Rainwater Harvesting: A Potential Innovative Approach for Climate Resilient Water Resource Management in Textile Industry
for Water Conservation in Industrial Applications
Rainwater
Textile Processing
Water Saving
Shahoodah Anwar
PhD Scholar at College of Earth & Environmental Science
University of the Punjab
PROJECT BACKGROUND & PROBLEM STATEMENT
2/12
Water Scarcity Challenges
Global Water Challenge
Water scarcity is a global issue, especially in industrialized cities like Lahore, Pakistan
Groundwater Depletion
Excessive extraction of groundwater for industrial production has led to declining groundwater levels and water quality deterioration
Textile Industry Impact
High water consumption in textile processing: 100 liters for 1 kg of fabric
Innovative Solution: Rainwater Utilization
Significant Rainfall
Lahore region has considerable monsoon rainfall that remains untapped in industrial applications
Alternative Water Source
Rainwater can be utilized as a sustainable alternative to groundwater in textile processing
Multi-purpose Resource
Rainwater has dispersed, multi-use characteristics suitable for various industrial processes
Potential Benefits
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
3/12
This research aims to provide evidence-based assessment of using collected rainwater in textile printing and dyeing in Lahore, Pakistan
Rainwater Quality Characterization
Analysis of physical and chemical parameters
pH, conductivity, TDS, hardness, alkalinity
Turbidity, color, COD, ions, trace metals
Rainwater Usability Assessment
Evaluation of practicality in dyeing processes
Impact on dyeing results and quality
Optimization of rainwater usage parameters
Comparative Fabric Quality
Color difference (CIE Lab) analysis
Color fastness and K/S value comparison
Dye penetration, depth and intensity characteristics
Assessment against process water guidelines
Identification of treatment requirements if needed
Expected outcomes: Demonstration of rainwater's potential as a sustainable water source for textile processing with appropriate quality standards and treatment requirements
METHODOLOGY: SAMPLING & LOCATION
4/12
Project Location
Lahore, Pakistan
Industrial city with significant textile industry
Sampling Methodology
Sampling Periods
Monsoon Season
July 2023
Smog Season
January-February 2024
Sampling Method
Grab Sampling
Manual collection of water samples from collection tanks
Sample Analysis
Samples analyzed for physical and chemical parameters
Rainfall distribution in Pakistan (July 2023 vs Jan-Feb 2024)
METHODOLOGY: WATER QUALITY ANALYSIS
5/12
Standard Analysis Procedures
Water samples were analyzed using standard APHA methods to determine key water quality parameters.
pH Value
Method:APHA 4500H+ B
Measures acidity/alkalinity
Total Dissolved Solids
Method:APHA 2540 C
Measures dissolved solids
Total Suspended Solids
Method:APHA 2540 D
Measures suspended particles
Chemical Oxygen Demand
Method:APHA-5220
Assesses organic matter
Hardness
Method:APHA 2340 C
Measures calcium and magnesium ions
Sulfates & Chlorides
Methods:APHA-4500 SO42-E
Measures sulfate and chloride ions
Analysis Process
Sample Collection
Preparation
Analysis
Data Recording
RESULTS: WATER QUALITY PARAMETERS
8/12
Water Quality Analysis
Analysis of collected water samples from Lahore showed significant differences in key parameters.
Water Quality Parameter Comparison
Key Findings
pH Values
All within acceptable range (6.5-8.5)
TDS Levels
Monsoon rainwater (41 mg/l) has lower TDS than groundwater (268 mg/l)
Hardness
All below 500 mg/l standard
Implications for Textile Processing
Rainwater has potential for textile processing with appropriate treatment.
Sr. No. | Parameter | Units | PEQS | Groundwater | Monsoon Rainwater | Smog Rainwater |
1 | pH (25°C) | - | 6.5–8.5 | 7.24 | 6.7 | 5.92 |
2 | TDS | mg/L | <1000 | 200 | 41 | 102 |
3 | TSS | mg/L | <200 | Not Detected | Not Detected | 11 |
4 | COD | mg/L | <150 | Not Detected | Not Detected | Not Detected |
5 | Hardness | mg/L | <500 | 140 | 20 | 50 |
6 | Sulfate | mg/L | <600 | 67 | 11 | 25 |
7 | Chlorine | mg/L | <1.0 | BDL | BDL | BDL |
Methodology: Experimental Design
6/12
Fabric Samples
Reactive Dyes
Experimental Batches
Batch 1
Control Batch
Only Groundwater
Batch 2
Mixed Water
Groundwater + Rainwater
Batch 3
Rainwater Only
Only Rainwater
Water Types for Dyeing & Washing
Sample Type
Dyeing
Washing
Standard
Freshwater
Freshwater
Batch 1
Monsoon Rainwater
Freshwater
Batch 2
Monsoon Rainwater
Monsoon Rainwater
Batch 3
Foggy Season Rainwater
Freshwater
Batch 4
Foggy Season Rainwater
Foggy Season Rainwater
Experimental Purpose:To distinguish the role of rainwater in different process stages and evaluate its effectiveness as a water-saving alternative in textile processing.
