International Conference on Advancements and Futuristic Trends in Mechanical and Materials Engineering (October 5-7, 2012)

Punjab Technical University, Jalandhar-Kapurthala Highway, Kapurthala, Punjab-144601 (INDIA) 7

HUMIDITY AND TEMPERATURE IN TEXTILE INDUSTRIES
Devanand Uttam
*
Department of Textile Engineering, Punjab Technical University, G. Z. S. Campus, Bathinda, Punjab, India
* Corresponding author e-mail:- d_a_uttam@ yahoo.co.in

ABSTRACT
Relative humidity and temperature are found to play a very vital role in the successful processing of material in a
textile mill. These are essential in order to maintain product quality and reduce imperfections. Any imbalance in
humidity and temperature in textile manufacturing and storage facilities can have many serious implications in
moisture regain, static charge generation, fibre/yarn/fabrics strength, product weight, dust in environment and
comfortability to workmen. Both factors have a tremendous effect on the smooth flow of the fibres through different
machines. The ideal conditions for the same material in different sections differ slightly. Knowledge of humidity
and temperarature, its role, measuremement and maintaining systems are very helpful in successful processing of
textile material as well as reduction in health hazards in textile mills. In this paper, all above aspects are covered.

Keywords: Atmospheric conditions, humidity, relative humidity, humidifier, temperature.


1. Introduction

The atmospheric conditions with respect to
temperature and humidity play very important part in
the manufacturing process of textile yarns and
fabrics. Temperature alone does not have a great
effect on the fibres [1]. However the temperature
dictates the amount of moisture the air will hold in
suspension and, therefore, temperature and humidity
must be considered together. The properties like
dimensions, weight, tensile strength, elastic recovery,
electrical resistance, rigidity etc. of all textile fibre
whether natural or synthetic are influenced by
moisture in the fibre. Different classes of fibres
namely vegetable, protein or animal and manmade
are found to require different degrees of relative
humidity and temperature [2]. Both the factors have
a tremendous effect on the smooth flow of the fibres
through different machines. The ideal conditions for
the same material in different sections differ slightly.
Failure to maintain these conditions result in several
hazards such as:
i. static charge generation due to friction,
ii. to much of fly in the atmosphere,
iii. chocks in machines,
iv. lap up on rollers, and
v. sometimes breaking of fibres.

2 Humidity
Humidity is dampness or moisture, on its
association with spinning and weaving relates to the
condition of the atmosphere of the rooms in which
spinning/weaving operations are in progress. This
moist condition of the air involves two factors: the
actual amount of moisture and the relative amount.
Strange to say, the actual amount of moisture in a
spinning and/or weaving room is not the deciding
factor. The definition of terms related to humidity
are as under [3]:
Humidity is a term used to describe the amount of
moisture present in the atmosphere. This can be
described in terms of absolute humidity and relative
humidity.
Absolute Humidity is the weight of water present in a
unit volume of moist air. It is the actual density of
water vapour in the atmosphere and it can be
expressed in terms g/m
3
or grains/foot
3
.



Where, W
1
- Weight of water present in the air
V - Volume of the air


Relative Humidity is the ratio of the actual vapour
pressure to the saturated vapour pressure at the same
temperature.



Where, P
a
- Actual vapour pressure
P
s
- Saturated vapour pressure

3 Influence of Atmospheric
Conditions
Many properties of textile materials vary
considerably with moisture regain, which in turn is
affected by the ambient temparature and relative
International Conference on Advancements and Futuristic Trends in Mechanical and Materials Engineering (October 5-7, 2012)

