MechChem Africa March 2020

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CONTENTS Pump systems, pipes valves and seals 6 Speeding up design of bearing arrangements and product development Machine designers can now design complex bearing arrangements and analyse bearing loads more quickly without having to master complex software programs thanks to SKF’s software and equipment technology advancements. 8 Farm dam dredging helps optimise water resources 9 Matching pump to application ensures low total cost of ownership Chemical, petrochemical, oil and gas 10 The importance of measuring consistency from lab to process Digital sensors offer a solution to guarantee data consistency and a way to easy, uniform sensor management. 12 In-depth material knowledge vital to petrochemical sector 13 Connecting SA’s largest petrochemical with a mobile radio system Power generation and energy management 14 Power generation from ambient humidity using protein nanowires Scientists at the University of MassachusettsAmherst have developed a device that uses a natural protein to create electricity from moisture in the air. 16 Measures of ensuring SA’s security in the energy supply 17 Shedding the risk – how derivatives can help manage the costs of running a generator Environmental management and cleaning technologies 18 Afrisam defines good neighbourliness Increasingly hemmed in by urban development,AfriSam’s Jukskei quarry and ready-mix plant have been applying stringent controls and standards to remain an environmentally friendly neighbour. 20 Controlling dust, insects and heat means more hygienic conditions 21 Commercial window cleaning trends to look out for in 2020 Manufacturing and food processing 22 Manufacturing in 2020: Connecting machines to networks and companies to end-consumers While change is buffeting the industrial manufacturing industry from a number of directions, the most disruptive changes will be those which manufacturers can and should make for themselves. 24 NitraLife and Bystronic partner to advance cutting-edge steel processing 25 Servo press provides short die and tooling change times Innovative engineering 30 Using liquid air for energy storage and Birmingham University’s initiatives With the help of the University of Birmingham’s energy storage specialists, ProfessorYulong Ding and ProfessorToby Peters, MechChem Africa takes a look at the use of liquified air energy storage technology. Regulars 2 Comment: Changing the power generation landscape 4 On the cover: Weir Minerals comprehensive pumping solutions MechChem Africa talks to Weir Minerals Africa’s pumps product manager, Marnus Koorts, about the extensive depth and range of pumping solutions available through Weir Minerals. 26 Product and industry news – Festo 28 Product and industry news 32 Backpage: Electric mobility and lightweight design – symbiosis or contradiction

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

Published monthly by Crown Publications (Pty) Ltd 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 Editorial manager: Phila Mzamo e-mail: philam@crown.co.za Editorial consultant: Peter Middleton e-mail: peterm@crown.co.za Advertising: Brenda Karathanasis e-mail: brendak@crown.co.za Design: Darryl James Publisher: Karen Grant Deputy publisher: Wilhelm du Plessis Circulation: Brenda Grossmann 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

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Transparency You Can See Average circulation October-December 2019: 4 144 Printed by: Tandym Print, Cape Town

Front cover: Weir Minerals Contact: Marnus Koorts +27 11 929 2600 marnus.koorts@mail.weir www.global.weir

Publisher of the Year 2018 (Trade Publications)

March 2020 • MechChem Africa ¦ 1