Non-aqueous Solvent Medium (NASM) Dyeing for Textiles

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In traditional dyeing process, water acts as a solvent medium to dissolve the dyestuff and bring the dyestuff to the substrate to conduct the dyeing process. Due to the limited water resource issue, more and more researchers are investigating substitute that could replace the water such as supercritical fluid carbon dioxide, different types of organic solvent and etc. However, due to the limitation of existing system and high engineering requirement of the new system, these waterless dyeing technologies cannot be widely adopted by the industry. This project will focus on the development of a two in one non-aqueous solvent medium (NASM) dyeing system. The system would be able to specifically dye the yarn and garment respectively with an innovative design of dyeing vessel mechanism, in order to facilitate a uniform uptake of dye molecule on the substrate.
Application

The project has developed a pre-industrial scale system with two dyeing vessels with each 200L. This one-system-for-all design is able to carry out dyeing processes on yarn, fabric or whole garments. Its dyeing capacity is up to 20 kg of yarn cones within four hours. Also, about 5 kg of garments can be dyed, depending on their sizes and shapes.
Industry Benefit

The time required for NASM dyeing ranges from 60 to 240 minutes compared to 180 to 240 minutes required for water dyeing.

Up to 90% of the NASM used in the dyeing process can be reused. Since it is a waterless process, waste water treatment facilities are not required and the overall operating cost could be reduced by 5% or possibly more.
Technological Breakthrough

This one-system-for-all design which is able to carry out dyeing processes on yarn, fabric or whole garments is the first of its kind in the industry.
Awards
47th International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva (2019) - Bronze Medal
Project Name (ITF)
Development of Non-aqueous Solvent Medium (NASM) Dyeing System
Project Number (ITF)
ITP/111/15TP