Methods and systems for decolorizing textile materials
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods for decolorizing textile materials, such as chemical bleaching and solvent extraction, generate waste and can damage fibers, while solvent extraction uses toxic and non-renewable solvents, posing environmental and health risks.
Innovation Solution
A method and system using hydrothermal conditions with dye adsorbent materials like activated carbon and cross-linked polystyrene to decolorize textile materials dyed with disperse dyes, employing water as the solvent and allowing for repeated use of adsorbent materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If chemical bleaching is used to decolorize textile materials, then decolorization effectiveness is improved, but environmental pollution and fiber damage worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the decolorization process by replacing chemical oxidizing/reducing agents with physical adsorption under hydrothermal conditions. This transforms the process from a chemical reaction-based method to a physical adsorption method, eliminating fiber damage and chemical pollution while maintaining decolorization effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes chemical bleaching mechanisms with a physical adsorption mechanism using dye adsorbent materials. The adsorbent materials physically adsorb dye molecules from the textile materials under hydrothermal conditions, replacing the harmful chemical bleaching process with a safer physical process.
2Productivity
If solvent extraction is used to remove dyes from textile materials, then decolorization is achieved, but use of toxic and non-renewable solvents worsens environmental impact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the solvent parameter from organic solvents (octanol, xylene) to water under hydrothermal conditions. This parameter change eliminates the toxicity and non-renewability issues associated with petroleum-based solvents while maintaining effective dye extraction capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the traditionally harmful combination of organic solvents and high temperature into a beneficial hydrothermal environment. By using water at elevated temperatures and pressures, the process achieves effective dye removal without the harmful effects of organic solvents, turning a potentially harmful condition into a beneficial one.
3Illumination intensity
If traditional decolorization methods are used, then color intensity is reduced, but textile structure integrity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical bleaching mechanisms with physical adsorption. The dye adsorbent materials physically adsorb dye molecules from the textile materials under hydrothermal conditions, avoiding the harsh chemical reactions that damage fiber structures while still achieving significant color intensity reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the decolorization mechanism from chemical reaction to physical adsorption by using dye adsorbent materials under hydrothermal conditions. This parameter change allows effective color removal while preserving fiber structure integrity, as physical adsorption does not degrade the polymer chains in the fibers.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Achieves high decolorizing rates of up to 94% without damaging the textile structure, using non-toxic and environmentally friendly methods, and enabling the reuse of adsorbent materials, thus reducing waste and environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
treating the textile materials under hydrothermal condition in a decolorization reactor in the case where the textile materials are in contact with the dye adsorbent materials, so as to at least partially decolorize the textile materials
Implementation Method 2
treating the textile materials under hydrothermal condition in a decolorization reactor
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided herein is a method for decolorizing textile materials under hydrothermal conditions using dye adsorbent materials. The process is non-toxic and environmentally friendly, and the adsorbent materials can be repeatedly used. The textile materials are textile materials dyeable with disperse dyes. Further provided is a system for decolorizing textile materials. The decolorization system is designed to allow the adsorbent materials to react with the textile materials in a contact manner and a noncontact manner.