalies- 
 which have been employed together with the "sniut" and oily matters derived from 
 the wool. By the addition of an acid to soap the latter is decomposed with the form- 
 ation of a free fatty acid and an alkaline salt. Thus when sulphuric acid (oil of vit- 
 riol) is added to a solution of ordinary soft soap, oleic acid rises to the surface and 
 potassium sulphate remains iu solution. 
 
 The wash soap liquors are run into large tanks or pits, and a slight excess of sul- 
 phuric (common chamber acid) is added. The liquid has a broken, curdy appearance, 
 and after thorough agitation it is allowed to stand until the crude fatty matters have 
 risen to the surface. The under liquor, containing in solution sulphates of the alka- 
 lies (together with any glycerine present in the soap used), is allowed to run away. 
 The "magma," or fatty matter, is collected, and drained in filters made of coarse 
 cocoanut matting. The separation of the fatty matters is accelerated by heating the 
 mixture of soap liquor and sulphuric acid in large wooden cisterns by means of steam. 
 The "magma," containing grease, but associated with much refuse, is placed in bags 
 and introduced into a steam press. Steam is admitted and a gradually increasing 
 pressure applied. The fat melts and runs out along with water into a tank, from 
 which it is afterwards pumped into a purifying vessel. The fat or grease is boiled 
 for some time in this vessel with a small quantity of diluted sulphuric acid, which.
 
 SCOURING OF WOOL. 7 
 
 destroys certain impurities. After running off the aqueous acid solution the grease 
 is transferred into casks. On cooling it solidifies into a soft yellowish-brown mass, 
 possessing a somewhat disagreeable odor. 
 
 The recovered grease is largely used for smearing the coats of sheep before the win- 
 ter. It is used for lubricating railway axles and heavy parts of machinery. It is also 
 used to some extent, mixed with other fatty matters, in the manufacture of inferior 
 qualities of soap. It is, however, ill adapted for this purpose, since it contains sub- 
 stances which are not saponified by caustic alkalies. The soap also possesses the dis- 
 agreeable odor peculiar to recovered grease. 
 
 There are no special regulations in this country governing the removal or the dis- 
 posal of the waste liquors from wool scouring, but any nuisance arising therefrom 
 would be treated under the ordinary rivers-pollution act, 1876 (39 and 40 Vic.,c. 75). 
 
 REPORT OF CONSUL UNDERWOOD. 
 
 In scouring wool the patent alkali of Messrs. Brunner, Moud & Co., 
 of Northwick, Cheshire, is universally employed.* In the woolen mills 
 and dye-houses wooden tanks are set, into which the scourings are run. 
 By adding sulphuric acid the grease is raised to the surface, after which 
 it is skimmed off with ladles and put into drainers or filter-beds, in order 
 to free it as far as possible from water. The substance that remains 
 alter the water is drained off is called "magma." The process thus far 
 is performed at the mill or dye-house, and the magma is put into casks 
 and removed to the oil works for treatment. As to quantity, it may be 
 observed that a tank of tLe soap water or scourings containing 300 or 
 500 gallons will yield from 25 to 100 pounds of magma. 
 
 At the oil works the magma is boiled and treated again with sulphu- 
 ric acid, after which it is put in bags and submitted to hydraulic pres- 
 sure, when it comes out as a black oil. 
 
 This black oil is purified as carefully as possible, so that no water or 
 impurities may remain, and is distilled by superheated steam. After 
 coming from the retorts and in a hot state it is put in refrigerators and 
 then in tubs. It is now known as " fatty acid." The distillation is 
 then repeated. There remains in the stills a black substance which has 
 to be blown out by steam, and which is called "pitch," or "hot neck 
 grease," and is used as a lubricator for journals in rolling mills. 
 
 The fatty acid is allowed to remain in the tubs until it hardens into 
 a solid, when it is broken, placed in bags, and again submitted to pres- 
 sure. The fluid oil is then considered finished, and is called " cloth 
 oil," or "wool oil," used by wool-spinners. The residue in the bags is 
 also a finished article, called " stearinej" and is used for making candles, 
 tapers, and matches. 
 
 It is said that unless the wool contains a great deal of grease the 
 process above described scarcely pays expenses. 
 