Punjab Technical University, Jalandhar-Kapurthala Highway, Kapurthala, Punjab-144601 (INDIA) 8

humidity (RH). If a dry textile material is placed in a
room with a particular set of ambient conditions, it
absorbs moisture and in course of time, attains an
equilibrium. Practically, all the textile fibres show
increased pliability or spinning capacity and greater
resistance to static electrical influence with increase
in amount of moisture.
3.1 Impact of temperature
Temperature plays an important role in successful
processing of material in the textile industries.
Different fibres require different degree of
temperature for better performance. Mechanical
properties of fibres and yarns also depend on the
surrounding temperature conditions to which these
are exposed during the textile process.
Due to high heat dissipation from spinning as well
as weaving and knitting equipment there is a
significant increase in temperature conditions
particularly in the vicinity of the machinery and their
driving motors. The natural wax covering cotton
fibres softens at these raised temperature conditions,
thereby adversely affecting the lubricating property
of wax for controlling static and dynamic friction.
Increase in temperature beyond the design limit also
reduces the relative humidity condition near the
processing elements of the machinery. Hence textile
air-engineering design has to take care of controlled
air flow within the textile machinery for dissipating
heat generated at the source and it is customary to
carry the waste heat along with the return air to the
return air trench. The quantity of return air going to
exhaust or recirculation is regulated for controlling
the inside design conditions. Modern spinning
equipment is designed to operate at high spindle
speed. However high ambient temperature always
tends to curtail the speed limit of operation.
Moreover, the sophisticated electronic controls in
modern textile machinery also require that inside
temperature in the department should not exceed
33C or so.
It is also necessary to limit the range of
temperature to which the textile machinery is
exposed, since the structure of the machinery
containing many steel and aluminum parts which
expand at different rates with temperature rise (due to
difference in co-efficient of thermal expansion) will
be subjected to mechanical stress.
Hence, along with maintenance of stable relative
humidity conditions recommended for different
textile processes, it is also desirable to maintain the
temperature level within a range, without fluctuation.
Generally one common source of heat supply from a
boiler house is used in textile mills. The heat is
distributed by means of any convenient heat carrier
to separate heated buildings as: water heating, steam
heating, air heating [4]

3.2 Impact of humidity
3.2.1 Influence of humidity on fibre
properties
Some of the important properties of a textile
fibre are closely related to its behavior in various
atmospheric conditions. Most fibres are hygroscopic
in nature, that is, they are able to absorb water vapour
from a moist atmosphere and desorbs or loss water in
a dry atmosphere. The changes of moisture in the
atmosphere results in change of moisture in the
material and this will change in the physical
properties of the material such as dimensions, tensile
strength elastic recovery, elastic resistance, rigidity
etc. [3]. For example:
a. Cotton absorbs moisture more rapidly when
exposed to high humidity and a result, weight
and strength of the material increased and other
properties will be changed.
b. Manmade regenerated fibres like viscose, acetate
etc show a reduction in strength with increase
in moisture content and correspondingly increase
in elongation.
c. Man made synthetic fibres such as polyester and
nylon will not be affected much with moisture
because they are not fully hygroscopic.
d. However wool shows a slight decrease in
strength with increase in the amount of moisture.
3.2.2 Influence of humidity on processing
Textile processing is also influenced with the
changes in the amount of moisture in the atmospheric
conditions [3]. Under ideal humidity condition, the
following advantages are realized during processing.
i. Reduction in the generation of static charges.
ii. Reduction in fibre damage during processing
iii. Material is more easily workable due to
increased pliability
iv. Reduction in dust and fly.
v. Allows for the retention of moisture already
present in the material
vi. Permit greater bodily comfort to the workers.
4. Measurement of Atmospheric
Conditions
The instrument used in the determination of
humidity are known as Hygrometers or
Psychrometers [3, 5]. In the textile mills and testing
laboratories the following instruments are mainly
used:
i. Wet and dry bulb hygrometer (plain or aspiration
psychrometer)
ii. Hair hygrometer or thermohygrograph
iii. Electrolytic hygrometer
Wet and dry bulb hygrometers (Fig. 1) are
popular in textile mills. It consist two identical
thermometers. Bulb of one thermometer is covered
by muslin sleeve which is dipped into a reservoir of
International Conference on Advancements and Futuristic Trends in Mechanical and Materials Engineering (October 5-7, 2012)

