MechChem Africa March 2018

8

19

24

34

Pump systems, pipes, valves and seals 8 Multiflo pontoon and walkway range for pit dewatering Howard Jones, business development manager for dewatering at Weir Minerals Africa, presents his company’s expanded range of Multiflo ® pontoons and walkways for dewatering mines. 10 Pump systems 101: Training pump-system experts for a measured ROI 13 Pump maintenance is key to efficiency 14 Mines urged to dredge ponds before rains arrive Localisation, manufacturing, production and food processing 16 Promoting transformation in the diamond industry In order to facilitate the growth and transformation of the South African diamond industry, De Beers has embarked on an Enterprise Development Project for Diamond Beneficiators. MechChem Africa talks to Frank Auger. 18 Award-winning mobile bending cell 19 Robor’s world-class pipe mill installed in Elandsfontein Power generation, sustainable energy and energy management 21 First-of-its-kind distributed generation platform developed Cummins Inc and NRG Energy (Next Renewable Generation) of the US have announced a strategic commercial partnership to deploy a resilient, cleaner and more cost-effective distributed generation platform for commercial and industrial customers. 23 WTA oil lab helps avoid transformer failure Petrochemical, oil and gas 24 Skyriders’ five-year contract at petrochemical producer From work at tank farms to power station boiler inspection, Skyriders’ five-year contract at a major petrochemical producer in SouthAfrica has progressed in leaps and bounds indicating the total value-add that a specialist service provider can offer to its customers. 26 A well-trained workforce boosts profits Environmental, waste management and cleaning technologies 28 Storage and disposal requirements for generators of used oil The ROSE Foundation has been championing the responsible collection and removal of used oil for proper recycling since 1994. CEO, Bubele, offers some practical advice. 28 Shortcuts add to SA’s environmental challenges Innovative engineering 34 Five ways solar PV can optimise industrial electricity use DominicWills of SOLA Future Energy outlines how offgrid rooftop solar PV installations can optimise energy use in commercial and industrial buildings. REGULARS 2 Comment: Quality artisan training and the QCTO system 4 On the cover: Proudly SA PTFE manufacturer supplies the world MechChem Africa visits the PTFE facilities of Trident Plastics and talks to operations manager, Louis Botha about the manufacturing process and the company’s niche offering. 6 SAIChE iCHEMe News: Stealing the future: Is SA’s response to climate change appropriate? 30 Product and industry news 36 Back page: New technology uses gravity to store green energy

P U B L I C A T I O N S CR O WN

Published monthly by Crown Publications cc Cnr Theunis and Sovereign Streets Bedford Gardens 2007 PO Box 140, Bedfordview, 2008 Tel: +27 11 622 4770 e-mail: mechchemafrica@crown.co.za www.mechchemafricamagazine.co.za Editors: Peter Middleton e-mail: peterm@crown.co.za Glynnis Koch e-mail: glynnisk@crown.co.za Advertising: Brenda Karathanasis e-mail: brendak@crown.co.za Design: Darryl James Publisher: Karen Grant Deputy publisher: Wilhelm du Plessis Circulation: Karen Smith The views expressed in this journal are not necessarily those of the publisher or the editors. P U B L I C A T I O N S CR O WN P U B L I C A T I O N S CR O WN 2015/02/10 01:17:09PM

2015CROWN LOGO february.indd 1

Transparency You Can See Average circulation October-December 2017: 4 668

Printed by: Tandym Print, Cape Town

Front cover: Trident Plastics Jet Park, Boksburg +27 11 824 0696 Louis.botha@trident-plastics.co.za

March 2018 • MechChem Africa ¦ 1