Merafong City and Randfontein municipalities community perspectives on waste management

Solid waste management (SWM) in Merafong City and Randfontein local municipalities in South Africa is a challenge that manifests itself in illegal dumpsites and unhealthy environment. In this study we set to address the Merafong City and Randfontein municipalities’ community participation and perspectives on waste management, minimization and utilization. The study objectives were achieved by using a triangulation method. This procedure included personal interviews, questionnaires and document analysis. The study also looks at households and community partnerships such as waste buy-back centers. These community partnerships promote and support the emergence of small, medium and micro recycling enterprises [1]. These partnerships also focus on sustainable waste management such as reduction of scavenging at landfill sites as well as promoting collaboration between the public and private sector. This study encourages communication among all stakeholders and integration for effective solid waste management in low- income communities

Kinetics study of ammonia removal from synthetic waste water

The aim of this study was to investigate ammonium exchange capacity of natural and activated clinoptilolite from Kwazulu-Natal Province, South Africa. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis showed that the clinoptilolite contained exchangeable ions of sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium. This analysis also confirmed that the zeolite sample had a high silicon composition compared to aluminium. Batch equilibrium studies were performed in an orbital shaker and the data fitted the Langmuir isotherm very well. The ammonium exchange capacity was found to increase with pH and temperature. Clinoptilolite functionalization with hydrochloric acid increased its ammonia uptake ability

Process intensification of zinc oxide leaching process using sulphuric acid

This study investigated methods of intensifying the leaching of zinc oxide ore using sulphuric acid for the improvement of zinc recovery. The factors that were investigated in this study were agitation speed, acid concentration and the feeding mechanism of reactants into the reactor (batch and semi-batch processes). Analysis of the elemental composition of the ore was performed using XRF prior to leaching and an Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS) was used to determine the amount of zinc recovered. The results obtained, showed that increasing the acid concentration results in a significant increase zinc recovery..

Thermodynamics of Cu (II) adsorption onto South African clinoptilolite from synthetic solution by ion exchange process.

The adsorption of Cu (II) ions from aqueous solution onto clinoptilolite from synthetic solutions by ion exchange was investigated. The effects of solution pH and temperature were examined. The Langmuir isotherm model was employed to calculate the different thermodynamics parameters. Thermodynamics studies revealed that the adsorption behavior of Cu (II) ions onto clinoptilolite was a spontaneous and endothermic process, resulting in higher adsorption capacities at higher temperatures

Phase equilibrium of volatile organic compounds in silicon oil using the UNIFAC procedure : an estimation

This paper focuses on the phase equilibrium of volatile organic compounds in silicon oil chemically known as PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane) at infinite dilution. Measurements can be expensive and time consuming, hence the need for thermodynamic models which allow the calculation of the phase equilibrium behavior using a limited number of experimental data. The objective of this study was to predict infinite dilution activity coefficients of selected VOCs (volatile organic compounds) in PDMS using the Original UNIFAC model. The predicted results show that PDMS can be used to abate volatile organic compounds from contaminated air streams. The results obtained in this work are comparable to those obtained by the same authors through measurements such as the static headspace and the dynamic gas liquid chromatographic techniques as well as other literature. Although the UNIFAC group contribution method over estimate the infinite dilution activity coefficients, the results of this work may be applied in preliminary phases of process design, simulation and feasibility studies

A comparison of waste lubricating oil treatment techniques

Waste lubricating oil is a resource that cannot be disposed of randomly due to the presence of pollutants. In response to economic problems and environmental protection, there is a growing trend to regenerate and reuse waste lubricants [1]. The recovery techniques discussed in this paper are reprocessing, rerefining and incineration of waste lubricating oil. The major objective of this paper is to analyze and compare the regenerative technologies, thus creating the foundation for government, the private sector and other stakeholders in policy formation and selection of recovery techniques

Influence of residence time and fine grinding on PGMS recovery and grade using a float characteristic test rig

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A review of waste lubricating grease management

This paper reviews the handling, disposal, treatment of waste lubricating grease as well as its environmental impact. Lubricants require careful disposal as they contain pollutants. In response to economic considerations and environmental protection, there is a growing trend of regeneration and reuse of waste lubricants. Accordingly, this work provides an overview on various ways of handling, disposal, treatment of waste grease and its associated environmental impacts. In addition to the fact that petroleum and crude oil are not inexhaustible resources, waste products from these resources present a hazard to human health and the environment. As such, proper management of waste lubricants is necessary to prevent the adverse environmental impacts. Efficient recycling of waste lubricants could help reduce environmental pollution

Non-distillation oil extraction from SCG using ethanol Propan ropan-2-ol

Non-distillation oil extraction is a process whereby the step required to distillate the solvent (alcohol) to recover residual oil and by-products is eliminated. This is achieved by cooling the extraction products such that oil and some by-products become immiscible and they separate from the alcohol. The effect of Spent Coffee Grounds (SCG)/solvent ratio on non-distillation oil recovery was investigated. It was observed that recovery increased with an increase in ratio for both solvents, ethanol and propanol. The effect of separation temperature was also investigated and it was observed that the highest recovery was achieved at 15 oC. Generally it was observed that propanol recovery for non-distillation extraction was higher than that of ethanol. The main fatty acids present in the SCG oil were found to be palmitic acid (C16:0), stearic acid (C 18:0) and linoleic acid (18:2). Unsaponification values obtained for non-distillation extracted oil were 6.8 and 8.3% for ethanol and propanol respectively. These values are comparable with those of refined oil

Feasibility study for a castor oil extraction plant in South Africa

A feasibility study for the design and construction of a pilot plant for the extraction of castor oil in South Africa was conducted. The study emphasized the four critical aspects of project feasibility analysis, namely technical, financial, market and managerial aspects. The technical aspect involved research on existing oil extraction technologies, namely: mechanical pressing and solvent extraction, as well as assessment of the proposed production site for both short and long term viability of the project. The site is on the outskirts of Nkomazi village in the Mpumalanga province, where connections for water and electricity are currently underway, potential raw material supply proves to be reliable since the province is known for its commercial farming. The managerial aspect was evaluated based on the fact that the current producer of castor oil will be fully involved in the project while receiving training and technical assistance from Sasol Technology, the TSC and SEDA. Market and financial aspects were evaluated and the project was considered financially viable with a Net Present Value (NPV) of R2 731 687 and an Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 18% at an annual interest rate of 10.5%. The payback time is 6years for analysis over the first 10 years with a net income of R1 971 000 in the first year. The project was thus found to be feasible with high chance of success while contributing to socio-economic development. It was recommended for lab tests to be conducted to establish process kinetics that would be used in the initial design of the plant