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China leads the world in water-jet loom capacity and production. But as environmental rules get stricter and more companies aim for green production, stable wastewater treatment is now a major concern.
Recently, customers from Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and South America reported a common issue: The treated water from water-jet loom systems appears white and cloudy.
This affects water reuse and reduces production efficiency. So, what causes this “white effluent”? And how can it be fixed? Let’s look at the five main causes and how to deal with them.
Improper Chemical Type or Dosage – The Most Common Reason
Water-jet loom wastewater has a large daily volume and high suspended solids.
This makes pre-treatment very important. Most systems use flotation plus flocculation.
If the wrong chemicals are used or the dose is not right, the water will stay cloudy and colored.
✅ Recommended chemicals:
- High-content PAC (Polyaluminum Chloride)
- Caustic soda or sodium hydroxide to adjust pH
- Cationic or anionic Polyacrylamide (PAM)
✅ Tips:
- Choose the right PAM based on molecular weight and charge type.
- Adjust the dosage based on raw water conditions.
Too Much Dissolved Organic Matter – Add Oxidation or Deep Treatment
Textile chemicals and dyes contain polymers that dissolve easily in water.
Standard flocculation can’t remove them well. When these organics are too high, flocculation alone won’t work.
🔧 Solutions:
- Add advanced oxidation (Fenton, ozone) at the front
- Use sand filters and activated carbon at the end This helps keep the treated water clear and stable.
Big Water Quality Fluctuations – Use Equalization Tanks and Auto Dosing
Water from water-jet looms changes often. Each batch may have different pH and solids. If there’s no buffer tank or feedback system, treatment will be unstable.
💡 Suggestions:
- Add an equalization tank to stabilize water quality
- Use online sensors and auto-dosing for PAC and PAM
This allows real-time control of chemical amounts.
pH Not in the Right Range – Flocculation Efficiency Drops
This wastewater is usually acidic.
If not adjusted early, adding PAC will lower the pH even more.
This hurts flocculation and leads to cloudy effluent.
🎯 Best pH range: 7.0 to 7.5 Use caustic soda or sodium hydroxide to adjust the pH before PAC is added.
Flotation Unit Malfunction – Bubble and Sludge Removal Problems
The flotation machine is key in pre-treatment. If the air nozzles clog, bubbles won’t form.
If the sludge scraper is too slow, solids won’t be removed. Both lead to cloudy, white effluent.
🔍 Check the following:
- Are the air release valves clean and open?
- Is the scraper running often enough?
- Is there sludge short-circuiting in the reaction zone?
Final Thoughts: White Effluent Is a Warning Sign – Fix the System to Stay Compliant
Cloudy or white water from a water-jet loom system is not a small issue. It means poor treatment, poor water reuse, and higher maintenance costs. More importantly, it can damage your green image and hurt customer trust.
To fix the problem:
- Use the right chemical combo
- Keep the pH in range
- Ensure all equipment runs well
A well-tuned treatment system means clear water, better reuse, and a stronger business.
