Apparatus for treating a fabric and its use

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for treating fibrous materials such as textiles. The fibrous material is fed into a reactor volume having an upper end and a lower end, the reactor volume being delimited by a first filter at the lower end of the reactor volume and a second filter at the upper end of the reactor volume. A solvent flow is directed through the reactor volume, entering the reactor volume through the first filter and exiting the reactor volume through the second filter.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for treating textiles, for example, by dissolving and extracting dyes and / or textile fibers from other textile fibers, preferably natural fibers, or by chemically modifying the textile fibers, for example.

Background Art

[0002] Approximately 85% of all textiles are discarded, and in 2017 alone, the amount of such waste in the United States alone reached approximately 13 million tons. Textile waste is conventionally landfilled or incinerated. Worldwide, it is estimated that 92 million tons of textile waste are generated each year, which is equivalent to the amount of clothing from one garbage collection truck being discarded at landfills every second. By 2030, it is predicted that more than 134 million tons of textiles will be discarded each year.

[0003] The disposal of such a large amount of textile waste has become an increasingly serious problem for the apparel industry. Incineration and landfilling of textile waste are being reduced as options due to increased costs, reduced available space, and environmental concerns.

[0004] The reuse or recycling of fibers from textiles has been studied for decades and there are several methods. However, most textile waste includes blends of fibers such as polyester / cellulose fabrics, for example, polyester / cotton and polyester / Tencel (trademark) blends, and may also include other fibers such as elastane. The reuse or recycling of individual blended materials is complicated by the fact that there are differences inherent in the physical properties and composition of the components. In addition, the fabrics are treated with other finishing agents such as resin materials and dyes. This makes it almost impossible to find potential commercial end uses for recycled textile materials other than rags or fabric scraps that have little monetary value.

[0005] Accordingly, there is an interest in the industry in providing an effective recycling of textile waste, including blends of fibers such as polyester / cotton fabric blends that can be reused, for example, as textiles.

[0006] Another issue with the reuse of textile waste, including blends of fibers, is the presence of dyes in the textile. Decolorization of textile waste (before and after consumer use) is a major problem in the recycling process between fibers because there are a vast number of different dyes and it is necessary to remove those dyes before the textile waste material can be dissolved and spun into recycled fibers.

[0007] Regarding dyeing fibers, some fibers readily adhere to and accept dyes, while others are different. Depending on the purpose sought to be achieved by dyeing the fabric and the type of dye intended to be used, widely different processes are required. Dyes are classified by various classification systems, such as chemical classification (e.g., indigoid dyes and azo dyes such as monoazo, diazo, and triazo dyes) and dye classification (e.g., disperse dyes, vat dyes, insoluble azo dyes, and reactive dyes).

[0008] Reactive dyes are widely used for dyeing cellulosic fabrics such as cotton. Reactive dyes form covalent bonds with polymer fibers, thereby becoming an integral part of the polymer fibers. The term "reactive" is due to the fact that this type of dye is the only type of dye having reactive groups that chemically react with polymer fiber molecules to form covalent bonds. The use of reactive dyes is increasing. However, one of the problems with reactive dyes is subsequent color bleeding from the fibers during recycling. Conventionally, it is considered that reactive dyes cannot be sufficiently bleached from the fibers by the covalent bonds between the dye molecules and the fibers. Since decolorization of the dyes, including reactive dyes, is essential when the textile is reused, it is therefore desirable to sufficiently decolorize reactive dyes from the textile fibers.

[0009] Therefore, it is desirable to provide an apparatus and a process for treating finely divided materials such as textile fibers or shredded textiles, for example, by removing dyes and other components from the used textiles and thereby enhancing the possibility of reuse. Summary of the Invention Means for Solving the Problems

