title: Towards a cleaner production in developing countries: a case study in a Chilean tannery.
abstract: A Chilean leather tanning industry (tannery) was studied in terms of input/output (I/O) analysis of beamhouse, tanyard and retanning processes. The physical-chemical characterization of 19 streams were investigated. Streams from the beamhouse process and some streams from the retanning process were found to have high organic contents ranging from 2.5 to 18.1 g COD L(-1). The pH ranged between 3.45 and 12.28. Sulphur was found in most of the streams whereas chromium was detected in two wastewaters from the tanyard and in seven streams from the retanning process. Pollution prevention opportunities were evaluated and an appropriate treatment strategy was proposed. The main emphasis was on determining waste reduction measures that can be easily implemented and are not particularly expensive. Measures for reduction at source were proposed to reduce water and chemicals consumption and wastewater pollution. A so-called S(index) strategy was used to evaluate proposals on segregation and specific treatment of the main chromium- and sulphur-containing wastewaters. It was suggested that some streams may be re-used, but it is necessary to apply anaerobic or aerobic treatment first, depending on their organic load. Solid wastes were also evaluated and a proposal for their reduction and disposal was made.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Santiago de Compostela, Institute tof Technology, School of Engineering, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
authors.forename: Beatriz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rivela
authors.forename: Ranón
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Méndez
authors.forename: Cristian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bornhardt
authors.forename: Gladys
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vidal
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002677:Chile; D002857:Chromium; D003906:Developing Countries; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007220:Industrial Waste; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D012867:Skin; D013455:Sulfur; D013783:Textile Industry; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*; D014876:Water Pollution / Q000517:prevention & control; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D007220:Industrial Waste; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D002857:Chromium; D013455:Sulfur