Study of Detergency. XVI.

Physico-chemical and Mechanical Actions in Washing Process

Abstract

Washing process seems to consist of two factors, pyhsico-chemical action of detergent and mechanical action of washing machine. In this paper, the effect of these factors on detergency was investigated by means of Terg-O-Tometer. Ratios of D_C and D_M to detergency, p and q, were shown as follows;
D=D_C+D_M
D_M=D_W
∴ p= (D_C/D) ×100= {(D-D_M) /D} ×100= {(D-D_W) /D} ×100
q= (D_M/D) ×100= (D_W/D) ×100
Where, D, D_C, D_M and D_W are detergency, detergencies of physico-chemical action, mechanical action and of washing with water, respectively.
It was found that logarithms of mechanical action and washing time were proportional to detergency in the case of washing with detergent soln. In the ordinary washing conditions p values showed 40-50% and q was 60-50%. Therefore, D_M contributes to detergency in washing process, nearly as much as D_C. Both washing temperature and concentration of detergent gave little influence on p values within litmit of the experimental conditions.