26
A. Geethakarthi
1 Introduction
1.1 General
The industrial development in the last two centuries has led to transfer of pollution by
means of environmentally unsafe technology. The concern for the environment has
led to the adoption of systematic treatment processes for solid, liquid and gaseous
wastes. At present, a number of environmental protection agencies have increased
creating general awareness related to environmental inspection and law enforcement.
Industries, by developing new and appropriate technology, are aiming in the elimination and treatment of wastes, thereby minimizing risks to the environment. Emission
of huge volume of lots of industrial wastewater and quantities of hazardous waste
materials are being produced in the country. Solid waste discharges from smalland medium-scale industries including leather and textile sector are classified under
hazardous category. Disposal of primary chemical sludge containing natural organic,
synthetic organic, heavy metals, alkaline earth metal is a major issue confronting
leather manufacturing industries and other industries in India. It is important to
control them to secure sustainable resources to prevent the ecosystem. This chapter
focuses on the development of adsorbent from tannery sludge in treating textile dye
effluent.
1.2 Indian Tannery Sector
The evidence of leather manufacturing history can be tracked from many Vedic literatures. The leather/tannery has source from animal hides and as a chemical in wide
variety of plants and trees (tannin). The Indian leather industry scattered throughout
various parts of the country has a major contribution to Indian economy, through
its export and employment. The Government of India had planned and promoted
export trade by the adoption of the Export Policy Resolution in 1970. Tannery industries exist with about 150 large, 600 medium and over 100,000 cottage units. Central
Leather Research Institute (CLRI) survey has reported about 934 units in Tamil Nadu,
538 units in West Bengal and 378 units with Uttar Pradesh accounting for 89% of
the tanneries in the country.
1.2.1 Manufacturing Process in Tannery Industries
The problem of the environmental pollution due to tannery effluents received serious
consideration only in recent years in spite of its historical existence. The pollutants
from large numbers of tanneries in the country have caused considerable damage
to the surface and sub-surface water sources, thereby affecting drinking water and
irrigation. Tannery industry is generally associated with noxious smell arising from
A. Geethakarthi
1 Introduction
1.1 General
The industrial development in the last two centuries has led to transfer of pollution by
means of environmentally unsafe technology. The concern for the environment has
led to the adoption of systematic treatment processes for solid, liquid and gaseous
wastes. At present, a number of environmental protection agencies have increased
creating general awareness related to environmental inspection and law enforcement.
Industries, by developing new and appropriate technology, are aiming in the elimination and treatment of wastes, thereby minimizing risks to the environment. Emission
of huge volume of lots of industrial wastewater and quantities of hazardous waste
materials are being produced in the country. Solid waste discharges from smalland medium-scale industries including leather and textile sector are classified under
hazardous category. Disposal of primary chemical sludge containing natural organic,
synthetic organic, heavy metals, alkaline earth metal is a major issue confronting
leather manufacturing industries and other industries in India. It is important to
control them to secure sustainable resources to prevent the ecosystem. This chapter
focuses on the development of adsorbent from tannery sludge in treating textile dye
effluent.
1.2 Indian Tannery Sector
The evidence of leather manufacturing history can be tracked from many Vedic literatures. The leather/tannery has source from animal hides and as a chemical in wide
variety of plants and trees (tannin). The Indian leather industry scattered throughout
various parts of the country has a major contribution to Indian economy, through
its export and employment. The Government of India had planned and promoted
export trade by the adoption of the Export Policy Resolution in 1970. Tannery industries exist with about 150 large, 600 medium and over 100,000 cottage units. Central
Leather Research Institute (CLRI) survey has reported about 934 units in Tamil Nadu,
538 units in West Bengal and 378 units with Uttar Pradesh accounting for 89% of
the tanneries in the country.
1.2.1 Manufacturing Process in Tannery Industries
The problem of the environmental pollution due to tannery effluents received serious
consideration only in recent years in spite of its historical existence. The pollutants
from large numbers of tanneries in the country have caused considerable damage
to the surface and sub-surface water sources, thereby affecting drinking water and
irrigation. Tannery industry is generally associated with noxious smell arising from