Oligomer is a byproduct of polyester production made up of small chains of ethylene terephthalate molecules. It exists as a fine powder trapped in polyester fibers and migrates to the surface during dyeing. Approximately 0.1-1.0% of oligomer is produced and can cause issues like impaired spinning, deposits, and dull or uneven dyeing. Various post-treatment methods have been used to remove oligomers but often damage fibers or are ineffective against cyclic oligomers. New treatments are needed that can remove oligomers with minimal production interruptions and fiber damage.

2. Oligomer is a smaller chain length of polyester made up of two or more molecules of basic ethylene terephthlate i.e. dimer or trimer, produced as a side reaction during the manufacture of polyester. The Oligoester because of its smaller chain length is in the form of a fine powder which is entrapped is basic polymer and migrates to the surface during high temperature polyester dyeing. cyclic tris (ethylene terephthalate)

3. Higher the depth more is the displacement of Oligomer to the fibre surface. Typically polyester fibres contain between 1.5-3.5% by mass of low molecular esters, the principal oligomer being cyclic tris (ethylene terephthalate) with smaller quantities of dimer, pentamer & other compounds. Approximately 0.1 % to 1.0 % of Oligomer is produced as a side reaction in the manufacture of basic polyester. cyclic tris (ethylene terephthalate)

4. Spinning characteristics impaired. Filtration effect (inside – out variation) due to build up of Oligomers in package. Reduced liquor flow through package of yarn because spindle perforations are choked & improper pump pressure due to deposits on pump. Variation in rate of rise of temperature due to deposits on heating elements Dusting during coning & white particle deposits cause dulling of the yarn/ fabric especially in dark shades i.e. black & navy etc. Higher energy costs Presence can cause nucleation & growth of dye crystals or agglomeration of dye particles & hence dye spots, Duller shades, unlevelness & poor fastness. Need for more frequent cleaning of dyeing & winding machines, hence increased down time & lower efficiency.

5. Those skilled in the art have therefore tried to remove oligomers from polyester by means of various after-treatment methods. For example, it is known that oligomers may partly be eliminated by rinsing the polyester with hot water or by subjecting the polyester to an alkaline reductive after-treatment in the presence of a tenside, for example a fatty acid polyglycol ester, at elevated temperatures. However, cyclic oligomers may be difficult to remove and resistant to such an alkaline post treatment. Therefore, to be effective, alkaline treatment must be severe, which results in a significant loss of polyester fiber material.

6. Organic solvents have also been used to try to remove oligomers from polyester but it is difficult to find one that is compatible with and non-injurious to the textile material. Chlorinated hydrocarbons, fluorinated hydrocarbons and hydrocarbons themselves have also been used in the art to remove oligomer deposits. All of the before-mentioned treatments used in the art pose production problems along with time and cost issues. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for removing oligomer deposits that results in minimal interruptions in production and poses little threat to the quality of the polyester or polyester textile product.

7. Cyclic tris (ethylene terephthalate) is insoluble in water. Solubility is increased in presence of carriers like Dylev-EC, Dylev-CB , Dylev-DIF promotes migration of the trimer to the surface of fibre. But a dispersing agent like Dytec-DAN should be present to prevent crystallization & deposition of the oligomers.The longer the dyeing time the more oligomers will be released. Dark shades may produce more oligomer than paler shades because the dyeing time is longer. When oligomers are released from polyester fibre, after some time at 130ºC, there will not be an efficient dispersing agent in the bath to prevent crystillization of the oligomers, and to prevent small particles of oligomers coming together to form agglomerates, & depositing on the yarn & the machine. Altrasperse-OLG liquid will maintain the oligomers in fine dispersion form & prevent redepositing of the trimers on the fabric so that when the machine is drained more oligomer goes down the drain.

8. Receipe during dyeing: In the case of dark shades and/ or long dyeing times, the following formulation is recommended : 0.5 – 2 g/l Altrasperse-OLG liquid 0.5-1.0g/l Dylev DIF / Dylev-CB 0.5 g/l Dytec-DAN Receipe during alkaline weight reduction of polyester: During alkaline weight reduction of polyester terephthalic acid is generated & to keep it in dispersion form Altranol-OR is very effective. Altranol-OR act as a effective micronizer & disperser of terephthalic acid. Altranol-OR 1-2 g/l 75-80ºC for 20-30 mins 100-130ºC Warm rinsing Weight reduction Neutralization Altranol-OR(75-80ºC)

9. The dyeing machine to be cleaned is filled with water and the following is added: 3-5 g/l Altranol-ORM 4-6 ml/l Caustic soda solution 50% 1-2g/l Sodium hydrosulphite Then heated upto 135ºC and treated for 20-40 mins. If possible, drain immediately and rinse. Otherwise, cool to approx. 90ºC, drain and rinse. On dyeing machines such as jets and overflows the additional use of a CO back cloth has proved of advantage to increase the cleaning effect further.

10. In order to assess performance in dispersing oligomers, the degree of dispersion was compared with and without Altranol-OR in the black paper filtration of oligomers, extracted with the use of dioxane into an acidic or alkaline solution. 1. Test on dispersion in acidic solution (to simulate oligomer remaining during dyeing) Oligomer solution 10 cc/200 cc Altrasperse-OLG 1-2 g/l Acetic acid pH=5 The dispersing agent was add to the test solution with pH adjusted to 5 using acetic acid while being stirred. After the temperature was raised to 130 ゜ C then cooled to 80 ゜ C, suction filtration was carried out using black filter paper.

11. 2. Test on dispersion during weight reduction Test Purpose: Dispersion of terephthalic acid generated by weight reduction Specimen: Liquor after weight reduction Test items: Vacuum filter(Using black coloured filter paper Test condition Blank 20% liquid of caustic treatment 20% liquid of caustic treatment Altranol-OR(2 g/l) Products Blank 1 Test No-1 Blank-2 Test No-2 Liquor after weight reduction 20% solution 20% solution 5% solution 5% solution Altranol-OR --- 2 g/l --- 2 g/l Acetic acid pH 4.5-5.5 4.5 - 5.5 4.5 – 5.5 4.5 – 5.5

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