[2] [6] [10] [30] When the starch is degraded by oxidation using hydrogen peroxide, the BOD is much lower in the effluent because the starch is degraded fully to carbon dioxide and water.
According to a UNEP technical report [10], it is expected that smaller producers will begin to use this oxidative desizing technology in the future. While oxidative desizing is not a new technology, it is not widely practiced due to problems that can arise from oxidation damage of the cotton itself, producing oxycellulose. Temperatures, dwell times and chemical concentrations must be controlled extremely well to carry out oxidation desizing successfully. Until recently this has not been practical but, with microprocessor-controlled chemical feeds and temperature equipment, the necessary degree of control can now be accomplished far more readily [30].
References from reviewed literature:
In [2]: Brent Smith, A Workbook for Pollution Prevention by Source Reduction in Textile Wet Processing, available from the Pollution Prevention Pays Program, North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, Raleigh, N.C., 1988.