Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Iron industry and trade Waste disposal'

In Hong Kong, around 3,600 tonnes of food waste is produced every day. Although different pilot schemes and programmes had been operated by government and organizations, most of them were more like demonstrations on different methods in treating food waste. Up to this stage, no concrete facilities and long-term schemes have been carried out by the government to tackle the food waste generated. In this study, different approaches to treat food waste have been explored and relevant practices in Hong Kong have been investigated. In order to obtain the first hand information from the local situation, 250, 11 and four sets of questionnaires were distributed to the general public, catering sectors and green groups and other NGOs respectively. The relationship between the knowledge and attitude of food waste management and demographics characteristics of the participants were studied. Apart from questionnaires, four interviews with green groups and NGO were conducted. The results showed that all three sectors support implementation of food waste management, and were not satisfied with the current status of food waste management in Hong Kong. Both the general public and the catering sector found “converting food waste to renewable energy” the most suitable practice for food waste management in Hong Kong, while “food waste charging scheme” gain most of the support from the green groups and NGOs. Recommendations were made according to the results of the questionnaires, interviews and literature reviews on successful overseas case studies.
published_or_final_version
Environmental Management
Master
Master of Science in Environmental Management

Thesis (Master of Engineering in Chemical Engineering)--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2018.
Brewer’s spent grain (BSG), a solid residue obtained from brewing beer, is gaining attention in the food, cosmetics and pharmaceutical industry due to its use as natural source of colorants, texturisers, functional ingredients and preservatives. It is therefore necessary to develop an economically viable method for the extraction, isolation or enrichment of these compounds. Although literature shows the technical feasibility of extraction of bioactive compounds from BSG at laboratory bench scale, none of the reviewed literature could provide adequate information necessary to determine the economic feasibility of the process at commercial scale. The aim of this study was to investigate the technical and economic viability of a commercial process for the recovery of antioxidant rich polyphenolic compounds from brewers spent grain using organic solvents and/or water. The objectives were to select the best solvent, perform the optimisation and kinetic study, as well as to model and simulate the extraction process with the aim of performing an economic analysis. In selecting the best solvent, maceration and soxhlet extraction were used for the recovery of polyphenolic compounds. Acetone and acetone: water mixtures, ethanol and ethanol: water mixtures as well as pure water were used as solvents. The evaluation of the best solvent was measured by the total phenolic content (TPC), flavonol content, the antioxidant activity using 2.2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. The study performed optimisation for various operational parameters (time, temperature, solvent to feed ratio and shaking speed) using response surface method. The effect of temperature on the extraction kinetics was also investigated with experiments being carried out at 20°C, 40°C and 80°C. Antioxidant activity was detected in all BSG extracts, but water showed the highest global yield and rates of extraction. The optimum conditions were found at 15 min reaction time, temperature of 40 °C, shaking speed of 185 rpm and solvent to solid ratio of 27.5: 1. So-Macdonald model was a suitable fit for the experimental data with a R2-value range of (0.85 < r2 < 0.995). A processing scenario was proposed as a base case, upon which subsequent scenarios were generated to improve the operation or the economics. SuperPro Designer® (Intelligen, Inc) was used for modelling the proposed process, for simulation and for the economic evaluation. Four alternative schemes from the base case simulation were developed for optimisation of the process. The process was found to be economically feasible and attractive with a return of investment (ROI) of 48.45 % for alternative scheme 4. The results in this thesis highlight the likely economic feasibility of the extraction of polyphenolic compounds from BSG at commercial scale by the maceration method.