[0010] A first aspect relates to an apparatus for treating textile fibers in a solvent suspension, comprising a reactor, the reactor having - a lower end and an upper end, and - a first filter positioned near the lower end and a second filter positioned near the upper end, the distance between the first filter and the second filter defining a reaction volume for treating the textile fibers, the first filter and the second filter, and - a solvent inlet positioned below the first filter, and - a solvent outlet positioned above the second filter, and - a fiber material inlet positioned below the second filter and usually in the vicinity of the second filter, and - a suspended or wetted fiber material outlet positioned above the first filter and usually in the vicinity of the first filter, and the solvent is forced to advance through the reactor from the solvent inlet to the solvent outlet, and the fiber material is moved from the fiber material inlet to the suspended filter material outlet. The inventors of the present invention have found that the apparatus is particularly suitable for removing dyes from textiles. Surprisingly, not only water-soluble dyes but also water-insoluble dyes can be effectively removed from textile products using the apparatus. Specifically, the apparatus according to the present invention has been shown to be very effective in removing disperse dyes, insoluble azo dyes, vat dyes, and reactive dyes from textile products.

[0011]

[0012] ​The present invention enables the decolorization of untreated or pretreated (alkali and / or acid pretreatment) textile fabrics. Further, natural fibers can be separated from synthetic fibers. The natural fibers may be produced, for example, by plants or algae, may contain cellulose, and may be provided, for example, as cotton, hemp, sisal, bamboo, viscose, lyocell, or Tencel (trademark). Synthetic fibers are synthesized in large quantities compared to the separation of natural fibers, but for clothing, natural fibers offer advantages such as comfort and water sorption over their synthetic counterparts.

[0013] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a solvent pump adapted to pump a solvent from an optional and preferably buffer or balance tank to a solvent inlet.

[0014] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus - a buffer or balance tank for the solvent, and - a solvent inlet connected to the solvent outlet from the reactor by a conduit and to the solvent inlet by a conduit.

[0015] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a fiber material feed pump adapted to pump a suspended fiber material to a suspended fiber material inlet.

[0016] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a fiber preparation tank having an inlet for dry or wet fibers and an outlet for a suspended or pumpable fiber material.

[0017] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a separation unit positioned downstream of the outlet for the suspended or wetted fiber material, the separation unit separating a fiber-rich fraction from a solvent fraction.

[0018] In one or more embodiments, either a buffer or balance tank, or a fiber preparation tank, has an inlet for recycled solvent connected through a conduit to an outlet for suspended or wetted fiber material. Preferably, the conduit is connected to an outlet of a separation unit positioned downstream of the outlet for suspended fiber material.

[0019] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a thermal adjustment unit configured to adjust the temperature of the solvent in the reactor to a temperature higher than, for example, ambient temperature, such as a temperature above 50 °C or above 100 °C. As an example, the decolorization step may be carried out at a different temperature than the step of separating synthetic fibers from natural fibers. In one or more embodiments, the decolorization step is carried out at a temperature in the range of 40 to 95 °C, preferably in the range of 50 to 90 °C, such as in the range of 55 to 85 °C, more preferably in the range of 70 to 90 °C, such as at a temperature of about 85 °C, at a temperature in the range of 30 to 120 °C. In one or more embodiments, the fiber separation step is carried out at a temperature in the range of 30 to 175 °C, such as in the range of 40 to 170 °C, in the range of 50 to 165 °C, such as in the range of 60 to 160 °C, preferably in the range of 80 to 150 °C, more preferably in the range of 100 to 140 °C, such as at a temperature of about 140 °C, at a temperature in the range of 20 to 180 °C. The same type of solvent may be used at different temperatures.

[0020] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus may be used in a process for providing a solid polyester fraction from a textile product comprising natural fibers and polyester fibers, the process comprising (i) testing a textile product comprising natural fibers and polyester fibers; and (ii) adding a liquid decolorizing agent to the textile product, thereby providing a first decolorized solid fraction and a first liquid fraction; and (iii) separating the first solid fraction from the first liquid fraction; (iv) Add a solvent to the first solid fraction and heat the mixture at a temperature between 170 and 190 °C, preferably in the range of 175 to 185 °C, more preferably at about 180 °C, thereby providing a second solid fraction containing natural fibers and a second liquid fraction containing polyester; (v) Separating the second liquid fraction from the second solid fraction; (vi) Separating the polyester fraction from the second liquid fraction, thereby providing a solid polyester fraction.

