Water And Textile Wet

Processing -Part I
By Dr. Brent Smith, James Rucker,
Dept. of Textile Chemistry,
NCSU, Raleigh, NC
purposes, utility, and laboratory use. tion areas. Hardness in water usedin
Each requiresdifferent water-quality directatomizationhumidification
parameters. Process uses (preparasystems, for example,
has
been
tion, dyeing, and finishing) Include shown to causefalseelevation of
making concentratedbulk chemica cottondust levels in cotton procstock solutions, drug room
or mix kit, essing areas.'
chen use (paste up), substrate treatment solutions (bleach, dyebath, or Water Conservatlon
finish mix),andwashing.Potable
One area that can usually render
water isfordrinking
and food
cost savings and other
benefits for a
preparation. Utility use includes non- textile wet processor is the practlce
contact uses such as cooling water,
of waterconservation.
It is not
boiler use, humidifier systems, equip- unusual to find situations where 20%
ment cleaning, etc. Laboratory water or more reduction In water use can
has specialrequirements in many
be
realized.
Commonly
observed
situations, and these requirements
sources of waterwaste
are hosesleft
are usually met by addltionai water
running, broken or missing valves,
purification in the laboratory itself.
cooling water left running when
machinery is shutdown,defective
Although the primary focus
in this
toilets, andwatercoolers.Several
article will be the effect ofwater
quality on various situations involv- methods have been used to recover
ing preparation, dyeing, and
finishing and reuse water as a conservation
processes,some interesting sltua- measure.To accomplish this, it is
tions can arise in other uses noted necessary to segregate waste water
above. Potable water supplies must streams. Once through, noncontact
be tested according to iocal and statecooling water can be reused by sending it back to a clear well
or influent
healthregulations,
If provided to
Water use
water line to the mill. This can result
employees in drinking fountains, etc.
in significant water savfngs. Waste
Experiencehasshownthatthe
These potable water suppiles must
amount of water required in textile befreeof toxic and bacterial constreams from roof drains and parking
processing varies widely, even betamlnants, many of which are of lit- lot drains, cooling water sources, protween similar wet processing at dif- tle or no consequencein processing cess wastewater,anddomestic
waste can sometimesbe segregated,
ferent sites. The data shown
in Table situations. On the other hand, the
reused
andlordisI give typical quantities water used presence of chlorlne, iron, and
treat- treated, and
a
advanfor various types of processes. This ment chemicals commonly foundin charged separately to mill's
indicates the site-specific nature andpotable water can have a major im- tage. Detalls are usuallysite specific.
details of water use in various proc- pact on textile processes.
Probably the highest water use
in
essing situations. Many mills have
It is common practice In some textile wetprocessing Is for the
very highwatercosts,especially
mills 'to use potable water for the
generalpurpose of washing,parwhen the water is being purchased laboratory supply while using non- ticularly in preparation and dyeing.
from a municipal system. These oper-potable water for production proc- Since many washing processes are
ations usually are much more concontinuous, well known techniques
essing. Since potable water
is usually
servative with water than others
with chlorinated, it can alter the shade of such as countercurrent washing can
be used to great advantage for water
less costly sources.
:
dyeings or cause other effects on
of dyeprocessing. This sometimes
contrib- conservation. Different types
Water Uses in Textile Wet Processing utes to poor lab-todyehousecorrela- ing machinery usedifferent amounts
Various textile wet processes are tions fordye recipesor other correla- of water. There are many"low-liquor
ratio" dyeingmachineswhich
are
influenced in different ways by the
tion problems. Impuritiessuch as
presence of impurities in the water hardness can cause problems
in boil- purported to save water. The liquor
supply. Thereare several major water er wateror water usedin humidifica- ratio is the ratio of amount of water
use categories to be considered, in- tion in production areas such asspin- (in pounds) in an exhaust dyebathto
cluding water for processing, potablening, weaving, knitting, and inspec- amount of fabric (in pounds). This
dif-

Abstract
The raw material used in greatest
quantity in virtually every stage of
textlle wet processing is water. The
quality of textiles produced by any
manufacturing operation which employs wet processes, such as preparatlon, dyeing, andlor finishing, is
profoundly affectedby water quality.
There are manyaspects to consider,
and someof themore important ones
will be discussed in this two-part article. Topics included are:
water uses in wet processing;
water conservation
water sources and characteristics;
testing forcontaminants in
water;
on-site purification of water;
howcontaminantsinterfere
with textile processing;
how to handle interferences;
and,
waste water.

fers greatly between machine types.

