Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a process for producing a fibre-containing nonwoven sheet material and to an apparatus for incorporating the fibre into the sheet material through foam formation.

Background

[0002] Absorbent nonwoven materials are used for wiping various types of spills and dirt in industrial, medical, office and household applications. They typically include a combination of thermoplastic polymers (synthetic fibres) and cellulosic pulp for absorbing both water and other hydrophilic substances, and hydrophobic substances (oils, fats). The nonwoven wipes of this type, in addition to having sufficient absorptive power, are at the same time strong, flexible and soft. They can be produced by wetlaying a pulp-containing mixture on a polymer web, followed by dewatering and hyd roe ntang ling to anchor the pulp onto the polymer and final drying. Absorbent nonwoven materials of this type and their production processes are disclosed e.g. in WO2005/042819.

[0003] An improvement in wet-laying fibrous nonwovens involves using a foam instead of a purely aqueous slurry, since this results in a reduced consumption of water and in a reduced capital investment. WO96/02701 and WO96/02702 disclose a method of producing a hydroentangled nonwoven material by foam formation of a fibrous web, followed by spraying the foam-formed web with water.

[0004] W098/27276 discloses a method of producing a nonwoven sheet material wherein a slurry of fibre, surfactant in water and air is pumped onto a wire material to allow the fibre to be attached to the wire material so as to produce a non-woven web of fibre onto the wire material, and the fibre- free slurry is then recycled to the foam production stage. The pumps used for transporting the foam are degassing pumps, in order to prevent the pumps from being stuck by the presence of air. Thus, W098/27276 employs a short circulation using high flows (40,000 l/min) in the formation loop and a much smaller long circulation of 3,500 l/min for dosing fibres to be transported to the short circulation, where it is diluted to contain the desired conditions (50-80% of air) for forming the web. The process is used for producing sheet material of more than two meters wide.

[0005] EP 0481746 discloses a process of producing a fibrous sheet material by foam formation, in which surfactant is recovered from the spent foam, by removing bubbles and draining liquid from the foam and returning the surfactant-rich foam to the foam laying step. This process also involves both a short circulation (formation loop) and a long circulation (foam conditioning loop, i.e. extracting surfactants and removing surplus water) in the formation and dewatering systems.

[0006] The prior art processes for producing pulp-containing nonwovens using foam formation use high air contents in the order of 50-80 vol.%. Such high air levels are more difficult to pump, because they make the foam more easily compressible. Also, these high air levels cause the foam to collapse easily at low flow rates. Hence prior art processes demand high flow rates to maintain the high air content. As a consequence, pumps, tanks and piping need to be scaled up and energy consumption is high. Furthermore, the prior art processes, such as described in WO 98/27276 and EP0481746, use different circulations, making the processes complicated.

[0007] There is a need for a process and an equipment for producing non-woven sheet material allowing to use higher proportions of relatively long fibres and to use higher levels of fibres compared to the amount of water used in the wet-laying process, while avoiding the need for expensive and high-maintenance pumps. Summary

[0008] It is desired to provide a process for producing a, preferably hydroentangled, absorbent fibre-containing nonwoven material using a three-phase fibre-containing suspension, i.e. a foam, and efficiently upgrading and recycling aqueous residue of the suspension.

[0009] It is also desired to provide an apparatus for degassing and recycling aqueous residues from the deposition three-phase suspensions.

[0010] The presently disclosed process and the apparatus have the advantage of providing only one circulation for adding and mixing fibres, foam formation of the fibrous web, dewatering and recirculation of the drained flow. The degassing (deaeration) makes recirculation easier and more energy efficient, and allows the use of less demanding pumps. Main benefits are thus: a less complicated solution, low capital costs, energy efficiency and adaptation to short fibres of up to 25 mm.

Brief description of the drawings

[0011] The accompanying Figure 1 diagrammatically depicts an installation for producing an absorbent fibre-containing nonwoven sheet material of the present disclosure.

[0012] Figure 2 diagrammatically shows the phase separation process and equipment used in the production of the sheet material in more detail.

Detailed description of particular embodiments

[0013] The invention pertains to a process of producing nonwoven materials as defined in appended claim 1. The invention furthermore pertains to an apparatus suitable for degassing recycling spent foam from a foam formation process as defined in appended claim 15.

[0014] The present process of producing a nonwoven sheet material includes the following steps: a) providing a three-phase (gas-liquid-solid) suspension containing air, water, fibrous material and a surfactant,

b) depositing the suspension onto a moving carrier sieve to produce a fibrous web on the carrier, c) removing aqueous residue of the suspension through the carrier sieve, d) conveying the aqueous residue through one or more phase separation tanks in an essentially horizontal direction while providing a depressurised headspace above the aqueous residue, e) recycling the aqueous residue resulting from step d) to step a).

