Thermal Action
Steam-heated cylinders used to evaporate and recover organic solvents from treated fabrics. Desolventizing dry cans are common in the finishing of technical textiles where solvent-based resins are used for waterproofing or flame retardancy. The process is complete when the solvent concentration on the fabric drops below the detection limit for the industrial sensors.
Vapor Recovery
Direct contact between the damp fabric and the hot metal surface triggers the rapid boiling of the solvent. As the fabric passes over the desolventizing dry cans, the vapor is captured by a vacuum hood and sent to a condenser for reuse.
Fabric Interaction
Efficient collection of the gaseous chemical reduces the overall cost of production and prevents air pollution. If the desolventizing dry cans are not heated to the correct temperature, the fabric will remain tacky and the solvent will be lost to the atmosphere.
Process Limit
High temperatures can sometimes affect the hand feel or the color of sensitive materials. Technicians adjust the speed of the line to ensure that the fabric spends just enough time on the desolventizing dry cans to be safe without causing thermal damage. The balance is determined through a series of lab tests that measure the residual chemical levels against the physical properties of the textile.
Continuous monitoring of the cylinder temperature ensures a consistent result across every roll of fabric.