[0021] In one or more embodiments, the solvent is selected from the group consisting of dihydrolevoglucosenone, dimethyl sulfoxide, methylsulfonylmethane, sulfolane, 4-valerolactone, 6-hexanolactone, methyl 5-(dimethylamino)-2-methyl-5-oxopentanoate, 2-hydroxy-N,N-dimethylpropanamide, isosorbide dimethyl ether, 1,3-dioxolan-4-methanol, 1,3-dioxan-5-ol, dimethyl succinate, glycerol diacetate, N,N-dimethyloctanamide, diethyl glutarate, ethyl benzoate, 1,2-propanediol carbonate, methyl 5-(dimethylamino)-2-methyl-5-oxopentanoate, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, diethyl adipate, benzyl alcohol, butyl benzoate, butyl 3-hydroxybutyrate, dipropylene glycol mono N-butyl ether, dipropylene glycol, propylene glycol phenyl ether, 2-phenoxyethanol, hexylene glycol, cycladenol, CH3O2C(CH2) where n = 2, 3, or 4 n CO2CH3, or a combination thereof.

[0022] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus may be used in a process for providing at least one solid fraction from a colored textile product containing natural and / or synthetic fibers, the process comprising: (i) Testing a colored textile product containing natural and / or one or more synthetic fibers; (ii) adding an aqueous solution of dihydrolevoglucosenone and / or a derivative of dihydrolevoglucosenone, thereby providing a decolorized textile product; separating the decolorized textile product from the liquid fraction, thereby providing at least one solid fraction.

[0023] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus may be used in a process for providing at least one solid fraction from a textile product comprising natural and / or synthetic fibers, the process comprising (i) providing a textile product comprising natural fibers and / or one or more synthetic fibers; (ii) performing a first decolorization step of adding an aqueous solution of a first decolorizing agent to the textile product, thereby providing a first decolorized textile product; (iii) separating the first decolorized textile product from the colored fraction; (iv) performing a second decolorization step of adding a second decolorizing agent comprising an aprotic solvent to the textile product, thereby providing a second decolorized textile product; (v) separating the second decolorized textile product from the colored fraction, thereby providing at least one solid fraction. The first decolorizing agent in the first decolorization step (ii) is an aqueous solution of a water-soluble salt of dithionous acid.

[0024] In one or more embodiments, the reactor further comprises a horizontal solvent inlet for pushing the solvent into the reaction volume, positioned between a first filter and a second filter, the horizontal solvent inlet being positionable radially or tangentially. Preferably, the horizontal solvent inlet is positioned in the vicinity of the first filter and / or the second filter, which means that the horizontal inlet is positioned at a short distance from either the first filter or the second filter such that the flow of the solvent can wash substances from the filter. The apparatus may further comprise means configured to control the amount of solvent introduced into the reactor through the horizontal solvent inlet, such as a pump.

[0025] Another aspect relates to a process for treating textile fibers within a reactor, - the fiber material is fed into a reactor volume having an upper end and a lower end, the reactor volume being defined by a first filter at the lower end of the reactor volume and a second filter at the upper end of the reactor volume, - a flow of solvent is directed through the reactor volume, entering the reactor volume through the first filter and exiting the reactor volume through the second filter.

[0026] In some embodiments, the temperature within the reactor may be controlled by controlling at least a portion of the flow of solvent being added to the reactor, for example by raising the temperature of at least a portion of the flow of solvent entering the reactor.

[0027] Yet another aspect of the present invention relates to the use of an apparatus according to the present invention for decolorizing or otherwise washing or treating textile materials such as textile fibers or shredded or otherwise finely divided textiles.