[0015] In particular embodiments, in step a) of this process, a gas-liquid-solid suspension is prepared in which the air content is between 20 and 50 vol.%, while the air content of the aqueous residue is reduced in step d) to below 20 vol.% for ease of pumping, and the air content is restored to between 20 and 50 vol.% in the mixing step a).

[0016] In particular embodiments, the fibrous material of the suspension provided in step a) includes natural and/or man-made fibres, especially short fibres of between 1 and 25 mm average length. Part or all of the natural short fibres may include cellulosic pulp, which can have fibre lengths of between 1 and 5 mm. The cellulosic (pulp) fibres may constitute at least 25 wt.%, 40-95 wt.%, or 50-90 wt.%, of the short fibres to be provided in step a). Instead or in addition, the short fibres may include man-made staple fibres having fibre lengths of between 4 and 25 mm, or between 5 and 20 mm. The staple fibre length may also be bimodal, one part having an average length 5-10 mm and another part having an average length of 15-20 mm. The staple fibres may constitute at least 3 wt.%, or 5-50 wt.% of the short fibres to be provided in step a).

[0017] The three-phase suspension can contain a surfactant, in particular a non-ionic surfactant. In particular embodiments, the suspension contains between 0.01 and 0.2 wt.% of surfactant. Further details of the composition and the provision of the suspension are presented below.

[0018] The process of the present disclosure can be a high-speed wet-laying process, in which the three-phase suspension can be deposited in step b) at a rate of between 2.1 and 6 m ³ /min (35-100 l/sec; 126-360 m ³ /h) for a formed web having a width of 1 m.

[0019] In step c), aqueous residue of the suspension is removed through the carrier sieve, for example by suction. In an advantageous embodiment, depositing step b) and removing step c) are repeated after step c) as steps b') and c'), respectively, i.e. the deposition of fibre-containing suspension and the corresponding removal of aqueous residue thereof is performed in two stages: b) and c) followed by b') and c'). Aqueous residue from step c') is also subjected to step d), wherein it is conveyed to one or more phase separation tanks, which can be distinct from the one or more phase separation tanks through which aqueous residue from step c) is conveyed.

[0020] The second stage (and even an additional stage if desired) of removal of aqueous residue (c') (and even an additional stage (c") if desired), can be carried out using multiple suction boxes, e.g. 2-3, each one being connected to a distinct phase separation tank. In this embodiment of repeated steps b) + c) and b') + c') the three-phase suspension can be deposited in equal amounts, but the amount in the first step (b) can be larger than in the second step (b'), for example 55-85% in step b) and 15-45% in step b'), the rates corresponding to e.g. 1-5 m ³ /min for the first deposition and a formed web having a width of 1 m, and 0.3-2.9 m ³ /min for the second deposition and a formed web having a width of 1 m. This corresponds to depositing about 5-25 kg fibres per min (and per m width) or 6-18 kg fibres per min and per m, and to a carrier sieve running speed of 1-8 m/sec, or 2.5-6 m/sec.

[0021] In an embodiment, the present process includes a further step, prior to step b), of depositing a polymer web, which contains at least 50 wt.% of synthetic filaments, in an way known as such in the art, e.g. by a spun-laid, air-laid or carding process step, and further illustrated below. In another embodiment, the present process includes an optional step of depositing a polymer layer on the deposited (combined) fibrous web after step b). After the deposition of the fibrous web (containing short fibres) and the polymer web, the combined web can contain e.g. between 10 and 60 wt.%, or between 15 and 45 wt.%, of the synthetic filaments on dry matter basis of the combined web.

[0022] An important step of the present disclosure is the phase separation of step d), reducing the air content of the aqueous residue (spent web-forming suspension) to below 20 vol.%, below 15 vol.%, or below 10 vol.%. This is achieved by removing and collecting the aqueous residue through the carrier by means of suction, using a suction box array which can be divided in multiple suction boxes, such as 2-8 suction boxes, or 3-6 suction boxes. Such plurality of suction boxes can also be considered as compartments of a single suction box (array). The suction boxes (or compartments) can be arranged consecutively along the direction of movement of the carrier, and the residue collected in each suction box can advantageously be conveyed to a distinct phase separation tank. A low pressure in the headspace of the separation tanks reduces the air content of the aqueous residue, and at the same time assists in the suction step c). A low pressure can e.g. be an underpressure of 0.05-0.5 bar compared to ambient pressure, the nominal pressure in the separation tanks being in the range of 0.5-0.95 bar, especially 0.8-0.95 bar. Deaeration is further enhanced by breaking the foam, e.g. by introducing turbulence by means of a fan or by spraying with water. After recycling the deaerated aqueous residue by pumping and entering the foam-producing step a), the air content is restored to the required level, in particular to between 20 and 40 vol.%, in step a). The working of the deaeration is further illustrated below with reference to accompanying Figure 2.