 * Analysis of Bruuner, Moud & Co.'s pure alkali : 
 
 Carbonate of soda 98. 90 
 
 Chloride of sodium 50 
 
 Sulphate of soda 18 
 
 Carbonate of lime 23 
 
 Carbonate of magnesia 14 
 
 Alumina 01 
 
 Peroxide of iron 003 
 
 Silica 01 
 
 Carbon 001 
 
 99. 974
 
 8 SCOURING OF WOOL. 
 
 POLLUTION OF STREAMS. 
 
 The regulations to prevent the pollution of rivers are contained in 
 the act of 39 and 40 Viet., ch. 75, passed August 15, 1876, of which the 
 title is " The rivers pollution prevention act." 
 
 This act prohibits putting solid matters into streams and the drainage 
 of sewers into streams, also drainage from manufactories and mines. 
 It recognizes the authority of local government boards, and prescribes 
 the maunerof making complaints and of hearing both parties interested. 
 Offenses may be restrained by summary order of county courts. An 
 appeal lies to the high court of justice. The opinion of the court is 
 based upon the certificate granted by an inspector of proper qualifica- 
 tions, appointed for the purpose of the act by the local government 
 board. The certificate states that the means used for rendering harm- 
 less any sewage matter, or any poisonous or polluting solid or liquid 
 matters, are the best or only practicable means available in the par- 
 ticular case. 
 
 FEANCIS H. UNDERWOOD, 
 
 Consul. 
 
 UNITED STATES CONSULATE, 
 
 Glasgow, December 7, 1885. 
 
 The following extracts are taken from a report of Dr. Alexander 
 Crum Brown, professor of chemistry in the University of Edinburgh, 
 made in a case arising under the rivers-pollution act: 
 
 The waste produced in the mills, &c., which by its escape into the Gala may cause 
 pollution of that stream and of the river Tweed, may be conveniently classified thus: 
 
 (A) solid refuse; (1) the so-called "willie dust," which consists of dry dust sepa- 
 rated from the wool in the first process of cleaning ; (2) the chips or powder of dye- 
 woods from which the dye has been extracted by boiling in bags. (B) liquid refuse; 
 (1) soapy liquids from the scouring of wool, yarn, or cloth; (2) spent dye-liquor, con- 
 taining in suspension powder of dye-woods, when the dye-wood has not been inclosed 
 in bags, and in solution unexhausted dye. * * * 
 
 The solid refuse (A) is not now allowed to enter the Gala. In most of the works 
 it is mixed with ashes and with soil from the privies, and disposed of as manure, or 
 otherwise removed. 
 
 The liquid refuse (B) is, at most of the mills, subjected to a certain amount of puri- 
 fication before being discharged. We shall describe these processes of purification as 
 they are carried out at those mills where the arrangements are most suitable for the 
 purpose. * * * 
 
 Soapy liquids. These may be conveniently divided into (a) liquid resulting from 
 scouring yarn and cloth with soap and soda. As the yarn and cloth are compara- 
 tively clean to begin with, this liquid is essentially a solution of soap. (6) Liquidre- 
 aulting from scouring wool with soap and soda. As the wool is by no means clean 
 to begin with, this liquid contains, besides a solution of soap, impurities, soluble and 
 insoluble, derived from the wool. In some of the works the wool is scoured with 
 the soapy liquid a derived from the yarn and cloth scouring, and thus the total quan- 
 tity of soapy liquid is diminished. The soapy liquid a is subjected at once, and the 
 liquid b after allowing the suspended impurities to settle, to a process called the 
 "magma" process. This consists in treating it with sulphuric acid, which decom- 
 poses the soap, forming sulphate of soda, and setting free the fatty acids. These being 
 insoluble in water, form a scum on the surface of the liquid and can thus be sepa- 
 rated. This scum or magma is collected and sold. This process is a profitable one 
 in the case of the purer soapy liquid a. In the case of the liquid from the wool 
 scouring the magma is of less value, and its separation from the watery liquid is less 
 perfect. The watery liquid from which the magma has been removed is in no case 
 perfectly clear, and is slightly acid from excess of sulphuric acid. This process 
 eftects a very decided improvement, but leaves the liquid stfll impure and unfit to 
 be run into the river. * * * 
 
 Successive addition of alumina (or of red oxide of iron) and iron removes, as in- 
 soluble lime and alumina compounds, by far the greater part of the impurities dis- 
 solved in the effluent from the magma process.
 
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