Abstract

In this work, the feasibility of an oxidative liming process with hydrogen peroxide in alkaline medium was studied. The possible reduction in water consumption by float recycling and in effluent loadings by precip itation and separation of proteins contained in the liming effluents were also investigated.

On the basis of preliminary trials, a second order central rotatable design as a function of both the hydrogen peroxide offer and the mechanical action of the drum, was applied to determine the variation of selected physical properties of chrome leather previously subjected to the oxidative liming process. This process was compared with a conventional liming process with sodium suiphide and calcium hydroxide.

Subsequently, a study on the quantification of water consumption as well as analyses of COD, soluble solids and suspended matter of the resulting wastewater were carried out for a given hydrogen peroxide offer and drum mechanical action.