Punjab Technical University, Jalandhar-Kapurthala Highway, Kapurthala, Punjab-144601 (INDIA) 9

distilled water. This is known as wet bulb
thermometer and it give wet bulb temperature.
Second thermometer which bulb is uncovered gives
dry bulb temperature.
The difference between these two temperatures
is noted and the hygrometric table is referred for the
dry bulb temperature in one column and the
corresponding difference of the wet bulb indicates
the percentage relative humidity. For example:
Dry bulb temperature: 88 F
Wet bulb temperature: 78 F
Difference of temperatures: 10 F
RH% (from the table): 58 %


















Fig. 1: Wet and dry bulb hygrometer
(adopted from the ref. no. 3)

5. Environmental Conditions in
Various Departments
Temperature and humidity for different
departments are mention in the Table 1.[3,2.6,7].
5.1 Mixing and blow room
One of the objects of mixing is to allow the fibres
to regain their original form and proper humidity
after they are released from the heavy stresses and
strains while in the bale form. For this, the bales are
left in open state for about 24 hours in a chamber
where adequate humidity is maintained [2].
In blow room if more humidity in the department
the clinging becomes more and thus the cleaning
efficiency drops. If humidity is sufficient, the fibres
gain strength and thus damage to fibre is minimized.
In order to attain such conditions at all times, a blow
room is equipped with over head steam pipes
adjustable for dry and wet steam, humidification fans
and duct lines capable of injecting into the
department, dry or humidified hot or cold air as per
requirements.



Table 1 Temperature and humidity for different
departments
S.
No

Department
Relative
humidity
(%)
Temp.
( C)
1 Mixing room 60-70 27-33
2 Blow room, Carding
and Drawing Section
50-60 27-35
3 Combing 55-65 27-35
4 Speed frame 50-60 27-35
5 Ring spinning Section 55-65 30-35
6 Rotor spinning 60-70 30-35
7 Winding / Warping 60-70 27-33
8 Sizing 70-80 25-30
9 Weaving 77-82 25-30
10 Standard Testing
Environment
65 2 20 2
11 Standard Testing
Environment for
tropical and subtropical
regions like India
65 2 27 2

5.2 Carding and other sections
Wide fluctuations in humidity and temperature in
carding cause either to much of fly in the department,
web sagging, web flying or lapping on doffer etc., as
in this state, the material becomes quite sensitive to
temperature and humidity. In carding section no jet
steam nozzles are required, become live steam is
detrimental to card fillet wiring. Rusty wire points
spoil carding quality and weaken the fillet
foundation.
In drawing and combing section similar effect can
be seen. In speed frames and ring frame sections
lower humidity makes the material go dry and soft
and encourage fly and static generation. End
breakages will excessive, and bobbin becomes soft
and bulging. Excessive humidity results in roller
lapping, undrafted ends and uneven drafting. All
these adversely affect the product quality.
5.3 Weaving and Knitting
Weaving rooms for cotton fabric making are
designed to maintain high relative humidity of 80%
to 85% at the warp sheet level i.e. at 'loomsphere' as
high humidity helps to increase the abrasion
resistance of the warp. Whereas it would suffice to
maintain general humidity condition in the room at
around 65% R.H., Knitting operation also requires a
stable relative humidity condition at 55% 5% for
precise control of yarn tension. Hence it is important
International Conference on Advancements and Futuristic Trends in Mechanical and Materials Engineering (October 5-7, 2012)

Punjab Technical University, Jalandhar-Kapurthala Highway, Kapurthala, Punjab-144601 (INDIA) 10

to maintain stable relative humidity conditions within
the prescribed tolerance limits at all steps of textile
processing [4].
5.4 Seasonal Care
. The mill requires different manipulations in
different seasons to maintain humidity and
temperature. The direction of winds too has similar
effects. During summer in several places, the outside
weather is quit humid and it requires lot of skill and a
suitable plant to get desired temperature and relative
humidity. A dehumidification or refrigeration plant
might become quite necessary in order to avoid
raising of temperature beyond desired level. In
winter, the atmosphere goes dry at to attend required
humidity conditions initial heating of the department
become necessary. If the machine temperatures are
not raised, condensation occurs leading to rusting of
parts [2].
6. Maintaining Humidity and
Temperature
6.1 Central humidification plants
Central Humidification plants are of masonry
type, the components of the plant housed inside a
civil room with brick wall and RCC slabs and usually
located adjacent to the department at strategic
locations based on the nature of the truss for the
feasibility of layout of overhead ducting with
minimum length of travel and based on the ease of
connecting the underground Trenches with minimum
bends [8].























