Optimal treatment and rational reuse of water in textile industry

Because of the increasing water shortage in Flandres (Belgium), it will be necessary to switch over to alternative industrial water supply sources. Th e reuse of a part of the effluent requires the development and application of advanced water purification treatments in combination with process contr ol. The current technologies under development in the flame of an EU-projec t are outlined. The latter project covers an integrated process for the pro vision of recycled water of guaranteed quality with minimum emissions. The whole process is divided into three modules; a sensor protected aerobic sta ge (SPAS), an anaerobic treatment (ANASORB) and a holistic polishing (HOLIP OL) module. The modules are flexible in application and can be used separat ely or together. The case of a jeans finishing plant in which a total recyc ling system at full scale is operated, is discussed. (C) 1999 IAWQ Publishe d by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.