Behavior of Loose Fibrous Beds During Centrifuging

A new physical model is used to explain the mechanism of moisture retention in centrifuged textile fibers and is tested experimentally. The model enables computer predictions to be made of the regain of centrifuged beds in terms of the centrifuging conditions and the physical properties of the fluid and the fibers. The model treats the retained surface moisture as large agglomerates of fluid which occupy stable sites at points of contact between the individual fibers in a compressible bed. The computer solutions adequately predict the effects of the process variables as observed by other workers and explain some of their apparently conflicting results. The proposed theory has been tested successfully using both non-hygroscopic (polyester) and hygroscopic (wool) fibers. This treatment advances the aim of making centrifuging a fully pre dictable chemical engineering unit operation.