Water Consumption in Textile

Water is used extensively throughout textile processing operation. Water is considered as the lifeline of dyeing and printing industries. The amount of water used varies widely in the industries. Depending on specific processes operated at the mill, equipment used, and existing management philosophy concerning water used.

Water is used in the plant in:

1. Boilers supplying steam for heating and drying.
2. Wet processes for pre-treatment (Singeing, De-sizing, Scouring, Bleaching etc).
3. Dyeing operation.
4. Finishing Operation.

So, Water is very important in wet processes.

Sources of Water/Types of Water:

1. Rain water.
2. Surface water.
3. Sub-soil water.
4. Deep well water.

Rain Water:

1. Rain water is the purest of all natural water.
2. It contains suspended impurities such as SO₂, HCl, CO₂, NO₂, NH₃ etc.
3. Suitable for boiling, washing and dyeing processes.

Surface Water:

1. Surface water contains of rain water which has collected from streams, rivers or lakes.
2. This type of water contains organic or inorganic matters.
3. It contains chlorides, sulphates, carbonate of sodium, potassium, calcium and iron.
4. Not suitable for dyeing and finishing.

Sub-soil water:

1. This type of water is collected from shallow springs and well which is about soft 50feet or so deep.
2. Sub-soil water is often rich in CO₂, a gas abundantly present in the skin of the soil.
3. Not suitable for dyeing and finishing.

Deep well water:

1. This type of water is obtained 500m below the surface.
2. It is free from organic matter.
3. The presence of salt of calcium or magnesium in solution can be most undesirable in many finishing processes.