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A Research article on

Benefits of Glauber’s salt

in Textile Wet processing 

By
Sushil Kumar Hada
GM, TRADC
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Abstract:
The Buzz word which is dominating the present decade in the textile
processing industry is “Environment aspect”. We could not survive without
eco friendly approach at the same time we could not change the existing
textile processing system completely, which is taxing the environment
heavily. However, we can modify processes in such a way that causes
less pollution load and are reusable. By keeping an eye on this objective,
Textile Research and Application Development Centre (TRADC) carried
out a study by using Birla’s Glauber salt, which is a byproduct of Birla
Cellulose’s viscose manufacturing process. In this study, emphasis is
given on fabric dyeing by using glauber salt and its comparison with
common salt and vacuum salt. Moreover, pollution load caused by
addition of all salts are comparatively analyzed. After extensive
experimental trials, TRADC got positive results not only in terms of
environmental issues but also from fabric processing point of view. The
key things like prevention of premature hardness of the dyestuff, low TDS
level, less effluent load and better depth of dye shade are achieved during
various trials.

Keywords: Glauber’s salt, Reactive dyeing, Dye pick up, color strength

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1.1 Introduction:
. In order to understand the depth of the subject, one should understand the
basics behind the term “salt” with respect to textile processing.

1.2 Why salt used in Textiles? is an interesting and basic question in the area of
textile processing, particularly in dyeing. The textile substrate and dye molecule,
not necessarily should have of homogeneous characteristics to combine with
each other. In such case, we require some catalyst to facilitate dyeing action on
fabric. Salt plays this crucial role of catalyst. Salt has an extremely high affinity
for water. Broadly speaking, Salt is necessary in three ways, firstly, to drive dye
into textile during the dyeing process in textile. Secondly, use of salt leads to
maximum exhaustion of dye molecules during dyeing process in textiles. Thirdly
it is used as an electrolyte for migration, adsorption and fixation of the dyestuff to
the cellulose material.

Glauber's salt is a common name for sodium sulfate decahydrate,

Na2SO4·10H2O; it occurs as white or colorless monoclinic crystals. Upon
exposure to fairly dry air it effloresces, forming powdery anhydrous sodium
sulfate. Johann Glauber’s was the first to produce the salt (from Hungarian spring
waters). The naturally occurring salt is called mirabilite. Glauber's salt is water
soluble, has a salty, bitter taste, and is sometimes used in medicine as a mild
laxative; it is also used in dyeing. (1)

1.3 Role of Inorganic salt in Reactive dyeing:

Inorganic salts have two main functions in exhaustion dyeing with reactive
dyestuffs:
1. Improving the affinity of the dyestuff
2. Acceleration of the dyestuff's association and lowering of its solubility.
Generally reactive dyes contains sulphonic acid (-SO3H) group which is insoluble
in water. During the manufacturing of the reactive dyes these sulphonic acid

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groups are converted into the sodium salt of sulphonic acid (-SO3Na) which is
soluble in water.
Reactive dye – SO3H + Na + Æ Reactive dye SO3Na

Generally when the reactive dye goes in the water, it is solublised giving dye
anions and sodium cations

Reactive dye – SO3Na + Water --Æ Reactive dye – SO3- + Na +

(Dye anion) (Sodium cation)

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1.4 Dyeing Mechanism:

In actual dyeing mechanism vegetable fibres contains cellulose which ionizes in

the water
Cell – OH --Æ Cell – O- + H+

While reactive dye goes in the water, it is soubise giving dye anions and sodium
cations

Reactive dye – SO3Na + Water --Æ Reactive dye – SO3- + Na +

(Dye anion) (Sodium cation)

During dyeing both the negative ions of dye and cellulose repels each other in
the absence of salt and thus no exhaustion or very little exhaustion is done but in
the presence of salt , it will ionize as follows,

NaCl --Æ Na + + Cl – (Common Salt) or

Na2SO4 -Æ 2 Na + + SO4 – (Glauber’s Salt)

Thus the salt neutralize the negative ion of the cellulose and facilating the
exhaustion,

(Cell – O- + H+ )+ (Na + + Cl – )--Æ Cell – ONa

Cell – ONa + SO3- – Reactive dye -Æ Cell – O – Reactive dye

(Exhausted dye on the substrate)

Thus the presence of salt in the reactive dyeing increases the affinity of the dye
towards the Cellulosic substrate.