Waste management is one of the key issues of sustainable development. In Hong Kong, there is food waste management measures but it seems that they have a fair share of limitations. The amount of food waste disposed rose from 3,154 tons in 2005 to 3,237 tons in 2010, which has not shown a significant reduction in volume in recent years. Businesses are becoming more aware of their corporate social responsibility and they definitely have a role to play in sustainable food waste management. Food waste management requires a large amount of resource input and infrastructural support, therefore a collaborative network between the government, businesses and social organizations will surely allows for better performance. The Food Waste Recycling Partnership Scheme (FWRPS) is chosen to be the subject of this case study. It is a partnership program aiming to tackle the food waste problem in Hong Kong’s private sector. A total of 18 companies are chosen as case subjects for the study and are divided into three groups: 1) the participants of the FWRPS; 2) the non-participants of the FWRPS but with self-initiatives for food waste management and 3) the companies without much food waste management initiatives. The three groups are then compared and contrasted upon the drivers, barriers to food waste management and the role of the FWRPS towards effective food waste management. Major factors are drawn from the study such as corporate leadership and resource availability. It is found that those driving and hindering factors varies as companies adopt different food waste management options. In creating these differences, the FWRPS also plays an important role. The scheme succeeded in facilitating food waste management in the private sector as it allows resource pooling and knowledge input. It also has limitations such as the small scale and the lack of promotion. Such partnership would be effective only if each partner is committed to work towards the same objectives. Also, the partners should have their own roles and shoulder their responsibilities. For example, the government should provide the required infrastructure while non-governmental organizations focus on environmental education. In the long run however, the private sector should tailor its own system of food waste management along with legislative support from the government.
published_or_final_version
Environmental Management
Master
Master of Science in Environmental Management

The objective of the research was to ascertain whether, when compared to a system'of standards, the theoretical promise that economic incentives offered as a low cost solution to the abatement problem, would hold in practice. This was done by applying environmental economic theory to the practical problem of controlling the effluent generated by firms in the South African leather industry. It was found that in this instance the theory did indeed hold in practice. Furthermore, it was found that of the incentives discussed by the theory, marketable permits were the most economically efficient. It was however shown that a charge - not discussed in the ., theory - based on a central treatment agency's (CTA) cost of treatment offered the least cost solution to the abatement problem when the CTA could do at least some of the effluent treatment at a lower cost than the firms. - In addition a formula was developed to show the net benefits accruing to an individual firm if it undertook to treat its effluent. It was shown that in order to maximise the total benefits of treatment, a firm should treat until its net benefits of treatment were zero. A number of problem however were found to exist when the theory was applied to a practical situation. The most important was the "stepped" nature of the firms marginal abatement cost curves which meant that the setting of a charge based on a trial and error method would prove to be more difficult than the theory envisaged. Furthermore, it meant that no matter what method of pollution control was used, it would prove i~possible to reduce effluent to an optimal level. It was recommended that greater use be made of economic incentives to control all industrial effluent. It would nonetheless be necessary to do more research in this field as the theory was not tailor made for all practical situations. Further evidence of the viability of economic incentives could however encourage wider use by policy makers.

Thesis (MTech (Chemical Engineering))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016.
The worldwide high demand for drinking water has led to the development of numerous advanced wastewater treatment processes. Photocatalysis has recently become an alternative and attractive technique for green energy production and environmental remediation. It is also a wastewater treatment technique which is considered reliable and is expected to provide a sustainable solution to the scarcity of clean water. In particular, heterogeneous photocatalysts based on TiO2 nanoparticles and sunlight have been proposed as a powerful technique for degradation and mineralisation of persistent organic pollutants (POP`s). Although this method seems promising, some critical challenges are still to be addressed: namely, low photoefficiencies, faster electron and hole (𝑒−⁄ℎ+) pair recombination, utilisation of UV light and catalyst removal after treatment of pollutants.

