Contents · The UCT Chemical Engineering Department of 2012 is a department that employs 29 permanent academic staff and hosts 508 undergraduate and 165 postgraduate students. The

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Department of Chemical Engineering

Private Bag X3

Rondebosch

7701

South Africa

Tel: +27 21 650 2518

Web: www.uct.ac.za | www.chemeng.uct.ac.za

Contact: [email protected]

2012

532

ContentsForeward 5

Department 7

Staff profile 7Technical, Scientific and Administration Profile 8Staff in Research Groups 9Technical and scientific staff 10Department administration 10UCT/Faculty /Department Committee membership 12Academic staff and research fields 15Safety and risk management 23Facilities and equipment in the Department of Chemical Engineering 25

Undergraduate Programme 27Professional Accreditation 34Admission requirements 35Undergraduate prospectus 37

Postgraduate Programme 38

Research in Chemical Engineering 46Centre for Catalysis Research (CAT) 48Centre for Minerals Research (CMR) 50Centre for Bioprocessing Engineering Research (CeBER) 52Crystallization & Precipitation Research Unit (CPU) 55Engineering Education 57Environmental & Process Systems Engineering (E&PSE) 59Minerals to Metals Initiative (MtM) 61Process Modelling & Optimisation Research 63

Publications 65

Figure 1: Chemical Engineering undergraduate student demographic distribution for 2006 - 2012 29Figure 2: Chemical Engineering undergraduate total number of students and gender distribution for 2012 29Figure 3: Chemical Engineering undergraduate student gender distribution for 2006 - 2012 30Figure 4: Chemical Engineering undergraduate student graduate demographic distribution for 2006 - 2012 30Figure 5: Number of Masters (including MPhil) and PhD graduations between 2003 - 2012 39Figure 6: Average time to graduate for students who graduated between 2003 - 2012 40Figure 7: Average time to graduate in Chemical Engineering, EBE and UCT in 2011 40Figure 8: Number of graduates full-time vs part-time 41Figure 9: Average time to graduate of full-time vs part time students 41Figure 10: Number of students as a percentage of those graduated 41Table 1: BSc in Engineering in Chemical Engineering graduates (99) 31Table 2: 2012 Postgraduate graduates and supervisor names 42

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The first BSc in Chemical Engineering at UCT was awarded in December 1922. Thereafter, the degree was discontinued (while a period of delicate negotiation between the departments of Mechanical Engineering and Chemistry ensued), and only two more BSc (Chem Eng) degrees were awarded (in 1927).

For the next few decades, a BSc in Applied and Industrial Chemistry was offered until, in 1954, Chemical Engineering was reinstated as a named degree at UCT.

From the first graduating class of seven (white, male, South African) BSc (Chem Eng) graduates and a single PhD in 1957, the department has grown and evolved to the extent that, of the 99 BSc (Chem Eng) graduates in 2012, 47 were women, 40 were black, and 21 were international students. In addition, 35 master’s and 5 PhD students graduated in 2012.

The UCT Chemical Engineering Department of 2012 is a department that employs 29 permanent academic staff and hosts 508 undergraduate and 165 postgraduate students.

The department offers one undergraduate bachelor’s degree: the BSc (Chem Eng), a four- year degree that is accredited by the Engineering Council of South Africa. The graduates from this programme are highly sought after by the petrochemical, mining and metallurgy, and fine chemical industries, as well as a range of other employers, including engineering and project management, management consulting, and financial institutions.

The department also offers both masters and doctoral study programmes leading to MSc (Eng) and PhD degrees. Our postgraduate programme is the largest academic research activity in Chemical Engineering in Africa and is based on a strong link between fundamental research and its application to the solution of industrial and applied problems.

The department’s research programme is mainly focused around five university-accredited research groupings in Bioprocessing, Catalysis, Crystallization & Precipitation, Engineering Education, and Minerals

Foreword

Processing. The department also has strong research interests in Environmental Process Engineering and Process Modelling.

The Chemical Engineering Department hosts a number of national research centres and chairs.

In 2011, the department updated and revisited its vision and committed to becoming ‘A Beacon in Education and Research’. We aim to fulfil this vision through our both our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. A core aspect of the vision is our emphasis on building an ethos around environmental sustainability, safety, and risk management.

2012

2012 was the year of:

The boot camp – a three-week, intensive intervention for third year students focussed on Reactor Design I and Thermodynamics II. The bootcamp consisted of intensive and supported contact sessions, followed by a re-write examination. It allowed students to master challenging concepts and material, and was considered to be highly successful. Of the 46 who participated in boot camp (and in the re-write exam) 19 of 21 passed Reactor Design I and 24 of 25 passed Thermodynamics II.

2012 was the year of:

Major construction works, with the New Engineering Building (NEB), which abuts the existing New Chemical Engineering Building on the south side, nearing completion. The NEB will increase the department’s floor space by approximately 50%. The demolition of the Snape Building also took place, in order to make way for the new Teaching and Learning Building, which is earmarked for completion by the end of 2014. Receptionist - Nelly Dili

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The end of 2012 also saw the department with two academic posts and a technical post to fill, due to the resignation of Dr Sanet Minnaar, the appointment of Professor David Deglon to the Anglo American Platinum Chair in Minerals Processing, and the retirement of Principal Scientific Officer, Bill Randall.

Department

ALISON EMSLIE LEWIS

Professor and Head of DepartmentDepartment of Chemical EngineeringFaculty of Engineering & the Built Environment

The Department of Chemical Engineering at UCT is one of six departments in the Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment; the others being the departments of Civil, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering; the Department of Architecture, Planning and Geomatics; and the Department of Construction Economics and Management.

The department offers the four year BSc(Chem Eng), as well as master’s and doctoral degrees. The MSc (Chem Eng), MEng, MPhil, and the PhD can all be pursued by dissertation only. There is also an option to pursue the MSc (Chem Eng) and the MPhil by a combination of structured coursework and dissertation (60 credits coursework and 120 credit dissertation).

The department also has a strong and growing research activity, as evidenced by the number of University-accredited research groupings hosted by the department, as well the large number of registered postgraduate students.

Staff Profile

Construction Economics and Management

Electrical Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

Architechture, Planning and

Geomatics

Civil Engineering

Chemical Engineering

Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUGS)

BSc (Eng) Chem

Research Groups

Director of Postgraduate

Studies (DPGS)

PhD

MSc (Eng)

Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment (EBE)

Centre for BioprocessEngineering Research

Centre for Catalysis Research

Centre for Minerals Research

Crystallization & Precipitation Research Unit

Engineering Education

Environmental & Process Systems Engineering

Minerals to Metals Initiative

Process Modelling & Optimisation

Reactor Modelling

Research group Academic staff Scientific and technicalstaff

Senior Professional and administrative, support staff

Centre for Bioprocess Engineering Research (CeBER)

Prof S HarrisonA.Prof J PetersenDr S MinnaarDr C FennerDr C GarcinDr J StensonDr T Mokone Dr R van Hille

Mrs F Pocock Mr L Mekuto Mr E NgomaMs S Rademeyer Mr N van Wyk

Mrs S JobsonMs C MazzoliniMrs L Mostert

Centre for Catalysis Research (CAT)

Prof J FletcherProf E van SteenProf M ClaeysMr N HussainDr P LevecqueDr T Feltes Dr R BrosiusDr M DryMr W BöhringerMr N Lüchters

Mr D ReyskensMs C CeylonMr S De GrandisMs R Cupido Mr G KaufmannMr W KoortsMr P MalatjiMiss L RomainMr M Wust

Dr R WeberDr S BlairDr O ConradMr S RobertsMr S TanakaMs L-A KallamMrs D De JagerMrs E Williams

Crystallization & Precipitation Research Unit(CPU)

Prof A LewisMr H Heydenrych Dr D RandallDr M Rodriquez-Pascual

Dr T-A Craig Ms C OlsenMs L-A Kallam

Centre for Minerals Research(CMR)

Prof D DeglonProf C O’ConnorProf J-P FranzidisA.Prof A MainzaDr B McFazdeanDr K CorinDr M BeckerDr K GrayDr M HarrisMrs J WieseMrs J Sweet Mr A Van der Westhuizen Mr P Bepswa

Mrs S GovenderMr L BbosaMr G GroenmeyerMr K MasekoMr M SouthgateMr R Van SchalkwykMr J WatersMs G Yorath

Mrs H SundströmMiss L NkembaMr M BekaphiMs N DaviesMs B Andersen

Engineering Education Prof J CaseEmeritus Prof D Fraser

Dr A StottMrs R Toerien

Mrs R WatsonMrs C Carr

Environmental & Process Systems Engineering(E&PSE)

Prof H von BlottnitzDr A Isafiade

Ms R Melamu Mrs M van der Fort

Minerals to Metals Initiative(MtM)

Prof J-P Franzidis Dr J Broadhurst Mrs M van der Fort

Process Modelling & Optimisation Prof K Möller Dr M Williamson

Reactor Modelling A.Prof R RawatlalDr M Williamson

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Deputy Head of Department Prof J Case

Electronic Workshop ManagerMr B Randall

Electronics Workshop ManagerMr B Randall

Mechanical Workshop ManagerMr P Dobias

Analytical Laboratory ManagerMrs S Snoek

Unix Administrator

Mr G Inggs

Technical Officer

Mr G de la Cruz

Technical Officer

Mr D Bramble

Chief Technical Officer

Mr J Macke

Senior Scientific Officer

Mrs Z Le Rich

Scientific Officer

Ms S Mbula

Finance Ms A WarrenMrs N Davids

Departmental Secretariat

Mrs J BroadleyMs N Dili

Department Administration ManagerMrs R September

Building Maintenance

Mr E MatthewsMr N Minnie

Academic Administration

Ms R MareeMrs B Cloete

DPGSProf D Deglon

DUGSMr H Heydenrych

EBE DEAN Prof F Petersen

Technical, Scientific and Adminstration Profile

HOD Prof A Lewis

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Staff in research groups

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Electronics Workshop

Mr B Randall, Workshop Manager

Mr G De La Cruz, Technical Officer

Mr G Inggs, Unix Administrator

Mechanical Workshop

Mr P Dobias, Workshop Manager

Mr J Macke, Chief Technical Officer

Mr D Bramble, Technical Officer

Analytical Laboratory

Mrs S Snoek, Laboratory Manager

Ms S Mbula, Senior Scientific Officer

Mr L Mtebeni, Research Assistant

Mrs Z Le Riche, Senior Scientific Officer

Technical and scientific staff

Mrs R September, Department Administrative Manager

Mr E Matthews, Building Supervisor

Ms R Maree, Postgraduate Administrative Officer

Mrs B Cloete, Undergraduate Administrative Assistant

Ms A Warrin, Finance Assistant

Mrs N Davids, Purchaser

Mrs J Broadley, Department Secretary

Ms N Dili, Receptionist

Mr N Minnie, Department Assistant

Department administration

Undergraduate Administrator - Bridgette Cloete

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Name Department / Faculty UCT

Prof Jenni Case

Teaching and Learning Committee1st Year Committee (alternate)Dean’s Advisory Committee (alternate)Faculty Examinations Committee (alternate)Promotion and Remuneration (alternate)Department Representative (alternate)

Senate

Prof Michael Claeys Faculty Research Committee Senate

Prof Dave Deglon

Postgraduate Planning and Administration CommitteeFaculty Equipment Committee (alternate)NEB User Group (alternate)

Senate

Prof Jack Fletcher

Chairperson of the NEB Life Working Group CommitteeProject Implementation CommitteeNEB User Group

University Equipment Committee (UEC) – ChairpersonUniversity Research Committee (URC) Working Group on Research FinanceSenate

Prof J-P Franzidis

Department Representative Committee Library Committee (alternate)Transformation Committee (with Bridgette Cloete and Rene September)

Senate

Prof Sue Harrison

Committee of AssessorsDean’s Advisory CommitteeEducation for Sustainable Development in AfricaEthics in ResearchDean’s Executive CommitteeFaculty Advisory BoardFaculty BoardFaculty Budget Committee Faculty Examinations CommitteeFaculty Research CommitteePostgraduate Planning and Administration CommitteeSpace Management (alternate)UCT Promotion and Remuneration Committee

SenateBoard for Graduate StudiesUniversity Research Committee (URC) Committee on Research ReviewsDoctoral Degrees BoardLaboratory Audit Working GroupPost-doctoral Research FellowsConference TravelPostgraduate Studies Funding CommitteeUniversity Research CommitteeUniversity Research Committee (URC) Conference TravelTask Team on Internationalisation

Mr Hilton Heydenrych

Academic Development CommitteeReadmission Appeals CommitteeUndergraduate Planning and Administration CommitteeTimetable Committee

Dr Niyi IsafiadeEthics CommitteeLibrary CommitteeIT Committee (alternate)

Department/Faculty/UCT Committee membership

Name Department / Faculty UCT

Prof Alison Lewis

Dean’s Advisory CommitteeFaculty Examinations CommitteePromotion and Remuneration CommitteeDepartment Representative CommitteeCommittee of Assessors

SenateUniversity Research Committee (URC) Committee on Research Reviews

Prof Klaus MöllerIT CommitteeTeaching and Learning Committee (alternate)

Senate

A/Prof Jochen Petersen

Academic Development Committee (alternate)Postgraduate Planning and AdministrationUndergraduate Planning and Administration Committee (alternate)Department Representative Committee

Prof Eric van Steen Readmission Appeals Committee (alternate)

SenateUCT screening panel for NRF ratings

Prof Harro von Blottnitz

1st Year CommitteeThe Built Environment ForumEBE Health and Safety CommitteeFaculty Research CommitteeTeaching and Learning CommitteeDepartment Representative Committee

University Social Responsiveness Committee.

Dr Mark WilliamsonEthics Committee (alternate)Space Management CommitteeCHE Curriculum Review Committee

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Mr Paul Bepswa

Centre for Minerals Research - Heuristic-based methods for precision accounting of material flows in mineral processing systems.

