Faculty of Engineering
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Recent Submissions
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Stress tolerance assessment of dibenzyltoluene-based liquid organic hydrogen carriers
(RSC, 2020)Hydrogen production from charged liquid organic hydrogen carrier (LOHC) systems is always a trade-off between the molecule's storage capacity and the stability over the numerous charging/discharging cycles. This is because ... -
Improving dynamic microgrid modelling through the use of synchronised field data
(IEEE, 2020)Simulation during the design and operation of microgrids should include dynamic phenomena that would be a result of the unpredictable variation in renewable generation and loading. Detailed modelling of different components ... -
Two-dimensional graphene-HfS(2) van der Waals heterostructure as electrode material for alkali-ion batteries
(RSC, 2020)Poor electrical conductivity and large volume expansion during repeated charge and discharge is what has characterized many battery electrode materials in current use. This has led to 2D materials, specifically multi-layered ... -
Revising the dark fermentative H-2 research and development scenario: an overview of the recent advances and emerging technological approaches
(Elsevier, 2020)The indiscriminate use of fossil fuels has led to several challenges such as greenhouse gas emissions, environmental degradation, and energy security. Establishment of clean fuels is at the forefront of science and innovation ... -
Ultrasonic assisted amaranth stem pretreatment for bio-ethanol production
(ETA-Florence Renewable Energies, 2015)An investigation was undertaken to determine the effect of ultrasound on enzymatic hydrolysis rate and enhanced bioethanol yields. Compositional analysis of the feedstock reveals that amaranth lignocellulose contains 36.35% ... -
In-situ biodiesel production from sunflower seeds using liquefaction
(ETA-Florence Renewable Energies, 2015)One of the most expensive steps in the bio-diesel value chain is the extraction of oil from the seeds. Simultaneous extraction and transesterification will lower the overall capital costs of the process while enhancing ... -
Catalytic hydroprocessing of ground cottonseeds in a cottonseed oil and i-octane solvent to produce renewable diesel. (Slide presentation)
(ETA-Florence Renewable Energies, 2017) -
Bioethanol from cassava for a community project
(ETA-Florence Renewable Energies, 2010)Although the North-West Province of South Africa is renowned for its platinum industry, wildlife tourism and Casino resorts, its people are among the poorest in South Africa. The Thusanang community project concept was ... -
Production of ethanol from sweetstem sorghum and tropical sugar beet for a rural community
(ETA-Florence Renewable Energies, 2011)Rural communities in the North West Province of South Africa are among the poorest in the world with an average income of less than ZAR 8.75 (EU 0.875) per day. The South African government has committed itself to upliftment ... -
Conceptual design of an integrated micro-algal biomass-to-liquids process
(ETA-Florence Renewable Energies, 2011)A new integrated biomasstoliquids conceptual process was developed to produce 2.6 million litres of biodiesel per year from harvested microalgal biomass. Three unconventional harvesting methods, a thermochemical ... -
Conceptual cost of an integrated micro-algal biomass-to-liquids facility
(ETA-Florence Renewable Energies, 2011)An orderofmagnitude cost estimate was conducted on a new integrated biomasstoliquids (BtL) process that produces 2.6 million litres of biodiesel per year from microalgal biomass harvested from the Hartbeespoort Dam. ... -
Four novel methods for the harvesting of micro-algal biomass
(ETA-Florence Renewable Energies, 2011)The harvesting of micro-algal biomass is one of the most inefficient and costly steps in the whole biomass-to-liquids (BtL) value chain. Harvesting costs may contribute between 20–30% of the total cost of microalgal BtL ... -
Feasibility of cultivating Hartbeespoort Dam microalgae
(ETA-Florence Renewable Energies, 2011)Three cultivation experiments were conducted to grow microalgae in three consecutively scaled-up laboratory systems, which consisted of one, five and 135-litre bioreactors. The highest productivity achieved under optimum ... -
A comparison of biodiesel purification methods
(ETA-Florence Renewable Energies, 2013)The purification of biodiesel is of cardinal importance to ensure the final product meets industry standards. This final step in the production stage contributes a large portion of the cost attributed to biodiesel production. ... -
Thermochemical liquefaction of water hyacinth
(ETA-Florence Renewable Energies, 2013)The use of non-edible biomass should be investigated as alternatives for biofuel production. Aquatic weeds like water hyacinth (WH) are classified as third generation crops. WH in South Africa is an invasive species that ... -
Preparation of biochar from sunflower husks (Poster)
(ETA-Florence Renewable Energies, 2014) -
Production of value-added products from biodiesel derived crude glycerol
(ETA-Florence Renewable Energies, 2015)Crude glycerol, a by-product of biodiesel production which contain impurities such as methanol, triglycerides and catalysts, would represent a huge challenge to the environment if disposed. Thus the best opportunity is to ... -
Preparation of polyurethane from lignin and crude glycerol
(ETA-Florence Renewable Energies, 2015)Polyurethane foam (PUF) was prepared by a novel approach, using a renewable polyol derived from only biofuel production by-products, lignin and crude glycerol. This could potentially be a high value bio-refinery application ... -
In-situ biodiesel production from municipal waste water treatment plant clarifier effluent stream
(ETA-Florence Renewable Energies, 2015)The natural occurrence of micro-algal species in water treatment plants introduces many operational problems. If one, however, considers the high lipid, protein and carbohydrate content, micro-algae become attractive as ...
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