Thesis (Master of Engineering in Chemical Engineering)--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2018.
Approximately 9 million tonnes of food waste is generated annually in South Africa. Its treatment, including treatment of confectionery waste, is costly because of the high chemical oxygen demand (COD) loads; as a result much of this waste is sent to landfill. South Africa’s confectionery industry contributes to a significant proportion of the country’s economy. Among the confectionery waste entering landfills are defective material, expired sweets and returns. This high COD waste can create breeding grounds for pathogenic microorganisms and anaerobic methanogens, causing negative environmental impacts. Part of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) Waste Research, Development and Innovation (RD&I) roadmap initiative is to minimise waste entering landfills by identifying waste sources from which to produce value that will contribute to social and economic growth. Confectionery waste has a high sugar content which can be used for feedstock to bioprocesses. By placing this bioproduction into a waste biorefinery framework, bio-based raw materials can be used to produce competitively priced products with low environmental impact, thereby optimising remediation and value generation simultaneously. Ongoing research at the Centre for Bioprocess Engineering Research (CeBER) at the University of Cape Town has shown that a wastewater biorefinery approach can use wastewater as feedstock for the generation of products of value. Previous studies have investigated potential products of value based on nutrient loads found in wastewater as well as the nature of the product. Among the organisms selected was the Bacillus species, producing the potential product poly-γ-glutamic acid (PGA), an extracellular poly-amino acid when there is an excess of nutrients. Similarly, this product could potentially be produced from sugar-rich waste candy. The aim of this study was to explore the use of hard candy waste as a feedstock for PGA, and Bacillus licheniformis JCM 2505 was selected as it was characterised in terms of the nutrients needed. The most attractive attribute of this strain was that it did not need L-glutamic acid to synthesise PGA but could do so from sugar. L-glutamic acid is costly. Using a cheaper nitrogen alternative would make the process more cost effective. To investigate this potential, the confectionery waste was characterised to identify the nutrients, namely, sugars, organic nitrogen and key trace elements needed for cell function and PGA production. Results showed that the nitrogen content and trace element concentrations were insignificant, as it was determined that the waste consisted mostly of sucrose. This therefore had to be supplemented with a basal medium containing the supplementation needed for cell function and PGA production. The growth of B. licheniformis was profiled in Erlenmeyer shake flasks using candy waste supplemented with the basal medium, with sucrose supplemented with basal medium as a control. The results showed similar trends on candy waste and sucrose.

Food wastage is becoming a serious problem in Hong Kong. At present, Hong Kong relies simply on landfills to dispose of its waste. Nevertheless, such reliance is not sustainable. It may also lead to different social and environmental problems. With the primary aim to lessen environmental damage and achieve environmental sustainability, food waste recycling can save energy, conserve resources and prolong lifespan of landfills. Therefore, it is important to educate youngsters in order to develop their responsibility and habits in protecting the environment. It has been reported that recycling awareness should be instilled into people’s mind from their childhood. Through food waste recycling programmes held in schools, students can increase their awareness and knowledge in that aspect and develop skills for the solutions of environmental problems. On the other hand, such programmes would help reduce food waste at source and draw public attention to the food waste problem. The aims of this study focus on the introduction of a food waste management programme in a Hong Kong secondary school campus and exploring the feasibility and viability of extending it to other secondary schools in Hong Kong in order to minimize waste disposed to landfills. The study shows that the students may gain knowledge about food waste recycling through practical field experience by joining both of the Food Waste Recycling Programme and the Organic Farming Programme under the food waste management policies developed in the school. They allow students to engage more in recycling behavior and increase their awareness of food waste avoidance, reduction and recycling in their daily life. With the tripartite cooperation the Government, the participating schools and the secondary school students, the food waste management held in the school campus is feasible and viable to extend to other secondary schools in Hong Kong in order to lessen the pressure of local landfills.
published_or_final_version
Environmental Management
Master
Master of Science in Environmental Management

Ultrafiltration studies were conducted to determine a treatment approach to remove color and organic carbon from the pulp and paper wastewaters at the Union Camp Corporation, Franklin, VA. Analysis of data collected during this research indicate that ultrafiltration can produce an effluent with less than 5 color units and less than 5 mg/L TOC (99% and 97% removal respectively). The data also indicate that biotreatment of the wastes prior to ultrafiltration removes the smaller molecular weight organic compounds, making ultrafiltration more effective. Pretreatment by pH adjustment and alum coagulation were not effective in improving ultrafiltration performance. Concentration studies indicate that volume reductions up to 95% may be accomplished without excessive membrane fouling. Membrane cleaning with caustic, hypochlorite and detergent produced identical results. It is expected that ultrafiltration would be a more cost effective method of color and TOC removal than coagulation, and would not require sludge disposal.
M.S.

