The Leviathan

The name of a biblical sea monster with several heads served as inspiration for this textile machine and the largest ship of its time. The connection between the boat's exceptional length and successive basins led to the name. Eugène Melen, a mechanic from Verviers, created this 'spool-cleaning machine' for wool in 1863. The wool passes through successive rectangular basins in which it undergoes several treatments: soaking, scrubbing and degreasing with hot water (supplemented with alkaline detergents such as Marseille soap and soda) and rinsing.Moving rakes push and shake the fabric from back to front. This better removes impurities. Those impurities are then collected on a double perforated bottom. Between each basin, a press prevents the residues from moving. The final press drains the water for drying to save energy.