METHODOLOGY: DYEING & WASHING PROCESS
7/12
Dyeing Process: Modified Isothermal Method
Dyeing Recipe Parameters:
Dye Shade: 1%, 3%, 5% (owf)
Temperature: 60°C
NaCl: 60 g/L
NaCO: 20 g/L
Liquor Ratio: 1:10
Dyeing Procedure:
1
Add 5g fabric sample and required dye (1%, 3%, or 5% owf) to 50ml water sample in a 500ml sealed stainless steel dyeing can
2
Heat from room temperature to 60°C gradually, maintain for 15 minutes
3
Add salt (NaCl) to promote dye penetration, continue dyeing for 15 minutes
4
Add sodium carbonate to make dye permanently attach to fabric, stop after 30 minutes
Washing Process
Washing Procedure:
Cold Rince
Room temperature for 10 minutes
Neutral Wash
In neutralizing water with 1-2 drops acetic acid to maintain pH 6.5-7.5
Warm Wash
At 50°C for 5 minutes
Hot Wash
At 80°C for 10 minutes
Soaping
At 95°C for 10 minutes with 2g/L non-ionic soap, liquor ratio 1:50
Final cold rince at room temperature for 5 minutes to complete the washing process
RESULTS: COLOR ASSESSMENT & FABRIC QUALITY
9/12
CIE Lab Color Difference Values
All samples were within the commercially acceptable tolerance range (DE*CMC < 1)
Dye & Depth
Lightness (DL*)
Hue Shift
Saturation (DC*)
DE*CMC
Blue 21 (1%)
Darker
Greener, bluer
Lower
Within limit
Blue 21 (3%)
Mixed
Greener, bluer
Lower to higher
Within limit
Blue 21 (5%)
Mixed
Redder, yellower
Higher
Within limit
Red 195 (1%)
Darker
Redder, yellower
Higher
Within limit
Red 195 (3%)
Mixed
Redder, yellower
Higher
Within limit
Red 195 (5%)
Brighter
Greener, yellower
Higher
Within limit
Key Findings
All samples showedcommercially acceptablecolor difference values
Subtle variations in lightness, hue, and saturation were observed
Rainwater as a dye vehicle showedpromising resultsfor color matching
K/S Values Analysis
K/S curves showed batch-to-batch variations in dye absorption:
Analysis
For Blue 21: Batch 4 showed deepest color at 5% owf
For Red 195: All batches showed higher K/S at 1% owf
For Yellow S3R: Batch 4 consistently had the lowest K/S values
RESULTS: COLORFASTNESS PROPERTIES
10/12
Colorfastness Test Results
All reactive dyes showed commercial acceptable colorfastness properties across different shade depths.
C.I. Reactive Blue 21
Washing Fastness:
Good to excellent (1%), Medium to excellent (3%, 5%)
Rubbing Fastness:
Medium to excellent
C.I. Reactive Red 195
Washing Fastness:
Very good to excellent (1%, 3%), Good to excellent (5%)
Rubbing Fastness:
Very good to excellent, medium at 5%
C.I. Reactive Yellow S3R
Washing Fastness:
Excellent to good (1%, 3%), Good to medium (5%)
Rubbing Fastness:
Similar trend, excellent to medium
Legend:
Excellent
Good
Medium
Fastness Properties Comparison
Figure: Comparison of dry crocking and wet crocking fastness properties for C.I. Reactive Yellow S3R
Key Findings
All dyes showed commercial acceptable fastness properties
Colorfastness generally decreased with increasing shade depth
Rubbing fastness showed similar trends to washing fastness
CONCLUSIONS
11/12
Key Findings
Feasibility Confirmed
Research confirms the feasibility of using rainwater in textile wet processing with acceptable results across all experimental batches
Batch Performance
Batch 1:Only monsoon rainwater (DE*CMC: 0.13-0.39)
Batch 2:Full process with monsoon rainwater (DE*CMC: 0.25-0.61)
Batch 3:Only smog season rainwater (DE*CMC: 0.15-0.41)
Batch 4:Full process with smog season rainwater (DE*CMC: 0.29-0.75)
Key Insight
Monsoon rainwater shows slightly better performance than smog season rainwater in textile processing
Color Difference Values (DE*CMC)
Summary of Conclusions
All batches showed acceptable color difference values (DE*CMC < 1)
Monsoon rainwater demonstrated slightly better performance than smog season rainwater
Rainwater can be effectively used in both dyeing and washing processes
Results meet commercial standards for textile products
Further research would explore rainwater utilization with appropriate storage and treatment technologies
RECOMMENDATIONS & FUTURE DIRECTIONS
12/12
While rainwater utilization shows promise, it cannot solve the water shortage problem alone
Daily Water Conservation
Shorten shower time
Fix water leaks
Recycle household water
Encourage public participation
Alternative Water Resources
Wastewater treatment
Seawater desalination
Greywater recycling
Diversify water sources
Policy & Innovation
Support sustainable water policies
Encourage tech innovation
Improve water resource management
Create enabling environment
Integrated Water Conservation Strategy
Implementation of these recommendations can create a comprehensive water conservation framework that addresses both immediate needs and long-term sustainability.