[0028] In some embodiments, the apparatus for treating a fabric may be used to derivatize fabric fibers at the molecular level, for example, by addition of a group, to chemically modify the fabric fibers. One example may be adding urea to a cellulose solution in a suitable solvent. Urea reacts with the hydroxy groups of the fabric fibers (cellulose fibers), resulting in ammonia (a by-product) and cellulose carbamate. Another example may be the process of making intermediate cellulose xanthate for viscose rayon. At this time, CS2 is added to cellulose in an alkaline solution. The ways of chemically modifying fabric fibers may be, for example, enhancing dissolution for separation, adding thermoplastic properties, or changing the strength characteristics of the fibers. Other known derivatives may include methyl cellulose, cellulose acetate, ethyl cellulose, and hydroxyethyl cellulose. Another use may be changing the molecular weight of fabric fibers. For cellulose fibers, this may be done, for example, by acid treatment or preferably enzymatically by cellulase rich in endo-cellulase.

[0029] Yet another aspect of the present invention relates to the use of the apparatus according to the present invention for chemically modifying fabric fibers.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0030]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0031] Definitions Before discussing the present invention in more detail, the following terms and conventions are first defined.

[0032] "Generally" indicates that the features listed after this expression may be used in all embodiments of the present invention.

[0033] However, it should be noted that the examples and features described in the context of one of the aspects of the present invention apply to other aspects of the present invention as well, unless it is specifically pointed out that the feature can only be used in the context of one or a limited number of aspects.

[0034] The present invention will be described in more detail hereinafter with reference to the following non-limiting examples.

[0035] The present invention relates to an apparatus used for processing fibrous materials, such as a fabric which is usually in the form of a shredded or otherwise finely divided fabric. The fabric product may be shredded into smaller pieces. Preferably, the smaller pieces of the fabric product may be less than about 10×10 cm, such as less than 5×5 cm, for example less than 1×1 cm. The fabric is processed in a solvent and kept in a solvent suspension inside a reaction volume (RV: reaction volume).

[0036] The solvent may be any liquid capable of dissolving the components or providing a suitable phase for reacting with the components of the fibrous material. Suitable examples of the solvent may be those as described above.

[0037] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention, in which a continuous process with a continuous feed of fibrous material and solvent can be carried out. FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention, in which a batch process can be carried out in which a part of the fibrous material is added to the reaction volume RV before or after the solvent is added. In both embodiments, the solvent is usually continuously circulated through the reaction volume RV. Features having the same characteristics or the same functions are referred to by the same reference numerals in the two illustrated embodiments.

[0038] The apparatus according to the present invention comprises a reactor 1, and the reactor 1 has the following features: - a lower end 3 and an upper end 2, and - A first filter 5 positioned near the lower end 3 and a second filter 4 positioned near the upper end 2. The distance between the first filter 5 and the second filter 4 defines a reaction volume (RV) for performing volume treatment of the textile fibers. The size of the reaction volume is along the distance between the first filter 5 and the second filter 4, and these filters define the top and bottom of the reaction volume, which is determined by the internal cross-section of the reactor housing. The desired or required size of the reaction volume depends on the textile material to be processed and the type and amount of solvent used. The purpose of the filter is to hold the fiber material within the reaction volume without leaving with the flow. The filter may comprise or consist of a polymer filter material, a cellulose filter, a metal mesh, and / or a perforated plate.

[0039] The reactor 1 further comprises a solvent inlet 6 positioned below the first filter 5, i.e., outside the reaction volume, and a solvent outlet 7 positioned above the second filter 4, i.e., also outside the reaction volume. Since the solvent outlet 7 is positioned outside the reaction volume, the risk that the solvent flow is contaminated by the textile fibers is reduced or eliminated. The solvent inlet 6 is positioned below the reaction volume to enable the upward flow to remove the textile material falling down from the packing on the first filter 5 by providing proper distribution of the upward flow of the solvent. Generally, the reactor 1 is constructed with a cross-sectional shape and dimensions capable of maintaining an upward solvent flow rate v u and v u is at least 0.6·v d where "v d " is the average downward fiber sedimentation rate, and preferably the ratio

Number

[0040] The reactor 1 is positioned below the second filter 4 and usually has an inlet 8 for fibrous material near the second filter 4, and is positioned above the first filter 5 and usually has an outlet 9 for suspended or wetted fibrous material near the first filter 5. The position of the inlet and outlet for the fibrous material and the number of inlets and outlets for the fibrous material may depend on the type of reactor and the process used for the treatment. If the process is a batch process, the fibrous material may be added before the solvent, and thus the inlet for the fibrous material may be positioned anywhere suitable for the feeding equipment. However, if the process is a continuous process in which the fibrous material is added while the reactor 1 is filled with the solvent and the material falls through the reaction volume, the fibrous material should preferably be fed near the second filter 4 to the upper end of the reaction volume.

