Effect of hardness of water on textile processing

Abstract

Soft water is essential for textile processing, as hard water adversely affects the efficiency of soaps and detergents; it reacts with dyes and bleaching agents resulting in discoloration of the fabric and also causes corrosion in the boilers. Western Rajasthan is characterized by exceedingly hard water; the hardness ranges between 120-1800 ppm in the Jodhpur region. The maximum permissible hardness for textile processing is 150 ppm rendering the bulk of water unsuitable for the purpose. The problem of obtaining suitable water for the textile industry is a pressing one. The treatment of water is essential to meet the demands. Guar gum, a polysaccharide derived from the seeds of the guar plant, is non toxic and its derivatives prepared by introducing side chains and replacing the ring hydroxyl group with aluminosilicate adducts proved to be an excellent and effective ion exchanger and absorbent.