Modeling of the batch dyeing process

Traditional control strategies for batch dyeing processes are open-loop, and so a new dyeing set up would require a long lead time for determining the right process conditions. In addition, traditional dyeing processes may still produce unacceptable shade variations. The final shade obtained on the fabric is determined by the rate and the amount of dye transferred, among other system variables. This paper outlines some of the efforts by the Dye Application Research Group (DARG) at North Carolina State University to model the effects of the various factors on the dyeing process. The paper describes two kinetic models developed for use in feedback control and provides both numerical simulation and experimental results to validate the applicability of these models.