Abstract: A process for producing a microfiber product stream, the process comprises: (A) contacting cut multicomponent fibers having a length of less than 25 millimeters with a treated aqueous stream in a fiber slurry zone to produce a cut multicomponent fiber slurry; (B) contacting the cut multicomponent fiber slurry with a heated aqueous stream in a mix zone to produce a heated multicomponent fiber slurry; (C) routing the heated multicomponent fiber slurry to a fiber opening zone to remove a portion of the water dispersible sulfopolyester to produce an opened microfiber slurry; wherein the opening zone comprises a pipe reactor; and (D) routing the opened microfiber slurry to a primary solid liquid separation zone to produce the microfiber product stream and a first mother liquor stream.

Abstract: A process for producing a microfiber product stream, the process comprises: (A) contacting cut multicomponent fibers having a length of less than 25 millimeters with a treated aqueous stream in a fiber slurry zone to produce a cut multicomponent fiber slurry; (B) contacting the cut multicomponent fiber slurry with a heated aqueous stream in a mix zone to produce a heated multicomponent fiber slurry; (C) routing the heated multicomponent fiber slurry to a fiber opening zone to remove a portion of the water dispersible sulfopolyester to produce an opened microfiber slurry; wherein the opening zone comprises a pipe reactor; and (D) routing the opened microfiber slurry to a primary solid liquid separation zone to produce the microfiber product stream and a first mother liquor stream.

Abstract: A process for producing a microfiber product stream, the process comprising: (A) contacting cut multicomponent fibers having a length of less than 25 millimeters with a treated aqueous stream in a fiber slurry zone to produce a cut multicomponent fiber slurry; (B) contacting the cut multicomponent fiber slurry with a heated aqueous stream in a mix zone to produce a heated multicomponent fiber slurry; (C) routing the heated multicomponent fiber slurry to a fiber opening zone to remove a portion of the water dispersible sulfopolyester to produce an opened microfiber slurry; and (D) routing the opened microfiber slurry to a primary solid liquid separation zone to produce the microfiber product stream and a first mother liquor stream.

Abstract: A process for producing a microfiber product stream is provided comprising: (A) contacting cut multicomponent fibers having a length of less than 25 millimeters with a heated aqueous stream in a fiber opening zone to remove a portion of the water dispersible sulfopolyester to produce an opened microfiber slurry; wherein the heated aqueous stream is at a temperature of at least 40° C.; and (B) routing the opened microfiber slurry to a primary solid liquid separation zone to produce the microfiber product stream and a first mother liquor stream; wherein the first mother liquor stream comprises water and the water dispersible sulfopolyester.

Abstract: A process for separating a first mother liquor stream is provided. The process comprises: separating a first mother liquor stream in a second solid liquid separation zone to produce a secondary wet cake stream and a second mother liquor stream; wherein the first mother liquor stream comprises water non-dispersible microfiber, water, and water dispersible sulfopolyester; wherein the second mother liquor stream comprises water and water dispersible sulfopolyester; and wherein the secondary wet cake stream comprises water non-dispersible polymer microfiber.

Abstract: A process for producing a microfiber product stream is provided comprising: (A) contacting short cut multicomponent fibers having a length of less than 25 millimeters with a treated aqueous stream in a fiber slurry zone to produce a short cut multicomponent fiber slurry; (B) contacting the short cut multicomponent fiber slurry and a heated aqueous stream in a fiber opening zone to remove a portion of the water dispersible sulfopolyester to produce an opened microfiber slurry; and (C) routing the opened microfiber slurry to a primary solid liquid separation zone to produce the microfiber product stream and a first mother liquor stream.

Abstract: A process for producing a microfiber product stream, the process comprising: (A) contacting short cut multicomponent fibers having a length of less than 25 millimeters with a heated aqueous stream in a mix zone to produce a short cut multicomponent fiber slurry; (B) routing the short cut multicomponent fiber slurry and optionally, a heated aqueous stream, to a fiber opening zone to remove a portion of the water dispersible sulfopolyester to produce an opened microfiber slurry; and (C) routing the opened microfiber slurry to a primary solid liquid separation zone to produce the microfiber product stream and a first mother liquor stream.

Abstract: A process for separating a first mother liquor stream is provided. The process comprises: separating a first mother liquor stream in a second solid liquid separation zone to produce a secondary wet cake stream and a second mother liquor stream; wherein the first mother liquor stream comprises water non-dispersible microfiber, water, and water dispersible sulfopolyester; wherein the second mother liquor stream comprises water and water dispersible sulfopolyester; and wherein the secondary wet cake stream comprises water non-dispersible polymer microfiber.