Vaporisation Process
High-temperature processing steps in textile finishing generate airborne compounds that must be managed to ensure fabric quality and environmental safety. The process of thermal volatilisation during fabric drying releases lubricants and spin finishes into the exhaust system of the tenter frame. This vaporisation begins when the fabric temperature reaches the boiling point of the finish.
Emission Management
Drying zones must be ventilated continuously to prevent these vaporised chemicals from re-condensing on the fabric. When thermal volatilisation occurs, the released compounds can form a dense smoke within the oven, which increases the risk of fire. Exhaust fans must operate at sufficient speeds to draw these vapors away.
Treatment Technology
Finishing mills install air purification equipment such as scrubbers or thermal oxidisers to treat the gaseous emissions from the drier. If thermal volatilisation is not managed, the factory emissions can violate local environmental regulations and release hazardous organic compounds into the atmosphere. Using heat-recovery exchangers allows the mill to capture heat from the exhaust air while cooling the gases to condense and collect the volatilised oils.
This system reduces fuel consumption while preventing air pollution.
Fabric Integrity
Quality control testing involves heating fabric samples in a laboratory oven to check for weight loss and odor emissions. If thermal volatilisation has been complete during production, the finished fabric will not release unpleasant fumes during home ironing. Proper heat-setting ensures the chemical stability of the textile.