[0023] Thus, in particular embodiments, multiple phase separation tanks, i.e. at least 2, up to e.g. 8, or 3-6, are used, for example one separation tank for each point of suction (suction box) of aqueous residue. If desired, different pressures may be applied in the multiple separation tanks. For instance, the pressure in the headspace of the phase separation tank into which residue from the most upstream (first) of the suction boxes is conveyed may be between 0.01 and 0.1 bar higher than the pressure in the headspace of the phase separation tank into which residue from the most downstream (last) of the suction boxes is conveyed.

[0024] The process can contain further steps after step b) of producing a fibrous web on the moving carrier sieve said as follows.

[0025] Advantageously, the fibrous web as deposited on the moving carrier is subsequently pre- integrated by flushing with water in an additional step f). This can be achieved by using multiple water jets which are arranged essentially perpendicular to the web (in particular vertical). The amount of water can be expressed in relation to amount of suspension applied, the amount then being between 0.0005 and 0.05 m ³ of water per m ³ of applied suspension, or 0.001-0.03 m ³ , or 0.002-0.02 m ³ , or even 0.003-0.01 of water per m ³ of suspension. Alternatively, the amount of water applied in step f) can be independently defined relative to the formed sheet material, the amount then being between 0.8 and 20 litres of water per kg of formed sheet material, or between 1 and 10 l/kg, or even between 1.2 and 5 l/kg of formed sheet material. As a further alternative, the amount of water applied in step f) can be expressed in time units, e.g. between 10 and 250 litres of water per min per m width of formed web, or between 13 and 170 l/min.m, or even between 17 and 50 l/min.m. Such amounts of pre-integrating water are especially suitable for a high-speed process as described above. The pressure of the jets can be between 2.5 and 50 bar, between 4 and 20 bar, or between 5 and 10 bar. Spent flushing water is removed through the carrier and can be added to the recycle stream of step e). Prior to the recycle, the removed flushing water can advantageously be conveyed through a further phase separation tank and then fed to step e) or directly to step a). The pre-integrating and removing step f) can also be carried out in at least two stages f1 ) and f2).

[0026] The spent flushing water that is removed in step f) can be used for spraying water through the headspace of the one or more phase separation tanks of step d), in addition to or instead of being recycled to the production of the suspension (pulper); sprayed water can then be collected in the aqueous residue and recycled.

[0027] In many instances it will be desirable to further treat the fibrous web. One important further treatment is hydroentanglement, in which the fibrous web, as such, or combined with a synthetic continuous filament layer, is integrated by high-pressure water jets. In particular embodiments, the hyd roe ntang ling is performed on a different moving carrier sieve from the carrier on which the fibrous web is laid.

[0028] Thus, step b) of depositing the three-phase suspension and optional step f) of pre- integrating the deposited web, can be performed on a first moving carrier sieve. The process then additionally includes, after step b), or after step f) if pre-integration is included:

g) transferring the fibrous web from the first moving carrier used in steps b) and c) to a second moving carrier, the second moving carrier having a porosity which is lower than the porosity of the first moving carrier sieve,

h) hydroentangling the fibrous web on the second moving carrier,

i) drying the hydroentangled sheet;

j) optionally imprinting, conditioning, dimensioning and/or packaging the dried sheet to produce a ready-for-use sheet material.

[0029] In step g), the porosities of the first and second moving carrier sieves (wires) can be such that that the permeability of the first moving carrier is 250-750 cfm (cubic foot per min) (= 7.1-21.2 m ³ /min), or 400-600 cfm (= 1 1 .3-17.0 m ³ /min), while the permeability of the second moving carrier can be 100 - 350 cfm (= 2.8-9.9 m ³ /min), or 150-250 cfm (= 4.2-7.1 m ³ /min). Embodiments of steps h), i) and j) are described further below.

[0030] The present apparatus for degassing and recycling aqueous residues includes:

(1 ) one or more dewatering units, a dewatering unit including:

1a. a suction box (12) capable of withdrawing a residual fluid of an aqueous suspension deposited on a carrier sieve through said carrier sieve;

1 b. a phase separation tank (14) having a lower section and an upper section, the lower section forming a liquid flow passage and being in fluid connection with said suction box (12) at one side and being in fluid connection with a liquid withdrawal system (16) at an opposite side, the upper section forming a headspace and having a gas outlet,

(2) one or more exhausters (17), an exhauster being connected to one or more of the gas outlets of the headspace, and being capable of withdrawing gas from the phase separation tank.