However, most water
in dyeing opera- rable I: Water Use in Textile Wet Processing'
ns is used for washing, and not
in
3 dyebath Itself. Thus It is not
of water typically used
Amounts'
Substrate
necessarily true that a dyeing maMinimum
M e n
Maximum
typa
chine with 1O:l liquor ratio will use Wool
13.3
34.1
78.9
half as muchwater as a dyeing Woven other
0.6
13.6
60.9
machine with 20:l liquor ratio.
2.4
10.0
45.4
Knit other
0.7
8.3
34.8
The information In Table It in- Hosiery
119.5
.O
5.6
dicates the values for liquor ratios Sarpet
0.4
120
66.9
and stock
and water consumption for various 4.8Yarn
0.3
9.9
Nonwoven
types of dyeing machinery. In gen- Felted fabric
4.0
25.5
111.8
eral, the heating of dyebaths constitutes themajor portion of the 'In gallons of water per pound of product produced
energy consumed in dyeing; thereenediaminetetraacetic acid)titration
fore, using low liquor ratio dyeing Sources and characteristics
and the techniques and procedures
equipment can cause major energy of water
savings. But the washing efficiency
There are many sources of water, are summarized byRellley etaLa The
following Is a description of quick
of many types
of low liquor ratio dye- the most common being:
spot
tests for commonly occurring
ing machines, such as jigs, Is poor.
"Surface sources, such as rivers
contaminants. Because oflong term
Washing efficiency depends on
and shallow wells;
(seasonal) and short term variations
mechanical factors, suchas bath and
-Deep wells;
fabric turnover rateor"contacts", li-Municipal or public water in water quality, testing should be
done ona fairly frequent basisto realquor ratio,. turbulence and other
systems; and
ly get a good ideaof the actual overall
mechanical
considerations
and
-Reclaimed waste streams.
physical flow characteristics. Thus,
These water sources vary widely
in water quality available to the mill.
lower liquor ratio and reduced total types and concentrations of con- Before attempting these or any other
water use do not always correlate
as taminants.Many impurities which chemical tests, be familiar with all
closely as one might expect.
commonly occur in textile water necessary safe handling precautions
One water conservation strategy
sources affect textile processes in for a l l chemicals involved.If in doubt,
hich is widely practicedby dyers of various ways, both positively and consult themanufacturerofthe
Dlyesterlcotton blended fabrics is detrimentally. The most common im- chemical.
Iron: Adjust the pH of the water
reverse dyeing using disperse and
purities, which are presentin almost
sample to 2 to 6. Place one drop of
fiber reactive dyes.In normal dyeing all water supplies to someextent,
the water ona filter paper. Adda drop
processes for blends, the stepsare: are:
of 10% hydroxylamine hydrochloride
Forward
-Heavy metals, such as iron,
solution to the water spot followed
-Prepare fabric,
copper, and manganese;
by a drop of 0.5% 1,lQ phenan-Dye polyester (disperse),
"Calcium and magnesium
throline solution. Formationof a pink
-Wash or reductive after clear,
(hardness);
or
red color indicates the presence of
"Dye cotton (fiber reactive),
-Aluminum;
iron.
-Wash.
"Chlorine;
In the reverse dyeing process, the
Copper: AdjustthepHofthe
-Miscellaneous anions
fiber reactiveis dyed first (on cotton),
water sample to 10 with ammonium
(sulfide, fluoride);
hydroxide. Filter outany precipitate
thenthe
slightly acidicdisperse
-Sediment, clay, suspended
or
residue of iron that forms. To 0.5
dyebath serves as an afterwash for
matter;
ml of the water sample, add 5 ml of
the fiber reactive. The dyeing process -Acidity, alkalinity, and
then becomes:
0.1 % sodiumdiethyldithiocarbuffers;
Reverse
bamate. Formation ofa brown colora"oil and grease; and
"Prepare fabric,
tion or precipitate Indicates the
"Dissolved solids.
-Dye cotton (fiber reactive),
presence of copper. I f the solution is
" D y e polyester (and wash
too dark to detect the color, extract
Testing for commonly occurring
cotton),
with 5 ml of carbon tetrachloride.Excontaminants in water
-Wash or afterclear.
traction of a brown color into the carThere are many quick qualitative bon tetrachloride indicates the presOtherroutinestrategiesinvolve
spot tests for detection oftrace
combining, bleaching, scouring,
ence of copper complex
in the water.
Manganese: Inamicrocrucible,
andlor desizing; dyeing of two fibers quantities of ions and elepents in
in one bathforblends
whenever water. In some casesotherions may place a drop of the watersampleand
2ossible; and combining the scour- interfere with the test for a specific a drop of concentrated sulfuric acid
ng and dyeing of synthetics or cot- ion, so care mustbe taken in conduc- and mix thoroughly. Add a drop of
ting these tests. Thereare also quan- 0.1 Oh silver nitrate solution followed
ton when strict shade requirements
titative tests for determining theex- by a few milligrams of ammonium
do not have to bemet.Theseare
as persulfate and stir. Heat gently for
widely practiced and vary greatly
with act concentration of cations such
about 5 minutes. Formation of a redcalcium,
magnesium,
iron,
copper,
end use
requirements,
shade,
and manganesein water. Theseions violet color indicates the presence of
fastness, specific blend,
and
are usually analyzed byEDTA (ethyl- manganese.
equipment.

