The third machine is set with 2 lb. soap for two sets of fifteen pieces each. Temperature, 71° (160° F.). The beamed pieces are then taken to the sulphuring stove.
The point aimed at in the above process is the complete exhaustion of the scouring effect of the liquors. At the same time, the cloth on leaving the third machine should be fully scoured, and without a trace of grease ; the operation may be considered well performed when a trace of soap remains in the cloth at this stage. It may also be remarked that the greatest care should be taken to prevent the pieces from crimping or creasing, as these defects eannot be removed, owing to the fibres becoming broken. The pieces are rapidly stitohed together, by means of thin iron wire. The second and third inachine have a small roller in front, to diminish the tension of the cloth, and hinder its run ning up in breadth.
Cloth Sulphuring.—The cooled pieces are rim through Thom's sulphuring stove, Fig. 378. This stove consists of a chamber about 6 ft. long, by 5/ ft. wide, built with a double brick wall, and roofed with sheet lead ; height of walls, 5 ft. ; elevation of lead roof, 15 in. Right under the roof, and fastened to it, is a serpentine steam pipe I in. diameter, which heats the top and inside of the clamber, thus preventing condensation or the formation of drops. The sulphur is burnt outside the chamber, in a small furnace adjoining one of the side walls of the stove. Through an aperture iu this wall, the sulphur fumes enter a small canal (inside the stove), which ie covered with perforated tiles, so that the fumes may be equally diffused in the stove. On the top end just in the middle of the lead roof, is a 1-inch lead pipe connected with the chimney of the works, for regu lating the draught necessary for the combustion of the sulphur, and for leading its fumes into the stove. A wooden frame, with rollers at top and bottom, is fixed iu the stove ; the pieces, in open width, are run in over these rollers and led out on the opposite side, the stove being completely filled with sulphurous acid gas. It is preferable to lead them hack over rollers, so that they may come out at the same slit by which they entered, and be beamed at once. The space between the two walls
in front is connected with the chimney, and serves to lead away the gas carried out by the pieces.
After beaming, the pieces are run through again. Twenty-four muslin-de-laine pieces of 36 yds. each can be run twice through this machine in one hour. The quantity of sulphur used is nearly the same EIS in the chambers for yarn, or about 7 lb. sulphur for sixty pieces of 36 yds. each.
Mangling or riucing in cold water.—Three bowls, a brass one in the centre, and two of wood, with levers, weights, &c., form the manglicg macliine. The bottom bowl is placed in a box or trough, filled with water. The sulphured pieces are run open through the grater box, then between the bowls, and, before receiving the top nip, are passed under a continuous jet of pure water. They are beamed on this machine, and dried on the steam cylinder drying machine.
Bleaching muslin-de-laine, all wool.—For this purpose, the same machines may be used; but, as a rule, less strain, less soda, and lower temperature are required.
First Machine : 3 lb. soap, 1 lb. carbonate of soda, or the old soap bath with an addition of lb. soda. Temp. 49° (120° F.).
Second Machine : 5 lb. soap for the first roll of sixteen pieces, and 1 lb. soap is added for each sixteen pieces following. Temp. 65° (150°F.). French all wool pieces are about 80 yds. in length ; in this case, only eight pieces are put on a roll. The liquor is renewed after six rolls, or forty-eight pieces of 80 yds. each.
Third Machine : 2 lb. soap. Temp. 60° (140°F.). The pieces are beamed, well stretched, both in length and breadth, on the rollers, and left to cool.
Fourth Machine : 2 lb. soap. Temp. 49° (120° F.). The liquor is run off and a fifth passage is given in water at 43° (110° F.). The pieces are left to cool again on the rollers, then sulphured twice, rimed in cold water through the mangling machine, and dried. They are singed, either on 2 L plate or by gas, previous to scouring. Fine goods, or those to be dyed in light, delicate shades, are only singed after having been treated with soap and soda. Flannels gendrally require stronger soda baths, since they contain more oil.