How does the air degumming process remove impurities from raw fibers or oils?

In the air degumming process, raw materials such as fibers or oils are exposed to a controlled flow of heated or ambient air. This airflow plays a crucial role in separating impurities from the material. For textile fibers, the airflow moves through the raw material, dislodging contaminants such as waxes, proteins, and other natural oils that may be bound to the fibers. In the context of oil refining, the airflow helps in emulsifying the phospholipids (gums) present in crude vegetable oils, making them more susceptible to removal. The velocity and consistency of the airflow are key to ensuring effective impurity separation, helping to improve both the texture of the fibers and the clarity of the oil.

For textiles, moisture activation is a key component of the air degumming process. As the airflow moves through the raw fiber material, it helps activate any moisture already present in the fibers. This moisture softens the contaminants, particularly the natural oils and gums, allowing them to be more easily detached from the fibers. In oil degumming, a similar principle applies, where the crude oil is slightly heated, encouraging the moisture to interact with the phospholipids and other impurities. Moisture helps break down the emulsions of oil and gums, facilitating their separation. In some advanced systems, a combination of moisture activation and air pressure is applied to improve the efficiency of degumming.

The introduction of high-velocity airflow promotes the mechanical agitation of the fibers or oil. In textiles, this agitation helps separate the natural oils and gums from the fiber surface, effectively cleaning and preparing the raw material for further processing. For example, cotton or other plant-based fibers may contain waxy coatings that, when agitated, loosen and are carried away by the air, leaving the fibers cleaner. Similarly, in oil degumming, air assists in separating the phospholipids, which float to the surface and can then be removed through filtration or centrifugation. This physical separation process significantly reduces the amount of remaining impurities, resulting in purer, higher-quality fibers or oils.

In some cases, the air degumming process is enhanced by the addition of chemical agents to further aid in impurity removal. For oil refining, chemicals such as phosphoric acid or citric acid may be added to the crude oil to help break down phospholipids and other gum-like substances. These chemicals act as emulsifying agents, reducing the molecular bonds between the impurities and the oil. In textile processing, chemicals such as enzymes or mild surfactants may be used to break down the natural oils or waxes present on the fibers, facilitating their removal when exposed to the airflow. The combination of air and chemical agents increases the efficiency of the degumming process, ensuring the removal of more complex impurities.

After the air has been passed through the material, the impurities are either carried away by the airflow or allowed to settle naturally. In the case of textile fibers, contaminants that have been dislodged by the air are often removed through mechanical filters or through centrifugal force. In the case of oil degumming, the impurities (phospholipids and gums) are allowed to separate and settle at the surface or are removed through centrifugal separation. The degummed oil is then filtered to remove any remaining solid particles, resulting in a cleaner, more refined product. The filtration or settling step is essential for ensuring the final product is free from any remaining particulate matter or impurities.