[0041] During operation, the solvent is forced through the reactor 1 from the solvent inlet 6 near the bottom of the reactor 1 to the solvent outlet 7 near the top of the reactor 1, and the fibrous material is moved from the inlet 8 for fibrous material, which is usually near the top of the reactor 1, to the outlet 9 for suspended fibrous material, which is usually near the bottom of the reactor 1. This means that the reaction or treatment occurs in countercurrent if no other stirring or flow creating means are used.

[0042] The first filter 5 and the second filter 4 may be fixed to the reactor housing by flanges 24. The flanges 24 may be formed from the surfaces of two adjacent parts of the reactor housing facing each other, and the surfaces may be forced together, for example, when the reactor 1 is in use, and the surfaces may be provided with or include gasket material.

[0043] The device according to the invention may also comprise a solvent pump 10 for pumping the solvent from the solvent supply to the solvent inlet 6 of the reactor 1. Optionally, the solvent supply is a buffer or balance tank 11, and the tank may also include purifying or otherwise adjusting the solvent in addition to storing the solvent.

[0044] The buffer or balance tank 11 for the solvent may be provided with a solvent inlet 12, and the inlet 12 may be connected to the solvent outlet 7 from the reactor 1 by a conduit (13), and may also be connected to the solvent inlet 6 by a conduit 14. This connection enables the solvent inside the apparatus to be recycled, which is very advantageous in either the case where the solvent is expensive to purchase and / or the case where it is expensive to dispose of as waste.

[0045] The apparatus of the first embodiment of FIG. 1 includes a fiber material feed pump 15. Generally, the use of the fiber material feed pump 15 is advantageous in a fiber preparation tank 16 where the fiber feed is pretreated, for example, by wetting the fiber material or spreading it into a suspension, so that the suspended fiber material can be pumped to the fiber material inlet 8 of the reactor 1.

[0046] The fiber preparation tank 16 may have an inlet for dry or wet fibers and an outlet 17 for the suspended or pumpable fiber material. Further, the fiber preparation tank 16 may have an inlet for dry fiber material and an inlet for a solvent or other wetting fluid, that is, the fluid used for suspending or wetting the fiber material does not have to be the same as the solvent.

[0047] Typically, the apparatus according to the present invention includes one or more separation units 18 positioned downstream of the outlet 9 for the suspended or wetted fiber material. The separation unit 18 separates the fiber-rich fraction from the solvent fraction, and the separation unit 18 may be of any suitable type found by any person skilled in the art of the prior art. Some solutions may be a decanter centrifuge, a dewatering screw press, a drum filter, a belt filter, a basket filter, etc. For the polymer liquid fraction, the polymer liquid fraction can be transferred to unit operations such as thermal quenching, filtration after addition of an anti-solvent, etc.

[0048] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the buffer or balance tank 11, or the fiber preparation tank 16, may have an inlet 19 for the recycled solvent connected to the outlet 9 for the suspended or wetted fiber material through a conduit 20. For example, such a conduit 20 may be connected to the outlet 21 of the separation unit 18 positioned downstream of the outlet 9 for the suspended fiber material. This feature enables the solvent to be recirculated to the tanks 11, 16 capable of adjusting, purifying, or reforming the solvent before returning the used solvent to the reactor 1.

[0049] Generally, the apparatus according to the present invention may comprise a thermal regulation unit 25 capable of controlling the temperature inside the reactor volume RV to maintain a desired operating temperature. According to one embodiment, the thermal regulation unit 25 controls the temperature of the solvent flow, and the solvent flow after thermal regulation is sent to the reaction volume RV. Usually, the temperature adjustment means that the temperature inside the reaction volume RV is higher than the ambient temperature, for example, a temperature above 50°C, or for example, a temperature above 100°C, or for example, a temperature above 130°C. Alternatively, the thermal regulation unit 22 may comprise a heat exchange shell or surface of the reactor housing that heats or cools the reaction volume RV, for example, by means of an electric or water flow.

