Evaluation of Treatment and Reuse Potential of Textile Wastewaters: A Case Study from Denim Production
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19024199Keywords:
Water reuse, Conductivity, Membrane treatment, Textile wastewaterAbstract
The textile sector is highly water-intensive and generates wastewater with complex and variable chemical characteristics. In denim production, dyeing and stone-washing processes contribute to elevated organic load, suspended solids, color, and salinity. This study evaluates the performance of conventional and advanced treatment technologies using field data from a denim facility located in the water-stressed Meriç–Ergene Basin. The treatment system consists of primary treatment, extended aeration activated sludge, ultrafiltration (UF), and reverse osmosis (RO). Influent concentrations were 336 mg/L COD, 368 mg/L total suspended solids, and 262 Pt-Co color. Biological treatment achieved approximately 87% COD removal but showed negligible conductivity reduction, indicating limited salt removal. UF effectively removed suspended solids yet provided only partial reduction of dissolved constituents. After RO treatment, COD decreased to 4 mg/L, conductivity to 10 µS/cm, and color to 4 Pt-Co, satisfying international reuse criteria. The findings indicate that compliance with discharge standards does not guarantee suitability for process water reuse and emphasize the necessity of membrane-based advanced treatment to support water circularity in textile production, particularly in water-scarce regions.
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