[0031] More in particular, the apparatus for degassing and recycling aqueous residues may include:

(1 ) one or more dewatering units, a dewatering unit including:

1a. a suction box (12) capable of withdrawing and holding a residual fluid of an aqueous suspension deposited on a carrier sieve through said carrier sieve;

a suction line (13) connected to a fluid exit of the suction box;

optionally a valve capable of regulating the fluid flow through the suction line;

1 b. a phase separation tank (14) having a lower section and an upper section, the lower section forming a liquid flow passage and being in fluid connection with said suction box (12) through a fluid inlet connected to the suction line (13) at one side, and being in fluid connection with a liquid withdrawal system (16) through a liquid outlet at an opposite side, the upper section forming a headspace and having a gas outlet, the fluid inlet and the liquid outlet being positioned in a manner allowing an essentially horizontal liquid flow through the tank while maintaining the headspace above the liquid, the tank being equipped in such a manner that a sub-atmospheric gas pressure in the tank will enhance the flow of fluid entering the tank from the suction box,

1 c. a liquid withdrawal system including

- a return line (16) connected to the liquid outlet of the phase separation tank (14), capable of returning liquid from the phase separation tank to a common container for aqueous suspension,

a pump (18) capable of withdrawing liquid from the phase separation tank through the return line (16);

- a valve capable of regulating the liquid flow through the return line;

(2) one or more exhausters, an exhauster being connected to one or more of the gas outlets of the one or more phase separation tanks through a gas exit line (17) and capable of withdrawing gas from the phase separation tank, the gas exit line optionally including a valve capable of regulating the gas flow through exit lines. [0032] The phase separation tank can be equipped with a means for promoting breakdown of the foam, such as a fan or a sprayer. In case of a sprayer, the tank further includes (iv) a spray liquid inlet and (v) a spraying device connected to the spray liquid inlet, the spraying device (v) being capable of spraying aqueous liquid in the headspace of the tank. The spray liquid can be an aqueous liquid, i.e. largely or wholly consisting of water, possibly containing agents assisting in breaking the foam.

[0033] There can be a single dewatering unit, but, in particular embodiments, there is a plurality, i.e. two or more. The plurality of dewatering units can be from 2 up to e.g. 8, or even up to 10. In certain embodiments, the apparatus has 3-6 dewatering units.

[0034] The apparatus can further include a modified dewatering unit instead of one of or in addition to the plurality of dewatering units. In the modified dewatering unit, a suction box is capable of withdrawing flushing water from a flushing (pre-integ ration) device to be used in step f) described above. The unit can further include a further exhauster, which is connected to the gas exit line of the modified dewatering unit and which may not be connected to at least one of the gas exit lines of the plurality of dewatering units.

[0035] In the present disclosure, the indications "between x and y" and "from x to y" and "of x-y", wherein x and y are numerals, are considered to be synonymous, the inclusion or exclusion of the precise end points x and y being of theoretical rather than practical meaning.

[0036] Further details of particular embodiments of the various steps and materials to be applied are described below.

Materials and process steps

a. Carrier and polymer web

[0037] A moving carrier sieve on which the aqueous composition can be applied, can be a forming fabric, which can be a running belt-like wire having at least the breadth of the sheet material to be produced, which fabric allows draining of liquid through the fabric, i.e. which is semipermeable. In an embodiment, a polymer web can first be deposited on the carrier by laying man-made fibres on the carrier. The fibres can be short or long distinct (staple) fibres and/or continuous filaments. The use or co-use of filaments is preferred in certain embodiments. In another embodiment, a polymer layer can be deposited on the fibrous web obtained in steps b) and c), but before step g). It is also possible to first deposit a polymer layer, followed by depositing the aqueous suspension to form a fibrous web on the polymer web and to deposit a further polymer layer on the fibrous web.

[0038] Filaments are fibres that in proportion to their diameter are very long, in principle endless, during their production. They can be produced by melting and extruding a thermoplastic polymer through fine nozzles, followed by cooling, for example using an air flow, and solidification into strands that can be treated by drawing, stretching or crimping. The filaments may be of a thermoplastic material having sufficient coherent properties to allow melting, drawing and stretching. Examples of useful synthetic polymers are polyolefins, such as polyethylene and polypropylene, polyamides such as nylon-6, polyesters such as poly( ethylene terephthalate) and polylactides. Copolymers of these polymers may of course also be used, as well as natural polymers with thermoplastic properties. Polypropylene is a particularly suitable thermoplastic man- made fibre. Fibre diameters can e.g. be in the order of 1-25 μιτι. Staple fibres can be of the same man-made materials as filaments, e.g. polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamides, polyesters, polylactides, cellulosic fibres, and can have lengths of e.g. 2-40 mm. In particular embodiments, the polymer web contains at least 50 wt.% of thermoplastic (synthetic) filaments, or at least 75 wt.% of synthetic filaments. The combined web contains between 15 and 45 wt.% of the synthetic filaments on dry solids basis of the combined web.

