Energy and enviromental adavtagees of using leather fertilizer

Abstract

In Brazil, the tanning industry generates large quantities of waste. This country occupies a significant position as a producer of hide - especially bovine leather. The solid residue is often discarded in the environment without treatment, implying environmental problems and energy waste. Typically, control and industrial solid-waste management in the country are characterized by a lack of the studies on the subject, the quantity and quality of waste generated, along with the lack of compatible units of final treatment and disposal in some regions. The leather is tanned with chromium salts. This process aims at obtaining a better finishing, increasing the resistance to wear and corrosion. Tanning hides with chromium (III) salts makes them more flexible and soft. Thus, this study aims to verify a mathematical model of the behaviour of potential nitrogen mineralization and the behaviour of chromium (III) salt in soils after applications of fertilizer made of hydrolysate bovine leather. The mathematical model will be applied according to the data obtained, and after application of established methodology.