Dyestuff refining system

Claim 2

A dyestuff solution refining system to purify an aqueous dyestuff solution containing inorganic salt contaminant comprising: preparation means for producing a dyestuff solution; refining means including (a) a chromatographic means for removing inorganic salt contaminant from said dyestuff solution; (b) transfer means for transferring said dyestuff solution to said chromatographic means; (c) discharge means for discharging said dyestuff solution from said chromatographic means; and (d) inorganic salt sensor means for detecting the inorganic salt concentration in said discharged dyestuff solution and for generating an output responsive to said detected inorganic salt concentration; control means including (i) comparison means for receiving said output from said inorganic salt sensor means, for comparing said output with a predetermined value, and for generating an output responsive to differences between said detected inorganic salt concentration and said predetermined value, (ii) fractionation means for fractionating said discharged dyestuff solution in response to said output from said comparison means into a portion having an inorganic salt concentration at or below said predetermined value and a portion having an inorganic salt concentration above said predetermined value; and (iii) circulation means for recycling said discharged dyestuff solution portion having an inorganic salt concentration above said predetermined value to said chromatographic means; and a reservoir for collecting said discharged dyestuff solution portion having an inorganic salt concentration at or below said predetermined value.

Claim 3

A dyestuff solution refining system to purify an aqueous dyestuff solution containing inorganic salt contaminant comprising: preparation means for producing a dyestuff solution; refining means including (a) a chromatographic means for removing inorganic salt contaminant from said dyestuff solution; (b) transfer means for transferring said dyestuff solution to said chromatographic means; (c) discharge means for discharging said dyestuff solution from said chromatographic means; (d) inorganic salt sensor means for detecting the inorganic salt concentration in said discharged dyestuff solution and for generating an output responsive to said detected inorganic salt concentration; and (e) dyestuff sensor means for detecting the dyestuff concentration in said discharged dyestuff solution and for generating an output responsive to said detected dyestuff concentration; control means including (i) a first comparison means for receiving said output from said inorganic salt sensor means, for comparing said output with a predetermined salt value, and for generating an output responsive to differences between said detected inorganic salt concentration and said predetermined salt value, (ii) a second comparison means for receiving said output from said dyestuff sensor means, for comparing said output with a predetermined dyestuff value and for generating an output responsive to differences between said detected dyestuff concentration and said predetermined dyestuff value; (iii) fractionation means for fractionating said discharged dyestuff solution in response to said outputs from said first and second comparison means into a portion having an inorganic salt concentration at or below said predetermined salt value and a dyestuff concentration at or below said predetermined dyestuff value, a portion having an inorganic salt concentration at or below said predetermined salt value and a dyestuff concentration above said predetermined dyestuff value, a portion having an inorganic salt concentration above a predetermined salt value and a dyestuff concentration above said predetermined dyestuff value, and a portion having an inorganic salt concentration above said predetermined salt value and a dyestuff concentration at or below said predetermined dyestuff value; (iv) circulation means for recycling said discharged dyestuff solution portion having an inorganic salt concentration above said predetermined salt value and a dyestuff concentration above sid predetermined dyestuff value to said chromatographic means; and (v) an effluent means for removing both said discharged dyestuff solution portions having a dyestuff concentration at or below said predetermined dyestuff value; and a reservoir for collecting said discharged dyestuff solution portion having an inorganic salt concentration at or below said predetermined salt value and a dyestuff concentration above said predetermined dyestuff value.