Fig. 2: Schematic diagram central humidification plants (adopted from ref. no. 09)

1. Fresh air damper 7. Supply air fan 13. Duct collector fan
2. Water pump 8. Manual control damper 14. Rotary air filter
3. Air straightner 9. Supply air duct 15. Extract air fan
4. Spay nozzle 10. Department (spg.,wvg etc.) 16. Exhaust air damper
5. Water drop eliminator 11.Return air duct 17.Return air damper
6. Washer air damper 12. Duct Collector 19. By-pass air damper


In the humidification plant (Fig. 2), the fresh air
enters from air damper (1) pass through air
straightener and spray nozzle where water is added in
the air. The water drops present in the air are
eliminated by water drop eliminator (5). The humid
or re-circulated air forced to department (10) through
the supply fan (7), manual control damper (8) and
supply air duct (9). The air return from the
department through the return air duct (11) with the
help of duct controller (12) and duct controller fan
(13). The return air having some dust, short fibres
etc. which are filtered by rotating air filter (14). The
filtered air extracted with the help of extracted air fan
(15) is thrown outside. This return air either re-enter
by return air damper (17) or by bypass air damper
(18).
International Conference on Advancements and Futuristic Trends in Mechanical and Materials Engineering (October 5-7, 2012)

Punjab Technical University, Jalandhar-Kapurthala Highway, Kapurthala, Punjab-144601 (INDIA) 11

6.2. Centrifugal spot humidifier (or water
automiser)
For maintaining a sufficiently high humidity in
the mixing, winding and weaving sheds etc. a
Centrifugal spot humidifier is used (Fig. 3). The
water is so finally atomized that the drops are
completely evaporated and there is no need in the
arrangement of sewerage lines. This can be used for
textile industries in various departments such as
ginning, mixing, blow room, cone winding, yarn
conditioning, yarn packing and loom shed, etc. where
high humidity required [10].

6.3 Air conditioning
Air conditioning is the control of air temperature,
humidity, cleanliness and distribution of air.
Temperature control involves heating the air in
winter and cooling it in summer. Heat may be
generated from a control heating plant using hot
water or steam as a heating medium. Cooling may be
caused by piping the coolant from a centralized
compressor plant to local areas where air is run
through the coil. Self contained air conditioners may
be installed directly in the room to be cooled.
















Fig. 3: Schematic diagram of Centrifugal spot
mini humidifier (adopted from the ref. no. 10)


Fig. 4: Schematic diagram of a standard air conditioner (adopted from the ref. no. 5)

1. Warm insulated valves (Inlet) 10. Chamber with filters (Section with filters) 15,16. Drop catchers
2, 5, 8. Chamber (Section) 11.Valve for air supply) 17. Air heaters
3, 6, 9. Valves 12.Outlet opening
4. By- Pass arrangement 13.Fan
7. Spray chamber 14. Supports


Humidity of the air is adjusted by adding moisture
to it in winter and by removing moisture from the
moist summer air. Air is cleaned of foreign materials
such as dust etc. by forcing air through a spray of
water, passing air through filters and electrostatic
precipitation. Air motion is achieved by proper
positioning of incoming air ducts and exhaust out
lets. Odors and Bacteria in air are removed by
passing air over chemicals.
In textile mills, there is necessary to create an
artificial climate (i.e. certain temperature, humidity
and mobility of air) by means of ventilation and
humidifying units. The air conditioning system
comprises installation for heating, cooling, cleaning,
humidifying and drying the air. It is equipped with
automatic control devices [5].
It consists of sections arranged in consecutive
order and performing different functions (Fig. 4).
Outside air flows through worm insulated valves (1)
into the chamber (2) and further through the air
heater (17) into the section (5).
International Conference on Advancements and Futuristic Trends in Mechanical and Materials Engineering (October 5-7, 2012)