During the past few decades the focus of waste management in South Africa has been emphasised, especially in view of the increase in economic development which has resulted in an increase in commercial, industrial, hazardous, mining, power generation as well as radioactive waste. The iron and steel making industry in South Africa provides for a vast amount of recycling opportunities of various materials resulting from the iron and steelmaking process. The regulation of waste management in South Africa may have some significant implications on this particular industry. In this dissertation the history of waste management legislation in South Africa is researched. It is found that initially only waste disposal was regulated, but over time, in addition to disposal, other aspects were also regulated in terms of other pieces of environmental legislation, such as the recycling, recovery and storage of waste. In an attempt to provide for uniform waste management regulation in South Africa, and in order to achieve sustainable development by the provision of a new waste hierarchy, the National Environmental Management: Waste Act was introduced. As part of this legislation, a new definition of waste was also introduced. It is indicated as part of this dissertation that various interpretations of the definition of ‘waste’ are possible. It is also indicated that these various interpretations may not only have some significant implications for the iron and steelmaking industry in South Africa, but may also have significant implications for the implementation of the waste hierarchy, as envisaged in terms of current waste management legislation. In the light of the above, and after taking comments by the members of the South African Iron and Steel Institute into consideration, recommendations are made for an improved legislative framework for waste management in South Africa. It is recommended that there should be a trade–off between the protection of the environment and the re–use, recovery and recycling opportunities of materials available to industry in the short–term as well as the long–term. In order to achieve such a trade–off, it is suggested that the ‘End–of Waste’ criteria in South Africa be reconsidered and re–evaluated to ensure more legal certainty with regard as to exactly constitutes waste and to provide for a definition of ‘waste’ which is clearly defined.
Thesis (M. Environmental Management)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

Microalgae have a variety of commercial applications, the oldest of which include utilisation as a food source and for use in wastewater treatment. These applications, however, are seldom combined due to toxicity concerns, for ethical reasons, and generally the requirement for cultivation of a single algae species for use as a feed supplement. These problems might be negated if a “safer” wastewater such as that from agricultural and/or commercial food production facilities were to be utilised and if a stable algae population can be maintained. In this investigation preliminary studies were carried out using an Integrated Algae Pond System (IAPS) for domestic wastewater treatment to determine the species composition in the associated High Rate Algae Ponds (HRAPs). The effect of different modes of operation, continuous versus batch, on nutrient removal, productivity and species composition was also investigated. Furthermore, indigenous species in the HRAP were isolated and molecularly identified as, Chlorella, Micractinium, Scenedesmus and Pediastrum. Additionally, the effect of the nor amino acid, 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio)-butanoic acid (HMTBA) and its Cu-chelated derivative, on the growth and biochemical composition of Chlorella, Micractinium, Scenedesmus, Pediastrum and Spirulina was investigated. Species composition in the HRAP was stable under continuous operation with Micractinium dominating > 90% of the algae population. Under batch operation the population dynamic shifted; Chlorella outcompeted Micractinium possibly due to nutrient depletion and selective grazing pressures caused by proliferation of Daphnia. Higher species diversity was observed during batch mode as slower growing algae were able to establish in the HRAP. Nutrient removal efficiency and biomass productivity was higher in continuous mode, however lower nutrient levels were obtained in batch operation. HMTBA did not significantly affect growth rate, however treatment with 10 mg.L-1 resulted in slightly increased growth rate in Micractinium and increased final biomass concentrations in Chlorella, Micractinium and Spirulina (although this was not statistically significant for Micractinium and Spirulina), which are known mixotrophic species. Algae treated with Cu-HMTBA, showed reduced final biomass concentration with 10 mg.L-1, caused by Cu toxicity. Biochemical composition of the algae was species-specific and differed through the growth cycle, with high protein observed during early growth and high carbohydrate during late growth/early stationary phase. Additionally, 0.1 mg.L-1 HMTBA and Cu-HMTBA significantly reduced protein content in Chlorella, Micractinium, Scenedesmus and Pediastrum. In conclusion, operation of the HRAP in continuous culture provided suitable wastewater treatment with high productivity of an ideal species, Micractinium, for use in animal feed supplementation. This species had 40% protein content during growth (higher than the other species tested) and dominated the HRAP at > 90% of the algae population during continuous mode. Addition of HMTBA (> 1 mg.L-1) to algae cultivation systems and those treating wastewater, has the potential to improve productivity and the value of the biomass by enhancing protein content. Overall, the co-utilisation of microalgae for wastewater treatment and the generation of a biomass rich in protein, for incorporation into formulated animal feed supplements, represents a closed ecosystem which conserves nutrients and regenerates a most valuable resource, water.