Claim 4

A dyestuff solution refining system to purify an aqueous dyestuff solution containing inorganic salt contaminant comprising: preparation means for producing a dyestuff solution; refining means including (a) a chromatographic means for removing inorganic salt contaminant from said dyestuff solution; (b) transfer means for transferring said dyestuff solution to said chromatographic means; (c) discharge means for discharging said dyestuff solution from said chromatographic means; (d) inorganic salt sensor means for detecting the inorganic salt concentration in said discharged dyestuff solution and for generating an output responsive to said detected inorganic salt concentration; and (e) dyestuff sensor means for detecting the dyestuff concentration in said discharged dyestuff solution and for generating an output responsive to said detected dyestuff concentration; control means including (i) a first comparison means for receiving said output from said inorganic salt sensor means, for comparing said output with a predetermined salt value, and for generating an output responsive to differences between said detected inorganic salt concentration and said predetermined salt value, (ii) a second comparison means for receiving said output from said dyestuff sensor means, for comparing said output with a predetermined dyestuff value and for generating an output responsive to differences between said detected dyestuff concentration and said predetermined dyestuff value; (iii) fractionation means for fractionating said discharged dyestuff solution in response to said outputs from said first and second comparison means into a portion having an inorganic salt concentration at or below said predetermined salt value and a dyestuff concentration at or below said predetermined dyestuff value, a portion having an inorganic salt concentration at or below said predetermined salt value and a dyestuff concentration above said predetermined dyestuff value, a portion having an inorganic salt concentration above a predetermined salt value and a dyestuff concentration above said predetermined dyestuff value, and a portion having an inorganic salt concentration above said predetermined salt value and a dyestuff concentration at or below said predetermined dyestuff value; (iv) circulation means for recycling said discharged dyestuff solution portion having an inorganic salt concentration above said predetermined salt value and a dyestuff concentration above sid predetermined dyestuff value to said chromatographic means; and (v) an effluent means for removing both said discharged dyestuff solution portions having a dyestuff concentration at or below said predetermined dyestuff value; and a reservoir for collecting said discharged dyestuff solution portion having an inorganic salt concentration at or below said predetermined salt value and a dyestuff concentration above said predetermined dyestuff value.

Claim 5

A dyestuff solution refining system to purify an aqueous dyestuff solution containing inorganic salt contaminant comprising: preparation means for producing a dyestuff solution; refining means including (a) a plurality of chromatographic means in parallel series for removing inorganic salt contaminant from said dyestuff solution; (b) transfer means for transferring said dyestuff solution to each of said chromatographic means; (c) discharge means for discharging said dyestuff solution from each of said chromatographic means; and (d) inorganic salt sensor means for detecting the inorganic salt concentration in said discharged dyestuff solution and for generating an output responsive to said detected inorganic salt concentration; control means including (i) comparison means for receiving said output from said inorganic salt sensor means, for comparing said output with a predetermined value, and for generating an output responsive to differences between said detected inorganic salt concentration and said predetermined value, (ii) fractionation means for fractionating said discharged dyestuff solution in response to said output from said comparison means into a portion having an inorganic salt concentration at or below said predetermined value and a portion having an inorganic salt concentration above said predetermined value; and (iii) circulation means for recycling said discharged dyestuff solution portion having an inorganic salt concentration above said predetermined value to said chromatographic means; and a reservoir for collecting said discharged dyestuff solution portion having an inorganic salt concentration at or below said predetermined value.

Claim 6

A dyestuff solution refining system to purify an aqueous dyestuff solution containing inorganic salt contaminant comprising: preparation means for producing a dyestuff solution; refining means including (a) a plurality of chromatographic means in parallel series for removing inorganic salt contaminant from said dyestuff solution; (b) transfer means for transferring said dyestuff solution to each of said chromatographic means; (c) discharge means for discharging said dyestuff solution from each of said chromatographic means; and (d) inorganic salt sensor means for detecting the inorganic salt concentration in said discharged dyestuff solution and for generating an output responsive to said detected inorganic salt concentration; control means including (i) comparison means for receiving said output from said inorganic salt sensor means, for comparing said output with a predetermined value, and for generating an output responsive to differences between said detected inorganic salt concentration and said predetermined value, (ii) fractionation means for fractionating said discharged dyestuff solution in response to said output from said comparison means into a portion having an inorganic salt concentration at or below said predetermined value and a portion having an inorganic salt concentration above said predetermined value; and (iii) circulation means for recycling said discharged dyestuff solution portion having an inorganic salt concentration above said predetermined value to said chromatographic means; and a reservoir for collecting said discharged dyestuff solution portion having an inorganic salt concentration at or below said predetermined value.

