3.1 Analysis on Cleaning Efficacy
The efficacy of all samples for cleaning of different used kitchen utensils are tested at the local hotels, fast food centre and home. Figures 5 (a) to 5(c) shows the cleaning of used utensil of a family having head capacity of 06 persons.
From the Figures 5-7, it is found that the cleaning efficacy of the legacy ash based organic washing powder is very good and the scratching effect on the utensils were visually checked and no such scratch marks are found on the surface of utensils. Hence, it is confirmed that no such metal erosion will occur during the process of cleaning by the developed washing powder. No such force is required for the utensils as it is confirmed based on the feedback of users. Very minimum foam formation is also observed during the cleaning process and thereby, amount of water consumption for the cleaning process is less compared to in-organic based washing powder available in common market place. As it is made from organic and sterilized based components, thereby, there is no any etching or burning of skin complaints is received from user section. As the ash has some nutrients property, the used water may be further used for gardening purpose also.
However, the efficacy of cleaning for the legacy based washing powder sample is found more compared to fly ash washing powder (Table 2) and mixture of bottom-fly ash based washing powder (Table 3). Moreover, Sample A is more effective than the other samples of Table 1. The cost involvement for making the samples of Table 1 is given in Table 2.
Table 2. Cost /kg of washing powder and cleaning efficacy of the selected sample for human kind use.
Table 3. Comparison of characteristic requirements for scouring products for utensils cleaning.
Sl. No.
|
Characteristic
|
IS 6047:2009 Specification
|
Developed Utensil Cleaning Washing Powder
|
Remarks
|
01.
|
Retention On 250 micron sieve
|
0.1 %
|
4 %
|
Due to pond ash based organic washing powder
|
02.
|
Active alkalinity in ml As per IS 4955:2001
|
20 % (Max)
|
0.12 %
|
Acidity in ml
|
03.
|
Matter Insoluble in Alcohol As per IS 4955:2001
|
80 % (Max)
|
76 %
|
|
04.
|
Moisture & Volatile Matter at 105°C As per IS 4955:2001
|
3 %
|
2.98 %
|
By weight %
|
05.
|
Lather in ml As per IS 4955:2001
|
10 (Min)
|
145
|
|
06.
|
Cleaning Efficacy As per IS 4955:2001: number of plates cleaned /5 gm of sample
|
2 (Min)
|
Passes the test
|
>2
|
07.
|
Tough Soil Cleaning As per IS 4955:2001
|
- (min)
|
Passes the test
|
>30 %
|
08.
|
Surface damage As per IS 4955:2001
|
3 (Max)
|
Passes the test
|
<3
|
From the Table 2, it is analyzed that the increase soaponins property by increasing soap nut at sufficient concentration of clay enhances the cleaning efficacy. But for Sample D, it is found that cleaning efficacy drastically reduces due to reduction in clay percentage. Considering the economic point of view and services for rural people, Sample C is one of the best choices for cleaning of dirty kitchen utensils. However, in general, Sample A is better for the competitive market. The cost of all above samples mentioned in Table 2 is comparatively lower than the conventional in-organic washing powder. It is also pertinent to mention that the consumption period of ash based washing powder is 2-3 times more than the conventional in-organic product at the same cost.
3.2 Analysis on Scouring Characteristic & Environmental Hazardless
The details testing on characteristic requirements for scouring products for utensils cleaning is carried out in an authorized laboratory and the result is shown in Table 3. From Table 3, it is observed that the all values are in limit except the Retention value on 250 micron sieve. This value crosses the limit due to coal ash product. For avoiding the use of in-organic base utensils cleaning powder due to different environmental issues with skin disorder on end users, the use of organic coal ash based utensil cleaning powder may be promoted.
Table 4. Comparison of trace elements of the developed product with ISI standard.
Sl. No.
|
Parameters
|
Result
(in mg/kg)
|
# Result considering washing water
|
ISI (1991) Maximum Permissible Limit (mg/l)
|
Remarks
|
01.
|
Lead
|
8.03
|
0.01
|
0.1
|
#. A. Washing water for utensils cleaning is taken as 10 litre/day per head and 135 litre/day per head as per Central Ground Water Authority , Govt. of India
B. 06 persons in a family is considered and @ 100gm powder consumption per day.
|
02.
|
Arsenic
|
26.07
|
0.04
|
0.05
|
03.
|
Mercury
|
BLQ
|
-
|
0.001
|
04.
|
Chromium
|
22.30
|
0.03
|
0.05
|
05.
|
Cadmium
|
BLQ
|
-
|
0.01
|
06.
|
Nickel
|
10.01
|
0.01
|
0.3
|
07.
|
Cobalt
|
BLQ
|
-
|
0.1
|
Moreover, the trace elements analysis of the developed product is also carried out in a NABL accredited laboratory as per standard method for finding any bad effects on the environment and human beings for long time use. The result is shown in Table 4 and from the Table 4, it is found that it will not create any human hazards as the product does not belongs to food category. However, further analysis is also carried out by considering environmental hazards due to draining of washing water into the sewage drain water system for city people / into the open pond for the village peoples. So, the conversion of trace element result is carried out by considering the amount of developed powder and water used for washing in a whole. Water consumption for a family having 06 heads is taken as about 135 litre per head per day [8] and out of this, about 10 litre/head per day is considered [9]. The consumption of developed washing powder is considered as 100 gm/ day as per feedback of end users of the developed product. Finally, the result of the parameters is compared with the ISI (1991) given limit [10] and it is found that the all data are in within limit. Hence, it is also confirmed that the it has no any contribution towards environmental hazards.
3.3 Cost Benefit Analysis
Cost benefit analysis of the developed product is done based on market price of raw materials. The cost of Aretha fruit, Clay and orange fruit peel off powder are taken as Rs. 125/kg, Rs. 2/kg and Rs. 50 /kg, respectively. The lowest cost of production is found in Sample C which is about Rs. 3.82 /kg. However, the cost of production may be reduced further for large production of washing powder. The selling price of utensils cleaning powder is about Rs. 12.5 /kg as per India Mart. In the present study, we have considered the selling price is about Rs. 10 /kg which is lower than the market value for promoting the people to use the organic based powder. Table 5 shows the details of cost-benefit analysis and it is observed that the power station can earn profit by about 170-240 crores in respect of 25 % utilization of legacy ash present in ash pond of a power station.
Table 5. Cost Benefit analysis