Abstract
NONCONVENTIONAL USE OF BASIC CHROMIUM SULPHATE FOR WET BLUE LEATHER PRODUCTION- AN ATTEMPT FOR ABATEMENT OF POLLUTION
A. B. M. Wahid Murad, Ananya Chakrobarty, Fatema-Tuj-Zohra, Sobur Ahmed*
ABSTRACT
Concern about pollution related problems in the global scenario are persuading all the processing industries to adopt cleaner manufacturing practices. The leather industry is also under pressure to look for effective alternative methods for abatement of pollution. In conventional chrome tanning huge amount of chromium content remains in the spent chrome liquor which increases the pollution and cost of tanning. In this study, an attempt has been made to reduce the water consumption, quantity of spent chrome liquor and overall attenuate the pollution load and cost of production. In the process soaking to pickling operation were done in conventional manner and the tanning was carried out in conventional as control and four nonconventional methods as experimental. Such an approach has resulted as the cost of tanning was reduced to a great extent without compromising leather quality by nonconventional chrome tanning method. The physical properties of experimental leathers were found better than conventionally tanned leathers. The results showed that the nonconventional tanning process is cost effective and efficient in terms of improved quality of leather and also led to reduction in total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), chloride content, COD and BOD5 loads in spent liquor. It is also helpful to improve strength properties of crust leather. The nonconventional tanning system presented appears to be a viable option for combating pollution arising from the conventional chrome tanning system.
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