Thesis (MTech (Chemical Engineering))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2018.
The sugar industry contributes to the development of the economy in many countries, including South Africa. The wastewater generated by this industry has a high pollution load, and therefore requires treatment before discharge to the environment. The primary aims of this study were to determine the performance of an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor treating sugarcane molasses and to develop an empirical model to predict the behaviour of the UASB in terms of chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal and biogas production. A UASB (46 L working volume) was inoculated with granular sludge from the brewery industry and was used to investigate the treatment of synthetic sugar industry wastewater with an average COD of 4101 mg/L. The experiments were designed using Design-Expert® Software Version 10. The analysis of variance for the models and the optimisation of reactor temperature and feed carbon to nitrogen (C/N ratio) were carried out using response surface methodology. The UASB was operated at constant hydraulic retention time and organic loading rate of 2.04 days and 2.01 kg/m3.d, respectively. A start-up period of 22 days was required to reach steady-state. The developed empirical models for total COD removal efficiency and biogas production rate were found to be statistically significant with Prob > F values of 0.0747 and 0.0495 and the determination coefficients (R2) were found to be 0.80 and 0.65, respectively. The optimal conditions were found to be at a temperature of 38oC and C/N ratio of 22 mgTOC/mgTN. The corresponding removal efficiencies in terms of total COD, five day biological oxygen demand, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and sulphate was 77.7, 85.9, 99.2, 44.4 and 57.2%, respectively. Biogas was produced at a rate of 0.832 L/L.d with a methane, carbon dioxide and molecular oxygen content of 65.2, 32.8 and 0.6%. Results suggest that UASBs may offer a feasible option for reducing the organic strength of sugar industry wastewater, while simultaneously generating methane-rich biogas.

