An enzyme treatment process for early-stage processing of sheepskins has been previously reported by the Leather and Shoe Research Association of New Zealand (LASRA) as an alternative to current industry operations. The newly developed process had marked benefits over conventional processing in terms of a lowered energy usage (73%), processing time (47%) as well as water use (49%), but had been developed as a “proof of principle'’. The objective of this work was to develop the process further to a stage ready for adoption by industry. Mass balancing was used to investigate potential modifications for the process based on the understanding developed from a detailed analysis of preliminary design trials. Results showed that a configuration utilising a 2 stage counter-current system for the washing stages and segregation and recycling of enzyme float prior to dilution in the neutralization stage was a significant improvement. Benefits over conventional processing include a reduction of residual TDS by 50% at the washing stages and 70% savings on water use overall. Benefits over the un-optimized LASRA process are reduction of solids in product after enzyme treatment and neutralization stages by 30%, additional water savings of 21%, as well as 10% savings of enzyme usage.
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Research Article|
September 01 2010
Optimization of a novel enzyme treatment process for early-stage processing of sheepskins Available to Purchase
Y. F. Lim;
1School of Engineering and Advanced Technology, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]
E-mail: [email protected]
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J. E. Bronlund;
J. E. Bronlund
1School of Engineering and Advanced Technology, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]
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T. F. Allsop;
T. F. Allsop
2New Zealand Leather and Shoe Research Association, Palmerston North, New Zealand E-mail: [email protected]
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A. N. Shilton;
A. N. Shilton
1School of Engineering and Advanced Technology, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]
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R. L. Edmonds
R. L. Edmonds
2New Zealand Leather and Shoe Research Association, Palmerston North, New Zealand E-mail: [email protected]
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Water Sci Technol (2010) 62 (6): 1410–1415.
Citation
Y. F. Lim, J. E. Bronlund, T. F. Allsop, A. N. Shilton, R. L. Edmonds; Optimization of a novel enzyme treatment process for early-stage processing of sheepskins. Water Sci Technol 1 September 2010; 62 (6): 1410–1415. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.2010.378
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