Pulsed electrohydraulic discharge for wool fiber cleaning

Wool fiber is widely used worldwide in the scouring process needed to obtain high-quality final products. In this study, we report the cleanliness of raw wool fibers after cleaning by Pulsed Electrohydraulic Discharge (PED). A 15-kV experimental PED system was designed to treat raw wool fibers, and the mechanism of PED cleaning was determined. Scouring efficiency was assessed according to the whiteness, fineness and strength of the treated fiber. The chemical structure of the cleaned fiber was characterized by an infrared spectrometer. The washed fibers were also examined by scanning electron microscopy to evaluate the effect of PED on the surface structure of the fiber. The effect of PED treatment on dye adsorption was assessed, and the COD value and turbidity of the fiber were measured to elucidate the effect of removing the surface dirt. The results showed that the raw wool was cleaned and that the wool scales were removed after PED treatment, which suggests that PED may be an effective method of treating wool fibers. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.