Processing Method
Processing methods for grey goods treat fabric in a constant, uninterrupted stream to remove natural pigments and impurities before dyeing. Implementation of continuous bleaching allows for high-volume production with consistent whiteness across thousands of meters. The fabric travels through a series of saturators, steamers and washers without stopping.
Efficiency gains reduce the time required for pre-treatment compared to batch processes. Operators monitor the speed to ensure every centimetre receives the same exposure.
Fabric Preparation
Uniform absorption of dyes depends on the thorough removal of waxes and seed coat fragments. During continuous bleaching, the application of hydrogen peroxide and caustic soda breaks down the natural oils in the cotton. A consistent chemical concentration must be maintained to ensure the fabric remains undamaged.
Production Speed
Mechanical settings on the range determine the dwell time inside the steaming chamber. Because continuous bleaching operates at high speeds, even a small deviation in temperature can affect the entire production lot. Automated sensors monitor the fabric tension and the chemical feed rates.
Effluent Management
Large volumes of water used in the washing stages require sophisticated treatment systems. While continuous bleaching is highly productive, the process generates large amounts of alkaline wastewater. Modern mills recover heat from the discharge to lower their overall energy consumption.
