Electric reduction - Prototype demonstration of dyeing with the application of clean technologies in the reduction of the colorant

The project's objective was to construct for demonstration purposes a prototype dyeing process with a system for electrolytic reduction of the dye to eliminate the chemical reducing agents that seriously affect the contaminant levels of the dyeing baths. The aim therefore, was to offer the textile finishing industry a technology that allowed low COD and BOD in the effluent discharge. It would also allow the reuse of dye baths. The initial aim of creating a technology that would enable the optimisation of the current costs of dyeing processes and operations (regarding the consumption of chemical reducing agents, water consumption, costs of the treatment/decontamination of effluents), and that would allow for shorter dyeing times, thus making it a more efficient process and adding value to the final product - was partly achieved. While results obtained were good in terms of dye uniformity and solidity and resource consumption and pollution have indeed decreased, the industrial prototype needs further tests to calculate the reduction of costs in effluent treatment that this new system will produce.