b. Three-phase fibre suspension

[0039] The aqueous suspension is obtained by mixing short fibres and water in a mixing tank. The short fibres can include natural fibres, in particular cellulosic fibres. Among the suitable cellulosic fibres are seed or hair fibres, e g cotton, flax, and pulp. Wood pulp fibres are especially well suited, and both softwood fibres and hardwood fibres are suitable, and also recycled fibres can be used. The pulp fibre lengths can vary between 0.5 and 5, from 1 to 4 mm, or from around 3 mm for softwood fibres to around 1.2 mm for hardwood fibres and a mix of these lengths, or even shorter, for recycled fibres. The pulp can be introduced as such, i.e. as pre-produced pulp, e.g. supplied in sheet form, or produced in situ, in which case the mixing tank is commonly referred to as a pulper, which involves using high shear and possibly pulping chemicals, such as acid or alkali.

[0040] In addition or instead of the natural fibres, other natural or man-made materials can be added to the suspension, such as in particular other short fibres. Staple (man-made) fibres of variable length, e.g. 5-25 mm, can suitably be used as additional fibres. The stable fibres can be man-made fibres as described above, e.g. polyolefins, polyesters, polyamides, poly(lactic acid), or cellulose derivatives such as lyocell. The staple fibres can be colourless, or coloured as desired, and can modify further properties of the pulp-containing suspension and of the final sheet product. Levels of additional (man-made) fibres, in particular staple fibres, can suitably be between 3 and 100 wt.%, between 5 and 50 wt.%, between 7 and 30 wt.%, or between 8 and 20 wt.% on the basis of the dry solids of the aqueous suspension.

[0041] When using polymer fibres as additional material, it is usually necessary to add a surfactant to the pulp-containing suspension. Suitable surfactants include anionic, cationic, non-ionic and amphoteric surfactants. Suitable examples of anionic surfactants include long-chain (Ic) (i.e. having an alkyl chain of at least 8 carbon atoms, in particular at least 12 carbon atoms) fatty acid salts, Ic alkyl sulfates, Ic alkylbenzenesulfonat.es, which are optionally ethoxylated. Examples of cationic surfactants include Ic alkyl ammonium salts. Suitable examples of non-ionic surfactants include ethoxylated Ic fatty alcohols, ethoxylated Ic alkyl amides, Ic alkyl glycosides, Ic fatty acid amides, mono- and diglycerides etc.. Examples of amphoteric (zwitterionic) surfactants include Ic alkylammonio-alkanesulfonates and choline-based or phosphatidylamine-based surfactants. The level of surfactant (on the basis of the aqueous suspension) can be between 0.005 and 0.2, between 0.01 and 0.1 , or between 0.02 and 0.08 wt.%. [0042] For an effective application of the aqueous suspension the suspension contains air, i.e. it is a three-phase suspension used as a foam. The amount of air introduced into the suspension (e.g. by stirring the suspension) can be between 15 and 60 vol.% of the final suspension (including the air). The air content of the three-phase suspension can be between 20 and 50 vol.%, between 20 and 45 vol.%, between 25 and 40 vol.%, or between 30 and 38 vol.%. The more air is present in the foam, often the higher levels of surfactants are required. The term "air" is to be interpreted broadly as any non-noxious gas, typically containing at least 50% of molecular nitrogen, and further varying levels of molecular oxygen, carbon dioxide, noble gases etc. Further information about foam formation as such can be found e.g. in WO03/040469.

b. Deposition of the fibre suspension

[0043] The aqueous suspension containing short fibres is deposited on the carrier, either directly or on a polymer web, e.g. using a head box, which guides and spreads the suspension evenly over the width of the carrier or the web in the direction of the running fabric, causing the suspension to partly penetrate into the polymer web. The speed of application of the aqueous suspension, which is the running speed of the moving carrier sieve (wire) and thus typically the same as the speed of laying the polymer web, can be high, e.g. between 1 and 8 m/sec (60-480 m/min), especially between 3 and 5 m/sec.

[0044] The aqueous suspension can also be deposited in two or more stages (b) and (b'), by using two or more head boxes. Where a polymer web is first applied, the aqueous fibre suspension can be applied onto the polymer web in two or more separate steps at the same side of the polymer web. This results in part of the solids of the suspension entering on and in the polymer web as a result of the deposition and subsequent removal of surplus water and air, and consequently the remaining part(s) of the suspended solids to be even more evenly spread over the width of the web.

