Optimalizace konzervace surových kůží

The dissertation deals with the optimization of raw hide curing with a saturated solution of sodium chloride. The most commonly used preservation method not only represents considerable environmental burden. The insufficient application of the theory of the related transport phenomena also has economic impacts, such as high consumption of the preservation agent, of water and electric power. The key step leading to the optimization was the determination of the time dependence of sodium chloride concentration (from the hide surface towards its internal volume), in other words, a non-stationary concentration field of sodium chloride in the hide during the curing process. Subsequently, the solution of the model allowed the calculation of the optimum time necessary for sufficient preservation. The main outcome of my dissertation is the mathematical description of sodium chloride transport in the internal volume of raw hide and its application in the optimization of the curing and soaking operations. One of the most important steps was to propose and verify an experimental method for the determination of effective diffusion coefficients and for the visual identification of salt diffusion in the hide internal volume. Last but not least, the dissertation also focused on the application of the acquired knowledge, related to the transport phenomena in the desalting of animal fleshings, as a valuable raw material for the chemical industry.