Claim 7

A dyestuff solution refining system to purify an aqueous dyestuff solution containing inorganic salt contaminant comprising: preparation means for producing a dyestuff solution; refining means including (a) a plurality of chromatographic means in parallel series for removing inorganic salt contaminant from said dyestuff solution; (b) transfer means for transferring said dyestuff solution to each of said chromatographic means; (c) discharge means for discharging said dyestuff solution from each of said chromatographic means; (d) inorganic salt sensor means for detecting the inorganic salt concentration in said discharged dyestuff solution and for generating an output responsive to said detected inorganic salt concentration; and (e) dyestuff sensor means for detecting the dyestuff concentration in said discharged dyestuff solution and for generating an output responsive to said detected dyestuff concentration; control means including (i) a first comparison means for receiving said output from said inorganic salt sensor means, for comparing said output with a predetermined salt value, and for generating an output responsive to differences between said detected inorganic salt concentration and said predetermined salt value, (ii) a second comparison means for receiving said output from said dyestuff sensor means, for comparing said output with a predetermined dyestuff value and for generating an output responsive to differences between said detected dyestuff concentration and said predetermined dyestuff value; (iii) fractionation means for fractionating said discharged dyestuff solution in response to said outputs from said first and second comparison means into a portion having an inorganic salt concentration at or below said predetermined salt value and a dyestuff concentration at or below said predetermined dyestuff value, a portion having an inorganic salt concentration at or below said predetermined salt value and a dyestuff concentration above said predetermined dyestuff value, a portion having an inorganic salt concentration above a predetermined salt value and a dyestuff concentration above said predetermined dyestuff value, and a portion having an inorganic salt concentration above said predetermined salt value and a dyestuff concentration at or below said predetermined dyestuff value; (iv) circulation means for recycling said discharged dyestuff solution portion having an inorganic salt concentration above said predetermined salt value and a dyestuff concentration above said predetermined dyestuff value to said chromatographic means, and (v) an effluent means for removing both said discharged dyestuff solution portions having a dyestuff concentration at or below said predetermined dyestuff value; and a reservoir for collecting said discharged dyestuff solution portion having an inorganic salt concentration at or below said predetermined salt value and a dyestuff concentration above said predetermined dyestuff value.

Claim 8

A dyestuff solution refining system to purify an aqueous dyestuff solution containing inorganic salt contaminant comprising: preparation means for producing a dyestuff solution; refining means including (a) a plurality of chromatographic means in parallel series for removing inorganic salt contaminant from said dyestuff solution; (b) transfer means for transferring said dyestuff solution to each of said chromatographic means; (c) discharge means for discharging said dyestuff solution from each of said chromatographic means; (d) inorganic salt sensor means for detecting the inorganic salt concentration in said discharged dyestuff solution and for generating an output responsive to said detected inorganic salt concentration; and (e) dyestuff sensor means for detecting the dyestuff concentration in said discharged dyestuff solution and for generating an output responsive to said detected dyestuff concentration; control means including (i) a first comparison means for receiving said output from said inorganic salt sensor means, for comparing said output with a predetermined salt value, and for generating an output responsive to differences between said detected inorganic salt concentration and said predetermined salt value, (ii) a second comparison means for receiving said output from said dyestuff sensor means, for comparing said output with a predetermined dyestuff value and for generating an output responsive to differences between said detected dyestuff concentration and said predetermined dyestuff value; (iii) fractionation means for fractionating said discharged dyestuff solution in response to said outputs from said first and second comparison means into a portion having an inorganic salt concentration at or below said predetermined salt value and a dyestuff concentration at or below said predetermined dyestuff value, a portion having an inorganic salt concentration at or below said predetermined salt value and a dyestuff concentration above said predetermined dyestuff value, a portion having an inorganic salt concentration above a predetermined salt value and a dyestuff concentration above said predetermined dyestuff value, and a portion having an inorganic salt concentration above said predetermined salt value and a dyestuff concentration at or below said predetermined dyestuff value; (iv) circulation means for recycling said discharged dyestuff solution portion having an inorganic salt concentration above said predetermined salt value and a dyestuff concentration above said predetermined dyestuff value to said chromatographic means, and (v) an effluent means for removing both said discharged dyestuff solution portions having a dyestuff concentration at or below said predetermined dyestuff value; and a reservoir for collecting said discharged dyestuff solution portion having an inorganic salt concentration at or below said predetermined salt value and a dyestuff concentration above said predetermined dyestuff value.

