| Abstract: | The waterwheel furnished the first mechanical power. It was en vogue, many centuries ago, in England, Holland and Italy—for flourmilling, textiles, iron, beer, paper and other ‘industries’. In the 18th century, potteries, spinning and weaving operations used watermills and water turbines.Although in that original function water went by and large out of fashion, it still plays a vital role in industry— in cooling, steam generation, steeping, processing, cleaning, etc. Industry stands indeed in the limelight of the water crisis, because in addition to being the second most important consumer of water (after agriculture), industry is the world's foremost water polluter. The present and future supply of and demand for water are therefore of immediate interest to industry. |
