PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The project involves a technology based on the technical and economical possibilities of using an ion exchange process. This process would allow the recovery of chrome from the purified waters, using low cost commercial resins, which are available on the market. The innovative part of this project consists in segregating the concentrated discharge before it is poured into the final reflow. Thus, these discharges are treated with clean technologies which allow the recovery of chrome at high levels of purity, the potential reutilization of the treatment waters, and the minimization of chrome present in the leftover sludge. The process of ion exchange, developed by the CNR, is based on the selective retention of trivalent chrome, aluminum, and iron. The improvements obtained are as follows: ° attainment of purified chrome, aluminum and iron at elevated levels ° reduction in the amount of sludge produced in the purifying process of tanning reflow ° an improved quality of sludge (thanks to the absence of chrome) which could lead to possible use in agriculture ° a reduction in operational costs of the purifying plant due to a reduction in manpower, resulting from the reduction of sludge to discharge ° a considerable quantity of chrome recovery, which can be reused in the preparation of leather tanning baths.