Since reactive dyes have low affinity for cellulose, the fixation can be increased
by exhausting the dye bath by adding Glauber’s salt prior to fixation. The amount
of the salts required to produce adequate exhaustion decreases with decreasing

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liquor ratio. Thus for pale shades on cotton and viscose rayon 10 to 15 gpl may
be used. (4)

1.5 Function of Salt in the Dyeing Process:

„ The salt in the reactive dyeing increases the affinity of the dye towards the
Cellulosic substrate.
„ Salt increases the exhaustion rate of reactive dyestuffs.
„ As reactive dyestuffs have a lower affinity, more inorganic salt is required
when using reactive dyestuffs in order to accelerate absorption.
„ While the amount of inorganic salt used varies according to the type of
dyestuff used, recently developed high-fixation dyestuffs with improved
affinity allow the amount of inorganic salt to be reduced.

Due to considerations of effectiveness and cost, both Glauber's salt and common
salt (sodium chloride) are used in dyeing. In terms of their role as an inorganic
salt, these two are effectively the same because of the sodium cation active in
both.

2. Experimental Analysis

2.1 Planning for study-

To study dye-pick up variation using same concentration of Glauber salt and
Common salt for Pastel, light and medium shades using combination of dyes.
Salt concentration is kept constant for all shades as well as for both types of
salts. Following are the specifications used for experiments.
„ Machine used: Pilot Plant Infra dyeing Machine
„ Material form for trial: 2/40s Viscose fabric
„ Material to Liquor Ratio: 1:20
„ Water Used: Distilled

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Table 1 Salt and Soda concentration for various shades

Type of shade Salt used Salt concentration Soda concentration

Pastel „ Common salt 40gpl 10gpl

„ Glauber salt
Light „ Common salt 50gpl 10gpl
„ Glauber salt
Medium „ Common salt 60gpl 10gpl
„ Glauber salt
2.2 Parameters to study after dyeing
„ Evaluation of dyed samples (using common salt and Glauber salt) in terms
of Delta E value by spectrophotometer.
„ Evaluation of dye strength using spectrophotometer.
„ Fabric Handle

2.2.1 Table 2 Strength and Color value comparison for Pastel shade
Particular Delta Values

dL dC dH dE Remark Strength

0.011% shade Std Std Std Std Std Std

(common salt)
0.011% shade -0.84 2.75 -0.78 2.98 Darker and 23% Darker
(Glauber salt) Redder
0.007% shade Std Std Std Std Std Std
(common salt)
0.007% shade -0.88 1.3 -1.61 2.24 Darker and 11% Darker
(Glauber salt) Purple

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2.2.2 Table 3 Strength and Color value comparison for Light shade
Particular Delta Values

dL dC dH dE Remark Strength
0.3% shade Std Std Std Std Std Std
(common salt)
0.3% shade -1.71 0.93 0.6 2.04 Darker and 20% Darker
(Glauber salt) Redder
0.5% shade Std Std Std Std Std Std
(common salt)
0.5% shade -1.55 1.43 0.12 2.11 Darker and 33% Darker
(Glauber salt) Bluer

2.2.3 Table 4 Strength and Color value comparison for Medium shade
Particular Delta Values

dL dC dH dE Remark Strength

1.6% shade Std Std Std Std Std Std

(common salt)
1.6% shade -3.19 1.44 0.56 3.54 Darker and 36% Darker
(Glauber salt) Redder
1.12% shade Std Std Std Std Std Std
(common salt)
1.12% shade -0.93 0.75 -0.41 1.27 Darker and 18% Darker
(Glauber salt) Yellower

