A Review on Characterization of Sheep Wool Impurities and Existing Techniques of Cleaning: Industrial and Environmental Challenges

ABSTRACT

There is increasing concern regarding the methods for sheep wool processing currently used in the textile industry owing to the enormous volume of toxic effluents generated. A large portion of these effluents comprises toxic volatile organic compounds necessary for the water-based cleaning of sheep wool. Various methods have been proposed for wool fiber cleaning: carbonization, solvent bleaching, and ultrasound, traditional washing using various detergents in steam or hot water, and electrical discharge cleaning, and there are several methods to remove impurities (suint, wool grease, and vegetable matter). However, these methods raise concerns because they adversely affect the mechanical and chemical properties of wool fiber and consume large quantities of chemicals and freshwater. Environmental conservation is a key element influencing accelerated industrial growth. Environmental awareness has prompted extensive research in the field of wool cleaning to identify environment-friendly solutions that involve low energy consumption, eco-friendly chemicals, and reduced waste and emissions. Eco-friendly methods should be developed to replace the traditional washing methods used to clean sheep wool fibers.

摘要

由于产生大量有毒废水, 目前纺织行业使用的羊毛加工方法越来越受到关注. 这些废水中有很大一部分含有有毒挥发性有机化合物, 这些化合物是水基清洗羊毛所必需的. 针对羊毛纤维的清洗提出了多种方法, 碳化、溶剂漂白和超声波、使用各种洗涤剂在蒸汽或热水中进行的传统清洗和放电清洗, 还有几种去除杂质(羊油, 羊毛油脂和植物物质)的方法. 然而, 这些方法引起了人们的关注, 因为它们会对羊毛纤维的机械和化学性能产生不利影响, 并消耗大量的化学品和淡水. 环境保护是影响工业加速增长的关键因素. 环境意识促进了羊毛清洁领域的广泛研究, 以确定涉及低能耗、环保化学品和减少废物和排放的环境友好解决方案. 应开发生态友好的方法, 以取代传统的羊毛纤维清洗方法.

KEYWORDS:

• Scouring
• wool cleaning
• wool bleaching
• wool grease
• suint

关键词:

• 关键词
• 精练
• 羊毛清洗
• 羊毛漂白
• 羊毛油脂
• 羊绒

Acknowledgments

Authors would like to thanks to Division of Research & Innovation, Universiti Sains Malaysia for providing Research Universiti Grant (304/PTEKIND/6315313) as a financial support.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Universiti Sains Malaysia [304 / PTEKIND / 6315313].