Punjab Technical University, Jalandhar-Kapurthala Highway, Kapurthala, Punjab-144601 (INDIA) 12

In summer the passage through the air heaters is
closed and the air flows into the section (5) through
the valve (3) and the by-pass canal (4).Moreover,
through the valve (6) there is an air intake from the
ambient air of the shop into the section (5) for its
further cleaning in the conditioner.Mixed air passes
from section (5) into the spray chamber (7) where the
air is humidified, dried, cooled, and heated
depending on its condition in the shop. Passing
through the water screen in the spray chamber (7),
the air is cleaned from dust and charged with
negative ions. At the entry and exit from the spray
chamber there are drop catcher (15) & (16) provided.
Further from spraying section air flows into the
chamber (8) where the air coming from the shop is
subjected to a second recirculation through the valve
(9). There from the air enters the section (10) with
filters for its dedusting. Next from the chamber (10)
the air passes via the connecting section (2) in the
second heating block and finally it supplied into the
shop through the outlet opening (12) of the fan (13).
The air supply is adjusted by valves (11)

7. Conclusions

In textile industry, atmospheric conditions with
respect to temperature and humidity play very
important role in properties of textile fibres, product
quality and manufacturing process of yarns and
fabrics. Relative humidity will improve regain in the
material, maintain yarn strength, reduced static
charge build-up, maintain product weight, reduce fly
and dust, provide cooling etc. Mechanical properties
of fibres and yarns depend on the surrounding
temperature conditions to which these are exposed
during the textile process. Different fibres require
different degree of temperature for better
performance. For maintaining desire humidity and
temperature in the ambient atmosphere, centralized
air conditioning system is more suitable than other
systems as it control humidity, temperature,
cleanliness and distribution of air.

8 References

1. Humidification in Textile Mill, http://www.
cottonyarnmarket.net/OASMTP/HUMIDIFICATION%20IN
%20TEXTILE%20MILL.pdf, Assessed on 25.06.12

2. Pattabhiram, T. K., Relative humidity (1997), Essential
Elements of Practical Cotton Spinning, Somaiya
Publications Pvt. Ltd. Mumbai, pp.189-195.

3. Angappan, P., Gopalakrishan, R. (1993), Moisture relation
and Identification of fibres, Publisher S.S.M.I.T.T Staff and
Students Co-op. Stores Ltd., Komarapalayam, Forth
Edition, pp.1-37.

4. Roy M.M, Humidification for textile, Air Conditioning and
Refrigegeration Journal, http:// www.ishrae.in /journals_
20042005/2005jan/article 02. html, Assessed on 24.06.12

5. Onivov. E.(1981) Major recommendations on the
maintenance of buildings and operation of heating,
ventilating, humidifying and lighting systems in cotton
weaving mills, Hand book of cotton weaving, MIR
publication Moscow, pp.216-231.

6. Patel, S.P. Role of Humidity & Temperature and
Humidification Systems For modern Spiining Plant, NCUTE
Training Programme on Ring Spiining, Doubling and
Twisting, Textile & Engg. Institute, Ichalkaranji, pp.79-95.

7. Poddarji (1992), Humidification, ventilation and lighting,
Colourage, pp.67-68.

8. Central Humidification Plants, http://www. excelair. co.in
/centralhumidificationplant.html, Assessed on 28.06.12.

9. Schicht, H . H.(1983), Air Engineering: The application ofair
engineering in Textile mill, Textile Month, February,pp.43-
46.

10. http://www.tradeindia.com/fp6276/Centrifugal-Spot-
Humidifier-Unit.html, Assessed on 28.06.12.