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Biotechnical treatment and recycling of textile processing effluents

Objective

Project aims at developing of enzyme and microbial based biotechnical processes for treatment and recycling of dyehouse effluents to improve competitivity of European textile industry against Far East countries by using new, eco-efficient technologies with less environmental impact resulting in lower environmental costs. With regard to quantity, textile finishing industry is the most important effluent discharger compared to other branches. Present sewage treatment mainly is end of pipe technique, where mixed waste water is treated. Especially dyehouse effluents contribute to effluent charges making them the most cost-intensive waste water of textile industry. Biotechnical treatment and recycling of those partial waters is more effective than of mixed effluents. Implementation of biotechnical methods into treatment of textile effluents will save water resources, minimise effluent, improve quality of work, thus save EU as textile production site.
Work performed:
The project was started with the monitoring of representative textile dyehouse effluents and with the set up of data bases. Microbial and enzyme activities with dye decolorizing potential were screened and produced in laboratory scale. Based on the monitored data defined model effluents were produced for degradation studies. Different enzymatic, microbial and combined chemical means for their degradation or modification were evaluated. Equipment for physical effluent treatment was set up;
-Achievements to date:
Prerequisite to achieve the overall objectives of the project is the monitoring and detailed characterization of the effluents from different textile finishing lines. This process data is now available. Process related emission factors deliver details about the amount of waste water in a distinct process per kg of textile substrate. For every process, the amount of effluent was related to the recipe of the process and the amount of textile substrate. Knowledge of these factors will enable the estimation of mass flows for the developed processes. Biotechnical means with high dye decolorization potential have been screened and produced in lab-scale and industrial scale. Successful physical separation techniques have been set up. Reuse of the biotechnicalls and physically treated effluent is feasible. Quality of the dyed material is comparable to reference material dyed by using fresh water.

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Call for proposal

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Funding Scheme

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

GERMAN WOOL RESEARCH INSTITUTE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY AACHEN
EU contribution
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Address
8,Veltmanplatz 8
52062 AACHEN
Germany

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Participants (10)

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Last update: 12 April 2005

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Permalink: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/G1RD-CT-1999-00064

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