Wool and Leather Waste Materials with Thermo-Insulating Properties

Eugenia Teodora Iacob Tudose,Ioan Mamaliga,Tudor Balau Mindru

doi:10.37358/rc.20.7.8226

Abstract

Seven new different thermo-insulating materials based on wool and /or skin wastes were obtained. To emphasize this capability, the effective thermal diffusivities were determined at a material moisture content of 10%, in a temperature range of 10 to 40oC. Depending on the material composition, the results showed that the effective thermal diffusivity varies between the limits of 6E-8 and 8.5E-8 m2/s. The smallest values were obtained for the untreated wool and for the material obtained from both untreated wool and finished leather powder. The obtained values underline the fact that the investigated materials can be used to obtain composites with good thermo-insulating properties.

Highlights

Recycling organic waste from preliminary operations in wool processing industry, aims to use the resulting by-products in areas as diverse as agriculture, cosmetics, building materials, biomaterials, etc [1,2,3].the leather industry provides a large amount of nontanned and tanned collagenous solid waste
Nontanned and tanned leather wastes can be processed in order to obtain precursors for biofertilizers with protein additives, biofuels or other materials with thermo and phonoinsulating properties used in building materials industry [8, 9]
The effective thermal diffusivities of seven different materials containing wool and leather powders were determined under the following conditions: moisture content of 10%, temperature range 10o - 40o C

Summary

Introduction

Recycling organic waste from preliminary operations in wool processing industry, aims to use the resulting by-products in areas as diverse as agriculture, cosmetics, building materials, biomaterials, etc [1,2,3].the leather industry provides a large amount of nontanned and tanned collagenous solid waste. In 2004, 1.601204 tons of sheepskin were produced, amount of which 60% represented the quantity of waste containing fat and proteins, after processing [4,5,6]. Nontanned and tanned leather wastes can be processed in order to obtain precursors for biofertilizers with protein additives, biofuels or other materials with thermo and phonoinsulating properties used in building materials industry [8, 9]. Regarding its thermal insulation capacity, sheep wool has a unique quality, namely it is breathable This feature refers to the ability to absorb and release moisture from/to the environmental air, without compromising the material thermal efficiency. Wool is a hygroscopic material which feels wet when touched This property creates a naturally occurring dabbing effect that reduces the need to adjust the heating / cooling cycle. A wool insulated building remains cooler during the day and warmer, at night

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Conclusion