In this month’s MechChem Africa, Festo outlines why for them, the current trend of automation and data exchange in manufacturing technologies is not just hype. They take us through some of their technologies and initiatives that are being rolled out. President Cyril Ramaphosa honours Professor Thokozani Majozi of WITS University for his contribution to science, particularly wastewater management, and we look at some of the new products and services from Weir Minerals, EMVAfrica, Multotec, NOVO Energy, Cummins and Metso. Click to read in the online magazine...
ON THE COVER
Higher productivity through digitalisation: Adrian Bromfield, outlines some of the technologies making Industry 4.0 at Festo much more than hype. Read more...
PETER’S COMMENT
Plastic waste, the circular economy and RDF: The unique characteristics of plastics enable it to play a major role towards a more sustainable and resource efficient future. Peter Middleton notes the material’s appeal to different sectors such as packaging, building/ construction, renewable energy and the effects of repurposing waste-to-fuel in order to reduce the volume of non-recycle waste to landfills. Read more...
SAIChE News: National Order of Mapungubwe for Thokozani Majozi and other news
University of Witwatersrand, Thokozani Majozi is honoured by President Cyril Ramaphosa for his development of a novel mathematical technique for near-zero-effluent batch chemical facilities for better re-use of wastewater. Read more...
PUMP SYSTEMS, PIPES, VALVES AND SEALS
A slurry product fit for every application: MechChem Africa talks to Marnus Koorts, product manager for the slurry product range at Weir Minerals Africa, about fit-for-application solutions and the role Weir Minerals can play in optimising the performance and life of processing plants by selecting the best possible component combination for every application. Read more...
Dry vacuum pumps for better food processing: Integrated Pump Technology’s Scott Gordon talks to MechChem Africa about the Leybold Vacuum product line and the advantages of two recent additions: the Leybold NovaDry vacuum pump for food processing and packaging; and ScrollVac, a low power state-of-the art vacuum system for demanding applications. Click to read in the online magazine...
EMVAfrica brings 360˚ product and service solutions: Energy Engineered Products, Multi Alloys and E-Metals Cape have joined forces to create a powerful new brand, EMVAfrica, which has leveraged and streamlined each of the founding company’s strengths, expertise and experience. Click to read in the online magazine...
Modern pumping systems and residents’ associations: Harry Rosen of TasOnline compares the management methods for modern pumping systems to the election of an autocratic resident’s association: both can find themselves out of touch with real operational needs. Click to read in the online magazine...
Multotec ceramic impellers boost uptime: A large order of 24 ceramic impellers destined for a copper mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo may be a viable alternative to conventional pump impellers since, in the right application, these are expected to last up to five times longer. Click to read in the online magazine...
VSD cost saving in pumping systems: WEG variable speed drives (VSDs) offer the agricultural sector reduced operating costs on automated water collection and irrigation systems with a reduction in energy consumption during periods when the pump motor speed can be reduced. Read more...
PETROCHEMICAL, OIL AND GAS
Novo Energy launches state-of-the-art natural gas compression station: MechChem Africa attends the launch of NOVO Energy’s natural gas compression (NGC) facility in eMalahleni, one of the most advanced in the world. Click to read in the online magazine...
Eastern Cape oil and gas opportunities: Marking the success of the 19th annual African Utility Week, which took place in Cape Town on 14 May 2019, the Eastern Cape province says it will play a pivotal role in highlighting the potential of the province and its progress from an energy front. Click to read in the online magazine...
Sappi and Borregaard celebrate 20 years of biorefinery investment: The equally co-owned joint venture between Sappi Southern Africa and Borregaard AS of Norway, LignoTech South Africa’s plant in Umkomaas, celebrates 20 years. Click to read in the online magazine...
POWER GENERATION, SUSTAINABLE ENERGY AND ENERGY MANAGEMENT
Cummins introduces new technology NG generators: Cummins’ debut of the HSK78G natural gas generator series represents a bold step that pushes new levels of efficiency, transient performance and gas variation. Read more...
New solar heating systems save millions: The Austrian Ambassador officially launched two of the largest sub-Saharan solar systems in Johannesburg on 15 May 2019. These SOLTRAIN projects, a district heating plant for Wits University residences and a solar process heat plant for the Klein Karoo International (KKI) tannery, will save millions in energy costs over the lifetime of the plants. Click to read in the online magazine...
Better transformers for improved safety and efficiency: As electricity utilities and users worldwide look to become more safety conscious and efficient in their use of electrical energy, it is important to leverage the improvements that have been made in the design of transformers. Click to read in the online magazine...
Hamon deal beefs up John Thompson’s offering: ACTOM, has signed a technology and local representation agreement with Hamon, the international manufacturer and supplier of environmental and power generation systems, to extend John Thompson’s offerings in these fields in the local market. Click to read in the online magazine...
ENVIRONMENTAL, WASTE MANAGEMENT AND CLEANING TECHNOLOGIES
Re-imagining waste-to-energy for micro-generation: Kate Stubbs, director: business development and marketing at Interwaste talks waste-to-energy for micro-generation. Click to read in the online magazine...
Metso showcases metal recycling offering: Global supplier of equipment, service and process solutions, Metso, introduced its state-of-the-art solutions for metal recycling at ISRI 2019, the industry’s leading tradeshow in Los Angeles, United States. Read more...
Wolfen PET recycling team established: Austria-based ALPLA and FROMM in Switzerland have formed a joint venture with a recycling team called Wolfen as a basis for collaboration in PET recycling. Wolfen will be dedicated to recycling the PET waste from the Gelber Sack or ‘yellow bag’, a German bin for household recyclables. Click to read in the online magazine...
LOCALISATION, MANUFACTURING, PRODUCTION AND FOOD PROCESSING
Optimised steel processing drives automotive success: Allied Steelrode’s steel processing technology is driving optimised efficiencies within South Africa’s automotive manufacturing sector. Allied Steelrode general manager for sales in the automotive sector, Lee-Ann Geyser, explains. Read more...
Preparing for Generation Z in the manufacturing sector: Many critical manufacturing topics warrant priority attention from the sector’s stakeholders, yet it seems some significant and hard-pressing issues remain overlooked. In effect, these matters prove just as much of an influence on the industry and in turn, the economy of a country. Click to read in the online magazine...
SPECIAL REPORT
Provisional patents essential for robust IP: Janusz Luterek of Hahn+Hahn talks about the importance of seeking a provisional patent for an innovation before undertaking any research into its market potential. Read more...
INNOVATIVE ENGINEERING
Forging Valyrian steel: Does a real-life version of Valyrian steel have the potential to revolutionise automotive markets. Read more...