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2. 3 Results and Discussion:

2.3.1 Findings:
It has been found that strength of shade is higher when glauber salt is used,
irrespective of the type of the shade. As illustrated in the graph 1, for pastel type
of shade, the strength of shade is 23 % higher for 0.011 % shade and 11 %
darker for 0.007 % shade.
Similarly, for light shade, glauber salt yields 33% and 20 % darker shade for 0.5
and 0.3 % shades respectively

140
120
100
80
60 0.011
40 0.007
20
0
Common Glauber Salt
salt

Graph 1 Strength of shade in pastel colour

140
120
100
80
0.5
60 0.3
40
20
0
Common Salt Glauber salt

Graph 2 Strength of shade in light colour

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140
120
100
80
60 1.6
40 1.12
20
0
Common Glauber Salt
Salt

Graph 3 Strength of shade in medium colour

As depicted in graph 3, when common salt is compared with glauber salt by using
medium shades, the strength of shade is still on higher side. The shades are 36 % and
18 % darker as compared with common salt with 1.6 and 1.12 % shades respectively.

40 36
35 33
30
25 23
20
20 18
15 11
10
5
0
0.007 0.011 0.3 0.5 1.12 1.6

Graph 4 Percent shade versus percent darkness obtained by using G. salt

In graph 4, horizontal axis indicates percent shades for pastel, light and medium
shade colour. Vertical axis indicates the percent darkness obtained by using
glauber salt when compared with common salt. As illustrated in the graph, we
can conclude that the depth of shade increases when shade concentration
percentage increases.
2.3.2 Advantage of Glauber salt
„ Glauber salt gives higher depth than common salt.
„ Fabric handle with Glauber salt becomes smoother and the fabric handle with
common salt becomes rough.

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„ The dye exhaustion is higher by using Glauber salt than common salt and so it is
results in darker shade. As dye exhaustion is higher by using Glauber salt
than common salt and so it is resulted into darker shade.
„ As Glauber salt increase the solubility of dye stuff aggregation while
common salt lower it.
„ Sodium chloride adds TDS in dye bath and adds load on effluent.
„ Hardness of water increases due to chloride ions of common salt.
„ Glauber salt does not cause any corrosion of dyeing machines but
common salt causes corrosion of dyeing machines due to presence of
chloride ions in it.
2.3.3 Observation:
„ Fabric handle with Glauber salt becomes smoother and the fabric handle
with common salt becomes rough.
„ Better quality of cost effective dyeing
„ In order to get similar depth shade the concentration of Glauber salt
required is less than common salt.

3. Cost and Eco friendly aspect

Textile Processing causes more pollution in terms of its effluent, particularly in
dyeing and finishing. Drinking water is a major concern, where tones of effluents
discharged in water. Effluent is having salt 10 % of the total volume. Dye Effluent
is pretreated first then passed through Multiple Evaporator followed by Salt
Crystallizer and Primary, Secondary & Tertiary Treatment. During the Dyeing
Process, it is better to use Glauber’s salt instead of common Salt because it is
purer and easier to recover for Reuse. The concentrated Dye Effluent with
Glauber’s salt is pre treated to remove Colour. It is passed through Multiple
Evaporators and gets concentrated. The concentrated solution is chilled in
Vacuum Crystallizer and the Glauber’s salt is crystallized the crystallized
Glauber’s salt is centrifuged and taken for Reuse in the Dyeing Process.
Technology of Salt Recovery using Glauber’s salt gives better Dyeing Results.
Salt Recovery and Reuse in a Textile Dye House is a Technological

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Breakthrough. The combined Recovery & Reuse of Salt and Water will be a
milestone in the Textile Dye House Effluent Treatment globally. The cost of
Dyeing increases by about Rs 10 per Kg of Fabric but other Cost Benefit Results
are firstly, 90 % of the Salt can be Recovered & Reused. Secondly, every day
about 4,500 Kgs of Salt can be recovered and lastly, expected annual Salt
Recovery is 1,350 Tons (3)

