The new process for treating cloth differs materially from that originally proposed by Mr. Thompson. His plan was to use an air-tight keir in conjunction with a gas-holder. It is obvious that the "continuous" process would not answer for yarns; Thompson's keir is, therefore, employed for these and all heavy piece-goods.
Thus far I have given a concise outline of the Mather-Thompson process of bleaching, which, it cannot be denied, differs materially from any system hitherto recommended to the trade. Beyond doubt the goods are as perfectly bleached by this process as by any now in use. The question arises, What pecuniary advantage does it offer? Mr. Manby, the manager of Messrs. Ainsworth, has informed me that he has bleached as much as ten miles of cloth by the new process, and is, therefore, entitled to be heard on the subject of cost. In regard to the consumption of chemicals, he estimates the saving to amount to (in money value) one-fourth; steam (coal), one-half; labor, one-half; water, four-fifths; time, two-thirds.
It might be well to contrast the process formerly employed by Messrs. Ainsworth with that they have recently adopted:
"MATHER-THOMPSON" SYSTEM.
Alkali. Bleach Acid Machine
(chemic). Washes.
/ Saturate.
(1) <
\ Steam.
/ (2) Continuous
| (chemic)
| machine
| (or keir if
(2) < for yarns,
| etc.).
| (2a) Machine or
\ pit sour.
(3) Wash up for
finishing.
ORDINARY SYSTEM.
Alkali. Bleach. Acid Machine
Washes.
(1) Lime stew. (1) Wash.
(2) Sour. (2) "
(3) Gray bowk (3) "
(soda ash).
(4)I Chemic. (4) "
(5) Sour. (5) "
(6) White bowk. (6) "
(7)II Chemic. (7) "
(8) Sour. (8) "
It will be understood that 2 and 2a are merged into a single process by using the "continuous" machine. Of course, it will be understood that the cloth has in each case to be cleansed from size and loose impurities. The "Mather-Thompson" Company claim that their system takes twelve hours in the case of "market" or "white" bleaching. They reckon eight hours for the steaming process and four for bleaching and washing. This has to be compared with the old system, which generally takes forty hours, made up as follows: 8 treatments with reagents and the necessary washings, the former taking four hours and the latter one hour each.
The "Mather-Thompson" system has created considerable commotion in English bleaching circles. It is generally considered that the bleachers throughout the whole country will be compelled to adopt it, so great is the saving in time and cost. In commencing a bleachery, the cost of plant by this system is, I understand, less than by the old processes.—Textile Colorist.