Ore processing by PGM concentration process and assessment of CO2 equivalent emissions and environmental damage directly involved

Abstract: Platinum group metals are more and more pointed out as key players to contribute to addressing the making headway issues of environmental damage impacts through technological innovations. Of immediate past, interest in hydrogen has grown rapidly resulting to the development of the concept of hydrogen economy to address two growingly noticed challenges namely climate change impacts due to GHG emissions and the need for clean energy, security and sustainability supply. The recognitions to PGM are of without a doubt, but goings-on around PGM recovery process are reported with environmental concerns; the best known are identified as land transformation, livestock and wildlife affected by use of chemicals and other non-renewable resources. Life cycle assessment analysis of ore-concentration was developed and equivalent carbon dioxide emissions quantified. One tonne of Ore-based PGM Concentrates, a total amount of equivalent carbon dioxide of about 1.574,96 kg CO2-eq was associated with this process. In an annual initiative, the concentrator can process up to 36,547 million metric tons of ore milled accounting for 57.5 million kg CO2-eq. Important emissions in this phase are waterborne and emissions to soil

Inventory assessment of the cleaning of plant off-gas in the recovery process of PGM at the Anglo American Platinum LTD, South Africa

The cleaning of off-gas in the process of producing platinum group metals and the conversion of highly concentrated Sulphur dioxide (SO2) to sulfuric acid (H2SO4) are crucial in the current discussions for attempting to reduce emissions in the entire process of mining platinum metals in South Africa. Emissions of SO2 gas into the atmosphere became a concern lately in the production of PGM which are seen as metals to contribute to clean and renewable energy technology. SO2 emissions are measured in terms of tons per day in the production process of PGM. This fact brought forth more considerations in reengineering process of handling and cleaning off-gas in plant operations. This fact brought out more considerations in the reconsideration of the engineering process of the production of PGM and cleaning of off-gas in plant operations. This paper further examined solutions provided in terms of processes and resources used to handle and clean off-gas, as well as converting SO2 to H2SO4. Life cycle inventory tools were used for consideration and conclusions were drawn based on the results with emissions identified

Carbon footprint analysis in the preparation of the platinum nanophase electro catalyst composite electrode

A new approach in the use of PGMs for the highly catalytic activity in the production of hydrogen by water electrolysis, is to reduce PGMs into nanometer size (nanophase), then integrate them into electrodes. Water electrolysis is an environmental friendly process of producing hydrogen. This study was for the cognition of likely impacts to environment with regard to the manufacturing process of the composite electrode. The Life Cycle Inventory Assessment method and the carbon footprint calculation in the preparation of the composite electrode were essentially assisted by the Umberto for carbon footprint software, which helped to build an inventory analysis and provided a useful database of materials with respective carbon footprints. Direct emissions were likely involved when heating, calcinating, drying materials. Palliative recommendations were suggested in accordance with the types of emissions identified

Eco-vision aspect and sustainable development through hydrogen economy in South Africa

Hydrogen is a relevant purpose that South Africa sets as priority of renewable technologies in a bid to reduce the country’s oil and gas dependence and consequently reduction of its heavily carbon emission. Possessor worldwide of almost 75% of the platinum, South Africa sees the opportunity to play a new role in decades coming with the development of hydrogen economy highlighting positive impacts in socio-economical and ecological aspects. Platinum is a best catalyst metal to be used as electrode to the production of hydrogen by water electrolysis with no carbon emission. This paper examines the sustainability and technological development of hydrogen production for fuel cells technologies processes, the input-output energy comparison involved by utilizing life cycle inventories in which the energy and raw material consumption and different types of emissions related to a specific product are measured, analyzed and summoned over the life cycle’s entire products from an environmental viewpoint

Environmental impacts assessment of the cleaning of plant off-gas in the recovery process of PGM at the Anglo American Platinum LTD, South Africa