Thesis (MTech (Food Technology))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2018.
Lipase-catalysed chemical transformations are today routinely considered by synthetic organic chemists as economical and competitive “green chemistry” alternatives. Although lipases can effortlessly be produced on a large-scale by fermentation, their industrial application was, until recently, limited to the detergent, oleo-chemistry and dairy industry. However, during the last few decades, the biotechnological application of lipases has expanded significantly, becoming indispensable in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, pesticides, single cell protein production, biosensor preparations and waste management. Similarly, lipases have become a vital ingredient in the contemporary food processing industry with applications ranging from fruit juice production to baked foods, vegetable fermentations and dairy enrichment. Furthermore, lipases are routinely used as flavour development agents in cheese, butter and margarine products. Lipases are also applied in the leather industry for processing hides and skins and for treatment of activated sludge and other aerobic waste product treatments where its action enhances oxygen transfer. While lipases currently account for less than 21 % of the enzyme market, a growing interest in lipases is reflected by the publication of an average of 1000 research papers per year and the growing number of available lipases since the 1980s. There is a sustained interest to bioprospect for novel lipase enzymes from available unexplored biodiversity. This study aimed to screen for lipase-producing microorganisms resident in olive wastewater biofilms. Lipase activity of positive isolates was subsequently also quantitatively determined to select for the highest producers of true lipases. A Geotrichum candidum isolate from olive mill wastewater biofilms was selected for subsequent studies based on its superior lipase production phenotype. Using a yeast mediated ligation approach the G. candidum GCL1 lipase gene was cloned and heterologously expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae as an enzyme production host. The recombinant lipase was purified and analysed in terms of substrate specificity, pH optima, temperature optima and stability as well as organic solvent tolerance. The G. candidum gcl1 lipase presented enhanced thermo- and organic solvent-stability that are highly sought after traits for industrial application.

Thesis (MTech (Food Technology))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2007
The olive industry in South Africa, although small compared to the rest of the world, is rapidly expanding and producing increased volumes of wastewater on an annual basis that could in future develop into a major environmental problem. Olive mill wastewater (OMWW) and table olive wastewater (TOWW) are characterised by high chemical oxygen demand (COD), biological oxygen demand (BOD) and phenolic content that are toxic to the environment. Due to the nature of olive wastewater (OWW), its irresponsible and unregulated environmental release will result in oxygen depletion, nutrient enrichment and accumulation of toxic compounds in receiving water bodies that ultimately disrupts aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. An estimated 3500 - 4500 tons of olives are processed on an annual basis by 51 farmers .in the Western Cape. Economic forecasts predict a steady growth, i.e. increased production and processing of olives in the South African olive industry, in the future due to consumer demand. These production increases will consequently lead to increased volumes of wastewater production, which would, in tum, require an expansion of treatment capacity of the wastewater prior to release. Two South African olive factories were chosen for this study: Buffet Olives, situated in Dal Josefat (Paarl), that produces table olives and Vesuvio Estate on Sorento farm (Wellington) that produce extra-virgin olive oil. Preliminary COD determinations showed that indigenous OWW biofilms within a rotating biological contactor set-up reduced the COD from TOWW and OMWW by 47% and 32%, respectively, over a l0-day period. These preliminary results strongly suggested that biofilms indigenous to OWW have the potential to remediate the pollution problems of OWW. However, the overall aim of this study was to determine how sustainable the application of indigenous biofilms in the OWW are over two production seasons and whether it would be feasible to apply and develop these naturally occurring biofilms as an effective bioremediation tool to reduce the COD and polyphenol content of OWW.

