Nylon from cord waste (mogusa): Tyre reclamation to produce reclaimed rubber of various grades is a large industrial segment in the country. During the reclamation of whole spent tyres, cord waste (mogusa) is generated in large quantities and may account for up to an average of 15 to 20 per cent of the shredded tyre lot. This waste essentially consists of rubber into which the nylon fibre is embedded along with carbon black and other contaminants including clay. The mogusa is the worst form of nylon contamination.Mogusa poses major environmental health hazards. The only utilisation (misuse) for this waste is as a cheap source of fuel by industry, which results in environmental degradation and pollution. The fumes emanating from burning mogusa are extremely toxic and carcinogenic.
The waste of this burn is dumped in landfills, thereby creating more pollution. Further, nylon is a relatively expensive engineering thermoplastic with a wide spectrum of applications.
The study conducted by ShriramInstitute for Industrial Research, Delhi, for recycling of mogusa to obtain nylon has showed good economics. The recycled nylon is processable by injection moulding and extrusion. The process is aimed at avoiding environmental pollution and deriving value-added materials, such as nylon and rubber.
Blood bag life-saver devices: The introduction of vinyl plastic blood bags and associated medical devices into blood banking practices has led to enormous advantages in the collection, processing, storing and dispensing of human blood and blood components. These bags are pliable, keeping blood sterile and cause less risk of bacterial contamination. Their compactness and lightness in storage and shipment makes them no hazard of air embolism.
According to an estimate, the requirement of blood is about 80 lakh unit in the country. This indicates that the demand potential for blood bags is quite high.
Shriram Institute for Industrial Research have developed technology for manufacturing blood bags as perISO: 3826. The salient feature of this technology is that leachables are well below the specified limit. The technology is ready for commercialisation and is protected by seven Indian patents.
Salmonella negative poultry feed/ingredients: Salmonella spp., a gram-negative pathogen, is the main source of food poisoning through poultry meat consumption. The main reservoir of salmonella is the gut and viscera of warm blooded animals and the source of salmonella is poultry feed. Consequently, meats in particular poultry and eggs may become contaminated. Therefore, poultry feed should be free of salmonella spp.
Salmonella pathogen can be eliminated by use of gamma radiation from cobalt-60. In the US, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is amending the food additive regulations for irradiation in the production, processing, and handling of animal feed and pet food to provide safe use of gamma radiation, for rendering complete poultry feeds or poultry feed ingredients salmonella negative. Shriram Institutefor Industrial Research, Delhi, has gamma radiation facility and is in the process of developing the technology for Indian poultry feed to render it complete salmonella negative.
For enquiries: Dr Neeraj K. Gupta, Assistant Director, Shriram Institute for Industrial Research, 19, University Road, P.B. No. 2122, Delhi-110 007. Tel: 7257276, 7257860, 7256008; Tlx: 031-79051; Fax: 91-011-7257676, 7257207; E-Mail: delhi.srifir@axcess.net.in.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