American Dyestuff Reporter 0 July 1987

Calcium: Adjust the pH of 100 mi

of the water sample
to 12.5 by adding
about 10 drops (0.7 ml) of 50%
-odium hydroxide.Stir and after one
iinute add 2 drops of a 1.0% solution of Eriochrome Black
T (C. 1. Mordant Black 17) solution in methanol.
If no calcium is present, thesolution
will appear pure blue.
A purpleor reddish color indicates the presenceof
calcium.
Magnesium: In a spot plate, place
a drop of the water sample and
in an
adjacent depression placea drop of
distilled water.Add 2 drops of a
0.01% quinalizarin solution in ethanol to each depression. If the water
sample is acid, it will become yellowish red. Add2.0 molar sodium hydroxide dropwise until a change to violet
occurs, and then add an excess equal
to half of the volume already added.
A blue precipitate or coloration indicates the presence of magnesium.
The blankshould remain violet. On
standing, the differencein coloration
increasesbecausethedye
in the
blank decomposes by air oxidation
while the magnesium-dye complex
is
stable.
Aluminum: Prepare indicator
aper by impregnating ashless filter
.aper witha solution of 0.1 OO/ aluminon and 1.0% ammonium acetatein
waterandthendry.
Iron interferes
with this test and must be removed,
if present, byadjusting the pHof the
water sample to 11 with sodium hydroxide and warmingfor 30 minutes.
Precipitated iron hydroxide is then
filtered off and the pH of the water
sample is readjusted to 6 with hydrochloric acid. A drop of the water sample is then placedon indicator paper
andsuspendedoveraqueousammonia. A red color which persists in
the presence of ammonia fumes indicates the presence of aluminum.
Some othermetalsform
colored
complexes with aluminon, but most
are decomposed in the presence of
ammonia.
Sulfide: Adjust the pH of the water
sample to 9 with ammonia. Place a
drop of the alkaline water samplein
a spot plate and add a drop of 1.0%
sodium nitroprusside. Fqrmation of
a violet coloration which disappears
!pon acidifying indicates sulfide.
Fluoride: Add 25 ml of a pH 2.9
.-oUffer solution madefrom chloroacetic acid to a 100 ml beaker. Add
5 ml of sulphosalicylic acid-ferric ion
complex. The solution will have the
red-violet color of the complex. Add

L
July 1987

li

Amwlcan Dyestuff Reporter

. .

. *.

._ ...
I

* . _._._e

Circle 9 on Reader Service Card

r.