Dr Megan Becker

Centre for Minerals Research - Process mineralogy: using mineralogy to understand and predict the effect of mineralogy on minerals beneficiation (liberation, separation and disposal of valuable minerals from gangue).

Mr Walter Böhringer

Centre for Catalysis Research - Acid catalysis.

Dr Jennifer Broadhurst

Minerals to Metals Signature Theme

Dr Roald Brosius

Centre for Catalysis Research - Diesel selective and gasoline/kerosene selective catalytic synthetic fuel processes; noble metal promoted zeolite catalysts for Fischer-Tropsch compatible hydrocracking catalysts; hierarchically and/or nano-structured zeolite catalysts for combined FT synthesis and fuels upgrading in micro-channel and continuously stirred tank reactors.

Professor Jenni Case

Centre for Research in Engineering Education – Student experience of learning in science and engineering, gold catalysis.

Professor Michael Claeys

Centre for Catalysis Research – Director DST/NRF Centre of Excellence in Catalysis (c*change), Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, in-situ catalyst characterization, nano-materials.

Dr Olaf Conrad

Centre for Catalysis Research – Director HySA/catalysis

Dr Kirsten Corin

Centre for Minerals Research - Mineral processing, flotation chemistry: chemical interactions between reagents and minerals.

Professor Dave Deglon

Centre for Minerals Research - Modelling of mechanical mineral flotation cells, computational fluid dynamics, hydrodynamics, gas dispersion, and solids suspension.

Professor Mark Dry

Centre for Catalysis Research - Fischer-Tropsch (FT) catalytic processes, production of synthesis gas.

Academic staff and research fields

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Dr Caryn Fenner

Centre for Bioprocess Engineering Research - Production of fine chemicals and commodity bioproducts through combining research into process kinetics, product optimisation and induction. Production of affordable, modern biopharmaceuticals and chemicals; production of industrial enzymes with commercial applications; and the development and optimisation of bio-analytical procedures.

Dr Belinda McFadzean

Centre for Minerals Research - Mineral processing: Flotation reagents such as collectors, frothers and depressants.

Professor Jack Fletcher

Centre for Catalysis Research – Catalysis by noble metals, zeolite catalysed conversion of phenol and derivatives, wax hydrocracking, shape selectivity in zeolites and molecular sieves, hydrogen processors and fuel cells.

Professor Jean-Paul Franzidis

Minerals to Metals Signature Theme - Integrating and expanding capacity in minerals beneficiation research.

Mr Martin Harris

Centre for Minerals Research – Flotation, modelling, simulation

Professor Sue Harrison

Centre for Bioprocess Engineering Research – Interaction of micro-organisms with the biochemical, thermal and hydrodynamic environment. Microbial community dynamics in planktonic and sessile environments. Biokinetics and metabolic modelling of the biomass and bioproduct components, applied to alkane biotechnology, human health products, mineral bioleaching through heap and tank processes, AMD prevention and remediation, algal bioprocesses for bioenergy and fine chemicals. Bioprocesses for sustainable process engineering.

Mr Hilton Heydenrych

Crystallization & Precipitation Research Unit - Development of a systematic approach for the treatment of effluent water streams. Using multi-criteria evaluations and comparisons of simulated processes to develop new heuristic principles for the design of water treatment processes. Chemical engineering education: curriculum design and the analysis of throughput issues.

Mr Nabeel Hussain

Centre for Catalysis Research - Design and development of catalytic components and devices for low temperature fuel cells

Dr Adeniyi Isafiade

Environmental and Process Systems Engineering – Process design and optimization.

Dr Pieter Levecque

Centre for Catalysis Research - Electrocatalysts for fuel cells and high throughput catalyst preparation

Professor Alison Lewis

Crystallization & Precipitation Research Unit – Industrial precipitation and crystallization, product and particle analysis; process control for optimised product quality; crystallization process development; aqueous chemistry modelling of speciation, thermodynamic equilibria, hydrodynamic and population balance modelling of precipitation systems; water treatment through crystallization, eutectic freeze crystallization.

Mr Niels Lüchters

Centre for Catalysis Research - High throughput experimentation, parallel preparation of heterogeneous catalysts, high throughput methodology for fuel processing research

Associate Professor Aubrey Mainza

Centre for Minerals Research – Comminution and classification, positron emission particle tracking, discrete element method, computational fluid dynamics.

Ms Rethabile Melamu

Environmental & Process Systems Engineering - Waste-to-energy, specifically using a framework of waste-to-energy projects on the ground.

Professor Klaus Möller

Process Modelling and Optimisation – Multiphase reactor modelling, separator modelling, integrated reaction – separation systems modelling, parameter estimation, modular process and flowsheet feasibility and optimisation. Centre for Catalysis Research – wax hydrocracking modelling, FT process modelling.

Professor Cyril O’Connor

Centre for Minerals Research - Flotation, reagent evaluation, cell design.

Dr Jochen Petersen

Centre for Bioprocess Engineering Research – Hydrometallurgy, especially heap (bio) leaching of low grade minerals, heap reactor characterisation and modelling, bio-leaching processes.

Dr Dyllon Randall


Associate Professor Randhir Rawatlal

Reactor Engineering with focus on modelling and simulation, mass transfer modelling in the activation of alkanes, multiphase flow, population balances and applications of segregation and compartment models in flow reactors for minerals bio-leaching and polymerization

Dr Marcos Rodriguez-Pascual

Crystallization & Precipitation Research Unit - Design and implementation of reactors for crystallization & precipitation processes applying thermo - fluid dynamics and non-intrusive optical techniques

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Mrs Jeannette Sweet

Centre for Minerals Research - Comminution and flotation

Mrs Rene Toerien

Centre for Research in Engineering Education - Chemical Engineering Schools Project: Resource material development for secondary school science teachers; science education research; schools liaison.

Professor Eric van Steen

Centre for Catalysis Research/DST-NRF Centre of Excellence in Catalysis C*Change - Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, nano-materials, molecular modelling of heterogeneous catalytic systems, reaction kinetics.

Mr Jacobus Van Der Merwe


Mr Andries Van der Westhuizen

Centre for Minerals Research - Comminution as used on mineral processing operations for the liberation of valuables. Applied process optimisation through plant campaigns, mass balancing, model fitting, and simulations. Fine grinding through stirred milling.

Dr Rob van Hille

Centre for Bioprocess Engineering Research – Mineral biotechnology, algal biotechnology, microbial ecology, carbon cycling, sulphide chemistry and bioremediation.

Professor Harro von Blottnitz

Environmental and Process Systems Engineering – Industrial ecology especially Life Cycle Assessment, waste management and bioenergy, for sustainable development.

Dr Mark Williamson

Process Modelling and Optimisation - Development and characterisation of novel sensors for use in combustion processes, computational fluid dynamic modelling of combustion systems and optimisation of heat transfer in ovens, furnaces and driers.

Mrs Jennifer Wiese

Centre for Minerals Research - Flotation chemistry.

Postdoctoral Fellows

Dr Aboyade Akinwale LCA of syngas from co-gasification.

Dr Mayeli Alvarez-Silva

The role of the froth phase in the flotation of UG2 ore using a laboratory column flotation cell.

Dr Oluwatosin Azeez

Synthesis of heat exchanger networks involving multiple utilities.

Dr Theresa Feltes

Preparation and characterization of nano-materials for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis.

Dr Melinda Griffiths

Large scale production of spirulina.

Dr Robert Henkel

Two-dimensional gas chromatography GCxGC-TOF, Magnometer.

Dr Rene Laryea-Goldsmith

Thermal conversion of biomass.

Honorary staff associates of the department

Honorary Professor Dee Bradshaw

Centre for Minerals Research – Process mineralogy, froth flotation including machine vision systems and chemi-cal interactions.

Honorary Adjunct Professor Alexander Lambert


Honorary Professor Jim Petrie

Environmental and Process Systems Engineering

Honorary Adjunct Professor David Wright


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Dr Peter Malatji

Development of bimetallic precious metal catalysts for steam reforming of methane.

Dr Ramoshibidu Mogorosi

Metal solutions indicators.

Dr Rushanah Mohamed

Membrane electrode assembly development for PEM fuel cell application.

Dr Qiling Naidoo

Synthesis core-shell platinum group metal electrocatalysts by different approaches.

Dr Suzana Savvi

Biological oxidation of alkanes for maximising use of this resource.

Dr Angela Stott

Developing interactive quizzes for improving conceptual learning in science education.

Postdoctoral Fellows

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The Department of Chemical Engineering is acutely aware both of the multiple occupational health and safety (OH&S) risks in its extensive laboratories and of the high importance of these matters in the industries which employ our graduates. We have worked hard at developing a no harm ethos to permeate our operations both in teaching and in research.

Safety and risk management

OH&S in laboratories and the workplace: The department has a formal safety structure consisting of safety officers, safety representatives, evacuation marshals, first aiders, a fire officer and a Hazchem coordinator. Appointments are for a period of three years. Safety officers are typically heads of research groups and are responsible for safety. Safety representatives are typically senior laboratory staff and are involved in the day-to-day monitoring/implementation of safety issues. Safety officers and representatives conduct quarterly safety inspections and investigate accidents, incidents and issues/complaints regarding health and safety. The department and EBE Faculty have quarterly safety meetings where safety inspection reports are presented and general health and safety issues are discussed. Postgraduate students complete a risk assessment of their research proposal before starting laboratory work, in addition to regular formalities.

Safety in the curriculum: Safety permeates the undergraduate curriculum as a theme, with one course in each year using safety moments at the start of lectures to build a habit to think of risk. Formally, OH&S is integrated into the final year courses CHE4036, CHE4048 & CHE4049. Risk management forms 25% of the lectures in CHE4048 (20 Credit Course on ‘Business, Society and Environment’). The lectures are offered by Dr Wynand van Dyk of the G-MIRM programme (see below), in conjunction with Dr Niyi Isafiade, the department’s designated safety teaching academic. Safety and risk assessment forms a smaller component of CHE4049 and CHE4036. Here, the focus is on conducting Hazop’s on process flow sheets and unit operations as part of final year design.

Safety Training: The Minerals to Metals initiative in the department coordinates the South African component of the Global Minerals Industry Risk Management (G-MIRM) Programme. This programme, developed by Professor Joy of the

University of Queensland, trains mining industry management from company executives to middle management in safety risk management. The course is part of a worldwide initiative, involving eight top universities in South Africa, Australia, Chile, Brazil, the USA, Canada and England.

Research on safety and risk management: Allied to the G-MIRM training activities, collaborative research in safety risk management in the minerals industry was recently initiated. The first masters dissertation in this field, presenting a systemic investigation of mine accidents in a platinum mine in South Africa, under the supervision of Dr Isafiade, is nearing completion.

No-harm ethos

Our vision is to be Africa’s leading Chemical Engineering Department, through both our teaching and our research. Safe and healthy learning and work places are indispensable to this vision. By practising what we know to be right, we can be enablers of low risk, healthy, non-polluting, resource-efficient industrial production. We have many rules and systems in place to achieve this vision.

Here we summarise them in five cardinal rules which we pledge to know and obey.

Cardinal safety rules

1. Pro-active and outspoken We show that we think about safety and care

about others by immediately pointing out unsafe acts when we see them.

2. No work without safety thinking, planning and documentation

We reduce and assess health, safety and environment (HSE) risks in experimental design; we complete and assemble all required documentation e.g. project safety

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data sheet (PSDS), material safety data sheet (MSDS), occupational risk exposure profile (OREPs), risk assessment (RAs) and have them signed off by the area safety officer before commencing work.

3. Barriers between people and risks (especially chemicals)

We do not store chemicals in people spaces nor transport them on the central stairwell. Personal Protective Equipment PPE is compulsory in laboratories, but comes off before we return to people spaces. Wastes are handled responsibly - nothing goes down the drain!

4. Gases need advanced safety systems Fire, explosion and toxic exposure can result

from our pressurised specialty gases. Gas cylinders are only to be handled by authorised personnel and must always be chained. The gas handling laboratories on level 5 have multiple safety systems, of which at least two must be functional at all times.

5. Always ready for an emergency We leave the building without questioning when

the alarm goes off; we know our emergency escape route - not the central stairwell! We have emergency numbers next to all telephones and trained first aiders in every work area.

Everyone in our building needs to know and follow these five rules. These are not our only safety rules; if we work in a laboratory we need to learn more by attending an induction programe.

Safety resources in the Department

Appointments and Training Storage and Disposal

■ Appointments: Safety Officers, Safety Representa-tives, Evacuation Marshalls, First Aiders, Fire Officer, HazChem Coordinator

■ Training: Safety (UCT), Fire (UCT), First Aid (St John’s), Breathing Apparatus (Drager) Mandatory training courses every 3 years.

■ Induction: Three mandatory safety inductions per year (staff, postgraduate students, final year students).

■ Chemicals: Certain laboratories have chemical stores e.g. catalysis.

■ Gas: The department has an external gas store.

■ Waste: The department has an external waste store. WasteTech disposes of waste according to standard categories (solid waste, chlori-nated hydrocarbons, inorganic salts, heavy metals etc).

Project/Person Resources Building/Emergency Resources

■ Project Safety Data Sheets: All projects (staff, post-graduates, undergraduates) require a project safety data sheet.

■ Occupational Risk Profiles: All projects (staff, post-graduates, undergraduates) require an OREP which lists project specific hazards (physical, ergonomic, biological, chemical) and the appropriate PPE to be used.

■ Material Safety Data Sheets: All hazardous chemicals listed on the OREP require MSDS’s to be kept at the project.

■ Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Laboratory coats, closed shoes and safety glasses are standard. Extra PPE is worn per the OREP.

■ Safe Working Practises: Research groups keep files of standard ‘safe’ procedures for certain types of equipment.

