Determining detergent concentration
ust as in regular drycleaning, it is important
to be able to determine and maintain the proper concentration
of the Royaltone Detergent Plus Conditioner in the drycleaning
fluid when drycleaning suede, leather, fur and combinations
with cloth.
There are two methods that may be used to
determine detergent concentration. One method requires record
keeping and arithmetic calculation. The other requires the use
of a test kit.
Calculation and recordkeeping method
The concentration of the detergent plus
conditioner in the drycleaning fluid can be established by
arithmetic calculation.
However, keeping the concentration at the
proper level can be a problem because there are several factors
that can cause the concentration to fall below the level
required to prevent color loss and drying or stiffening of the
skins.
 | ||
First, the volume of the drycleaning
fluid to be used is determined. For example, 100 gallons or 100
liters.
Next, the concentration required is
established. If 6 percent is the concentration required, then
multiply the volume of drycleaning fluid by the percent
concentration.
In this example, 100 gallons X .06 = 6
gallons. Therefore, six gallons of detergent are added to and
mixed with the 100 gallons of the drycleaning fluid to obtain
the 6 percent concentration desired.
In the same way, when any quantity of
fresh, distilled or reclaimed drycleaning fluid is added to the
drycleaning system being used, the concentration may be
maintained by calculating the amount of detergent required to
bring the added quantity of uncharged drycleaning fluid up to
the 6 percent level.
This method may prove to be difficult
and, if careful records are not maintained, the critical
concentration charge level may fall below the required level.
Detergent concentration test kit method
An alternative to arithmetic calculation
and record keeping is the more precise method for confirming
detergent concentration without keeping records using a
Royaltone detergent concentration test kit.
It is a relatively simple and effective
way to determine the concentration in the drycleaning fluid
being used.
This test kit titrates, or balances, the
detergent concentration against the test kit solutions.
The amount of the balancing solution
required to equal the detergent concentration can easily be
measured in a graduated test cylinder, which contains 10 cubic
centimeters or cc’s. These are marked on the cylinder and
are sub-divided into segments of 0.2cc each.
To test the concentration of conditioner
in the drycleaning fluid, use the following procedure:
1. Add 1 cc of the drycleaning fluid to
be tested to the test cylinder.
2. Then add 2 cc of Solution A, which is
clear in color, to the test cylinder.
3. Then Add 2 cc of Solution B, which is
blue in color, to the test cylinder.
Shake the above mixture well. The dark
blue color should be in the bottom layer of the 5 cc liquid
column in the test cylinder. You are now ready to test.
4. Then add exactly 0.2 cc of Solution C
to the test cylinder using the eye dropper and shake. (Eight
drops equals 0.2 cc, equals a one percent charge.)
Repeat, adding 0.2 cc (eight drops) of
Solution C at a time and shake well each time until the dark
blue color in the bottom layer of the liquid column in the test
cylinder goes to the top of the liquid column and the light
blue or clear color goes to the bottom.
This concludes the test and the detergent
concentration has been determined.
To determine fractions of a percent,
Solution C can be added one drop at a time as each drop of
Solution C is equivalent to 1/8 percent charge. For example,
one Line (0.2 cc) or eight drops of Solution C = one percent
charge; one drop (0.025 cc) of Solution C = 1/8 percent charge.
Then for example, if two lines (0.4 cc)
of Solution C added to the test cylinder above the initial 5 cc
level this dark blue color to go to the top layer of the liquid
in the test cylinder, then the concentration is 2 X 1 = 2
percent charge.
Or, if six lines and four drops — 6
1Ž2 lines (1.3 cc) of Solution C added above the initial 5 cc
level causes the dark blue color to go to the top layer of the
liquid in the test cylinder, then the detergent concentration
is 6 1Ž2 x 1 = 6 1Ž2 percent charge.
Note that test kit accuracy will be
affected by the presence of another soap or detergent in the
drycleaning fluid being tested.
In addition, adsorber type filters will
also affect the test reading when these filters are first
installed as they tend to adsorb the detergent until they are
in service for a time.
Each brand of detergent is different and
each requires its own test kit which is designed to measure
only that specific detergent. The presence of another detergent
will cause an abnormally high or low incorrect test reading.
Frank Lucenta is president of Royaltone
Co., Inc., a firm that manufacturers the products he developed
to make it possible for any cleaner to safely and profitably
dryclean, wetclean and finish any suede, leather, fur and
trimmed cloth garment. He also wrote related instruction books
that document the process, entitled “Handling Leather and
Suede” and “Cleaning and Finishing Leather and
Suede.” He also teaches small groups of plant owners and
managers how to identify, accept, spot, dryclean and wetclean,
press and recolor suedes, leathers, and furs using his
Royaltone procedures and products. The next Royaltone Leather
training session is scheduled for June 10-11 and Sept. 9-10 at
the Royaltone Suedemate Leather Cleaning Center in Tulsa, OK.
For more information on training sessions or on spotting charts
in either English or Korean, call (800) 331-5506, (918)
622-6677, fax (918) 665-6017, or e-mail frank@royaltone.com. Information is also available on the
Royaltone web site, www.royaltone.com.
 |
