A novel degumming approach by using steam treatment is proposed to minimize water pollution and consumption in silk wet processing. Sericin removal of Bombyx mori silk fibers was carried out with pressurized steam. The degumming ratio, fine structure and physical properties of the degummed silk fibers as well as energy efficiency were investigated to elucidate the degumming effects of steam treatment. Compared to the conventional neutral soap and sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃) degumming methods, sericin can be removed by steam treatment without any chemicals, and the degumming ratio as well as physicochemical properties of the degummed silk fibers maintained at a desirable level. Energy efficiency and cost analysis showed that steam degumming is more energy-efficient and economical than the conventional chemical degumming methods. Results showed that steam treatment is a feasible silk degumming method with the benefits of reduction in water pollution and energy consumption.

提出了一种采用蒸汽处理的新型脱胶方法，以最大程度地减少丝绸湿法加工过程中的水污染和消耗。丝胶蛋白除去的家蚕的丝纤维用加压蒸汽进行。研究了脱胶丝纤维的脱胶率，精细结构和物理性能以及能源效率，以阐明蒸汽处理的脱胶效果。与常规中性肥皂和碳酸钠（Na ₂ CO ₃）脱胶方法，可以通过蒸汽处理除去丝胶，而无需任何化学药品，并且脱胶丝纤维的脱胶率以及理化性质保持在理想水平。能源效率和成本分析表明，蒸汽脱胶比常规化学脱胶方法更节能，更经济。结果表明，蒸汽处理是一种可行的蚕丝脱胶方法，具有减少水污染和减少能源消耗的优点。