17

20 mi ofthewatersample
to the
rable II: Water Use and Liquor Ratios of Dyeing Machines
beaker. The presence of fluorine Is indicated by apartial bleaching of the
lyeing machine
Liquor-toWater consumed
red-violet color.
ratio
goods
pound)
per
(gallons
Chlorine: Add 3 mi of glacial
acetic acid to
50 mi of the water
sam- kntinuous
20
1:l
17:l io- 3eck
28
ple. Add 3 ml of 10% potassium
12:followl
24
let
dide solution to this solution
12
51
ed by 5 mi of starch solution. Forma- lig
3eam
20
1O:l
tion of a blue color Indicates the Jackage
22
1O:l
presenceofchlorine in thewater
'addle
35
40:l
Stock
20
sample.
30
173
Suspended matter: The presence Skein
ofsedlment,clay,andsuspended
matter can be determined by flltraof residue. To acid is added. Alkalinity determinatlon. A 50 to 100 ml sample of water determining the welght
do
this,
weigh
a
clean
dry weighing tlon isusually made bytitrating to an
is filtered withsuction througha
end point with an indfcator or pH
dish
to
the
nearest
milligram,
then
glassfiber filter which hasbeen
meter, and is reported as ppm caradd
100
ml
ofthe
water
to
the
dish
preweighedto the nearest milligram.
andevaporateat103%.
Cool In a bonate. Alkalinity due to carbonates,
The collectedsolids
arewashed
and
hydroxides
is
several tfrneswith dfstiiledwater, and desiccator and weigh the dish con- bicarbonates,
determined
by
this
procedure.
A
50
taining
the
residue.
Dissolved
solids
the filter containing the solids
is then
can be calculated as follows:
ml sample of water is pipeted into a
dried at 103% for 1 hour, cooled in
250 ml Erlenmeyer flask. Two drops
a glass desiccator, and weighed. The
Pprn total solids =
of methylorange indicator are added
suspended matteris then calculated
and the water is titrated with 0.02 N
total solids welght X 1000
as follows:
sulfuric acid to the end polnt. Total
ml of water sample
Ppm total suspended solids =
alkalinity is calculated as follows:
dissolved solids = total solids
rng of residue X 1000
total alkalinity (ppm as CaCo,) =
minus total suspended solids
ml of water sample
mi sulfuric acid X 1000
The alkalinity of water
is a measure
Dissolved solids are obtained by
ml of water sample
determining total solids and subtrac- of the water's capacity to neutralize
Dissolved or emulsified oil and
an acid. It Is, therefore, relatedto the
ting total suspendedsolids.Total
solids is determined by evaporating water's buffering capacity, or Its grease in water can be determined
a sample of the water
to dryness and capacity to resist a change in pH as gravimetrically by extractionwith

trichlorotrifluoroethane followed by
evaporation of the solvent. The pro- Table ill: Raw Water Quality In Textile Mills in Southeastern USA'
cedure isquite
detailed,other
Concentration of constituents, (ppm)
organic materials interfere, and there
Range Average
Equivalency
Is usually some loss of short chain Constituent
of 10
lowest
highest
hydrocarbons in the evaporation of
the solvent. The procedure for the Calcium
12.9
1.o
46.5
CaCOa
analysis is described in a joint
Magnesium
CaCOa
7.8 3.8
1.5
publication bythePublicHealth
Association,
American
Water
Works
76.1
5.7
Sodium
36.0
CaCOa
Association,andWater
Pollution
Control Federation: This reference Is Alkalinity
10.0 27.7
110.0
CaCOa
also an excellent source for standard Bicarbonate
1.4
0
.
0
10.0
Carbonate
CaCOa
methods of analysis
of contaminants
in water.
7.8
5.7
7.2
PH