Claim 9

A dyestuff solution producing system to produce an aqueous dyestuff solution from a dyestuff containing inorganic salt contaminant comprising: preparation means for producing an aqueous dyestuff solution; feeding means for feeding dyestuff containing inorganic salt contaminant to said preparation means; supply means for supplying water to said preparation means; refining means including (a) a chromatographic means for removing inorganic salt contaminant from said dyestuff solution; (b) transfer means for transferring said dyestuff solution to said chromatographic means; (c) discharge means for discharging said dyestuff solution from said chromatographic means; and (d) inorganic salt sensor means for detecting the inorganic salt concentration in said discharged dyestuff solution and for generating an output responsive to said detected inorganic salt concentration; control means including (i) comparison means for receiving said output from said inorganic salt sensor means, for comparing said output with a predetermined value, and for generating an output responsive to differences between said detected inorganic salt concentration and said predetermined value; (ii) fractionation means for fractionating said discharged dyestuff solution in response to said output from said comparison means into a portion having an inorganic salt concentration at or below said predetermined value and a portion having an inorganic salt concentration above said predetermined value; and (iii) circulation means for recycling said discharged dyestuff solution portion having an inorganic salt concentration above said predetermined value to said chromatographic means; and a reservoir for collecting said discharged dyestuff solution portion having an inorganic salt concentration at or below said predetermined value.

Claim 10

A dyestuff solution producing system to produce an aqueous dyestuff solution from a dyestuff containing inorganic salt contaminant comprising: preparation means for producing an aqueous dyestuff solution; feeding means for feeding dyestuff containing inorganic salt contaminant to said preparation means; supply means for supplying water to said preparation means; refining means including (a) a chromatographic means for removing inorganic salt contaminant from said dyestuff solution; (b) transfer means for transferring said dyestuff solution to said chromatographic means; (c) discharge means for discharging said dyestuff solution from said chromatographic means; and (d) inorganic salt sensor means for detecting the inorganic salt concentration in said discharged dyestuff solution and for generating an output responsive to said detected inorganic salt concentration; control means including (i) comparison means for receiving said output from said inorganic salt sensor means, for comparing said output with a predetermined value, and for generating an output responsive to differences between said detected inorganic salt concentration and said predetermined value; (ii) fractionation means for fractionating said discharged dyestuff solution in response to said output from said comparison means into a portion having an inorganic salt concentration at or below said predetermined value and a portion having an inorganic salt concentration above said predetermined value; and (iii) circulation means for recycling said discharged dyestuff solution portion having an inorganic salt concentration above said predetermined value to said chromatographic means; and a reservoir for collecting said discharged dyestuff solution portion having an inorganic salt concentration at or below said predetermined value.

