This first issue of MechChem Africa for 2021 features WearCheck Africa on the front cover and we talk to the company’s MD, Neil Robertson for the cover story.
Story highlights include: the use by Multotec of fit-for-purpose ion exchange (IX) plants to dramatically improve the efficiency of mine effluent treatment; a new electro-desalination water treatment from Zutari as a direct alternative to reverse osmosis (RO); a technical piece about Endress+Hauser’s compact Steam Water Analysis System (SWAS); and a success story about Weir Minerals’ supply of an engineered-to-order minerals processing solution in Nigeria.
We also talk to Ian Fraser of RTS about the establishment of the African Hydrogen Partnership; Sandy Majatladi about the initiatives of National Foundry Technology Network (NFTN); while our Innovative engineering story comes from Jane Molony of the Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa (PAMSA), who reminds us of the wonders of wood.
ON THE FRONT COVER
WearCheck’s ever-expanding preventative maintenance offering: Neil Robinson talks about WearCheck’s expansion and future vision for its maintenance services in South Africa and across the African continent. Read more...
PETER’s COMMENT
AfCFTA: the world’s largest free trade bloc? Peter Middleton celebrates the launch of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which, unlike Brexit, is likely to foster growth by making trade across Africa easier and less expensive. Read more...
MAINTENANCE SOLUTIONS AND ASSET MANAGEMENT
Two more years in Senegal for Lincoln Lubrication: Excellent service on the lubrication systems of mobile equipment in West Africa has delivered increased uptime and substantial cost savings, earning SKF’s Lincoln Lubrication South Africa an extension of its service contract. Read more...
Long-term rental helps the fibreglass industry: Benita Oosthuizen, sales consultant at Rand-Air, tells of compressor hire service success for a fibreglass products manufacturer. Click to read in the online magazine...
Keeping power station pumps up to speed: Integrated Pump Technology is keeping the submersible pumps used in a large Limpopo power station’s process drain sumps in optimal condition through high quality maintenance. Read more...
Filtration solutions critical to prevent premature failure: BMG’s Willie Lamprecht, talks about BMG Fluid Technology’s filtration solutions and the technical capabilities of his support team. Read more...
WATER AND WASTEWATER SOLUTIONS
Ion exchange pre-treatment and recovery solutions for mines: Multotec process engineer, Vincent Ridgard, talks about using ion exchange plants to remove divalent and trivalent ions in mine wastewater to significantly improve reverse osmosis efficiencies. Read more...
Instrotech solution for Tshwane municipality: The submersible pumps at the Bronkhorstspruit Sewage Works are now being operated unmonitored for 24/7/365 after installing DPM4003 temperature controllers from Instrotech. Click to read in the online magazine...
Groundwater brings relief to Karoo town: Groundwater specialists from SRK Consulting have assisted Prince Albert Local Municipality in the Karoo to ensure a reliable and sustainable supply of groundwater to local communities at Leeu Gamka. Click to read in the online magazine...
Zutari’s electro-desalination water treatment solution for industry: Zutari process engineer, Louis Koen, talks about Membrane Capacitive Deionisation (MCDI), a commercially-available technology alternative to reverse osmosis. Read more...
Geotextile dewatering bags: the simple alternative: Carien Spagnuolo of ZebraTube talks about the advantages of dewatering bags. Read more...
MINERALS PROCESSING AND MATERIALS HANDLING
SWAS Compact: E+H’s 24/7 boiler monitoring solution: Endress+Hauser’s compact Steam Water Analysis System (SWAS) delivers reliable and precise measurement results for the protection of boilers, turbines and heat exchangers from corrosion. Read more...
Control Tower takes remote online customer support to new levels: Epiroc South Africa announces the launch of its state-of-the-art Control Tower to enhance remote customer support. Read more...
Weir Minerals’ ETO-solution for Nigerian iron ore mine: Challenging process parameters on a Nigerian iron ore project have showcased the design capability of Weir Minerals, who’s engineers have developed an engineered-to-order (ETO) solution. Read more...
HEATING VENTILATION AND AIR CONDITIONING
Redefining mine ventilation efficiency: TLT-Turbo Africa continues to redefine ventilation for mining operations across the continent, as exemplified by a recent success involving the company’s auxiliary and booster (A&B) fans. Click to read in the online magazine...
POWERGEN, PETROCHEM AND SUSTAINABLE ENERGY MANAGEMENT
African Hydrogen Partnership to foster green hydrogen: Ian Fraser of RTS Africa talks about the newly established Africa Hydrogen Partnership (AHP) and its potential role in developing and financing the green hydrogen economy across the African continent. Read more...
Zest WEG in Zimbabwe ethanol expansion: Leandro Magro of Zest WEG talks about Green Fuel’s state-of-the-art ethanol facility at Chisumbanje in south-eastern Zimbabwe, where a TGM steam turbine generator set is being used to produce high-grade anhydrous ethanol. Read more...
Five key insights for IPPs: Aytek Yuksel from Power Systems at Cummins, summarises the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) annual World Energy Outlook. Click to read in the online magazine...
CORROSION CONTROL AND COATINGS
Antimicrobial coatings in the fight against COVID-19: Lux Research has put out a new report about innovations involving antimicrobial coatings for fighting COVID-19. Click to read in the online magazine...
Phasing out lead in paint: Clariant is partnering with the United Nations Environment Programme in a key project to accelerate the phase-out of lead in paint. Click to read in the online magazine...
LOCAL MANUFACTURING AND FOOD PROCESSING
The NFTN: supporting localisation and growth: Sandy Majatladi of the National Foundry Technology Network (NFTN) talks about his vision for a transformed and globally competitive South African metal casting industry. Read more...
SA-manufactured EnviCat catalyst abates N2O emissions: Jonathan Chetty of Clariant Catalysts describes how the EnviNOx® process developed by thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions (TKIS) can completely remove N2O from the emissions of nitric acid plants. Click to read in the online magazine...
INNOVATIVE ENGINEERING
The bio-economy and wood: the world’s original renewable: Jane Molony of the Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa (PAMSA) talks about the wonders of wood in the bio-economy and how the sector is extracting more value from trees. Read more...
PRODUCTS AND INDUSTRY NEWS
News stories: From Atlas Copco, Flexicon, Mouser, Tectra Automation, Gemü and BI. Click to read in the online magazine...
BACK PAGE
Drive solutions for the water and wastewater sectors: Henco du Plooy of Bonfiglioli highlights the role that efficient drive solutions can play in the water and wastewater sectors. Read more...
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