■ Risk Assessments: The Anglo Risk Matrix is used as a standard risk assessment for key equipment, proce-dures and processes.

■ Emergency Numbers: In all laboratories and at key telephones.

■ Emergency/Fire: The building is fitted with smoke detectors, alarms, extinguishers, hoses, sprinklers, emergency extraction, evacuation and lighting. Catalysis laboratories are fitted with a CO alarm.

■ Emergency/Accident: All laboratories are fitted with emergency showers & eye wash stations. One first aid station per level.

■ Signage: The building is fitted with safety and emergency signage.

■ Extraction: The building has extraction for fume hoods and free standing rigs in walk-in cupboards (air face velocity > 0.5 m/s). Audits are conducted annually.

■ Access Control: Building and laboratory access is by staff/student card. Staff are required to carry identification.

■ Visitors/Contractors: Visitors are given a safety briefing at reception (on sign in).

The Department of Chemical Engineering runs an Analytical Laboratory, a Mechanical Workshop and an Electronics Workshop.

Facilities and equipment in the Department of Chemical Engineering

Analytical Laboratory

The Analytical Laboratory has a range of expertise and facilities, including expertize in the area of particle characterization. The facilities include equipment such as XRF for elemental analysis, size analysis using Malvern Mastersizer and Coulter multisizer, porosity measurement (pycnometer, Hg-porosimetry), structural characterization (XRD, Raman), surface analysis (zetasizer, BET-surface, chemisorption – static and dynamic) and morphology (optical microscope with further access to the University electron microscopy unit). Thermal characterization of solids can be performed using TG/DTA or temperature programmed reduction, oxidation or reaction.

For liquid and gas phase analysis, the Analytical Laboratory is further equipped for product analysis using elemental analysis for liquids (AAS, ICP-OES), liquid chromatography (UV/VIS or RID), gas chromatography (with FID, TCD or MS-detection) and two dimensional GC (GCxGC with TOF-MS).

In addition, the department has some unique equipment in the form of an in-situ magnetometer (for measurement of content of magnetic material present under high temperature and high pressure conditions) and a novel in-situ XRD set-up (for monitoring in-situ transformations within solid materials at elevated temperatures and pressures)

A variety of reactors are available within the department for testing biological reactions (fermenter, air-lift reactor), heterogeneously catalyzed reactions (fixed-bed reactors, slurry reactors, Berty reactor), catalyst for fuel cells (fuel cell stations), crystallization processes (Eutectic Freeze Crystallizers and LabMax crystallizers) and precipitation reactions (multiphase stirred tank reactors, fluidised bed crystallizers and large scale (100L) multiphase reactors).

Mechanical Workshop

The Mechanical Workshop is a well-equipped fabrication workshop, with the capacity for prototype development and customised designs in various materials, including a range of plastic and metal materials.

Stephanie Snoek (right) and Jessica Heyns (left). Stephanie is the Analytical Laboratory Manager

Peter Dobias, Mechanical Workshop Manager

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Electronics Workshop

The Electronics Workshop provides technical support to research groups in the field of electronics and instrumentation. The workshop also runs a number of Linux servers that host molecular modelling (Accelrys, VASP), Computational Fluid Dynamics (Fluent) and Finite Elements (Abaqus) software that are used in departmental research. The Electronics Workshop

advises staff and students on the conceptual design of instrumentation, data acquisition and control systems for test rigs. The workshop also implements and commissions these systems. The Electronics Workshop also designs and commissions custom electronics tailored to the requirements of the various research groups in the Department. KiCAD, other CAD packages as well as software simulation suites and industry-standard software tools are used.

Electronic Workshop - Bill Randall, Electronic Workshop Manager

The Department of Chemical Engineering at UCT offers a four-year undergraduate programme in chemical engineering, leading to the award of the BSc(Eng) degree. The programme is accredited by the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) and graduates thus enjoy the privileges of being part of the Washington Accord group of signatories, including the USA, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and others, who mutually recognise each other’s degrees for entry to professional engineering work.

Approxinately 130 students enter this programme every year – a group of top school leavers drawn from a diverse range of South African backgrounds and further afield. This vibrant undergraduate body provides a strong peer atmosphere in which this challenging programme is undertaken. Senior students participate in a formal mentoring programme in which each first-year student is assigned to a group with senior mentors. Class representatives engage regularly and actively with the Departmental leadership to provide feedback on how the courses might be improved. The large postgraduate body and the department’s philosophy of engagement places some sixty experienced and mature postgraduates in daily contact with the undergraduate student body through their participation as tutors in the undergraduate programme.

The undergraduate programme aims to promote student learning and development, and the academic staff provide a caring and supportive environment. In a system of year advisors, particular academics take a responsibility for student advising in particular years of the programme. We know that a friendly and encouraging learning environment has a positive effect on students’ overall performance. We work hard to create such an environment by getting to know students personally, and by helping them to get to know each other to form good working relationships with one another.

Undergraduate Programme

During the first year of the programme, essential foundations are laid with the study of mathematics, chemistry and physics. During this year, students also receive their first introduction to chemical engineering, in a course in which key ideas in chemical engineering are introduced in context, with a number of project-based assignments. This course also includes basic drawing skills.

In second year this basis is built upon with chemical engineering courses which consolidate the fundamental tools of the chemical engineer including material and energy balances, fluid flow and heat transfer, and thermodynamics. In this year students also study mathematics and chemistry. During the third year of the programme almost all the courses are chemical engineering courses, building capacity with advanced chemical engineering science, and project work runs alongside the theoretical courses. The major laboratory course takes place in this year, and students are also trained to communicate in a professional environment. In third year students also have to choose courses to do in other faculties, as well as some specialised chemical engineering options. At the end of third year students spend a period of vacation training in an industrial setting. The final year of the programme is mainly in the form of project courses which are specifically focused towards the work that chemical engineers do in practice. Concepts and skills are drawn together in the final year design project and research project.

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An ongoing process of curriculum review has delivered incremental improvements to the programme over the years. Notable inclusions are the first year camp, the second year field trip, and the third year system of boot camps to offer additional opportunities for success in key courses. A unique feature of the department is the substantive core involvement in research into engineering education. With a donation from Caltex Oil (SA) in 1992, we established our first post in the area of academic development, following this up with a second such post in 2007 with state funding. The two Academic Development lecturers now play key roles in supporting improvements to the programme across all levels.

Our industrial partners provide many vital inputs to the programme. Many students are funded through industrial bursaries. The elements of industry exposure in our undergraduate curriculum are only possible with industry collaboration. Companies also commit representatives to serve on our Advisory Board. Especially significant is annual recurring support from the Minerals Education Trust Fund - made up of donations from a group of mining and metallurgical companies - for the

development of our undergraduate programme and which results also in the training of Chemical Engineers specifically skilled for the minerals industry.

Annually the department produces up to 100 new graduates. They join a community of UCT chemical engineering alumni who are highly sought after in the workplace and some of whom occupy key positions in companies both locally and internationally. Chemical Engineering had its highest-ever number of graduating students in 2012 – 99, 25 more than in 2011, and 43 more than in 2011.

Figure 1 shows the Chemical Engineering undergraduate student demographic distribution for 2006 to 2012; Figure 2 shows the Chemical Engineering undergraduate total number of students and gender distribution for 2006 - 2012; Figure 3 shows the Chemical Engineering undergraduate student gender distribution for 2006 – 2012; Figure 4 shows the Chemical Engineering undergraduate student graduate demographic distribution for 2006 – 2012; Table 1 lists the BSc Chemical Engineering graduates.

Mark Williamson in his CHE3063F Mass Transfer lecture

Figure 2: Chemical Engineering undergraduate total number of students and gender distribution for 2012

Figure 1: Chemical Engineering undergraduate student demographic distribution for 2006 - 2012

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Figure 3: Chemical Engineering undergraduate student graduate gender distribution for 2006 - 2012

Figure 4: Chemical Engineering undergraduate student graduate demographic distribution for 2006 - 2012

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Table 1: BSc Chemical Engineering graduates (99)

Name BSc(ChemEng)

Firhaat Abrahams

Stubbe Adu-Poku (with honours)

Oswald Amin Alembong

Lauren Anne Appel (with honours)

Hlayisi Smile Baloyi (with first class honours)

Garth Roger Barry (with first class honours)

Astrid Anne Boje (with first class honours)

Kelly Rose Bokelmann (with honours)

Joel Heradi Bombile (with honours)

Nicolas Paul Boonzaier (with honours)

Matthew Armstrong Burke (with first class honours)

Nicholas Westley Burman (with honours)

Deepti Charitar (with honours)

Lindani Chili

Teza Chola Chipeta

Joanne Crimes

Gregory Arnold Crymble (with first class honours)

Camille Samantha Damons

Martin Patrick de Beer (with first class honours)

Zethu Dlamini (with honours)

Claudia du Plooy (with honours)

Tamlyn Sian Froneman (with honours)

Arlette Francisco Giron (with honours)

Nicole Gounder

Sibongokuhle Gxavu (with honours)

Tamara Habile

Brent Alan Hazell (with honours)

Alan Phillip Homewood (with honours)

Onyinye Judith Iroala

Colleen Jackson (with honours)

Jon Paul Janet (with first class honours)

Fadzai Olivia Kadzinga

Bheka Mlungisi Khumalo (with honours)

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Name BSc(ChemEng)

Andrew Thomas Kleyn

Matthew Anthony Koen

Tessa Susan Langley (with first class honours)

Cloe Julia Legrand (with first class honours)

Sureka Lekharam (with honours)

Warren Macmillan Little (with first class honours)

Bokai Liu (with honours)

Catherine Nakafeero Lukwago

Seipati Mabote

Timothy John Magezi Ndamira (with honours)

Muhammad Fayaaz Manan

Katie Jane Mann (with honours)

Tafadzwa Marozva (with honours)

Yolanda Mbola (with honours)

Murray Peter Meissner (with honours)

Kholo Mneno

Caitlin Christine Moir

Keboihile Molatodi

Sarvesha Moodley

Thilisha Moodley (with first class honours)

Lesego Annah Moumakoe

Sandisiwe Mrubata (with honours)

Champion Makasela Mtileni (with honours)

Shehzaad Mukaddam (with honours)

Kabwe Musonda

Pharaoh Kudzaishe Muzanenhamo (with honours)

Velani Murdock Myende

Cornelius Jacobus Mynhardt

Navern Jayabalan Naidoo

Brandon Nair (with honours)

Niel Dawid Naude (with honours)

Nhlamulo Euginia Ndzovela

Paul Francois Nieuwoudt (with honours)

Name BSc(ChemEng)

Lungisani Nodwala

Collin Sibongiseni Norman

Mohamad Faiz Omar (with honours)

Kavir Parthab (with honours)

Jaime Plaatjes (with honours)

Karabo Brian Rabolele (with honours)

Sairisha Ramnanan

Nicholas Paul Rice (with first class honours)

Shilpa Rumjeet (with honours)

Tsepo Serakalala

Sivuyile Loverboy Shabane

Mayaba Monde Shakankale

Melissa Khulekani Lingani Ncube Sikosana

Chanelle Singh

Peter Andrew Smaill (with honours)

Cindy-Lee Smith

Jamie Ruth Srubis (with honours)

Natasha Amber Steinmann (with honours)

Scott George Taylor (with honours)

Courtney Thompson

Laetitia Isabelle Thuysbaert (with first class honours)

Nikita Ann Turck (with honours)

Adri Mar Uys

Wesley Mitchell Van Niekerk (with honours)

Dewald Wynand Vercueil (with honours)

David Gregory Vogel (with first class honours)

Faakhirah Waggie (with honours)

Natasha Chipo Warambwa

Bronwyn Elizabeth White (with honours)

Philasande Phila Xalabile

Zhehua Xu (with first class honours)

Lucy Jane van de Ruit (with first class honours)

Mesuli Thokozani Zondo (with honours)

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Professional Accreditation

The department was assessed in 2010, with formal accreditation being renewed in 2012. The next ECSA visit will take place in 2015.

The general observation was that:

“The School presents overall a very favourable impression, with excellent modern facilities, competent and professional staff, and top quality students.”

On the issue of Structure, Content and Knowledge Breakdown, the comment was:

“This could not be faulted. A model balance of basic science, engineering science, computing, design

The department’s undergraduate programme is accredited by ECSA, the Engineering Council of South Africa. ECSA accreditation means that the BSc (Chem Eng) graduates meet the requirements to register as candidate engineers for PrEng registration. It also means that the BSc (Chem Eng) qualification is recognised by the Washington Accord. As a consequence, our degree is recognised in Australia, Canada, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, Ireland, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the USA.

and complementary studies has been achieved. A wide range of liberal arts complementary studies is offered and, although the majority of students tend to limit their choice to a handful of the courses, there are the more adventurous who challenge themselves and take the more esoteric options.”

On the issue of Quality of Teaching and Learning, the comment was:

“The School is at the cutting edge of engineering education in South Africa, with many excellent ideas and interventions to create a supportive educational environment”.

The Admission Points Score and the Faculty Points ScoreFor applicants writing the National Senior Certificate (NSC) and, in some cases, for those writing non-South African school-leaving examinations, the Admission Points Score (APS) and a Faculty Points Score (FPS) are used to assess performance at school.

Calculation of Admission Points Score (APS) The percentages achieved in National Senior Certificate examinations (preliminary and final examinations) are allocated to an admissions score equal to that percentage. The sum of six subject scores, excluding Life Orientation, but including English and any other required subject(s) for the relevant programme, is considered when deciding on admission. (In other words, for a given programme where Maths, and Physical Sciences are required, the scores for English, Maths, Physical Sciences, and the next three best subjects other than Life Orientation are used to compute the NSC score towards the APS.)

Results below 40% for any subject do not attract a score.