Claim 11

A dyestuff solution producing system to produce an aqueous dyestuff solution from a dyestuff containing inorganic salt contaminant comprising: preparation means for producing an aqueous dyestuff solution; feeding means for feeding dyestuff containing inorganic salt contaminant to said preparation means; supply means for supplying water to said preparation means; refining means including (a) a chromatographic means for removing inorganic salt contaminant from said dyestuff solution; (b) transfer means for transferring said dyestuff solution to said chromatographic means; (c) discharge means for discharging said dyestuff solution from said chromatographic means; (d) inorganic salt sensor means for detecting the inorganic salt concentration in said discharged dyestuff solution and for generating an output responsive to said detected inorganic salt concentration; and (e) dyestuff sensor means for detecting the dyestuff concentration in said discharged dyestuff solution and for generating an output responsive to said detected dyestuff concentration; control means including (i) a first comparison means for receiving said output from said inorganic salt sensor means, for comparing said output with a predetermined salt value, and for generating an output responsive to differences between said detected inorganic salt concentration and said predetermined salt value, (ii) a second comparison means for receiving said output from said dyestuff sensor means, for comparing said output with a predetermined dyestuff value and for generating an output responsive to differences between said detected dyestuff concentration and said predetermined dyestuff value; (iii) fractionation means for fractionating said discharged dyestuff solution in response to said outputs from said first and second comparison means into a portion having an inorganic salt concentration at or below said predetermined salt value and a dyestuff concentration at or below said predetermined dyestuff value, a portion having an inorganic salt concentration at or below said predetermined salt value and a dyestuff concentration above said predetermined dyestuff value, a portion having an inorganic salt concentration above a predetermined salt value and a dyestuff concentration above said predetermined dyestuff value, and a portion having an inorganic salt concentration above said predetermined salt value and a dyestuff concentration at or below said predetermined dyestuff value; (iv) circulation means for recycling said discharged dyestuff solution portion having an inorganic salt concentration above said predetermined salt value and a dyestuff concentration above said predetermined dyestuff value to said chromatographic means; and (v) an effluent means for removing both said discharged dyestuff solution portions having a dyestuff concentration at or below said predetermined dyestuff value; and a reservoir for collecting said discharged dyestuff solution portion having an inorganic salt concentration at or below said predetermined salt value and a dyestuff concentration above said predetermined dyestuff value.

Claim 12

A dyestuff solution producing system to produce an aqueous dyestuff solution from a dyestuff containing inorganic salt contaminant comprising: preparation means for producing an aqueous dyestuff solution; feeding means for feeding dyestuff containing inorganic salt contaminant to said preparation means; supply means for supplying water to said preparation means; refining means including (a) a chromatographic means for removing inorganic salt contaminant from said dyestuff solution; (b) transfer means for transferring said dyestuff solution to said chromatographic means; (c) discharge means for discharging said dyestuff solution from said chromatographic means; (d) inorganic salt sensor means for detecting the inorganic salt concentration in said discharged dyestuff solution and for generating an output responsive to said detected inorganic salt concentration; and (e) dyestuff sensor means for detecting the dyestuff concentration in said discharged dyestuff solution and for generating an output responsive to said detected dyestuff concentration; control means including (i) a first comparison means for receiving said output from said inorganic salt sensor means, for comparing said output with a predetermined salt value, and for generating an output responsive to differences between said detected inorganic salt concentration and said predetermined salt value, (ii) a second comparison means for receiving said output from said dyestuff sensor means, for comparing said output with a predetermined dyestuff value and for generating an output responsive to differences between said detected dyestuff concentration and said predetermined dyestuff value; (iii) fractionation means for fractionating said discharged dyestuff solution in response to said outputs from said first and second comparison means into a portion having an inorganic salt concentration at or below said predetermined salt value and a dyestuff concentration at or below said predetermined dyestuff value, a portion having an inorganic salt concentration at or below said predetermined salt value and a dyestuff concentration above said predetermined dyestuff value, a portion having an inorganic salt concentration above a predetermined salt value and a dyestuff concentration above said predetermined dyestuff value, and a portion having an inorganic salt concentration above said predetermined salt value and a dyestuff concentration at or below said predetermined dyestuff value; (iv) circulation means for recycling said discharged dyestuff solution portion having an inorganic salt concentration above said predetermined salt value and a dyestuff concentration above said predetermined dyestuff value to said chromatographic means; and (v) an effluent means for removing both said discharged dyestuff solution portions having a dyestuff concentration at or below said predetermined dyestuff value; and a reservoir for collecting said discharged dyestuff solution portion having an inorganic salt concentration at or below said predetermined salt value and a dyestuff concentration above said predetermined dyestuff value.