The cleaning of off-gas in the process of producing platinum group metals and the conversion of highly concentrated sulphur dioxide (SO2) to sulfuric acid (H2SO4) are crucial in the current discussions of attempting to reduce emissions in the entire process of mining platinum metals in South Africa. Airborne SO2 emissions have become lately a subject of concern in the production of PGM that are considered contributing in the reduction of emissions of carbon through renewable and clean energy technologies. SO2 emissions are measured in terms of tons per day in the PGM production process. In addition this fact brought forth more considerations in reengineering process of handling and cleaning of off-gas in plant operations. This paper further examined solutions provided in terms of processes and resources used to handle and clean off-gas as well as convert SO2 to H2SO4. Tools for life cycle assessment (LCA) for inventory and identification of environmental damage impacts of identified emissions are assessed and conclusions were drawn

Quantifying CO2-eq emissions of ore-based PGM concentration process in South Africa and identifying the immediate environmental impacts related

Platinum group metals (PGM) are accredited for their contribution in reducing environmental damage through technological innovations. In recent years interest in hydrogen has grown rapidly resulting to the development of the concept of hydrogen economy to address two growingly noticed challenges namely climate change impacts due to GHG emissions and the need for clean energy and sustainability supply. The credits to PGM are of no doubt, yet some environmental concerns in PGM recovery process are reported with land transformation, livestock, fauna, and flora affected by use of chemicals and other non-renewable resources. Life cycle analysis of emissions from the smelter section of PGM recovery was therefore develop and equivalent carbon dioxide emissions were quantified. For one metric ton of Ore-based PGM Concentrate, a total amount of equivalent carbon dioxide of about 1.574,96 kgCO2-eq was associated with this process. In an annual initiative, the concentrator can process up to 36,547 million metric tons of ore milled accounting for 57,560,063,120 kgCO2-eq. Important emissions in this phase are waterborne and emissions to soil

Life cycle inventory assessment of smelting process of Platinum Group Metals at the Anglo American Platinum Ltd, South Africa

Platinum group metals are acknowledged for their contribution to the reduction of environmental damage thanks to technological innovations. A growing demand on PGM is expected to contribute to the supply of clean and renewable energy using systems such as hydrogen fuel cell technology. The credits to PGM are of no doubt, yet some environmental concerns in PGM recovery process are reported with a massive harmful SO2 emissions into the atmosphere. Life cycle analysis of emissions from the smelter section of PGM recovery was therefore develop and equivalent carbon dioxide emissions were quantified. For one metric ton of ore milled, a total amount of equivalent carbon dioxide of about 2,084.72kgCO2-eq was associated with the smelting process. SO2 was revealed not to be the most important emission. In an annual initiative, smelter can process up to 36,547 million metric tons of ore milled accounting for 76,163,948,000 kg CO2-eq. The section of the smelter showed emissions to water and emissions to soil mainly. Significant air emissions are identified as Sulphur dioxide (SO2) efflux in the plant

Information and communication technology (ICT) : an effective tools for e-learning

Abstract: This research is based on the premise that, there is still a need to understand whether improvement in technology is appreciated, fully supported in the vision of contributing to the academic business in Africa. The aim of this research is to explore the extent to which the incorporation of technology in teaching and learning has so far benefited teachers and learners in Africa. The objectives of the study is to highlight the benefits of using e‐learning system to find out whether new technologies have enhanced teaching institutions in Africa

The Impact of information and communication technology (ICT) on globalisation

Abstract: All sectors of business capacities across the globe including Africa are becoming increasingly effective and efficient as a result of globalisation and the digitisation of information that have comprehensively improved the way governments, International organisations and private companies are conducting their daily businesses. Past and current studies argued that, ICT plays a critical role in engineering and knowledge economy as well as in management. Information and Communication (ICT) seems to assume an explanatory role in energizing the coming together of world societies. More so, it aids in the acceleration of the interdependence of institutions, organs, processes and values. This article is therefore set to explore a symbiotic linkage and explain the nexus between ICT and globalization. To achieve this goal, ICT is used as a framework for analysing global interdependence through effective communication. Using a theoretical method of inquiry, this paper inferred that ICT is the tool through which technology is transmitted, while technology is the oiling of communication which is the nerve of globalization