To calculate the FPS, the APS may be adjusted as described below. Three faculties at UCT adjust the APS when calculating the FPS. For the rest (Commerce, Humanities and Law), the APS equals the FPS. In the Faculties of Engineering & the Built Environment, and Health Sciences, the NBT score forms part of the FPS. In the Faculties of Engineering & the Built Environment and Science, Mathematics Paper 3 contributes to the FPS.

National Benchmark tests

The National Benchmark Tests (NBTs) were commissioned by Higher Education South Africa (HESA), with the task of assessing academic readiness of first-year university students as a supplement to secondary school reports on learning achieved in content-specific courses.

Admission requirements The NBTs assess the ability to combine aspects of prior learning in competency areas - Academic Literacy (AL), Quantitative Literacy (QL) and Mathematics (MAT) - that directly impact on success of first year university students. AL and QL are combined in the AQL test and written in a three hour morning session; the MAT is written in a three hour afternoon session. Both are administered under standardized testing conditions at sites across South Africa on designated national test dates.

The NBTs reports results on a scale of 10-99 and by Benchmarks to better inform learners and universities about the level of academic support that may be required for successful completion of programmes. Results are also used by universities in course development, programme planning and placement decisions.

Faculty of Engineering & the Built EnvironmentThe NSC total score out of 600 is reduced to 50, and the NBT total score out of 300 is reduced to 50, providing for an APS out of 100. Applicants may attract a bonus of up to three points if they have passed Mathematics P3.Example

• EnglishHomeLanguage 75% = 75 pts

• Afrikaans/isiXhosaFirst

Additional Language 70% = 70 pts

• Mathematics 84% = 84 pts

• PhysicalSciences 86% = 86 pts

• Geography 79% = 79 pts

• Accounting 69% = 69 pts

• LifeOrientation 80% = 0 pts

• MathematicsP3 70% = 0 pts

Total = 463/600

NBT Scores of: AL: 55%

QL: 60%

MAT: 50%

Therefore, the NSC reduced score is 38.6 (463/12 = 38.6), the NBT reduced score is 27.5(165/6), and the Maths P3 score is 2.1(70 x 0.03). FPS = 68.2

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Language requirements

English proficiency

Evidence of proficiency in English must be submitted with the application to study at UCT. These include any of the following:■ a pass in English Home Language or First

Additional Language, if learners hold the NSC, or

■ 40% In English on the Higher Grade (first or second language), if learners hold the Senior Certificate

■ a recent test of English as a foreign language (TOEFL) score (obtained within three to five years before application for admission) of at least

– 570 for the paper-based test or – 230 for the computer-based test or – 88 for the Internet-based test■ a recent overall band score of 7.0 on the

International English Language Testing System (IELTS), with no individual element of the test scoring below 6.0

■ a score of 65% or more for the Academic Literacy component of the NBTs.

Undergraduate prospectusThe undergraduate prospectus is a guide for school-leavers and others who are interested in studying for a first degree at UCT.

The prospectus introduces life at UCT, describing the campus and detailing the services and facilities that the university provides for students. Details of all undergraduate programmes are provided.

View the 2014 Undergraduate Prospectus: http://www.uct.ac.za/apply/student/undergradpros/ For a printed copy of the undergraduate prospectustelephone: 021 650 2128 or email: [email protected]

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The postgraduate programme is a core component of the offerings of the department. The postgraduate students play a crucial role as tutors in the undergraduate courses, and thus the postgraduate programme, and the participation of excellent postgraduate students, is essential to the functioning of the department as a whole.

The department offers the PhD (by dissertation only), the research-only Master of Science in Chemical Engineering and the research– only Master of Philosophy. These degrees may be carried out in any of the following research areas: Bioprocess Engineering, Catalysis, Crystallization & Precipitation, Engineering Education, Environment and Process Systems and Mineral Processing.

The Master of Science by a combination of coursework and research (60 credits coursework and 120 credits research) is offered in the areas of Bioprocess Engineering, Catalytic Process Engineering and Hydrometallurgical Engineering. The Master of Engineering and the Postgraduate Diploma in Minerals Beneficiation are both site-based programmes which are solely based on coursework. Students are required to complete 120 course credits.

All postgraduate studies based in the department of Chemical Engineering involve a substantial

Postgraduate Programme

research project. All on-site students entering for a postgraduate degree in the Department of Chemical Engineering are required to undertake the course on Research Methodology and Communication (CHE5055Z). The research questions to be investigated for the dissertation are formulated and defined as a part of this course.

Students may enrol for PhD study after completion of their MSc study or via an upgrade of their MSc to a PhD study. Prospective PhD students are required to submit a written research proposal and to present their proposal in a seminar to the department. The proposal is reviewed by a panel comprising three academics who advise the head of department as to whether the provisional registration should be upgraded to a PhD registration. The registration of the student as a PhD student must subsequently be sanctioned by the Doctoral Degrees Board.

Figure 5 shows the number of Master’s (including MPhil) and PhD from the postgraduate programme as a whole over the last 10 years.

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With 29 full time academics and 2 SARChI chairs, this amounts to approximately 13 Masters and 4 PhD graduates per academic over the ten years under review.

A total of 213 master’s and 59 PhD students have graduated during this time, with an average of 21.3 master’s graduates and 5.9 PhD graduates per year. Between 2003 and 2009, the graduation rates for master’s students were relatively constant (an average of 16), but, in 2010, there was a steep increase in the number of Masters graduations per year, to an average of 33 between 2010 and 2012. The graduation rates for PhD students have remained relatively constant over the last 10 years.

Figure 6 shows the time it took to graduate for the postgraduate students who graduated in the last ten years – an average of 3.2 years for a master’s graduate and 4.98 years for a PhD graduate.

In order to compare this with faculty and university values, the average time to graduate in the year 2011 was used, since this was the data available in the most recent UCT Teaching and Learning Report. Figure 7 shows that, in 2011, a Chemical Engineering Masters student took, on average, 3.2 years to graduate, compared to the average time to complete for a Masters student in EBE (2.6 years) and for a UCT master’s student (2.6 years).

For the PhD, a chemical engineering PhD student took 5.4 years to graduate, compared to the average time to complete for an EBE PhD (5.3 years) and the average time to complete for UCT PhD students (4.6 years).

Figure 8 shows the number of full time vs the number of part time graduates.

Figure 9 shows the average time to graduate of the full time vs the part time students.

Figure 5: Number of Master’s (including MPhil) and PhD graduations between 2003 - 2012

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Figure 6: Average time to graduate for students who graduated between 2003 - 2012

Figure 7: Average time to graduate in Chemical Engineering, EBE and UCT in 2011

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Figure 10: Number of lost students as a percentage of those graduated

Figure 10 compares the number of “lost” chemical engineering students (students who do not complete the degree) with those in UCT as a whole. With 22% of Chemical Engineering Masters students being “lost” compared with 26% of UCT Masters

students and 31% of Chemical Engineering PhD students being “lost” compared with 27% of UCT PhDs, the figures, although of concern, are at least comparable. Table 2 lists postgraduate students who graduated in 2012. This table gives an indication of the scope of research projects conducted in the Department of Chemical Engineering.

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Table 2: 2012 Postgraduate graduates and supervisor names

Student NameSupervisor and co-supervisor(s)

Degree Research Topic

Muhammad Amod M Claeys MScCarbidization and size effects of unsupported nano-sized iron in the low temperature Fischer-Tropsch process

Joachim Becker H Von Blottnitz MScSupply chain network optimisation to determine the optimum processing method for biodiesel production

Jacqueline Binneman J Fletcher MScThe hydrocracking of long chain N-paraffins under Fischer-Tropsch conditions

Ross Burnham C Woolard MScThe effect of different chemical classes on the swelling of NBR 0-RINGS in blends with synthetic paraffinic kerosene

Muhammad Junaid CariemE Van Steen M Petersen

MScAdsorption of K and KO on Hagg iron carbide surfaces and its effect on the adsorption of co: a DFT study

Daniel Castelyn M Becker MScThe effect of mixing Thiol collectors in the flotation of pure Sulphide Ores

Lehlogonolo Chiloane H Von Blottnitz MScSolar Energy in the minerals processing industry: identifying the first opportunities

Tapiwa Chimbganda M Becker MScAn integrated approach for the mitigation of Acid Rock Drainage (ARD) associated with Pyrrhotite in nickel deposits

Brett Clapham M Claeys MScThe development of an in-situ X-ray diffraction cell for Fischer-Tropsch catalyst characterisation

Ilhaam Dalwai H Von Blottnitz MScA comparison of the technical and environmental merits of producing Bio-Ethanol and Bio-Methane from waste paper sludge

Jasper Dick H Von Blottnitz MScAn investigation of carbon footprint reductions achievable in Cape Town social housing considering rebound effects

Porogo Duku J Petersen MScBiooxidation kinetics of Leptospirillum Ferriphilum attached to a defined solid substrate

Abraham Durant A Mainza MScDeveloping a methodology that incorporates ceramic media properties to model power draw in a M4 ISAMILL

Ashton Drummond K Möller MScSimulation of wax hydrocracking: effect of mass and heat transfer



Wing-Kin Fung E Van Steen MScLow pressure ammonia oxidation over supported cobalt catalyst for nitric acid production

Anne Gabathuse S Harrison MScSynthesis Of Enantio-Pure Amides By Reversal Of The Geobacillus Pallidus Rapc8 Amidase Hydryolisis Reaction In Non-Aqeous Media

Joseph Kabwe A Mainza MScMathematical modelling of the base metal matte converter

Tsepang Khonthu C O’Connor MScInvestigation of the flotation behaviour of Ball Mill and IsaMill products

Jonathan Ledgerwood J Petersen MScReaction phenomena of iron oxide leaching in an evaporative acid bake reactor

Karen Ma J Case MPhilInvestigating the effectiveness of animations in exploring learning: A case study in a Chemical Engineering course

Nobathembu MangesanaA Mainza I Govender

MScDeveloping a methodology for characterising in-situ viscosity profiles in tumbling mills

Malibongwe Manono K Corin MSc

An investigation into the effect of ionic strength of plant water on valuable mineral and gangue recovery of a platinum bearing ore from the Merensky Reef

Molefi Matsutsu E Van Steen MScDFT insight into the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) on the Pt3Co(111) surface

Neale Mcculloch J Petersen MScNickel-copper metathesis in the nickel atmospheric leach stage of Rustenburg base metals refinery

Gracia Munganga H Von Blottnitz MSc

Integrating bio-based resource recovery and treatment into municipal solid waste management in developing countries : a focus on anaerobic digestion

Sancha NagoorooW Böhringer J Fletcher

MScThymol synthesis via Alkylation of M-Cresol with Isopropanol

Mpho NamaneJ Petersen J-P Franzidis

MScAn initial electrochemical study into the (Bio) Leaching of Chalcopyrite

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Rissa Niyobuhungiro H Von Blottnitz MScAn investigation on CCA-treated wood in informal caterers’ fuel stocks and related airborne arsenic in the Cape Town region

Mariam Royker J Case MScPlatinum promotion in supported gold catalysts for Glycerol oxidation

Harikrishna Sudhakaran R Rawatlal MScApplication of electrical resistance tomography in evaluating the influence of nozzle design on the gas hold-up in boiling bubble column reactors

Wendy Van Der Merwe J Petersen MScThe development of an online amperometric technique to measure free and WAD cyanide in gold plant leach liquors and effluent streams

Tracey Van HeerdenE Van Steen J Case

MScCharacterization of gold catalysts for methanol synthesis

Jacques VogeliJ Broadhurst M Becker D Reid

MScInvestigation of the potential for mineral carbonation of PGM tailings in South Africa

Jason Waters A Mainza MScThe influence of slurry viscosity on hydrocyclone performance

Claire WrightW Böhringer J Fletcher

MScSynthesis of medium pore Zeolites and testing via the Isopropylation of m-Cresol with Isopropanol

Yousef GhorbaniJ Petersen S Harrison J-P Franzidis

PhDOn the progression of leaching from large particles in heaps

Madelyn Johnstone-Robertson

S Harrison K Clarke

PhD

Influence of enzyme location and culture rheology on the optimisation of glucose oxidase production by Aspergillus niger NRRL-3 and Penicillium sp. CBS120262

Athanasios KotsiopoulosR Rawatlal G Hansford

PhDDevelopment of an unsteady state model for the tank bioleaching of sulphide mineral concentrates in flow reactor systems

Patrick MogorosiE Van Steen M Claeys

PhDMetal support interactions on Fe-based Fischer-Tropsch catalysts

Leonrad Smith J Case PhD

The effect of selected academic development programmes on the academic performance of academic development students at a South African university: an empirical analysis

Oluwatosin Azeez D Fraser PhDSupply and target-based superstructure synthesis of heat and mass exchange networks

47

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Centre for Bioprocessing Engineering Research

Research activities


Crystallization & Precipitation Unit


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Research in Chemical Engineering

Research in the Chemical Engineering Department has grown significantly over the last ten years, with postgraduate numbers doubling from 92 in 2002 to 185 in 2012. The department hosts four University-accredited Research groupings: the Crystallization & Precipitation Research Unit and the Centres for Bioprocess Engineering Research, Catalysis Research and Minerals Processing Research. We also host two SARChI Chairs (Bioprocess Engineering and Minerals Beneficiation), the DST-NRF Centre of Excellence in Catalysis, the DST Competence Centre in Hydrogen and Fuel Cells as well as one of the University’s Signature Research Themes in Minerals to Metals.

Noteworthy research-related achievements in 2012Crystallization & Precipitation

Research Unit

■ Dr Dyllon Randall, was one of three South African scientists to receive the renowned “Green Talents” sustainability prize in a competition organised by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research in Berlin.

■ Professor Alison Lewis was awarded the Department of Science and Technology’s Distinguished Women Scientist Award in the 2012 South African Women in Science Awards.

