Authors: J Raghava Rao M Kanthimathi P Thanikaivelan K J Sreeram R Ramesh S Ramalingam N K Chandrababu B U Nair T Ramasami
Publish Date: 2004/01/10
Volume: 6, Issue: 4, Pages: 243-249
Abstract
Stringent environmental regulations on the discharge of pollutants from various industries have prompted researchers to seek the development of ecobenign technologies Conventional chrome tanning in leather processing discharges significant amounts of chromium total dissolved solids and chlorides Hence tanners are looking for new productprocess innovations towards lowwaste and high exhaust chrome tanning A polymeric syntan which can enable picklefree chrome tanning using commercial basic chromium sulphate has been developed A convenient process for tanning goatskins as well as cow hides has been designed This method enhances the uptake of chromium to above 90 Although the developed process is a highly reactive system the tanned leathers are free from physical deposition of chromium as seen from microscopic analysis The distribution of chromium in thicker cow sides is uniform and comparable to that of conventional tanned leathers even at reduced dosage Further the novel productprocess helps to reduce the chemical oxygen demand COD total dissolved solids TDS and chlorides in the spent tan liquor by 50 80 and 98 respectively The product offers full soft leathers having a shrinkage temperature comparable to that of conventional chrome tanned leathers This integrated process provides reduction in chemicals water time and power consumption Thus the novel product/process developed not only seeks advantages in reducing pollution loads but also seems to be technoeconomically viable
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