FIBERS AND TEXTILES
APPLICATION NOTE 10.03.02
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SIZING AGENTS, STARCH, CARBOXYMETHYL CELLULOSE
(CMC), POLYVINYL ALCOHOL (PVA)
Typical end products
Textile sizing agents.
Chemical curve: Polyvinyl alcohol R.I.per Conc% b.w. at Ref.
Temp. of 20˚C
Chemical curve: Starch R.I.per Conc% b.w. at Ref. Temp. of 20˚C
Introduction
Sizing materials, such as starches and water-soluble
polymers (polyvinyl alcohol), are used to facilitate the
weaving process. The woven cloth is later washed
to remove the size, resulting in a diluted solution of
the sizing material. Ultrafiltration (UF) can be used
to recover and concentrate the sizing material for
TEXTILE SIZING AGENTS RECOVERY BY
ULTRAFILTRATION
reuse, and to produce good quality water permeate
for discharge or reuse.
Wash water containing sizing materials is harmful
to the environment. The sizing materials are also
expensive, and it is possible to reuse the materials
several times. This has resulted in a growing interest
in UF systems in the textile industry.
Application
Similar to reverse osmosis (RO), UF is a pressure
driven membrane process capable of separating
solution components on the basis of molecular size
and shape.
Under applied pressure difference against a UF
membrane, solvent and small solute particles pass
through the membrane, and are collected as permeate.
Larger solute particles are retained by the membrane
and recovered as a concentrated retentate.
The concentration of the sizing agents in the washing
liquor is about 20-30 g/l. In the ultrafiltration plant, they
are concentrated to 150-350 g/l. The concentrate is
recovered and can be reused for sizing, whereas the
permeate can be recycled as water in the washing
machine. The concentrate is kept at high temperature
(80-85 °C) and does not need to be reheated.
The resultant concentrate is then pumped into a
holding tank and the UF system is refilled with the
sizing solution.
Instrumentation and installation
Vaisala Polaris™ PR53GC Process Refractometer
measures the concentration of the sizing agent
as it is passed through UF membranes. The
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APPLICATION NOTE 10.03.02
TEXTILE SIZING AGENTS RECOVERY BY
ULTRAFILTRATION
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refractometer provides real-time information on when
the required concentration level is obtained.
The PR53G is installed in the circulation loop on
the pressure side of the circulation pump. The
typical measurement range is 0-15 %.
The refractometer is also used to measure the
concentration levels in the product tanks or at the
mixing stage to ensure the correct concentration
level. A steam cleaning system is recommended for
the above installation positions.

Instrumentation Description
The Vaisala Polaris PR53GP Process Refractometer is a heavy-duty instrument with non-
weld body construction for diverse applications. The optional flange-mounted pipe flow cell
installation accessory allows flange-mounted installation in a wide variety of pipe sizes.

User Interface Vaisala Polaris process refractometers are Indigo compatible. Expand features with Indigo,
including data logging, wash control and settings, measurement parameters, diagnostics
and service updates.
Measurement range Refractive Index (nD) 1.3200 – 1.5300, corresponding to 0-100 % by weight.

Ref. B212050EN-B © Vaisala 2023

Fibers and Textiles | Textiles Wet Processing