DST Hydrogen Catalysis Competence Centre

(HySA/Catalysis)

■ The Centre for Catalysis Research participated in a University Research Council Quality Assurance Review on 8th November 2013. The centre will now outline the strategy whereby its new set of goals will be achieved over the period to 2018, including the structural mechanisms needed to moderate the risk of three catalysis centres utilizing shared resources.

■ A significant investment in high-throughput experimental facilities for catalyst preparation (Chemspeed), a 16-channel heterogeneous catalyst performance evaluation station (Avantium) and a 25-channel electrocatalyst /fuel cell testing station (Nuvant). It is reasonable to expect a significant change to the general experimental paradigm within the Centre as well as an associated change in educational philosophy as these new technologies become fully integrated into the research programmes.

■ A first-of-its-kind convention dedicated to synthesis gas conversion - one of the key industrial technologies underpinning the South African economy - took place in Cape Town in April 2012. The event was hosted by c*change, the Department of Science and Technology and the National Research Foundation’s Centre of Excellence in Catalysis at UCT, in association with Sasol, PetroSA and other sponsors.

Two senior HySA/Catalysis appointments were made:■ Dr Sharon Blair was appointed as Key

Programme Manager for the Portable Power Systems Programme.

■ Mr Shiro Tanaka was appointed as Key Technology Specialist Fuel Cell Stack Engineering.

■ The following workshops, symposia and conferences were organised:

– Inaugural c*change Autumn School (Zevenwacht, 29 – 31 March. 2012)

– Inaugural c*change Syngas Convention (Cape Town, 1 – 4 April. 2012)

– Annual c*change Symposium (Langebaan, 9 – 10 November. 2012)

– 2012 Catalysis Society of SA Conference (Langebaan, 11 – 14 November. 2012)

– HySA/Catalysis PEFC Durability Workshop (Cape Town, 15 November. 2012)

■ c*change initiated the development of a Chemical Industries Resource Pack for the new Grade 12 Physical Science syllabus. By the end of 2012, in addition to the distribution of some 6,000 resource packs to schools, some 2,000 teachers were exposed and trained on the materials in the resource pack by, inter alia, conducting 57 workshops throughout the country.

Environmental and Process Systems

Engineering Group

■ The Environmental and Process Systems Engineering Group, received a 3 year grant from the NRF Global Change, Society and Sustainability Programme grant for a study on implementation of technology to harness the documented potential of waste-based bioenergy in South Africa, through socio-technical innovations in and around biogas.

■ The Group has one PhD and eight Masters degrees across three programmes, spanning both industrial and urban development topics.

■ Dr Isafiade was awarded the Y2 rating from National Research Foundation.

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DirectorCatCentre

Prof J Fletcher

Directorc*change

Prof M Claeys

DIRECTORCentre for Catalysis Research

Prof J Fletcher

DirectorHySA/catalysis

Dr O Conrad

ACADEMIC STAFFJ Fletcher, E van Steen

BUSINESS AND RESEARCH MANAGEMENT STAFFS Blair, W Böhringer, R Brosius, M Claeys, O Conrad, M Dry,

N Hussain, P Levecque, N Luchters, S Roberts, S Tanaka, R Weber

TECHNICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT STAFFR Cupido, D de Jager, LA Kallam, G Kauffman, W Koorts C Le Roux, D Reyskens, L Romain, E Williams, M Wüst

Programme managersCatCentre

Programme Managersc*change

Programme managersHySA/catalysis

Project LeadersCatCentre

Project Leadersc*change

Project LeadersHySA/catalysis

StudentsCatCentre

Studentsc*change

StudentsHySA/catalysis

Laboratory managerMr D Reyskens

Contracts managerMr S Roberts

Senior Technical officerMr M Wüst

Technicians

Research Finance manager

Ms LA Kallam

Business Support manager

Dr R Weber

SecretariatMrs D de Jager Mrs E Williams

Research

Research in catalysis at UCT Chemical Engineering currently consists of three main entities.

Centre for Catalysis Research (CatCentre)Industrially-oriented catalysis research was initiated within the Department of Chemical Engineering in 1980. Funding comes from a variety

of sources including the University, the National Research Foundation (NRF), the DTI Technology & Human Resources for Industry Program (THRIP), and several industrial sponsors. Industrial contract research from both domestic and international companies contributes substantially to the centre’s financial base.

The centre concerns itself with both fundamental and industrial research and development in the general field of heterogeneous catalysis, encompassing all of catalyst synthesis, physico-

chemical characterisation and performance testing for industrially interesting chemical conversions. Although engaged in topics of international interest, the centre has a strong commitment to addressing issues of direct importance to the South African Chemical Process Industry.

The CatCentre scientific programme is made up of three distinct research foci, viz. 1. Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis2. Hydroprocessing3. PGM Catalysis

DST – NRF Centre of Excellence in Catalysis (c*change)The DST-NRF Centre of Excellence in Catalysis (c*change), established in 2004, has as its focus the field of catalysis and catalytic processing, and is to be seen as a large yet focused virtual research programme of a national scope and significance, with multi-disciplinary participants from ten higher education institutions, comprising some 16 research groupings from fields in heterogeneous, homogeneous and bio-catalysis and disciplines ranging from chemistry, engineering and microbiology.

The objectives of the Centres of Excellence Programme are, inter alia, to promote knowledge and human capital development in areas of strategic importance to South Africa, to promote collaborative and interdisciplinary research, to integrate smaller and related research areas into one programme, and to strive for the highest standards of quality and international competitiveness by exploiting the competitive advantage vested in outstanding researchers with planned, strategic, long-term research.

The c*change scientific programme is made up of four distinct research programmes, viz.

1. Paraffin Activation (PAR) Programme (UCT, US, UKZN, UFS)

2. RSA Olefins (OLE) Programme (UCT, US, UFS, NWU, UJ)

3. Synthesis Gas (SYN) Programme (UCT, WITS, UWC, UL)

4. Small Volume Chemicals (SVC) Programme (UCT, NMMU)

DST Hydrogen Catalysis Competence Centre (HySA/Catalysis)The Centre for Catalysis Research, together with the mineral research council, Mintek, hosts the Department of Science and Technology’s (DST) Hydrogen Catalysis Competence Centre. This virtual centre, established in 2007, is one of three competence centres that will develop hydrogen-based technologies as part of the National Flagship Project in Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies. Platinum-group metals are key catalytic materials in hydrogen fuel cells and South Africa has the unique driver in that it possesses 75% of the world’s platinum reserves. The strategic goal is for South Africa to supply 25% of the future global fuel-cell market with novel, locally developed and fabricated platinum-group metal catalysts by 2020, thereby diversifying the applications of the nation’s platinum group metal resources and promoting socio-economic benefits through value addition to its key natural resources.

The HySA/Catalysis scientific programme is made up of three Core Technology Programmes:1. H2 / MeOH Fuel Cells (Mintek)2. H2 / Reformate PEM Devices (UCT)3. Fuel Processors (UCT, UKZN)

In addition to scientific development, HySA/Catalysis is responsible for the HySA Key Programme in Portable Power Systems.

Catalysis Laboratory

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*Department of Physics

#Department of Geology

Prof D Deglon Director


Prof J-P Franzidis Deputy Director CMR

PG Co-ordinator

A/Prof A Mainza Hydrocyclones,

Tumbling Mills, PEPT, DEM, AMIRA P9

COMMINUTION AND CLASSIFICATION

PROCESS MINERALOGY

TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER – MPTECH Training, Design, Circuit Optimisation, JKSimMet/JKSimFloat

FLOTATION

Mr A van der Westhuizen Stirred Mills, PEPT

Prof D Deglon Director CMR

Flotation Cells, CFD, Metal Accounting

Dr M Becker

MINERALS TO METALS

Mrs H Sundström Admin manager

Mrs S Govender Labratory Manager

Mr K Maseko Mr M Bekapi

Mr M Southgate Mr R van Schalkwyk In-service trainees

Dr L Bbosa Mr J Waters

Mr P Bepswa

Ms G Yorath Ms L Nkemba

Mrs J Wiese Dr K Corin

Dr B McFadzean Mr G Groenmeyer

Mrs N Davies Mrs B Anderson

Ms C Pomario

Mr M Harris Flotation Circuits, Froth, AMIRA P9

Dr I Govender* Granular Flow, CFD,

PEPT, DEM

Prof C O’Connor Reagent Research

Group

Prof D Reid#

Mrs J Sweet AMIRA P9

Centre for Minerals Research (CMR) Description of activities

The Centre for Minerals Research is a multi-disciplinary, inter-departmental Research Centre based in the Department of Chemical Engineering, with close collaboration with groups in the Department of Physics, Mechanical Engineering and the Centre for Research into Computational and Applied Mechanics. The centre originated as a research group in 1980 and became formally recognized as a Research Unit in the 1990s. In 2006 the Unit was accredited by the University as a Research Centre. The main focus of research is on the processes of froth flotation, comminution and classification, arguably the most important unit operations in mineral beneficiation. In excess of 2000 million tons of over 100 different mineral species are recovered annually through the process of flotation, in most cases preceded by comminution and classification. Inefficiencies in these processes translate into both an enormous loss of revenue and an unnecessary waste of the world’s valuable and steadily declining mineral reserves. The primary objectives of the Centre are to investigate flotation, comminution and classification at both an industrial (applied) research level and at a laboratory (fundamental) research level so as to develop a sound understanding of these processes, and thereby enhance our ability to develop predictive models for describing the performance of industrial units and circuits. In addition, the centre places a high priority on the provision of high level human resources to the South African mining and minerals processing industry through rigorous postgraduate research training. The centre enjoys extensive support from statutory funding agencies as well as a wide spectrum of all the leading mining and mineral processing companies both locally and globally. The centre also enjoys close collaboration with other research groups at Universities and Research Organisations both nationally and internationally.

Centre for Minerals Research (Research Themes)Research in the centre is broadly “themed” into comminution & classification, flotation, process mineralogy and technology transfer. Process mineralogy is an interdisciplinary research area

which plays an important role in the integration between comminution, classification and flotation. A technology transfer group, MPTech, plays a central role in ensuring that research outcomes are implemented. Research is conducted at both an industrial (applied) level and at a laboratory (fundamental) level. Much of the research is focused on developing predictive models for describing the performance of industrial units and circuits.

Comminution and Classification Research■ Comminution Circuit Modelling (Group Leader:

Aubrey Mainza)■ Computational Modelling (Group Leaders:

Aubrey Mainza and Indresan Govender)■ Positron Emission Particle Tracking (Group

Leaders: Aubrey Mainza & Indresan Govender)■ AMIRA P9 Project (Group Leader: Aubrey Mainza)

Flotation Research

■ Flotation Chemistry (Group Leader: Cyril O’Connor)

– Reagent Research Group – Flotation Chemistry Group■ Flotation Cells (Group Leader: Dave Deglon) – Flotation Cell Modelling – Computational Fluid Dynamics■ Flotation Circuit Modelling (Group Leader:

Martin Harris)■ AMIRA P9 Project (Group Leader: Martin Harris)

Process Mineralogy Research

■ Process Mineralogy (Group Leader: Megan Becker)

– Process Mineralogy Research – QEMSCAN

Technology Transfer

■ MPTech (Group Leader: Jenni Sweet) – MPTech - Technology Transfer, Training &

Consulting – Anglo Platinum Graduate Development

Programme

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Centre for Bioprocess Engineering Research (CeBER)

MSc studentsMarc Brighton, Porogo Duku, Aliya Gani,

Mark Gituma, Fadzai Kadzinga, Mark Kerr, Ziningi Madonsela, Tarisayi Matongo, Latifa Mrisho, Caroline Muzawazi, Mpho Namane, Lefa Nkadimeng, Qubekani Ngulube, Alex

Opitz, Rory Ravells, Eustice Vries

PhD studentsCindy-Jade Africa, Lucinda Bromfield,

Alexei Cherkaev, Yousef Ghourbabi, Elaine Govender, Duragaprasad MR Lyer, Gavin

Jones, Sarah Jones, Neehal Mooruth, Liabo Motleleng, Thandazile Moyo, James Mwase,

Oluwafemi Olaofe, Naadia van der Bergh, Wynand van Zyl, Bernelle Verster

AcademicA/Prof J Petersen

CeBER DirectorProf S Harrison

SeniorAdministrative

officerMrs S Jobson

Administrative assistant

Miss C Mazzolini

Personal Assistant Mrs L Mostert

Laboratory managerMrs F Pocock

AcademicDr S Minnaar

Technical officerMolecular biology

Mr N van Wyk

Academic Senior ResearcherDr R van Hille

Laboratory manager Fe & SMr E Ngoma

Academic Senior ResearcherDr C Fenner

Scientific officerMrs M Johnstone-Robertson

Postdoctoral researchersDr M Griffiths

Dr S Savvi

Research associatesDr C GarcinDr C Bryan

Laboratory assistantMr L Mekuto

Laboratory assistantMiss S Rademeyer

UCT has a long track record of research in bioprocess engineering dating from the late 1960s. The research grouping was formalised as an accredited unit, BERU, in 2001 and its accreditation upgraded to the Centre for Bioprocess Engineering Research (CeBER) in 2008. CeBER’s vision is to be a cross-disciplinary research enterprise, developing the nation’s bioprocess engineers, providing new insights into bioprocesses and bioproducts and becoming global leaders in selected relevant research niches. Its mandate is to educate students in modern bioprocess engineering and biotechnology principles and practice, and to engage in multi-disciplinary research programmes through which CeBER seeks to provide fundamental knowledge and to develop technologies to benefit the process and biotech sectors.

CeBER’s research is focused into the applications of mineral bioprocessing (for value recovery and to minimise waste), environmental bioprocesses, algal biotechnology, alkane biotechnology, enzyme and fine chemical products, bioprocess systems and biorefineries. We are best recognised for our strong inter-disciplinary basis, bringing biological understanding to bear on process engineering systems and vice versa. This is nurtured by the strengths we have developed in bioreactor design, integrated and sustainable bioprocesses, microbial ecology, microbial response to stress as well as microbial contacting, mass transfer and fluid flow.