Claim 13

A dyestuff solution producing system to produce an aqueous dyestuff solution from a dyestuff containing inorganic salt contaminant comprising: preparation means for producing a dyestuff solution; feeding means for feeding dyestuff containing inorganic salt contaminant to said preparation means; supply means for supplying water to said preparation means; refining means including (a) a plurality of chromatographic means in parallel series for removing inorganic salt contaminant from said dyestuff solution; (b) transfer means for transferring said dyestuff solution to each of said chromatographic means; (c) discharge means for discharging said dyestuff solution from each of said chromatographic means; and (d) inorganic salt sensor means for detecting the inorganic salt concentration in said discharged dyestuff solution and for generating an output responsive to said detected inorganic salt concentration; control means including (i) comparison means for receiving said output from said inorganic salt sensor means, for comparing said output with a predetermined value, and for generating an output responsive to differences between said detected inorganic salt concentration and said predetermined value, (ii) fractionation means for fractionating said discharged dyestuff solution in response to said output from said comparison means into a portion having an inorganic salt concentration at or below said predetermined value and a portion having an inorganic salt concentration above said predetermined value; and (iii) circulation means for recycling said discharged dyestuff solution portion having an inorganic salt concentration above said predetermined value to said chromatographic means; and a reservoir for collecting said discharged dyestuff solution portion having an inorganic salt concentration at or below said predetermined value.

Claim 14

A dyestuff solution producing system to produce an aqueous dyestuff solution from a dyestuff containing inorganic salt contaminant comprising: preparation means for producing a dyestuff solution; feeding means for feeding dyestuff containing inorganic salt contaminant to said preparation means; supply means for supplying water to said preparation means; refining means including (a) a plurality of chromatographic means in parallel series for removing inorganic salt contaminant from said dyestuff solution; (b) transfer means for transferring said dyestuff solution to each of said chromatographic means; (c) discharge means for discharging said dyestuff solution from each of said chromatographic means; and (d) inorganic salt sensor means for detecting the inorganic salt concentration in said discharged dyestuff solution and for generating an output responsive to said detected inorganic salt concentration; control means including (i) comparison means for receiving said output from said inorganic salt sensor means, for comparing said output with a predetermined value, and for generating an output responsive to differences between said detected inorganic salt concentration and said predetermined value, (ii) fractionation means for fractionating said discharged dyestuff solution in response to said output from said comparison means into a portion having an inorganic salt concentration at or below said predetermined value and a portion having an inorganic salt concentration above said predetermined value; and (iii) circulation means for recycling said discharged dyestuff solution portion having an inorganic salt concentration above said predetermined value to said chromatographic means; and a reservoir for collecting said discharged dyestuff solution portion having an inorganic salt concentration at or below said predetermined value.