[0045] The total amount of liquid circulated by the wet-laying or foam laying for a formed web having a width of 1 m can be in the order of 1200-5400 kg/min, 1800-4500 kg/min, or 2100-3600 kg/min (20-90, 30-75, or 35-60 kg/sec). In case of two deposition stages, e.g. between 25 and 90, in particular between 50 and 85 % may be applied in the first stage, and the remaining part in the second and optional further stages. The amount that is drained off via the web having a width of 1 m, i.e. the part that is not recycled, will be in the order of 20-57 kg/min of liquid (36-66 kg/min including solid material).

c-d-e. Removal and recycling of aqueous residue after the application of the suspension

[0046] Surplus liquid and gas phase are sucked through the web and the fabric in step c), leaving the short fibres and other solids in and on the web. The spent liquid and gas are separated, and processed according to the present disclosure and, in particular embodiments, the liquid having an air content below 20 vol.%, or below 15 vol.%, is returned to the mixing tank for producing fresh aqueous fibre suspension, as described in more detail below. [0047] When the aqueous fibre suspension is applied in two or more separate steps (b), b') and possibly b"), etc.), using two or more head boxes, the laying steps are separated by a suction step c) and followed by a suction step (c', c"). The removal of aqueous residue in the first removal step c) can be such that the water content of the combined web before the second pulp application step is not more than 85 wt.%, or between 60 and 75 wt.%. Thus, the dry solids content of the fibrous web after the first application step can be at least 15 wt.%, or between 25 and 40 wt.%. Where two or more removal steps are applied following distinct deposition steps, each removal step can be performed using multiple suction boxes, each suction box optionally being connected to a distinct phase separation tank. Advantageously, 2-5 suction boxes are used for the first removal step c), and 1-3 suction boxes are used for the second removal step c'), and e.g. 1-2 suction boxes for a third or further removal step c").

f. Pre-integrating

[0048] After the formation of the fibrous web, optionally combined with a polymer web, the fibrous web can be subjected, in a particular embodiment, to pre-integration, by flushing (rinsing) the web with water jets, in particular at a level of e.g. 0.001-0.03 m ³ of water per m ³ of applied three-phase suspension, or at a differently defined rate as described above with reference to step f). The water jets can form a row of perpendicular (vertical) jets covering the width of the moving web and can have a pressure of 2.5-50 bar. The water used for pre-integration can be fresh water, having low dissolved matter levels. Part of the water can be supplied by recycling flushed water, optionally after (micro )filtration. In an embodiment, part of the collected flushed water is fed to the aqueous suspension in step a) and the remainder of the collected flushed water is recycled to the pre- integration step f).

[0049] The pre-integrating and collecting step f) may be carried out in multiple stages, e.g. two stages f1 ) and f2), or even three stages f1 ), f2), f3), or even more stages, using multiple series of water jets, each series covering the entire width of the web forming the sheet material. In the event of multiple pre-integration stages, it may be advantageous to recycle flushed water collected from the first stage f1 ), which will contain relatively high levels of surfactant, to the three-phase (foam) suspension in step a) and at least a part of the flushed water collected from the second or last stage f2), which will contain lower levels of surfactant, to the first pre-integration step f1 ). The more specific distribution of collected flushed water to the suspension-forming stage and to the pre- integration, can be chosen so as to have optimum quality of the suspension and the pre-integrating water in combination with minimum use of raw materials, including water and surfactant.

g. Hydroentangling

[0050] Subsequently to the wet-laying or foam-laying steps b) and c), the fibrous web can be subjected to hydroentanglement, i.e. to needle-like water jets covering the width of the running web. In particular embodiments, the hydroentangling step (or steps) is performed on a different carrier (running wire), which is more dense (smaller sieve openings) than the carrier on which the fibre-containing suspensions (and optionally first the polymer web) are deposited. In certain embodiments, the hydroentangling step includes the use of multiple hydroentanglement jets shortly sequencing each other. The pressure applied may be in the order of 20-200 bar. The total energy supply in the hydroentangling may step be in the order of 100-400 kWh per ton of the treated material, measured and calculated as described in CA 841938, pages 1 1-12. The skilled person is aware of further technical details of hydroentanglement, as described e.g. in CA 841938 and WO96/02701.

h. Drying

[0051] The combined, hydroentangled web can be dried, e.g. using further suction and/or oven drying at temperatures above 100°C, such as between 1 10 and 150°C.

; ^' . Further processing

[0052] The dried nonwoven can be further treated by adding additives, e.g. for enhanced strength, scent, printing, colouring, patterning, impregnating, wetting, cutting, folding, rolling, etc. as determined by the final use of the sheet material, such as in industry, medical care, household applications.