Research focal areas and projects Algal biotechnology

Microalgae have great potential as a microbial production system, owing to their broad product spectrum, photosynthetic metabolism and ability to use CO2 as their carbon feedstock, combating fresh green house gas (GHG) production. CeBER focuses on algal cultivation, harvesting and processing for the production of carotenoids, nutraceuticals, lipids and energy products. Maximising biomass and lipid productivity through optimising the uptake of light and CO2 is critical to systems scale-up. Through the biorefinery concept, inventory analysis and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), we identify key contributions required for feasible algal processes.

Selected projects:■ Optimising micro-algal lipid productivity for

biodiesel production;■ Assessing and improving the sustainability of

algal biorefineries; ■ Optimising light provision through reactor

design;■ Postion emission particle tracking (PEPT)

tomography for the study of photobioreactors;■ Spirulina algal technology development;■ Energy efficient mass transfer.

Biotechnology towards chemicals, food and

health products

CeBER has a strong research focus in the production of fine chemicals and commodity bioproducts through combining research into process kinetics, metabolic modelling, product optimisation, induction and process sustainability.

Currently, we are investigating the production of commodity bioproducts, such as biofuels and polymers from renewable resources. Another focus area is the bioconversion of linear alkanes to yield value added products such as alcohols, carboxylic acids, hydroxyacids and dioic acids. To address the demand for affordable, modern biopharmaceuticals such as insulin, antiretrovirals, antimicrobial and nutraceuticals, recombinant microbial systems are used to maximise productivity of desirable peptides.

Selected projects:■ Biofunctionalisation of alkanes through P450

enzyme systems;■ Influence of enzyme location on the

optimisation of glucose oxidase production;■ Biopolymers from waste resources; ■ Biohydrogen production using

Rhodopseudomonas palustris;■ Novel antibiotics from South African

actinomycetes;■ Energy efficient mass transfer.

Mineral bioprocessing

One of the main research areas in CeBER is bioleaching, a process where microbes are used as biocatalysts to convert metal compounds into their soluble forms. This leaching process is an alternative economical method for the recovery of metals such as copper, zinc and gold from low-grade mineral ores, with low investment and operation costs. We are particularly interested in understanding the sub-processes within heap bioleaching, with special focus on microbial characterisation and ecology, microbial colonisation and attachment, whole ore growth studies, solution flow and heap hydrology. We use the same scientific understanding to minimise acid rock drainage (ARD).

Selected projects:■ Exploring the dynamics of micro-environments

within the heap bioleach process;■ Visualisation at the agglomerate scale;■ Microbial speciation in the BIOX™ process; ■ Characterising mineral leaching from large

particles;■ Oxidative stress and its role in mineral

bioleaching;■ Evaluating approaches to and benefits of

minimising the formation of acid rock drainage through management of the disposal of sulphidic waste rock and tailings.

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Nangamso Cawe conducting an experiment in an anaerobic chamber

Bioleach stock cultures

Hydrometallurgy

The broader suite of hydrometallurgical processes that find application upstream or downstream from, and in parallel with, bioleaching processes are also being studied in CeBER. This includes the chemical leaching in cyanide and chloride media, fundamental kinetic studies of electron transfer reactions, gas-liquid mass transfer and diffusion phenomena in porous particles, solution purification through SX and IX, treatment of effluent straws etc. We also focus on the mechanistic modelling of transport-reaction phenomena in leaching processes, especially in the context of heap (bio)leaching.

Selected projects:■ Cyanide leaching of crushed and run-of-mine

gold ores;■ Electrochemical studies of mineral leaching.

Environmental bioprocessing

CeBER strives to address environmental issues, primarily related to water. Current projects consider

acid rock drainage (ARD) prevention, through enhanced management of waste materials, and remediation, using biological sulphate reduction and sulphide oxidation technologies, biological cyanide degradation and the remediation of olive processing wastewaters. Across these projects there is a focus on integrated systems, microbial ecology and the potential for value recovery. At the macro-scale, the centre has expertise in sustainability and life cycle analyses and emerging technologies for renewable energy generation and greenhouse gas emission reductions.

Selected projects:■ Optimisation of the ASTER™ process for

biological removal of thiocyanate and cyanide;■ Development of a toolkit to enable quantitative

microbial ecology studies of sulphate reducing and sulphide oxidising systems;

■ Biological sulphate reduction as a strategy for AMD treatment through analysis of the reactor stage;

■ Development of hybrid membrane-chromatography system for simultaneous recovery of valuable products and water purification for recycle in the olive industry.

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MSc studentsJemitias ChivavavaRiccardo Diedericks

Tim EganMichael Kapembwa

Moses NdunaBrian WillisCraig Zinn

PhD studentsUmraan Hendricks

Edmund EngelbrechtHilton Heydenrych

Crystallization & Precipitation Research Unit (CPU) DirectorProf A Lewis

PA/Administrative officerMs C Olsen

Academic Research Officer

Dr M Rodriguez Pascual

Laboratory ManagerDr T-A Craig

Academic Research Officer

Dr D Randall

Financial ManagerMs L-A Kallam


Description of activities

Industrial crystallization research was initiated in the Department of Chemical Engineering in 2000 and the Crystallization & Precipitation Research Unit was formally accredited by the university in 2006.

Although industrial applications of crystallisation & precipitation have a long history and precipitation has been studied scientifically since the 1930’s, understanding of this operation is still very limited. For this reason, the main aim of the Research Unit is to advance existing fundamental knowledge in the fields of crystallization & precipitation, especially related to the South African and International mineral processing and extractive metallurgy industries.

The unit focuses on two main areas of research:

1. Optimising precipitation in hydrometallurgical processes. Our work on Palladium precipitation, Rhodium precipitation and Mixed Metal Sulphide precipitations are examples of this.

2. Development of innovative technologies for brines and mining wastewater treatment. Our Eutectic Freeze Crystallization project is an example of this.

The tools used in the research include modelling and simulation approaches to industrial research, such as the particle rate process approach for modelling of industrial crystallization processes; aqueous chemistry modelling and computational fluid dynamics modelling. All of these modelling techniques are aimed at deepening the understanding of these chemically complex, multiphase processes.

Students

Umraan Hendricks : BSc Chem MSc Chem - PhD StudentPrecipitation of sparingly soluble salts is a separation process that is used extensively as a method of both purification and product removal in hydrometallurgical systems. Due to the very short

5958

nucleation times of these salts, classical methods for measuring nucleation rates are not applicable. This study focuses on developing in situ, fast response methods such as cryeforation – TEM and digital holographic microscopy to measure nucleation rates.

Michael Kapembwa : BSc Chem Eng - MSc Student Eutectic Freeze Crystallization is a novel brine treatment method that uses cooling to the eutectic point in order to recover both water (as ice) and a pure salt. The method exploits the density differences between the phases to effect a solid-solid separation. Since the quality of the formed ice is critical to its separation properties, this project focuses on the various factors that influence the ice crystallization mechanisms.

Moses Nduna : BSc Chem Eng - MSc Student The project focuses on improving the settling properties of precipitated copper sulphide particles by investigating the origins of the very high levels of measured zeta potentials. These very high zeta potentials result in the inhibition of aggregation and particle sedimentation. In order to enhance both agglomeration and settling, investigations into partial oxidation on copper sulphide particles were carried out. Partial oxidation and the mechanism of depletion of adsorbed sulphide ions was found to enhance settling.

Tim Egan : BSc Chem Eng - MSc StudentThis research looks at the growth mechanisms of sodium sulphate, a key salt in mining waste streams and a key product in Eutectic Freeze Crystallization brines in the South African context. Using a combination of rainbow Schlieren deflectometry and thermo-chromic liquid crystal thermometry, the work aims to both qualitatively and quantitatively observe and measure crystal growth rates, morphologies and impurity

incorporations at differing temperatures and supersaturations. Agglomeration is an important mechanism in the precipitation of sparingly soluble salts; it is difficult to measure accurately, because it is a function of, amongst other things, total shear rate.

Brian Willis : BSc Applied Mathematics - MSc StudentThis project uses an oscillating multi-grid reactorwhich produces iso-tropic turbulence and has constant shear to measure agglomeration rates for sparingly soluble systems.

Jemitias Chivavava : BSc Chem Eng - MSc StudentIn Eutectic Freeze Crystallization (EFC), the efficiency of separation in the crystallizer and subsequent separation steps is directly influenced by the crystal size and morphology of the crystal products. These product characteristics are affected by the crystallizer hydrodynamic conditions, heat transfer and flow rates. Investigations on the effect of residence time and supersaturation on product quality are currently being conducted using in situ methods and image processing.

Edmund Engelbrecht : BSc Chem Eng - PhD StudentA model for Rhodium-DETA precipitation. The challenge of this project is to develop a model for simplifying the mixing dominated Rhodium-Deta reaction using laboratory scale measurements that can be applied to the industrial scale.

Riccardo Diedericks : BSc Chem Eng - MSc StudentEffects of operating conditions on Palladium crystallization. This project focuses on the interaction between aqueous chemistry (speciation), impurities, growth and attrition in the classical palladium precipitation process. The effects of these parameters on the overall crystal particle size distribution, the quality and the yield will be investigated.

Alison Lewis, Jemitias Chivavava and Marcos Rodriguez Pascual taking a video of crystals in a crystallizer

Edward Peters viewing eutectic freeze crystallization of copper sulphate

Emeritus Professor Duncan Fraser – BSc (Chem Eng) PhD Cape Town MSAIChE

Professor Jenni Case – BSc(Hons) Stell HDE Cape Town MEd Leeds MSc Cape Town PhD Monash MASSAf

Mrs Carol Carr

It is no surprise that a department with a deep interest in its undergraduate programme as well as a thriving research culture would have spawned a focus on engineering education research aimed at understanding and improving the student experience of learning.

Our research over the last two decades in this area has generated important insights in the following key areas:■ On the need for a conceptual (deep) approach to

learning for success in the programme■ On the impact of an overloaded curriculum

on a student’s ability to adopt an appropriate approach to learning

■ On the need to facilitate broader personal development amongst students and to build peer networks in class

■ On the value of using simulation to build understanding of chemical engineering fundamentals

■ On the use of technology (including laptops in class) to support active engagement and high quality project work

■ On the limited value of innovation in one course alone and the need thus to build coherence across the curriculum to support high quality learning

Duncan Fraser was one of the early engineering education researchers at UCT and now in retirement he continues to be active. His research has previously focused on improving student learning,

Engineering Educationin particular through the application of variation theory and through the use of computer simulations. His current research work focuses on applying complexity theory to the analysis of student success and this work is in collaboration with Prof Cedric Linder from Uppsala University in Sweden. He is working towards an approach for characterising student success in the context of curriculum change in chemical engineering at UCT, a project where he is also very actively involved in developing innovative materials for project and practical work.

Jenni Case, who joined the department in the first academic development lecturer (ADL) post in the Faculty, was also first in the faculty to obtain a PhD in engineering education. Her PhD research studied student learning in a second year chemical engineering course, focusing on the evolution of appropriate approaches to learning for success in this course. Since this point she has continued with a sustained programme of research into student learning and her work is published across the engineering education and higher education literature and well cited. Much of this work has had as an empirical departure point the experiences of students in the chemical engineering programme at UCT. Her recent work moves into the area of curriculum in order to better map out the structural and cultural constraints that operate to condition the space for student learning.

Duncan Fraser and Jenni Case were both founding members of the Centre for Research in Engineering Education (CREE) in the mid-1990s (with Duncan having been one of the two co-founders of CREE), and each has served an extended term as Director of this centre. A key development over this period of establishing engineering education research at UCT has been the support of key academics in EBE to obtain PhDs in engineering education. Jenni Case has supervised or co-supervised nearly all of the PhDs coming through the CREE community over the last decade. Brandon Collier-Reed, a lecturer in mechanical engineering, was the first such student and his work comprised a study of students’ experiences of technology. This was followed by

60

Bruce Kloot, an ADL from mechanical engineering, who produced a sociological analysisof academic development work in engineering, tracing the evolution of foundation programmes in engineering at two key institutions. Another ADL, Linda Kotta from chemical engineering, gained the next ‘in-house’ PhD, analysing student learning in the key design courses in chemical engineering. The PhDs that are currently underway continue this work in important directions. One crucial angle is a critical take on curriculum, and Renee Smit, an ADL from electrical engineering, is starting to identify the specific logics that underpin engineering science

courses, as opposed to the natural science courses that students encounter at the outset of these programmes. Nicky Wolmarans, ADL in civil engineering, is also focusing on curriculum, but her study focuses on how the intrinsic logic of engineering design courses runs counter to the logic of engineering science, generally established earlier on in the programme. Disa Mogashana, up to recently an ASPECT ADL, continues a strand of student learning work but with the important empirical focus on ASPECT students and on building an understanding of individual student narratives of persistence.

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Professor Harro von Blottnitz, Group Head – PrEng BSc(Eng)Chem BSc(Hons) MSc(Eng), Dr.-Ing. MSAIChE MIWMSA

Dr Adeniyi Isafiade, Senior Lecturer BSc(Hons) Ilorin MSc(ChemEng) Ife PhD

Emeritus Professor Duncan Fraser BSc (Chem Eng) PhD MSAIChE

Honorary Professor Jim Petrie BSc Hons (ChemEng), MSc (Eng) PhD


We are a multi-faceted research group with a 20 year history of employing our process and systems engineering skills to develop knowledge and methods in response to the challenges of sustainable development. We have worked in clean technology and cleaner production, environmental systems analysis, process design and integration, as well as waste management (municipal and industrial). We are well networked into a range of other disciplines on campus, both through interdisciplinary postgraduate programme and through research relationships.