3.1 Table 5 COMPARISON BETWEEN COMMON / VACUUM & GLAUBER'S SALT ON

HARDNESS / TDS & pH VALUES
Hardness of
Conc. of Total dissolved
Salt Water as pH
Salt(gpl) Solids(As ppm)
CaCO3(ppm)
Property Property Property
at Boil at Boil at Boil
Common 40 275 275 1000 920 7.4 6.8
Salt 50 445 445 1210 1110 7.4 6.6
60 520 520 1450 1390 7.4 6.6
70 620 620 1690 1580 7.4 6.6

Vacuum 40 165 165 1180 1090 6.6 7.0

Salt 50 235 235 1550 1330 6.6 7.0
60 240 240 1870 1560 6.6 7.0
70 275 275 1920 1820 6.6 7.0

Glauber's 40 10 10 1020 980 7.6 6.8

Salt 50 10 10 1270 1150 7.6 6.8
60 10 10 1490 1380 7.6 6.8
70 10 10 1590 1550 7.6 6.8

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The values from table indicates that, addition of glauber salt in dye bath as an
electrolyte reduces TDS levels to an approximately 15-20 %. This reduces load
on ETP in turn provides cost advantages. The hardness of water by using
Glauber’s salt is least increased which is an important aspect from environmental
issue.

7.6
7.4
7.2
7 Com m on salt
6.8
vacuum salt
6.6
6.4 Gluber salt
6.2
6
40 gpl 50 gpl 60 gpl 70 gpl

Graph 5 Comparison of pH value

As shown in graph 5, glauber salt maintains a normal pH value than common salt
and vacuum salt. Following are the some of the values, which are noted down
during distilled water test and dye liquor of jet dyeing machine.
Distilled Water test

Salt (5gpl)
Parameters
NaCl Na2SO4
pH 6.4 6.6
TDS (ppm) 5146 4916
Visibility Less clear More clear
Dye liquor of Jet Dyeing machine:

Salt (40gpl)
Parameters
NaCl Na2SO4
pH 6.4 6.64
TDS (ppm) 46190 41177
Visibility Less clear More clear

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These tests also confirm that TDS level is on lower side and liquor visibility is
clearer with glauber salt solution.

4. Conclusion:
This study has better prospect for long term cost benefits and causes less load
on environment. Cost reduction will be in terms of less dye requirements for the
same shade to that by using common salt. Dyeing quality is superior. Ultimately,
use of Glauber salt facilitates dyeing with less quantity, less cost and good
quality. The traditional method will become obsolete very soon and replaced by
Glauber salt technique. So it is rightly said that
One cannot do today’s work with yesterday’s methods and still be in the business
tomorrow!
5. Bibliography:
1. http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Glaubers.html
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_sulfate
3. www.greenbusinesscentre.com
4. Textile Processing by V A Shenai
5. Textile Excellence Article Aug.07
6. Textile Processing by Mr. Prayag
7. Chemical Processing of textiles by Dr. V.C. Koushik
8. 8 Suresh, Bala; Kazuteru Yokose (May 2006). Sodium sulfate. Zurich:
Chemical Economic Handbook SRI Consulting, pp. 771.1000A–
771.1002J. 12
9. 10 Brodale, G.; W.F. Giauque (1958). "The Heat of Hydration of Sodium
Sulfate. Low Temperature Heat Capacity and Entropy of Sodium Sulfate
Decahydrate". Journal of the American Chemical Society 80: pp. 2042–
2044. ACS. 8
10. 11. 1990) Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 71st edition, Ann Arbor,
Michigan: CRC Press. 4

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11. (1960) The Merck Index, 7th edition, Rahway, New Jersey, USA: Merck &
Co..
12. Nechamkin, Howard (1968). The Chemistry of the Elements. New York:
McGraw-Hill.

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