End product

[0053] The nonwoven sheet material as produced can have any shape, but frequently it will have the form of rectangular sheets of between less than 0,5 m up to several meters. Suitable examples include wipes of 40 cm x 40 cm. Depending on the intended use, it may have various thicknesses of e.g. between 100 and 2000 μιτι, or from 250 to 1000 μιτι. The thickness can be determined as described below. Along its cross-section, the sheet material may be essentially homogenous, or it may gradually change from relatively pulp-rich at one surface to relatively pulp-depleted at the opposite surface (as a result of e.g. wet-laying or foam-laying pulp at one side of the polymer web only), or, alternatively, from relatively pulp-rich at both surfaces to relatively pulp-depleted in the centre (as a result of e.g. wet-laying or foam-laying pulp at both sides of the polymer web - either or both in multiple steps at the same side). In a particular embodiment, the nonwoven material as produced has front and back surfaces of different composition, in that the pulp-containing suspension is applied at the same side in each separate step, and/or hydroentanglement is performed only at one side. Other structures are equally feasible, including structures not containing filaments.

[0054] The composition can also vary within rather broad ranges. As an advantageous example, the sheet material may contain between 25 and 85 wt.% of (cellulosic) pulp, and between 15 and 75 wt.% of man-made (non-cellulosic) polymer material, whether as (semi)continuous filaments or as relatively short (staple) fibres, or both. In a more detailed example, the sheet material may contain between 40 and 80 wt.% of pulp, between 10 and 60 wt.% of filaments and between 0 and 50 wt.% of staple fibres, or, more particular examples, between 50 and 75 wt.% of pulp, between 15 and 45 wt.% of filaments and between 3 and 15 wt.% of staple fibres. As a result of the present process, the nonwoven sheet material has few if any deficiencies, combined with low residual levels of surfactant. In particular embodiments, the end product contains less than 75 ppm of the surfactant, less than 50 ppm, or less than 25 ppm of (water-soluble) surfactant. All these contents are on dry matter basis, unless otherwise specified. Figures

[0055] The accompanying figure 1 shows equipment for carrying out the process described herein. If used, thermoplastic polymer is fed into a heated drawing device 1 to produce filaments 2, which are deposited on a first running wire 3 to form a polymer layer. A mixing tank 4 has inlets for pulp 5, staple fibre 6, air 7, water 8, and surfactant (not shown). The resulting pulp-containing suspension (foam) 9 is fed to the head box 10 through inlet 24. A suction box 12 (or a plurality thereof) below the moving wire removes most of the liquid (and gaseous) residue of the spent pulp- containing suspension, which is fed to one or more phase separation tanks 14 (only one shown), through line 13, equipped with a valve. The suspension is allowed to degas in the phase separation tank by means of an underpressure (vacuum) produced by a gas exhauster (not shown) in gas exit (line) 17. Sprayer 15 is provided in the headspace of the phase separation tank to enhance the phase separation by spraying water on the foam, thereby breaking the foam. The resulting aqueous liquid is returned to the mixing tank through line 16. A pre-integ ration device 25 can produce a water jet 26 for pre-integrating the combined web 19, and the spent water is collected in suction box 27 and carried off through line 28, ultimately to the mixing tank 4. The combined pulp-polymer web 19 can be transferred to a second running wire 20 and subjected to multiple hydro- entanglement steps through devices 21 producing water jets 22, with water suction boxes 23, the water being discharged and further recycled (not shown). The hydroentangled web 29 is then dried in drier 30 and the dried web 31 is further processed (not shown).

[0056] Figure 2 illustrates the cycle of the three-phase suspension including the deaeration process and equipment in more detail. In the figures, the same elements or parts have the same reference numerals. Figure 2 shows a set of four suction boxes 121-124 below the moving carrier 3 and the head box 10. The four suction boxes collect essentially all aqueous residue passing the moving sieve. The collected residues are conveyed to the corresponding separation tanks 141- 144, via lines 131-134, which are equipped with controllable valves. The separation tanks have liquid outlet lines 161-164 provided with pumps 181-184 at a lower part of the tanks and gas outlet lines 171-174 at an upper part of the tank. The gas outlet lines 171-174 are provided with control valves 71-74 and are combined to a gas line 176, a vacuum fan 42 and a gas exhaust 178. The tanks 141-144 are furthermore provided with sprayers 151-154, fed with spraying liquid - in this example aqueous suspension supplied through line 44 and valve 45 -, through lines 51-54. A flushing device 41 (equivalent to pre-integ ration device 25 of Figure 1 ) produces water jets for flushing the web and the flushed water is collected by suction box 125, fed to a fifth separation tank 145 through line 135 having a controllable valve. Tank 145 is also provided with sprayer 155 fed through line 55, liquid outlet 165 for water, driven by pump 185, and gas outlet 175, which connects to a second vacuum fan 43 through combined line 177 and then to exhaust 179. Underpressure in the tanks provoking the withdrawal of aqueous residue from the suction boxes to the separation tanks is secured by vacuum fans or pumps 42 and 43. Connecting lines 83 and 84 provided with control valves connect gas outlets 173 and 174 of separation tanks 143 and 144, respectively, with the second vacuum fan 43, so as to allow the more downstream separation tanks 143 and 144 to be evacuated by fan 43 instead of, or in addition to, fan 42. The liquid lines 161-165 convey the deaerated aqueous residue to the pulper 4, by means of pumps 181-185, in which the constituents of the three-phase suspension are mixed in the appropriate amounts.