Environmental and Process Systems Engineering

Landfill Energy

(some waste)

vs

Costs Costs

Costs

Costs

Pollution Pollution

Pollution

Pollution

Residual waste

(post R-R-R)

EFW process

Energy product

Energy process

Fuel extraction

A typical systems analysis framework from E&PSE research. Energy from waste is becoming increasingly attractive in South Africa.

Duncan Fraser and Jenni Case with two final year students

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We believe that our country and our continent need development, but also that the model of the 20th century industrial economy can be neither goal nor path for such development. Much radical innovation and large improvements in efficiency are needed. To this end, we engage with the diverse worlds of Process Design Teams, Environmental Consultancies, Corporate Sustainability Departments, Municipal Engineers and Managers, and Regulators and Program Directors in Government. Their challenges are to spot opportunities for needed change, back them with efficient technology and steer their organisations to make tangible contributions to sustainable development.

Postgraduate research

In the biogas cluster, Rethabile Melamu is working towards a PhD on waste-based bioenergy – she has developed extensive knowledge of the emerging SA biogas innovation scene. Linus Naik is developing his PhD research around the issues of stability and productivity of small waste-fed biogas systems particularly in urban African settings. Phumlani Masilela joined us from Wits in 2012 to pursue a

PhD to better understand how biohydrogen might be a v.2 of biomethane, using life cycle sustainability assessment as his tool. Dan Abraham decided to join us after 4 years of professional experience as a civil engineer to investigate the credentials and achievements of biogas toilets.

Michael Short and Ronan Jones commenced postgraduate studies on topics of bioethanol flowsheet synthesis and optimisation using mathematical programming techniques.

Steve Piaget took a gap year from his career in Switzerland, complementing our long track record in life cycle assessment with an environmentally extended input-output analysis to give us a comprehensive picture of production and consumption-caused GHG emissions in South Africa.

Our contributions to the Minerals to Metals collaboration included Jude Bonsu’s investigation of mining accident causality for his MSc, and Chucky Kunene’s life cycle assessment of xanthate production and key ingredient in desulphurisation flotation for prevention of acid rock drainage

Professor J-P Franzidis, Director – BSc(Eng)Chem MSc(Eng) Cape Town PhD Open MSAIChE MSAIMM

Dr Jennifer Broadhurst, Project Co-ordinator– BSc (Cum Laude), BSc Honours (Cum Laude, Inorganic Chemistry), MSc (Cum Laude), PhD, Pr.Sci.Nat (SACNSP)

Ms Mymoena van der Fort, Finance and Admin Officer


The Minerals to Metals Signature Theme (MtM) was established in 2007 with the aim of integrating existing capacity in minerals beneficiation research in the Department of Chemical Engineering, and expanding the work to other researchers at UCT, with a strong focus on sustainability. The group comprises 15 academics co-supervising 16 postgraduate students (4 PhD, 12 MSc). The initiative is directed by Professor J-P Franzidis, who has held the SARChI chair in Minerals Beneficiation since 2008.

What makes the Minerals to Metals initiative unique is that researchers focus on entire minerals processing flow sheets or production sequences (systemic approach), as well as on individual mineral extraction processes (fundamental approach). Thus research is aimed at increasing the amount of mineral or metal extracted from ores, but also at reducing the environmental and social impacts of mineral beneficiation operations. The research portfolio includes projects that look at reducing the acid-rock drainage from mine discards or tailings, examine the human factors that result in injuries and fatalities in mining, and investigate the potential for solar energy to power some mineral extraction processes so as to reduce the sector’s environmental footprint. Other projects examine the movement of particles on shaking screens using positron emission particle tracking (PEPT), attempt to model the rheology of slurries from fundamental particle properties, and investigate the progression of leaching in large ore particles using X-ray tomography as a non-destructive technique.

The Minerals to Metals initiative is actively encouraging the growth of hydrometallurgical research at South African universities. In 2012 the group hosted Professor Mike Nicol of Murdoch University in Perth, Australia, who conducted a survey to evaluate the relative strengths of a number of South African universities in this area, identify gaps and ascertain the hydrometallurgical research needs of selected mining companies. Professor Nicol made visits to mining companies and universities, gave a short course to postgraduate students carrying out hydrometallurgical research at the universities, and led a one-day symposium in Cape Town at which these students presented their research work. The initiative was sponsored by Anglo American. Professor Nicol will be back at UCT in August 2013 for a follow-up course and symposium.

Members of the group have also developed a new Master’s program in Sustainable Minerals Resource Development, which will be offered through the Signature Theme. The program, which is undergoing the final stages of approval by the University for launch in 2014, is being delivered jointly with the University of Zambia, as part of the Education for Sustainable Development in Africa (ESDA) project of the United Nations. The program me will include courses at the UCT Graduate School of Business and the Sustainability Institute at the University of Stellenbosch.

The second major international collaborative activity of the Minerals to Metals group is the Global Minerals Industry Risk Management Program (G-MIRM). This is a worldwide programme to train mining company executives and managers in safety risk management, to reduce accidents and fatalities on mines and mineral processing operations. There are nine lecturers affiliated to UCT delivering courses all over South Africa, Botswana and Namibia: the course was delivered initially to Anglo American executives and middle managers, but has now been extended to other companies (e.g. SASOL Mining, Murray and Roberts, Exxaro) with more on the waiting list.

Minerals to Metals Initiative (MtM)

64

Prof J-P franzidisDirector: Minerals to Metals

Mrs M van der FortFinance and Administrative Officer:

Minerals to Metals

Prof D DeglonCentre for

Minerals Research

Prof D ReidDepartment of

Geological Sciences

A/Prof A MainzaCentre for

Minerals Research

Prof S HarrisonCentre for Bioprocess Engineering Research

Prof D ReddyCERECAM

Dr N IsafiadeDepartment of


Prof A BufflerDepartment of

Physics

Prof A LewisCrystallization

and Precipitation Research Unit

Dr J BroadhurstProject Co-ordinator:

Minerals to Metals

A/Prof J PetersenCentre for Bioprocess Engineering Research

Dr I GovenderDepartment of Physics

Prof H von BlottnitzEnvironment and Process

Systems Engineering Group

Dr M BeckerCentre for

Minerals Research

Dr B CohenEnergy Research Centre

Minerals to Metals

65

Professor Klaus Möller – BSc(Eng)Chem PhD Cape Town

The aim of this research group is to provide graduate students with the numerical and computational tools to develop practical numerical solutions to industrially relevant processes. Students in this area also specialise in developing multi-component, multireaction and multi-phase non-isothermal reactor models and separator models with the inclusion of Maxwell-Stefan multi-component diffusion theories. The collocation techniques form the basis of model solution and model reduction in all cases. Applications of these methods cover a diverse spectrum of research fields including bio-processing, catalytic processing, environmental processing, separation engineering and combustion research.Typical research areas include:

■ Developing practical multicomponent, multi-phase reactor models with complex reaction kinetic models.

■ Non-steady state reaction and separation systems.

■ Separation and reaction processes and integrated versions there of and influence of in-situ separation and mass transfer on process performance in multiphase systems

■ Application of model reduction procedures and modular process integration using orthogonal collocation.

■ Non-linear parameter estimation, sensitivity analysis and non-linear experimental design.

■ Development of integrated modelling toolboxes.■ Sequencing and optimisation of processes.■ MSc course work related to the above research.

Current students

Jon Paul Janet - BSc Chem Eng Astrid Boje - BSc Chem Eng Multi-phase axial-radial dispersion modelling of FTS in a slurry bubble column using collocation. (Honours project)

This work demonstrates that collocation is suitable to model a 3 phase 2-dimensional slurry column reactor accounting for velocity and bubble profiles

Process Modelling and Optimisation Research

across the system which determine the local mass transfer rate at each point. The simulation demonstrates the limitations of 1-dimensional models over 2-dimensional models for the case where the Fischer Tropsch Synthesis (FTS) reaction is treated as a single lumped reaction with vapour liquid equilibrium (VLE).

Joel Bombile - BSc Chem Eng Kavir Parthab - BSc Chem Eng Simulation of the cold spot in pressure swing adsorption based air separation unit. (Honours project)

This work uses collocation to simulate the cycle (over a 1000 cycles) steady state operation of a Pressure swing absorption (PSA) unit using a two bed process. This work shows that cold spot formation occurs due to the presence of the inert pre-layer in the bed.

Ian Philander - BSc Chem Eng The simulation of cold spot formation in PSA

Cold spot formation reduced the performance of the PSA unit and ultimately leads to its shutdown as a result of the bed freezing. This work uses a simulation model for the PSA process to study the operational parameters that influence the formation of cold spots in PSA systems and to postulate system designs that would avoid cold spot formation and bed freezing.

Ian Scott - MSc StudentModelling spherical flame propagation in a closed volume

The Sasol Advanced Fuels Laboratory (SAFL), amongst others, use spherical bomb combustion experiments to extract laminar flame speeds from the pressure trace using a simplified approach. Flame speed is a characteristic of a fuel that determines its combustion properties. Flame speed depends on both the chemical combustion kinetics as well as the heat and mass transport characteristics of the system and proves to be highly complex. This project uses BACOL software to solve the spherical flame front problem and to predict the flame speed from both the flame front and pressure trace.

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Dirren Govender - MSc StudentFast solver for simulation of a spherical flame front.

This project follows the work of Ian Scott. The Scott model has run times of the order of days and does not lend itself to the analysis of experimental data. The purpose of this project is to develop a accurate reduced model that can be used to regress the experimental pressure trace and in this way use it as a fuel characterisation tool.

Alistair Hughes - BSc Chem Eng MSc Chem Eng PhD StudentAn investigation into the computational accuracies of linearised models for the simulation of biochemical reaction pathways

MFA is a common technique in bio- and metabolic-engineering to estimate the magnitude or importance of reaction pathways in biological systems. The technique is based on linear models which assume pseudo steady state across all reaction time frames. These techniques are applied across a board spectrum of biological systems with complete disregard for the limitations posed by the linearisation of the original system equations. This thesis carries out simulation on model bio-logical systems in various reactor configurations and uses parametric studies in order to develop reaction parameter groups that can be used to classify whether an experimental system will satisfy the constraints imposed by an MFA analysis.

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PublicationsChapters in books

Favish, J., Ross, D.A., Inggs, S.C., Kathard, H., Clarkson, C.P., Case, J.M., Collier-Reed, B.I. and Reid, S. 2012. Reflections on developing distinctive University of Cape Town graduate attributes. In M. Coetzee et al. (eds), Developing Student Graduateness and Employability, pp. 207-225. Randburg: Knowres Publishing. ISBN 9781869221898.

International peer-reviewed journal articles

Ahmadi, A., Ranjbar, M., Schaffie, M. and Petersen, J. 2012. Kinetic modeling of bioleaching of copper sulfide concentrates in conventional and electrochemically controlled systems. Hydrometallurgy, 127-128: 16-23.

Azeez, O., Isafiade, A.J. and Fraser, D. 2012. Supply and target based superstructure synthesis of heat and mass exchanger networks. Chemical Engineering Research & Design, 90: 266-287.

Brent, G.F., Allen, D.J., Eichler, B., Petrie, J.G., Mann, J.P. and Haynes, B. 2012. Mineral carbonation as the core of an industrial symbiosis for energy-intensive minerals conversion. Journal of Industrial Ecology, 16(1): 94-104.

Bryan, C., Davis-Belmar, C.S., Van Wyk, N., Fraser, M., Dew, D.W., Rautenbach, G.F. and Harrison, S.T.L. 2012. The effect of CO2 availability on the growth, iron oxidation and CO2 fixation rates of pure cultures of Leptospirillum ferriphilum and Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans. Biotechnology and Bioengineering, 109(7): 1693-1703.

Chiume, R., Minnaar, S.H., Ngoma, I.E., Bryan, C. and Harrison, S.T.L. 2012. Microbial colonisation in heaps for mineral bioleaching and the influence of irrigation rate. Minerals Engineering, 30: 156-164.

Coetzee, W., Coetzer, R.L.J. and Rawatlal, R. 2012. Response surface strategies in constructing statistical bubble flow models for the development of a novel bubble column simulation approach. Computers & Chemical Engineering, 36(1): 22-34.

Coetzee, W., Coetzer, R.L.J. and Rawatlal, R. 2012. Semianalytical bubble-flow models for the development of a novel bubble-column simulator. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 51: 7398-7409.

Cole, K.E., Buffler, A., van der Meulen, N.P., Cilliers, J.J., Franzidis, J.-P., Govender, I., Liu, C. and van Heerden, M.R. 2012. Positron emission particle tracking measurements with 50 micron tracers. Chemical Engineering Science, 75: 235-242.

Corin, K.C., Bezuidenhout, J. and O’Connor, C.T. 2012. The role of dithiophosphate as a co-collector in the flotation of platinum group mineral ore. Minerals Engineering, 36-38: 100-104.

Dey, S. and Pani, S. 2012. Effective processing of low-volatile medium coking coal fines of Indian origin using different process variables of flotation. International Journal of Coal Preparation and Utilization, 32: 253-264.

Dey, S., Parolis, L.A.S. and Yorath, G.A. 2012. Quantification of sulphydryl collector-mixture used in sulphide ore flotation. Transactions of the Indian Institute of Metals, 65(4): 387-392.

Durant, B., Farber, B.Y., Rule, C. and Mainza, A.N. 2012. Ceramic media selection for optimization of energy efficiency in IsaMillstm. Chemical Engineering & Technology, 35(11): 1949-1953.


Fernandez-Torres, M.J., Randall, D.G., Melamu, R.B. and Von Blottnitz, H. 2012. A comparative life cycle assessment of eutectic freeze crystallisation and evaporative crystallisaton for the treatment of saline wastewater. Desalination, 306: 17-23.

