Application of composite membrane-based technology in treatment of textile industry effluents

Abstract

Technological innovations have repeatedly made our lives easier over the centuries. Supplies have increased manifold to compete with growing consumer demands. For example, textile industries serve untired to meet the expectations of their end-user by gradually increasing the production. It is mainly characterized by fabric, which essentially starts with fibers, that is processed into making yarns and finally combined. These intermediate steps in a textile plant require huge quantity of freshwater feed, which is eventually converted to an effluent, containing colouring dyes, toxic chemicals and insoluble wastes. Additionally, functional textiles require water-repellent, anti-fungal agents and non-crease fabrics, which are persistent contaminants, thereby adding to environmental degradation. Conventional treatment methods, such as, adsorption, coagulation, oxidation, etc., are employed for their removal. However, these methods have associated limitations. This chapter discusses about a novel approach, i.e., composite membrane-based removal technique, which can prove to be an economic and feasible option for treatment of textile effluents.