+
+

Fe+
0.1
0.01
0.31
Water sources and commonly occur-Iron
ring contaminants
0.02
0.01
0.10
Copper
cu+
Some sources of water are more
Mn+
0.01
0.0
0.05
likely to contain certain of these im- Manganese
purities than others. There is really Zinc
Zn+
0.1 1
0.0
0.24
no way otherthantestingto
characterize a particular water supply
'Tests performedby lndustfialTesting Laboratories,Inc., 2350 Seventh Blvd.,
or source. However, general trendsin St. Louis, MO 63104
water quality from sources can be
summarized. Studies have
been
made which characterize water quali-impurities listed above, plus tannic
chargers.
ty commonly found in textile opera- acid (and other products from decay- The use ofmunicipal water supply
tions. Oneof these studiesis shown ing vegetation) and pollutants from
for textile process water has some
in Table 111.
and
above
upstream sources. Thesepollutants additional perils over
Well water is used by many mills frequently include phosphates, dis- those mentionedabove. Some or all
as the sole source ofwater, or in solvedandsuspendedsolids,
well and river
bio- of the contaminants for
combinationwithother
sources, cides, andother contaminants which water may be present, depending on
such as city water. Water quality from are introducedseasonallybyagrithe city's water source. Treatment
wells varies with the seasonal rise
chemicals which are added by mucultural operations. Also, short t e q
and fall of the water table. Other nearvariations In water quality, especial- nicipal treatment systems include a
by Industrial usersmayhave fluc- ly during times of
wet weather,occur variety of substances. These are fretuating demands, and that can cause from many municipal treatment sys- quently added in such away that the
variations In the water from wellsin tems dueto their inability to control concentration varies, either because
much thesame way as the seasonal high volumes generated during wet
they
are
added
in batches
variations In the water table. The par- weather from antiquated storm sewer(sometimes even by hand) and someticular impurities most commonly encollection systems. Thesemunicipal times because they are added atan
countered In well water are hardness and agricultural dischargers do not
even feed rate while the .water flow
(calcium andmagnesium);metals
have the expertise and sophistication rate varies. In any case, beware of
such as Iron,copper,andmangacommonly found in textile waste averages when evaluatingthe effects
nese; anions suchas sulfide, and car- treatment operations forcontrolling of contaminants. It is the maximum
bonate; and sediment and particulate discharges. Thisis largely dueto the concentrationswhich causeoccamatter.
traditionally a
lx and lenient attitude sional offquality production.
Another common water supplyis of enforcementagenciestoward
Substances normally added In
river water which frequently includes those
two
arouos
disof
municipal water supply treatmentin-

+
+

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Table IV: Contaminants in Processing Solutions in Textile Mills

acidsandalkalis.Someofthese,
Peroxide saturator solutionsfrom three mills
especially copper, are added seasonbleaching cotton fabric in J boxes'
ally. The use of copper
sulfate is