Fischer, N., Minnermann, M., Baeumer, M., Van Steen, E.W.J. and Claeys, M.C. 2012. Metal Support Interactions in Co3O4Al2O3 catalysts prepared from w/o microemulsions. Catalysis Letters, 142: 830-837.

Fung, W., Claeys, M.C. and Van Steen, E.W.J. 2012. Effective utilization of the catalytically active phase: NH3 oxidation over unsupported and supported Co3O4 Catalysis Letters, 142: 445-451.

Ghorbani, Y., Petersen, J., Harrison, S.T.L., Tupikina, O., Becker, M.E., Mainza, A. and Franzidis, J.-P. 2012. An experimental study of the long-term bioleaching of large sphalerite ore particles in a circulating fluid fixed-bed reactor. Hydrometallurgy, 129-130: 161-171.

Govender, E., Harrison, S.T.L. and Bryan, C. 2012. Modification of the ferric chloride assay for the spectrophotometric determination of ferric and total iron in acidic solutions containing high concentrations of copper. Minerals Engineering, 35: 46-48.

Griffiths, M., van Hille, R.P. and Harrison, S.T.L. 2012. Lipid productivity, settling potential and fatty acid profile of 11 microalgal species grown under nitrogen replete and limited conditions. Journal of Applied Phycology, 24: 989-1001.

Gudiminchi, R.K., Randall, C., Opperman, D.J., Olaofe, O., Harrison, S.T.L., Albertyn, J. and Smit, M. 2012. Whole-cell hydroxylation of n-octane by Escherichia coli strains expressing the CYP153A6 operon. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 96: 1507-1516.

Harrison, S.T.L., Stevenson, R. and Cilliers, J.J. 2012. Assessing solids concentration homogeneity in Rushton-agitated slurry reactors using electrical resistance tomography (ERT). Chemical Engineering Science, 71: 392-399.

Hauman, M.M., Saib, A.M., Moodley, D.J., Du Plessis, E., Claeys, M.C. and Van Steen, E.W.J. 2012. Re-dispersion of cobalt on a model Fischer-Tropsch catalyst during reduction-oxidation-reduction cycles. ChemCatChem, 4: 1411-1419.

Kazadi Mbamba, C., Harrison, S.T.L., Franzidis, J.-P. and Broadhurst, J.L. 2012. Mitigating acid rock drainage risks while recovering low-sulfur coal from ultrafine colliery wastes using froth flotation. Minerals Engineering, 29: 13-21.

Kotsiopoulos, A., Hansford, G.S. and Rawatlal, R. 2012. A dynamic analysis of chalcopyrite bioleaching in continuous flow reactor systems. AICHE Journal, 58(8): 2428-2440.

Langley, N., Harrison, S.T.L. and van Hille, R.P. 2012. A critical evaluation of CO2 supplementation to algal systems by direct injection. Biochemical Engineering Journal, 68: 70-75.

Luo, J., Van Tan, T.V., Conrad, O. and Vankelecom, I.F.J. 2012. 1H-1,2,4-triazole as solvent for imidazolium methanesulfonate. Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 14: 11441-11447.

Luo, J., Conrad, O. and Venkelecom, I.F.J. 2012. Physicochemical properties of phosphonium-based and ammonium-based protic ionic liquids. Journal of Materials Chemistry, 22: 20574-20579.

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Manono, M., Corin, K.C. and Wiese, J.G. 2012. An investigation into the effect of various ions and their ionic strength on the flotation performance of a platinum bearing ore from the Merensky reef. Minerals Engineering, 36-38: 231-236.

Massey, W., Harris, M.C. and Deglon, D.A. 2012. The effect of energy input on the flotation of quartz in an oscillating grid flotation cell. Minerals Engineering, 36-38: 145-151.

McCoy, J. and Rawatlal, R. 2012. A more efficient simulator of particle size distribution in slurry phase polyolefin systems. Computers & Chemical Engineering, 36(1): 68-78.

McFadzean, B.J., Castelyn, D. and O’Connor, C.T. 2012. The effect of mixed thiol collectors on the flotation of galena. Minerals Engineering, 36-38: 211-218.

Mehlomakulu, B., Nguyen, T.T.N., Delichere, p., Van Steen, E.W.J. and Millet, J.M.M. 2012. Identification of the active species in oxidation reactions on mixed oxide catalysts: supra-surface or bulk surface species. Journal of Catalysis, 289: 1-10.

Mhlanga, S., O’Connor, C.T. and McFadzean, B.J. 2012. A study of the relative adsorption of guar onto pure minerals. Minerals Engineering, 36-38: 172-178.

Miettunen, H., Kaukonen, R., Corin, K.C., Ojala, S. and Keiski, R. 2012. Effect of reducing grinding conditions on the flotation behaviour of low-S content PGE ores. Minerals Engineering, 36-38: 195-203.

Mogashana, D., Case, J.M. and Marshall, D. 2012. What do student learning inventories really measure? A critical analysis of students’ responses to the approaches to learning and studying inventory. Studies in Higher Education, 37(7): 783-792.

Mogorosi, R., Fischer, N., Claeys, M.C. and Van Steen, E.W.J. 2012. Strong-metal-support interaction by molecular design: Fe-silicate interactions in Fischer-Tropsch catalysts. Journal of Catalysis, 289: 140-150.

Mokone, T., Lewis, A.E. and van Hille, R.P. 2012. Effect of post-precipitation conditions on surface properties of colloidal metal sulphide precipitates. Hydrometallurgy, 119-120: 55-66.

Mokone, T., van Hille, R.P. and Lewis, A.E. 2012. Metal sulphides from wastewater: assessing the impact of supersaturation control strategies. Water Research, 46: 2088-2100.


Morar, S., Harris, M.C. and Bradshaw, D.J. 2012. The use of machine vision to predict flotation performance. Minerals Engineering, 36-38: 31-36.

Morar, S., Bradshaw, D.J. and Harris, M.C. 2012. The use of the froth surface lamellae burst rate as a flotation froth stability measurement. Minerals Engineering, 36-38: 152-159.

Mwase, J., Petersen, J. and Eksteen, J.J. 2012. A conceptual flowsheet of heap leaching of platinum group metals (PGMs) from a low-grade ore concentrate. Hydrometallurgy, 111-112: 129-135.

Narasimha, M., Mainza, A.N., Holtham, P. and Brennan, M. 2012. Air-core modelling for hydrocyclones operating with solids. International Journal of Mineral Processing, 102-103: 19-24.

Oyekola, O., Harrison, S.T.L. and van Hille, R.P. 2012. Effect of culture conditions on the competitive interaction between lactate oxidizers and fermenters in a biological sulfate reduction system. Bioresource Technology, 104: 616-621.

Randall, D.G., Nathoo, J., Genceli-Guner, F.E., Kramer, H., Witkamp, G. and Lewis, A.E. 2012. Determination of the metastable ice zone for a sodium sulphate system. Chemical Engineering Science, 77: 184-188.

Ras, C. and Von Blottnitz, H. 2012. A comparative life cycle assessment of process water treatment technologies at the Secunda industrial complex, South Africa. Water SA, 38(4): 549-554.

Royker, M., Case, J.M. and Van Steen, E.W.J. 2012. Platinum promotion of Au/Al2O3 catalysts for glycerol oxidation: activity, selectivity and deactivation. Journal of the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, 7A: 577-581.

Sheridan, C.M., Petersen, J. and Rohwer, J. 2012. On modifying the Arrhenius equation to compensate for temperature changes for reactions within biological systems. Water SA, 38(1): 149-151.

Van Heerden, T., Hill, M., Case, J.M. and Van Steen, E.W.J. 2012. Characterization of Au catalysts. Journal of the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, 7A: 527-533.

Wiese, J.G. and Harris, P.J. 2012. The effect of frother type and dosage on flotation performance in the presence of high depressant concentrations. Minerals Engineering, 36-38: 204-210.

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Peer-reviewed published conference proceedings

Alvarez-Silva, M., Wiese, J.G. and O’Connor, C.T. 2012. An investigation into the role of the froth phase in the flotation of Ug2 ore using a laboratory column flotation cell. Proceedings of XXVI International Mineral Processing Congress - IMPC 2012, 24-28 September 2012, New Delhi, India. India: Technowrites Pvt Ltd. ISBN 8190171437.

Bbosa, L.S., Govender, I., Mainza, A.N., Powell, M.S. and Plint, N. 2012. Comparing power draw predictions in experimental scale tumbling mills using PEPT and DEM. Proceedings of XXVI International Mineral Processing Congress - IMPC 2012, 24-28 September 2012, New Delhi, India. India: Technowrites Pvt Ltd. ISBN 8190171437.

Becker, M.E., Ramonotsi, M. and Petersen, J. 2012. Effect of alteration on the mineralogy and flotation performance of PPM platinum ore. In M.A.T.M. Broekmans (ed.), Proceedings of the 10th International Congress for Applied Mineralogy (ICAM), Trondheim, Norway. Berlin: Springer Heidelberg, Germany. ISBN 978364227681.

Corin, K.C., Mishra, J. and O’Connor, C.T. 2012. Investigating the role of pulp chemistry on the floatability of a Cu-Ni sulfide ore. Proceedings of XXVI International Mineral Processing Congress - IMPC 2012, 24-28 September 2012, New Delhi, India. India: Technowrites Pvt Ltd. ISBN 8190171437.

Govender, I., Richter, M., Tupper, G.B. and Mainza, A.N. 2012. Granular flow modelling in tumbling mills. Proceedings of XXVI International Mineral Processing Congress - IMPC 2012, 24-28 September 2012, New Delhi, India. India: Technowrites Pvt Ltd. ISBN 8190171437.

Khonthu, T., Wiese, J.G. and O’Connor, C.T. 2012. Comparative study of the flotation performance of ores treated in an IsaMill and a ball mill. Proceedings of XXVI International Mineral Processing Congress - IMPC 2012, 24-28 September 2012, New Delhi, India. India: Technowrites Pvt Ltd. ISBN 8190171437.

Mainza, A.N., Clarement, B., de Haas, B., Keshav, P., Crafford, D. and Plitt, N. 2012. Optimisation of the ball mill circuit using a simulator in conjunction with measurements from a non-intrusive sensor. Proceedings of XXVI International Mineral Processing Congress - IMPC 2012, 24-28 September 2012, New Delhi, India. India: Technowrites Pvt Ltd. ISBN 8190171437.

McFadzean, B.J., Mhlanga, S. and O’Connor, C.T. 2012. The effect of using thiol collector mixtures on the flotation of pyrite and galena. Proceedings of XXVI International Mineral Processing Congress - IMPC 2012, 24-28 September 2012, New Delhi, India. India: Technowrites Pvt Ltd. ISBN 8190171437.

Peer-reviewed published conference proceedings

Morar, S.H., Bradshaw, D. and Harris, M.C. 2012. Froth surface solids loading measurement and its relationship to froth stability. Proceedings of XXVI International Mineral Processing Congress - IMPC 2012, 24-28 September 2012, New Delhi, India. India: Technowrites Pvt Ltd. ISBN 8190171437.

Naik, L., Von Blottnitz, H. and Melamu, R.B. 2012. Onsite food waste valorisation: experiences with an anaerobic digester at a university residence. Proceedings of WasteCon 2012 - Wrestling with Waste, 9-12 October 2012, East London, South Africa. South Africa: Document Transformation Technologies cc. ISBN 9781920017576.

Narasimha, M., Mainza, A.N. and Holtham, P. 2012. Multi-component modelling concept for hydrocyclone classifier. Proceedings of XXVI International Mineral Processing Congress - IMPC 2012, 24-28 September 2012, New Delhi, India. India: Technowrites Pvt Ltd. ISBN 8190171437.

Ngoepe, N., Mainza, A., Govender, I., Bradshaw, D.J., Morrison, A. and Parker, D.I. 2012. Tracking the motion of particle-bubble aggregates in flotation using pept. In Proceedings of XXVI International Mineral Processing Congress - IMPC 2012, 24-28 September 2012, New Delhi, India. India: Technowrites Pvt Ltd. ISBN 8190171437.

Ngoroma, F., Wiese, J.G. and Franzidis, J.-P. 2012. The effect of frother blends on the flotation performance of selected PGM bearing ores. Proceedings of XXVI International Mineral Processing Congress - IMPC 2012, 24-28 September 2012, New Delhi, India. India: Technowrites Pvt Ltd. ISBN 8190171437.

Powell, M.S. and Mainza, A.N. 2012. Step change - a staircase rather than a giant leap. Proceedings of XXVI International Mineral Processing Congress - IMPC 2012, 24-28 September 2012, New Delhi, India. India: Technowrites Pvt Ltd. ISBN 8190171437.

Smuts, E., Deglon, D.A. and Meyer, C.M. 2012. Methodology for coupled CFD-DEM modelling of particulate suspension rheology. Proceedings of XXVI International Mineral Processing Congress - IMPC 2012, 24-28 September 2012, New Delhi, India. India: Technowrites Pvt Ltd. ISBN 8190171437.

Sweet, J.A., Harris, M.C., Franzidis, J.-P., Plint, N. and Tustin, J. 2012. The AGDP in 2012 - nine years of exceptional graduate training. Proceedings of XXVI International Mineral Processing Congress - IMPC 2012, 24-28 September 2012, New Delhi, India. India: Technowrites Pvt Ltd. ISBN 8190171437.

Von Blottnitz, H. 2012. Three not two! How strong is the case for separate organic waste management systems in the municipal and commercial sector? Proceedings of WasteCon 2012 - Wrestling with Waste, 9-12 October 2012, East London, South Africa. South Africa: Document Transformation Technologies cc. ISBN 9781920017576.

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It's not that I'm so smart; it's just that I stay with problems longer.

Albert Einstein

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Contents · The UCT Chemical Engineering Department of 2012 is a department that employs 29 permanent academic staff and hosts 508 undergraduate and 165 postgraduate students. The