What are Characteristics of Textile Sludge and its treatment methods?
Textile industry is both, huge industrial user of water, and substantial generator of wastewater. The primary goal of increasing environmental regulations is to clean this wastewater, before its discharge. All contaminants and textile sludge have various properties and, as a result, require different treatment procedures.
However, numerous contaminants are typically concentrated into the sludge, throughout various wastewater treatment process phases (consisting of between one to two percent weights of dry solids).
Textile Sludge Characteristics
Sludge is a semi-solid portion of sewage collected, following treatment in an effluent treatment plant (ETP). It is a necessary by-product of textile ETP. Sludge from Effluent Recycling Systems is often composed of clusters of inorganic and organic complexes, containing high concentrations of chemicals, heavy metals, and other process residues, derived from dyestuff, bleaching, and other process wastes.
The inefficiency of chemical leakage and chemical processes creates a considerable environmental risk.
Textile sludge physiochemical characterisation
Parameter |
Value |
pH (1:5 suspension) |
6.46 |
Electrical conductivity |
11.93 mS |
Dry density |
1200-1500 kg/m3 |
Specific gravity |
1.2-1.5 |
Classification of textile sludge
Sludge is classified based on its content and origin. Sludge may be divided into three types.
Category A- It includes municipal sludge, including similar materials.
Category B- It includes industrial waste, including sludge from the central effluent treatment plant (CETP).
CPCB recommends heavy metal content levels to aid and simplify this sludge categorization, as indicated in table below:
Table: Heavy metal concentration thresholds in sludges
Parameter |
Unit (DM) |
Category A |
Category B |
Category C |
Cd |
mg/kg |
≤10 |
11-85 |
>85 |
As |
mg/kg |
≤40 |
41-75 |
>75 |
Cu |
mg/kg |
≤800 |
801-4300 |
>4300 |
Cr |
mg/kg |
≤600 |
<600 |
>600 |
Ni |
mg/kg |
≤200 |
201-420 |
>420 |
Pb |
mg/kg |
≤840 |
<840 |
>840 |
Hg |
mg/kg |
≤8 |
9-57 |
>57 |
Zn |
mg/kg |
≤2500 |
2501-7500 |
>7500 |
Treatment of Textile effluent
In general, there are three ways for treating textile sludge: physical, chemical, and biological.
• Physical treatment entails floating, sedimentation, stripping, filtration, adsorption, ion exchange, and a variety of other methods, for removing non-dissolved and dissolved compounds, without altering their chemical structures.
• Chemical treatment includes chemical oxidation or reduction, as well as chemical precipitation.
• Living organisms use organic and occasionally inorganic material for nourishment, in biological sludge treatment procedures.
Treatment of textile sludge
Firstly, sludge is generated in all treatment processes of Effluent treatment facilities. Mixed sludge from secondary wastewater treatment is transported, through a dissolved air flotation tank, where solids rise to the surface and are skimmed off.
Secondly, the sludge is next pulped with the use of steam before proceeding to thermal hydrolysis, in which big molecules such as lipids and proteins are broken down under pressure and heat.
Following that, the hydrolysed sludge is sent into a flash tank, where an immediate reduction in pressure causes the cells to burst, and then to anaerobic digestion, where microorganisms convert dissolved organic matter to biogas.
Lastly, the digested sludges are then dewatered, and the dry solids are disposed of before being returned to the secondary treatment.
Conclusion
Treatment of textile sludge is often a challenging process,which necessitates advanced technology and specific approaches. Furthermore, there is a requirement for the ecologically appropriate disposal of this vast amount of textile sludge. In industrialized nations, lowering the amount and weight of sludge while avoiding possible health problems, is dependent on how this sludge is handled and disposed of.
Manufacturers of Effluent Treatment Plants for textile industries
Netsol Water is one of the most reputable producers of ETP or Effluent recycling plants, utilizing cutting-edge technology. As producers of textile effluent treatment systems, our goal is to eliminate important substances, particularly sludge, till the last step of receiving quality treated water, effectively and efficiently at our treatment plants.
Netsol Water is Greater Noida-based leading water & wastewater treatment plant manufacturer. We are industry's most demanding company based on client review and work quality. We are known as best commercial RO plant manufacturers, industrial RO plant manufacturer, sewage treatment plant manufacturer, Water Softener Plant Manufacturers and effluent treatment plant manufacturers. Apart from this 24x7 customer support is our USP. Call on +91-9650608473, or write us at enquiry@netsolwater.com for any support, inquiry or product-purchase related query.