primarily in the fall&d spring to preDissolved metal in solution (ppm)'
Range Alum Metal
Average
vent algae growthIn reservoirs.
of 14'
lowest
highest
is added as a flocking agentfor sediment control. Usually, this alum is
28.0
68.0
130.0
not completely removedin treatment, Ca
24.0
7.7
49.0
and it ultimately filters outin dyeing
Mg
operations onbeams, packages, etc. Fe
1.5
0.5
3.0
The removal efficiency for the alum
0.25
0.065
cu
0.68
and other flocking agents depends
Mn
0.03
0.01
0.06
onthe settling time allowedand
other factors. When the water deZn
0.49
0.14
0.80
mand is high,the settling time is
usually shorter, and the amount of 'HaOa;35% 15-30 gk; sodium silicate, 42' Be., 15-39 gll.
aluminum and sedimentin the water *As metal. Tests performed
by Industrial Testing Laboratories, Inc..
St. Louis, MO 63104
is greater.
'From 4 trials each in two mills, and 6 trials in one mill
Another.contaminantfrequently
encountered in municipal water sup- Table V Metal Content in Cotton After Preparation
plies Is sediment.Thiscanhave
'Neutron activation analysis of trade elements in cotton fabric (ppm)
several origins, and is especially
troublesome to beam and package
Sample I
Sample II
dyers.Thepresenceofsediment
varies seasonally, and is especially
2.11 2 5%
< 0.5
likely in the spring andfall when the Titanium
0.140 f 7%
0.104 f 7%
cool nightsand warm days can estab- Iodine
1.632 2 0.5%
1.741 f 0.5%
lish temperature inversions and ver- Manganese
7.24 f 15%
9.80n -c 15%
Magnesium
tical circulation in shallow ponds or Copper
2.29
8%
3.16 f 8%
0.070 f 10%
lagoons used forholding the water. Vanadium
0.032 2 10%
24.16 f 5%
21.32 -C 5%
When the upper water layers cool
off, Chlorine
33.91 2 1%
Aluminum
29.45 2 1%
a denser and heavier layer of water
< 0.010
< 0.010
Mercury
canformonthesurfaceofthese
< 0.005
< 0.005
Samarium
ponds. The water on the bottom of
< 0.001
Uranium
< 0.001
< 0.4
< 0.4
the pond can then rise
to the surface, Lanthanum
< 0.8
Cadmium
< 0.8
bringing with it the sediment from
< 0.0001
< 0.0001
the bottom. This sediment
is typically Gold
Arsenic
< 0.2
< 0.2
rich in metals (likeiron and the cop- Antimony
< 0.05
< 0.06
per sulfate thatis added for control Bromine
1.081 f 1%
0.131 f 5%
< 500.0
< 500.0
of algae), as well as suspended mat- Sodium
< 500.00
< 500.00
ter. Sediment can also get into the Potassium
< 0.2
Cerium
< 0.2
municipal system from leaks in the Calcium
c 100.0
< 100.0
distribution system. When themill's Selenium
< 0.1
< 0.1
< 0.004
< 0.004
waterdemand
is low for several Thorium
0.095 2 7%
0.142 f 3%
hours (typically a weekend) municipalChromium
< 0.001
< 0.001
Europium
distribution lines can pick up sedi- Ytterbium
< 0.03
< 0.03
ment, clay andsilt from variousout- Barium
< 5.0
< 5.0
0.0076 f 10%
side sources. This can settle out in Cesium
0.0083 2 10%
< 0.005
< 0.005
the lines, and can be released
to the Silver
< 5.0
< 5.0
mill as a slug of sedimentin the proc- Nickel
0.0038 2%
Scandium
0.0038 f 2%
ess water on Monday morning. Sedi-Rubidium
< 20.0
< 30.0
ment seemsto be morelikely to enter Iron
68.29 f
60.04 f 10%
7.38
7.35
the distribution lines during wet Zinc
0.017
0.024
weather. Thus the amount of
sedi- Cobalt
c 1.0
c 1.0
ment present in the municipal water Molybdenum
supply will fluctuate.