[0050] The reactor 1 may be positioned between the first filter 5 and the second filter 4 and may comprise one or more horizontal inlets 22 for the second solvent that force the solvent into the reaction volume RV. Such a horizontal inlet 22 for the solvent may be directed radially, i.e., towards the center of the reaction volume RV, or tangentially, i.e., the inlet flow is tangential and causes a swirling motion of the suspension inside the reaction volume RV, or at any angle between the radial and tangential directions.

[0051] The horizontal inlet 22 for the solvent may be positioned near the first filter 5 and / or near the second filter 4. Here, "near" means that the horizontal inlet 22 is positioned extremely close to either the first filter 5 or the second filter 4, so that the flow of the solvent affects the deposition in the filter and the compression near the filter, and may wash away or loosen the material near the filter.

[0052] The apparatus according to the invention may comprise means such as a pump 23 for controlling the amount of the second solvent introduced into the reaction volume RV through the horizontal inlet 22 for the solvent.

[0053] Due to the embodiments of the present apparatus, the steps performed at the start, during operation, and at the end may vary. The following example relates to a process implemented in an apparatus intended for batch operation, as shown in FIG. 2.

[0054] Step 1: Solvent feeding The solvent may be fed at either the process temperature or the ambient temperature, either before or after the fibrous material is added to the reaction volume. The valve is opened to enable the new solvent to be pumped into the reactor by the solvent pump 10. The pump 23 for controlling the inlet of the second solvent may also be turned on to fill the internal piping.

[0055] Step 2: Fiber feeding The reaction volume RV is filled with the fibrous material.

[0056] The fibers may be introduced into the reactor either before or after the system is filled with the solvent. It is also possible to add the fibrous material together with the solvent feeding.

[0057] Step 3: Solvent / solution circulation After filling the reactor with the solvent and the fibrous material, the heating unit is turned on and the solvent may be circulated through the reactor until it reaches the desired temperature.

[0058] After reaching the desired temperature, the heating is adjusted to maintain the desired temperature and only compensate for heat loss.

[0059] The recirculation of the solvent is maintained until the fibers of the fibrous material reach the desired concentration and dissolution of the dye or polymer fraction occurs.

[0060] Step 4: Fiber purging The fibers are pushed into the separation unit by turning on pump 23, after which the separation unit 18 is emptied. Finally, pump 23 is turned off.

[0061] The liquid level of the system may remain substantially the same during this step.

[0062] Step 5: Solvent purging This can be done before or after system cooling depending on the destination of the solvent / solution. The solvent is purged for reuse, regeneration downstream, or discharged as waste.

Explanation of reference numerals

[0063] 1 Reactor 2 Upper end of the reactor 3 Lower end of the reactor 4 Second filter 5 First filter 6 Solvent inlet to the reactor 7 Solvent outlet from the reactor 8 Fiber material inlet 9 Suspended or wetted fiber material outlet 10 Solvent pump 11 Solvent buffer or balance tank 12 Solvent inlet to the buffer / balance tank 13 Solvent conduit between the outlet of the reactor and the buffer / balance tank 14 Solvent conduit between the buffer / balance tank and the inlet of the reactor 15 Fiber material feed pump 16 Fiber preparation tank 17 Outlet for fiber material from the fiber preparation tank 18 Separation unit 19 Inlet for the used solvent 20 Conduit between the separation unit and the buffer / balance tank 21 Outlet of the separation unit 22 Horizontal inlet to the reactor 23 Pump for controlling the inlet of the second solvent 24 Flange 25 Thermal conditioning unit 26 New feed RV Reactor volume

