Chrome Tanning Process with Controlled Temperature and pH
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Solution Overview
Problem
The traditional chrome tanning process for animal hides results in a low absorption rate of tanning agents, leading to significant waste and pollution, as a large amount of chrome is not absorbed by the leather and is discharged with wastewater, requiring additional resources and increasing environmental impact.
Innovation Solution
A tanning process that optimizes the absorption of tanning agents by controlling temperature and pH in a tanning container using a controller, with predetermined process parameters based on animal hide characteristics, allowing for a high load of chrome to be achieved with minimal water usage and reduced waste, potentially eliminating the need for re-tanning and minimizing post-tanning chemicals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If traditional chrome tanning process is used, then tanning of animal hides is achieved, but absorption rate of tanning agent is low (65-75%) and large amount of chrome is discharged with wastewater
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing temperature (maintaining 20-40°C throughout the process), pH levels (controlling at specific ranges for different stages), and time duration to maximize chrome absorption. The controlled temperature prevents chrome precipitation and ensures uniform distribution, while controlled pH levels enhance the binding efficiency of chrome to collagen, thereby increasing absorption rate and reducing wastewater pollution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs preliminary action through pre-treatment steps including liming, deliming, and bating before the actual tanning process. These preparatory steps open up the collagen structure and create optimal conditions for chrome absorption, ensuring that the hide is ready to maximize chrome uptake during the tanning stage, thus improving absorption rate and minimizing waste.
2Loss of substance
If optimized tanning methods are used to improve chrome absorption, then absorption rate increases, but special tanning agents or specialized equipment is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves universality by demonstrating that conventional tanning drums and standard chrome tanning agents can be used effectively with optimized process parameters. The method does not require specialized equipment or proprietary tanning agents, making it applicable to existing tanning facilities while still achieving high chrome absorption rates through controlled temperature, pH, and time parameters.
3Quantity of substance
If high load of tanning agent is applied to achieve high chrome content, then chrome absorption increases, but amount of post-tanning waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potential harm of high chrome loads into benefit by demonstrating that controlled, optimized tanning processes achieve high chrome absorption efficiency. This means less total chrome is needed to achieve the same final chrome content in the leather, thereby reducing post-tanning waste while maintaining high chrome levels in the product.
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional tanning process is used, then tanning is achieved, but significant amount of water must be added and wastewater is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by maintaining controlled temperature (20-40°C) and pH levels throughout the tanning process, which optimizes chrome absorption efficiency. This reduces the total volume of water needed for the process while maintaining feasibility and effectiveness of the tanning operation, thereby reducing water consumption and wastewater generation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The process achieves a high absorption of tanning agents, reducing waste and environmental impact by maximizing chrome absorption in the leather, ensuring uniform distribution, and minimizing the need for additional post-tanning chemicals, thus enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of the tanning process.
Implementation Method 1
a controller CON controlling the temperature in the tanning container TC on the basis of temperature setpoint input to or established by the controller CON
Implementation Method 2
the absorption rate of the tanning agent in the traditional chrome tanning process is only 65-75%. A large amount of chrome is not absorbed by the leather
Implementation Method 3
the tanning involves addition of tanning agents to said animal hides AH in said tanning container TC
Data Source
AI summary
A tanning process for tanning of animal hides in a process equipment including a tanning container, a controller, and temperature regulating equipment. The controller controls the temperature in the tanning container based on a temperature setpoint input to or established by the controller. The tanning process includes the steps of initially determining process parameters based on animal hide characteristics including at least animal hide type and animal hide weight. The process parameters include at least one of the parameters: time, temperature, start pH and end pH or any combination thereof. The tanning process of the animals hides is executed based on the process parameters in the tanning container under atmospheric pressure. The tanning process involves the addition of tanning agents to animal hides in the tanning container. The tanning involves the addition of water in an amount of less than 10% bw of the animal hides.