Steam Use in Ironing
Steam-powered hand and table irons used for intermediate ironing in the textile industry generally operate below 4 bar; correct steam generator settings, piping insulation and a droplet-separator are critical for fuel savings and product quality.
Steam Use in the Textile Industry
The ready-made garment and apparel branch holds an important place within the textile industry. The garment industry forms the final link in a range of textile production activities. The textile sector serves as the locomotive of our country's exports; in 2017, the textile sector closed the year with $17 billion in exports.
The use of ironing has particular importance in garment manufacturing. No matter how carefully a garment is sewn with the finest fabric, it is the ironing process that gives it a beautiful, polished appearance.
Between sewing operations, and after sewing is complete, ironing and pressing operations are required depending on the type of garment; these operations are called intermediate ironing.
Steam-powered hand irons are used for intermediate ironing operations. Because electricity prices are high, steam-powered irons are preferred over electric hand irons.
For ironing large, thick items during seam-opening operations, steam-heated, vacuum-cooled ironing tables are used. This feature allows moisture to be removed from the table quickly; the vacuum feature both cools the ironing table and draws out any remaining steam in the product.
Whether hand irons or table-type irons, they operate at a maximum of 4 bar pressure. For heat-sensitive products, this pressure should be reduced further.
The steam generators used in ironing processes meet the steam needs of the irons. With the spread of natural gas in our country, businesses now prefer natural-gas-fired steam generators for their irons.
Steam generators used in this process are generally set to 5 bar pressure.
Energy costs are one of a business's most significant and most easily reduced expense items.
Insulating the steam piping that carries steam both reduces fuel consumption, helping conserve the environment and natural resources, and prevents injuries that could result from accidental contact with the piping.
Droplet-Separator
In piping systems, as steam travels through pipes at approximately 25-30 m/s, some of it changes phase into water. This water must be removed from the steam before it enters irons and presses, so the irons receive dry steam.
Steam traps and droplet-separators should be used to return the water that collects in the piping to the condensate tank. Wet steam both reduces operating efficiency and directly affects product quality. Returning the water in steam piping to the condensate tank saves fuel; if this water is instead discharged to waste, the new water added to replace it must be passed through a water softener and given chemical treatment. This places an additional cost burden on the business.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is steam used in ironing?
In textile and apparel manufacturing, steam-powered hand irons and steam-heated, vacuum-cooled ironing tables are used for intermediate ironing operations; these generally run at a maximum of 4 bar and are fed by steam generators dedicated to the ironing process (typically set to 5 bar). Using a droplet-separator and steam trap in the piping to obtain quality, dry steam prevents wet steam from reducing product quality, while recovering the condensate saves fuel.