Internal Sources of Contaminants

Contaminants from the water
source are not the only ones found
in textile watersupplies.Data
in
Table IV showcontaminantlevels
foundInprocessing
solutions in
Several mills. Comparing these solu22

tion contaminant levels to theraw

water supply data shown in Table Ill
clearly indicates that there are major
internal
contributions.
Common
sources of internal contamination
are:
"Clear well;
"Greige goods or other

substrate;
"Plumbing, valves, etc.;
"Machinery (containment, kier);
and
"Prior processes in the case
of water reuse.
The function of a clear well is to
Amadcan Dyestuff Reporter

0 July 1987

could notbe desizedwith enzyme unwovide a large source of water

to
J
til after the OPP wasremovedby
:over periods of peak demand.This
scouring.
~llowsfor costsavings on wells,
Serving the needs of
Another source ofimpurities Is the
ilters, pumps, etc. However, many
the Wet Processing
use of live steam for the purposeof
lmes the clear well Is located outIndustry
iide of the plant in an unsheltered heating. Thisis done in mix kitchens,
uea. Leaves, trash, sediment, animal drug rooms, and in certain types of
see page 4
wet processingequipment.Examuaste, algae, grubs, and worms are
ples of live-steamheatingInclude
:ommonly seen In these. Whenever
hydrolabs
generalpurpose heating ofwater;
I clear. well is drawn down to a low
in preparaevel, there is a risk that these con- heating of baths and kiers
tlon; heating of dyeing machines inaminants will becomepartofthe
water supply. This can and does hap-cluding becks, jigs, paddle machines,
and stock dyeing machines; steam
)en. A cover, or at least a regular
Dotable water
nspection and cleaning of the clear calenders and compactorsfor knits;
Any source that supplies water
to
in decatizers, Sanforizers, and driers argenumbers of employees on a:
well in such cases is helpful. Also,
for woven goods; heating of chemlcaisguiar basis is a public water source.
he effects caused by cleaning and
Ither chemicals usedin and around mixes in ail stages of wet processing rhere are specific treatmentand
including -paste-upprocedures for
.he clear well are sometimes fully
not
testing requirements for such supand
chemicals;
and
in
appreciated by the maintenance per- dyes
plies. The treatment required to meet
sonnel.Water-treatment chemicals autoclaves for conditioning yams
these requirements, eitherin the mill
Jsed by the
mill internally, including and fabrics. Live steam heating can 3r as part of a municipal treatment
:leaning and maintenance chemicals introduce metalsfromthesteam
process,
usually
will introduce
lines, boiler treatment chemicals,
and substancessuch as chlorine and
Jsed in or aroundtheclear
well
should be screened fortheir affecton can cause pH shifts usually to the
alum which are detrimental to textile
:he preparation, dyeing, andfinishing alkaline side.
processing. Thereforemills frequent~rocesses,as well as their toxicity (if
ly havetwo water supplies-potable
:he clear well
is also used for potable
and process. However, in a surprisMater supply).
ing
number
of
locations,
the
Metals, especially iron and copper, On-Site Water Purification
laboratoryhasonlypotablewater.
Perhaps the most common type ofThis can make laboratory evaluation
:an get into the piant process water
water purification practicedon site is 3f process quality problems
frommachinery,kiers,feedwater
difficult
the useof filters. These fallinto three and also reduce the degree of lab-tolines,plumbing,valves,and
other
broad categories,including sand and production correlation. 0 0 0
parts. Calcium and magnesium are
gravel filters for particulates and
usuallyfound in substantialquansediment, carbonfilters for chlorine Continued..
tities in cotton and otherfibers.
and organics, and ion-exchange sys- Part 11 of thisarticle will contain
Analysis of two samples of cotton
tems for metals and anions. These
substrate (after preparation) for
speclfic information concerning rhe
are effective if properly used. Howmetals is shown in Table V. The total
effects of contaminants upon wel
ever in many cases the expected de- processing, and how to minimize
metalcontent of about 170 ppm
gree of protection is not obtained. thoseeffects. Also, the subject 01
metalcontentshownthere
is the
residual. The amounts of metals that One practice which defeats the effec-waste water will be reviewed brieflp
do not survive, and are removed in tiveness of filters is bypassing. This in this ariicle, scheduled for the
preparation.8re indicated by the datais done in somecaseswhenthe
August, 1987 issue.
water demand is high, such as durIn Table IV.
In addition, metals can be brought ing startup shifts.
Also,poormaintenanceof
filter'
into processes by the fabricas commedia can render afilter system in- References
ponents of the size materials, fiber
(1) Costie, D.M., et ai., EPA Developmenl
effective. it is not unusual to see a
finishes, waxes, oils, lubricants,and
Document
for
Proposed
Effiuenl
wet-processing operation wlth filters
dirt or casual contamination of the
Limitation Guidelinesfor the Textile
media
Mills, US EnvironmentalProtectior
fabric. This varies over wide ranges which have nothadthe
44011-791022b
Agency,
Document
changed in several years. These must
and analysisoffabricsfrequently
Washington,
DC
be replacedor regenerated in accordshows high metal contents.
(2) Roberts, Eugene,"False Elevations 01
ance with the manufacturer's recomOrganicmaterials,acids,aikaiis
Cotton Oust by Atomized Watel
mendations in order to maintain good
and buffers can also be part of the
Soilds," rm, 50, no 11 (November
substrate. These are sometimes in- performance. Finally, the water must 1980) p 669
troduced intentionallyor accidentai- be pretreated if necessary to insure (3) Reilley, Charles, et. al., "Cheion AP
proach to Analysis (ti) lilustratlve Ex
ly in prior processing. One example that thefilter can doits job. iron from
periments," Journalof Chemical Edu
deep wells, for example, can pass
of this was the use of orthophenyl
carlon, 36,no 12, (December, 1959), PF
through filters in soluble form, then
619-626
phenol (OPP) as a component of a
starchsizingmix.Thiswas
Inten- become oxidized in a clear well to (4) "Standard Methods for the Examina
16
tlon of WaterandWastewater,"
produce a brown
stain and sediment
tionally used in ordertoprevent
prepared and published bythe Ameri
mildewgrowth.However,the
OPP on substrate. in order to accomplish
can PublicHealth Assoclation, Amer
complete removal, iron shouldbe oxcaused the normally-used enzyme
to
Wale1
ican Water Works Association,
Pollution Control Federation, 1985.
ldized prior to filtration.
becomeinactive.Thusthegoods
'

13

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