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Environmental considerations of selected energy-conserving manufacturing-process options. Volume IX. Textile industry report

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6794610· OSTI ID:6794610

The textile industry is extremely diversified with many plants, different types of raw materials, and many end products. In 1971, total energy use was about 0.54 quads (0.54 x 10/sup 15/ Btu) equivalent, with 66% of the total consumed by four SIC segments, namely: weaving mills (cotton and synthetic), knitting mills, and textile finishing. About 60% of the total energy used is consumed in wet operations, such as fabric preparation, dyeing, and finishing. A major fraction is spent in heating and evaporation of water, so water conservation (or elimination of water use) represents a crucial part of the analysis. Natural gas is used for many drying and heat-setting operations. Although natural gas use is necessary with present equipment, significant economies can be achieved. The following models were studied as energy-conserving process options: integrated knit fabric mill using advanced processing, integrated knit fabric mill using solvent processing, and integrated woven fabric mill using advanced processing. Thus, the models cover weaving or knitting, combined with finishing operations. The average plant in the textile industry can still achieve energy savings by efficient operation, water conservation, and waste heat recovery with a minimum capital investment. Beyond that point, further substantial reductions are possible, as indicated by the models developed in this study, with appropriate capital investment. The benefits of advanced processing of knits and woven fabrics are sufficient to suggest that it will be adopted in some form for much of capacity replacement or expansion. The models developed should be applicable (with some modification) to other important segments of the textile industry; e.g., carpets and yarn dyeing.

Research Organization:
Little (Arthur D.), Inc., Cambridge, MA (USA)
OSTI ID:
6794610
Report Number(s):
EPA-600/7-76-034i
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English