[0057] The Figures only serve to illustrate an embodiment of the invention and do not limit the claimed invention in any way. The same applies to the Examples below. EXAMPLES AND TEST METHODS

[0058] Test methods used for determining properties and parameters of the nonwoven material as described herein will now be explained in more detail. Also a test method for measuring air content of the three-phase foam-forming suspension is presented.

[0059] Furthermore, some examples illustrate advantages of using the method as defined in the appended claims and the product provided by such method are presented below.

Test method - Thickness

[0060] The thickness of a sheet material as described herein can be determined by a test method following the principles of the Standard Test Method for Nonwoven Thickness according to EDANA, WSP 120.6. R4 (12). An apparatus in accordance with the standard is available from IM TEKNIK AB, Sweden, the apparatus having a Micrometer available from Mitutoyo Corp, Japan (model ID U-1025). The sheet of material to be measured is cut into a piece of 200x200 mm and conditioned (23°C, 50 % RH, >4 hours). The measurement should be performed at the same conditions. During measurement the sheet is placed beneath the pressure foot which is then lowered. The thickness value for the sheet is then read after the pressure value is stabilised. The measurement is made by a precision Micrometer, wherein a distance created by a sample between a fixed reference plate and a parallel pressure foot is measured. The measuring area of the pressure foot is 5x5 cm. The pressure applied is 0.5 kPa during the measurement. Five measurements could be performed on different areas of the cut piece to determine the thickness as an average of the five measurements.

Test method - Air content

Equipment

[0061] A spiral connected to an inlet for foam, air or water and a corresponding outlet, the spiral having volume of 2 I. The spiral is placed on a scale/balance.

Calibration

[0062] Calibration is done by emptying the spiral by blowing compressed air through it and zero setting value of the scale when it is empty, i.e. only filled with air, which is balanced to the calibrated value of zero (0), i.e. 0 vol.% liquid present in the spiral. The spiral is then filled with water and the weight of this water is determined, which gives the calibrated value of 100, i.e. 100 vol.% of liquid present in the spiral.

Measurement

[0063] An emptied spiral is filled with the suspension/foam to be tested and weighed and the weight is linearly correlated to the calibrated 0 and 100 end values representing the volume percentage of liquid present in the spiral. Thus, the measured value corresponds to the percentage of liquid part of the foam. The air content is then calculated as the remaining percentage up to sum up to 100 percentage.

Example 1

[0064] An absorbent sheet material of nonwoven that may be used as a wipe such as an industrial cleaning cloth was produced by laying a web of polypropylene filaments on a running conveyor fabric and then applying on the polymer web a pulp dispersion containing about 0.5 wt.% of a 88:12 weight ratio of wood pulp and polyester staple fibres. The staple fibres contained a mixture of 1 .7 dtex fibres with two different lengths, namely 50 wt.% of the fibres having a length 6 mm and 50 wt.% of the fibres having a length 18 mm. The dispersion further included about 0.03 wt.% of a non-ionic surfactant (ethoxylated fatty alcohol) by foam forming in a head box, introducing a total of about 30 vol.% of air (on total foam volume). For the foam formation loop, an installation as diagrammatically depicted in Figure 2 was used, involving multiple separation units for deaerating the spent foaming suspension. The air content of the aqueous suspension leaving the deaeration unit was about 10% by volume. The foam cycle in the loop was about 3000 kg/min per m width of formed web; the width of the freshly wet-laid web was about 1 .4 m. The weight proportion of the polypropylene filaments was 25 wt.% on dry weight basis of the end product. The amounts were chosen so as to arrive at a basis weight of the end product of 55 g/m ² . The combined fibre web was then subjected to hydroentanglement using multiple water jets at increasing pressures of 40- 100 bar providing a total energy supply at the hydroentangling step of about 180 kWh/ton as measured and calculated as described in CA 841938, pp. 1 1-12 and subsequently dried. The speed of wind-up of the dried sheet of 1.3 m width was 225 m/min.