Pilot plant for processing flax fiber

Akin, Danny E.; Dodd, Roy B.; Foulk, Jonn A.

doi:10.1016/j.indcrop.2004.06.001

Cited by 49 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…Methods of cleaning and evaluating flax fibre did not exist in the USA at that time. In order to carry out the project, a flax fibre pilot plant based on the 'unified line' (Ceskomoravsky len, Humpolec, Czech Republic) for total flax fibre was designed for about 5-20 kg samples, set up at the ARS-USDA research station in Clemson, SC, and tested with enzyme-retted and dew-retted flax (Akin et al, 2005). Fibre properties were characterised using existing and modified methods (primarily from the cotton industry), and some fibre quality standards were developed.…”

Section: Enzyme Rettingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Flax – Structure, Chemistry, Retting and Processing

Akin¹

2010

Industrial Applications of Natural Fibres

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Section: Enzyme Rettingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Flax – Structure, Chemistry, Retting and Processing

Akin¹

2010

Industrial Applications of Natural Fibres

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“…The Flax-PP has been described (Akin et al 2005) and consists of four modules: 9-roller calendar to crush the flax stems and separate shive and fiber; top shaker to align, open, and fluff fiber mats and remove loosened shive; scutching wheel to aggressively stroke, refine, and shorten flax; and 5-roller calendar with grooved surfaces to remove fine shive particles. All samples were processed in the following order: 9-roller calendar, top shaker, scutching wheel, top shaker, 5-roller calendar, and top shaker.…”

Section: Mechanical Cleaningmentioning

confidence: 99%

Miniature Spinning Enzyme-Retted Flax Fibers

Foulk

Akin²,

Dodd

2009

Journal of Natural Fibers

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Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) fibers can be blended with other short staple fibers, such as cotton (Gossypium barbadense L. or Gossypium hirsutum L.), processed into a yarn, and then manufactured into a fabric. Enzyme-retting is a new, experimental method that decomposes the pectinaceous and matrix substances to separate cellulose fibers from shives using pectinase-rich enzymes and chelators. Spinning tests were used to determine how well fibers were assembled to form yarn and provided an indirect measurement of fiber properties. Miniature spinning allows expanded predictive strategies for ranking fiber production methods such as enzymeretting and resultant yarns beyond traditional fiber testing.

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“…The first one consists of four customized modules that function as the commercial 'Unified Line' (Czech Flax Machinery, Merin, Czech Republic). These modules are designed as stand along units, acting independently, rather than in a single line, to allow maximum flexibility for processing samples in any module, speed, direction, or order for research purposes [13]. Plant stalks can be processed through the different series of equipment depending upon its starting quality and desired final properties.…”

Section: Flax Stalk Processing Linementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Depending on prior retting and plant type, considerable shive material could arise from this operation (i.e. about 40% of starting material from unretted linseed straw [13]). Table 1 demonstrates typical weight losses of dew-retted and enzyme-retted flax through the flax stalk processing portion of the Flax-PP.…”

Section: Flax Stalk Processing Linementioning

confidence: 99%

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Processability of flax plant stalks into functional bast fibers

Foulk

Akin

Dodd

2008

Composite Interfaces

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Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) is an agricultural crop that is being considered as cost effective alternative to glass in composites. Flax is nature's composite with strong bast fibers held together in bundles and located in the outer regions of the plant stem between the outermost cuticle-epidermis layer and the innermost, woody tissues. Agricultural production of this crop is environmentally beneficial because it is produced through photosynthesis and considered a naturally renewable and sustainable material. Its use in bio-based composites could help lessen our dependence on fossil fuels today and into the future. Despite the longevity of flax in world markets, particular problems exist to provide flax fiber economically for markets in the US and North America. Barriers to such provisions include consistent, high-quality retting methods, efficient processing of whole stems into cottonized fibers, and development of standards to judge fiber quality. Processability of plant stalks into usable fiber requires retting which selectively removes pectinaceous and matrix substances thus separating cellulose fibers from non-fibrous substances and easing mechanical cleaning. Enzymes have been tested for efficiency of retting, and recommendations are in place for particular fiber properties. Before this work began, no processing facilities existed in North America for producing high value fibers. To facilitate research on bast fiber retting and subsequent processing, the Flax Fiber Pilot Plant (Flax-PP), was designed and modified after the 'Unified Line'; it is the only research facility of this type in the US and effectively processes and extracts bast fibers from plant stalks. A separate cottonizing unit has been installed to complete processing of fibers for various applications. Each processing step creates a fiber product and byproduct both with potential uses in composites. The development of standards through ASTM International is a continuing project. Currently, emphasis is on new equipment to quantify properties of particular usefulness such as cleanliness, fineness, and color. The Flax-PP becomes a valuable tool for improving fiber processing and quality, and thus integrates all activities for a flax fiber industry in North America.

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Pilot plant for processing flax fiber

Cited by 49 publications

References 9 publications

Flax – Structure, Chemistry, Retting and Processing

Flax – Structure, Chemistry, Retting and Processing

Miniature Spinning Enzyme-Retted Flax Fibers

Processability of flax plant stalks into functional bast fibers

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