Claims

1. An apparatus for processing textile fibers in a solvent suspension, comprising a reactor (1), wherein the reactor (1) - The lower end (3) and the upper end (2), - Solvent inlet (6), - Solvent outlet (7), - Inlet for textile materials (8), - comprising an outlet (9) for suspended or wet fibrous material, The reactor (1) is - A first filter (5) positioned near the lower end and a second filter (4) positioned near the upper end, wherein the distance between the first filter (5) and the second filter (4) defines the reaction volume for processing the textile fibers, further comprising: The apparatus is characterized in that the solvent inlet (6) is positioned below the first filter (5), the solvent outlet (7) is positioned above the second filter (4), the fiber material inlet (8) is positioned below the second filter (4) and is usually in the vicinity of the second filter (4), and the suspended or wet fiber material outlet (9) is positioned above the first filter (5) and is usually in the vicinity of the first filter (5), the solvent is forced through the reactor (1) from the solvent inlet (6) to the solvent outlet (7), and the fiber material is moved from the fiber material inlet (8) to the suspended fiber material outlet (9).

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a solvent pump (10) optionally adapted for pumping a solvent from a buffer or balance tank (11) to the solvent inlet (6).

3. - A solvent buffer or balance tank (11) and The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a solvent inlet (12) connected by a conduit (13) to the solvent outlet (7) from the reactor (1), and connected by a conduit (14) to the solvent inlet (6).

4. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a fiber material feed pump (15) adapted for pumping suspended fiber material into the inlet (8) for suspended fiber material.

5. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a fiber preparation tank (16) having an inlet for dry or wet fibers and an outlet (17) for suspended or pumpable fiber material.

6. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a separation unit (18) positioned downstream of the outlet (9) for suspended or wet fibrous material, wherein the separation unit (18) separates a fibrous fraction from a solvent fraction.

7. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein either a buffer or balance tank (11) or a fiber preparation tank (16) has a reusable solvent inlet (19) connected through a conduit (20) to the outlet (9) for suspended or wet fiber material, preferably the conduit (20) is connected to the outlet (21) of a separation unit positioned downstream of the outlet (9) for suspended fiber material.

8. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a thermal adjustment unit (25) configured to adjust the temperature of the solvent in the reactor (1) to a temperature higher than the ambient temperature, for example, a temperature above 50°C or above 100°C.

9. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the reactor (1) includes a horizontal solvent inlet (22) positioned between the first filter (5) and the second filter (4) for pushing a solvent into the reaction volume, and the horizontal solvent inlet (22) can be positioned radially or tangentially.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the horizontal inlet (22) for the solvent is positioned near the first filter (5) and / or the second filter (4), meaning that the horizontal inlet is positioned at a short distance from either the first filter (5) or the second filter (4) such that the flow of the solvent can wash away substances from the filter.

11. The apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising means such as a pump (23) configured to control the amount of solvent introduced into the reactor (1) through the horizontal solvent inlet (22).

12. A process for processing textile fibers in a reactor (1), - The fibrous material is sent to a reactor volume having an upper end (2) and a lower end (3). The reactor volume is limited by a first filter (5) at the lower end (3) of the reactor volume and a second filter (4) at the upper end (2) of the reactor volume, the solvent inlet (6) is located below the first filter (5), the solvent outlet (7) is located above the second filter (4), the fiber material inlet (8) is located below the second filter (4) and is usually in the vicinity of the second filter (4), and the suspended or wet fiber material outlet (9) is the A process characterized by the following: a filter (5) is positioned above the first filter (5), and is usually in the vicinity of the first filter (5); a solvent flow is forced through the reactor (1) from the solvent inlet (6) to the solvent outlet (7); the fibrous material is moved from the fibrous material inlet (8) to the suspended fibrous material outlet (9); and the solvent flow is guided through the reactor volume, enters the reactor volume through the first filter (5), and exits the reactor volume through the second filter (4).

13. The process according to claim 12, wherein the temperature inside the reactor (1) is controlled by controlling at least a portion of the flow of solvent added to the reactor (1), for example by raising the temperature of at least a portion of the flow of solvent entering the reactor (1).

14. Use of the apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3 for decolorizing or otherwise washing or treating textile materials such as textile fibers or shredded or otherwise finely divided textiles.

15. For example, the use of the apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3 for chemically modifying textile fibers by an addition reaction.

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