The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Ropar has developed a green technology called air nano-bubble, which reduces the quantity of water used in the textile sector. The institute has claimed that the technology can reduce the use of water up to 90 per cent. As per a rough estimate, 200-250 litres of water is required to process 1 kg of cotton.
“The laboratory reports suggest that the air nano-bubble dispersed in water can reduce water consumption and chemical dosage by 90-95 per cent which ultimately saves 90 per cent of energy consumption as well,” Dr. Nirmalkar, who has developed this technology, said in a press release by India’s ministry of science and technology.
“As one of the most water-intensive industries, there is an escalating need to address the problem of managing water usage in the textile industry associated with contamination of water. At IIT Ropar, we are inventing and incorporating new-age processing methods to conserve water for our future generations,” said professor Rajeev Ahuja, director, IIT Ropar.
In the textile industry, water is used at many steps in fabric preparation including for dyeing, finishing chemicals in the textile substrates, desizing (process of removal of sizing material from yarn), scouring, bleaching, and mercerising (chemical treatment of fabric to enhance affinity towards dye). At the same time the textile industry also produces the highest volume of wastewater. The major sources of water pollution are pre-treatment, dyeing, printing, and finishing of textile materials.
Dr. Neelkanth Nirmalkar describes the technology as based on nano-bubbles of air and ozone. The bubbles are hydrophobic in nature, and therefore interact better than water with the fabric and distribute chemical and dyes in the fabric much more efficiently than just water. These bubbles are of a size equivalent to 1/11000th times of human hair. Ozone nano-bubbles remove the extra dye during fabric wash and degrade the dye in the water.
“Besides saving water consumption, the water after processing via a nano-bubble machine can be re-used. Nano-bubbles serve as carriers for the processing chemical and reduce the extra chemical required. “Treatment of the garment through this patented technology helps in maintaining its real colour for outdoor usage. It helps in obtaining 2-D effects, easy care, water repelling, and softening of fabric,” said Dr. Nirmalkar.
IIT, Ropar has developed this eco-friendly technology under a start-up named NanoKriti Pvt Limited, which is also working towards cleaning the environment and is developing new applications ranging from water treatment to health care.
