CHARACTERIZATION OF TEXTILE WASTEWATERS - A REVIEW

The characteristics of wastewater from textile processing operations a re comprehensively reviewed. The categorisation of wastewaters proceed s through a consideration of the nature of the various industrial proc esses employed by the industry and the chemicals associated with these operations. Chemical pollutants arise both from the raw material itse lf and a broad range of additives used to produce the finished product . The industrial categories considered include sizing and desizing, we aving, scouring, bleaching, mercerizing, carbonizing, fulling, dyeing and finishing. Pollutants of concern range from non-biodegradable high ly-coloured organic dyes to pesticides from special finishes such as i nsect-proofing. It is evident that the textile wastewater chemical com position is subject to considerable change due to both the diversity i n the textile processes employed and the range of chemicals employed w ithin each industrial category.