| Abstract: | The development is described of a prototype machine for dyeing wool continuously in 75 % formic acid at 50–60d?C, with recovery of the formic acid by distillation. A complete plant for treating 8000 lb of wool per day of two shifts was estimated to cost $A120,000 (£55,000). Excluding the cost of dyes and further processing, dyeing wool on this scale of operation was estimated to cost 70 cents (7-7 d.)per lb, and at 200,000 lb per day with three-shift operation 5-3 cents (5–8 d.)per lb. The very even uptake of dye obtained in formic acid would be expected to result in further savings on the cost of recombing after dyeing. |