Claim 15

A dyestuff solution producing system to produce an aqueous dyestuff solution from a dyestuff containing inorganic salt contaminant comprising: preparation means for producing a dyestuff solution; feeding means for feeding dyestuff containing inorganic salt contaminant to said preparation means; supply means for supplying water to said preparation means; refining means including (a) a plurality of chromatographic means in parallel series for removing inorganic salt contaminant from said dyestuff solution; (b) transfer means for transferring said dyestuff solution to each of said chromatographic means; (c) discharge means for discharging said dyestuff from each of said chromatographic means; (d) inorganic salt sensor means for detecting the inorganic salt concentration in said discharged dyestuff solution and for generating an output responsive to said detected inorganic salt concentration; and (e) dyestuff sensor means for detecting the dyestuff concentration in said discharged dyestuff solution and for generating an output responsive to said detected dyestuff concentration; control means including (i) a first comparison means for receiving said output from said inorganic salt sensor means, for comparing said output with a predetermined salt value, and for generating an output responsive to differences between said detected inorganic salt concentration and said predetermined salt value, (ii) a second comparison means for receiving said output from said dyestuff sensor means, for comparing said output with a predetermined dyestuff value and for generating an output responsive to differences between said detected dyestuff concentration and said predetermined dyestuff value; (iii) fractionation means for fractionating said discharged dyestuff solution in response to said outputs from said first and second comparison means into a portion having an inorganic salt concentration at or below said predetermined salt value and a dyestuff concentration at or below said predetermined dyestuff value, a portion having an inorganic salt concentration at or below said predetermined salt value and a dyestuff concentration above said predetermined dyestuff value, a portion having an inorganic salt concentration above a predetermined salt value and a dyestuff concentration above said predetermind dyestuff value, and a portion having an inorganic salt concentration above said predetermined salt value and a dyestuff concentration at or below said predetermined dyestuff value; (iv) circulation means for recycling said discharged dyestuff solution portion having an inorganic salt concentration above said predetermined salt value and a dyestuff concentration above said predetermined dyestuff value to said chromatographic means; and (v) an effluent means for removing both said discharged dyestuff solution portions having a dyestuff concentration at or below said predetermined dyestuff value; and a reservoir for collecting said discharged dyestuff solution portion having an inorganic salt concentration at or below said predetermined salt value and a dyestuff concentration above said predetermined dyestuff value.

Claim 16

A dyestuff solution producing system to produce an aqueous dyestuff solution from a dyestuff containing inorganic salt contaminant comprising: preparation means for producing a dyestuff solution; feeding means for feeding dyestuff containing inorganic salt contaminant to said preparation means; supply means for supplying water to said preparation means; refining means including (a) a plurality of chromatographic means in parallel series for removing inorganic salt contaminant from said dyestuff solution; (b) transfer means for transferring said dyestuff solution to each of said chromatographic means; (c) discharge means for discharging said dyestuff from each of said chromatographic means; (d) inorganic salt sensor means for detecting the inorganic salt concentration in said discharged dyestuff solution and for generating an output responsive to said detected inorganic salt concentration; and (e) dyestuff sensor means for detecting the dyestuff concentration in said discharged dyestuff solution and for generating an output responsive to said detected dyestuff concentration; control means including (i) a first comparison means for receiving said output from said inorganic salt sensor means, for comparing said output with a predetermined salt value, and for generating an output responsive to differences between said detected inorganic salt concentration and said predetermined salt value, (ii) a second comparison means for receiving said output from said dyestuff sensor means, for comparing said output with a predetermined dyestuff value and for generating an output responsive to differences between said detected dyestuff concentration and said predetermined dyestuff value; (iii) fractionation means for fractionating said discharged dyestuff solution in response to said outputs from said first and second comparison means into a portion having an inorganic salt concentration at or below said predetermined salt value and a dyestuff concentration at or below said predetermined dyestuff value, a portion having an inorganic salt concentration at or below said predetermined salt value and a dyestuff concentration above said predetermined dyestuff value, a portion having an inorganic salt concentration above a predetermined salt value and a dyestuff concentration above said predetermind dyestuff value, and a portion having an inorganic salt concentration above said predetermined salt value and a dyestuff concentration at or below said predetermined dyestuff value; (iv) circulation means for recycling said discharged dyestuff solution portion having an inorganic salt concentration above said predetermined salt value and a dyestuff concentration above said predetermined dyestuff value to said chromatographic means; and (v) an effluent means for removing both said discharged dyestuff solution portions having a dyestuff concentration at or below said predetermined dyestuff value; and a reservoir for collecting said discharged dyestuff solution portion having an inorganic salt concentration at or below said predetermined salt value and a dyestuff concentration above said predetermined dyestuff value.