Reuse of ammonia chiller condenser water
Technical description
Cold caustic soda solution is used in some of the mercerization processes in the textile finishing industries. The caustic soda solution is cooled through an ammonia chiller (see Figure 1). Cooling water is used at the ammonia chiller’s condenser to condense ammonia gas. This cooling water is a clean water stream that is usually wasted. This water can be collected and reused in the process.
Achieved environmental benefits:
- Water conservation
- Reduction in the hydraulic load of the wastewater treatment plant
Operational data:
The data of only one industry is available. The quantity of the cooling water used in this industry is about 400 m3/day or 120,000 m3/yr for one mercerization plant. The value of this cooling water is about USD 4,000/yr (Rs. 0.6 million/yr).
Cross-media effects:
No relevant cross-media effect is known.
Technical considerations relevant to applicability:
This measure is applicable to all woven fabric textile finishing industries where cold caustic soda solution is used in the mercerization process which is cooled through the ammonia chiller. This measure requires a storage tank, pump, and pipeline.
Economics:
Capital cost = USD 2,660 (Rs. 400,000) (for storage tank, pump and pipelines)
Annual saving = USD 4,000 (Rs. 0.6 million)
Annual O&M cost = USD 2,000 (Rs. 300,000)
Simple payback period = 1.3 year
Additional benefit will be the reduction in hydraulic load and treatment cost of wastewater treatment plant.
Driving force for implementation:
- Financial benefits
- Resource conservation
- Sustainability of textile business
Reference industry:
Ittehad Textile Industries Pvt. Ltd, Khurrianwala Road, Faisalabad
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