Thesis (MSc Food Sc )--Stellenbosch University, 2002.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: South Africa is a developing country that relies heavily on its agricultural sector for economical welfare especially in the Western Cape Province. However, development gives rise to new technologies, new products, economical stability and unfortunately also to the production of larger volumes of liquid and solid waste. Anaerobic composting is becoming a very attractive treatment option for solid waste disposal because of its unique operational advantages and two valueadded by-products, compost and biogas. Over the last decade progress has been made in anaerobic digestion of solid wastes, but no literature could be found on the anaerobic composting of apple and peach pomace. The main objective of this study was to develop a method to anaerobically compost apple and peach pomace. In the first phase important operational parameters were identified and a method was developed to optimise the parameters. In the second phase of the study, the scaling-up and optimisation of the process were the major objectives. During the first phase of this research 2 L modified glass containers were used as composting units. The most important operational parameters (leachate pH, inoculum source and size, and initial moisture levels) were identified. Anaerobic compost from previous tests, brewery granules and anaerobic sludge were also used as inocula and evaluated for the best source of microbes. After optimising all the identified parameters, good results were obtained, which included higher biogas production, good volume reductions, less bad aromas and a compost product with a neutral pH. After developing the 2 L laboratory-scale method to compost the apple pomace anaerobically, the next step was to ascertain if the method would work if larger volumes of solid fruit waste were composted. A special 20 L composting unit made of PVC was designed to suit the operational requirements of the anaerobic composting process. It was also decided to mix apple pomace and peach pulp together and to use this solid waste source as part of the composting substrate. Different inocula, including cattle manure, anaerobic sludge, brewery granules and anaerobic compost produced in the previous tests, were used. Although good results were obtained with the anaerobic compost and cattle manure as inoculum, the aim was also to decrease the composting period by shortening the pH stabilisation period. To achieve this, it was decided to add NaHC03 to the substrate to be composted to facilitate a faster pH stabilisation. The composting period was subsequently shortened to 25 days with satisfactory results, which included a volume reduction, biogas production and faster pH stabilisation. An upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) bioreactor was also used to assist the composting process by facilitating the removal of the VFA's present in the composting leachate. This proved to be a valuable addition to the composting process as the UASB bioreactor also provided the composting units with a 'moisturising liquid', which was 'enriched' with a consortium of active anaerobic bacteria when the effluent from the bioreactor was re-added to the composting units. With all the operational parameters in place, good results were obtained and these included a volume reduction of 60% (m/m), a good biogas production, a composting period of only 25 days, a compost that was free of bad aromas, a final compost pH of > 6.5, final leachate COD values of less than 3 000 rnq.l", and a final leachate VFA's concentration of between 0 and 250 rnq.l". If in future research further scaling-up is to be considered, it is recommended that the composting unit be coupled directly to the UASB bioreactor, thus making the process continuous and more practical to operate. If the operational period of the anaerobic composting set-up could be further shortened and the inoculum adapted so that the process could be used for the treatment of other difficult types of solid wastes, it would probably be advantageous for the fruit processing industry to use this method as an environmental control technology.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Suid-Afrika is 'n ontwikkelende land wat baie afhanklik is van die sukses van die landbousektor vir ekonomiese welstand, veral in die Wes Kaap Provinsie. Ontwikkeling gaan gepaard met nuwe tegnologie, nuwe produkte, ekonomiese stabiliteit en daarmee saam gaan die produksie van groter volumes vlooiebare en soliede afvalprodukte. Anaërobiese kompostering is tans besig om opgang te maak as en doeltreffende behandelingstegnologie vir vaste afvalstowwe. Tydens die laaste dekade is baie vooruitgang gemaak in die veld van anaërobiese vertering asook kompostering van afvalmateriaal met en hoë vaste stof inhoud. Anaërobiese kompostering van appel- en perskepulp, afkomstig van die versappingsindustrie, het tot dusver min aandag geniet. Die hoofdoel van hierdie navorsing was om 'n anaërobiese komposterings metode te ontwikkel vir die beheer van vrugte afval om sodoende die basis neer te lê vir en nuwe tegnologie wat baie voordele (biogas en kompos) inhou. In die eerste fase is die belangrikste operationele parameters geïdentifiseer om sodoende beter beheer oor die anaërobiese proses uit te oefen. In die tweede fase is die anaërobiese proses wat gedurende die eerste fase ontwikkel is, opgeskaal om optimum resultate te verkry. Gedurende die eerste fase van hierdie verhandeling was 2 L gemodifiseerde glas houers gebruik as komposteringseenhede. Die belangrikste operasionele parameters (pH beheer, inokulasie grootte, vloeistofvlakke en hoeveelheid vog asook vlugtige vetsuur produksie en verwydering) vir die beheer van die anaërobiese komposteringsproses was geïdentifiseer en gebruik as uitgangspunt om 'n anaërobiese komposteringsmetode te ontwikkel. Anaërobiese slyk, brouery granules en anaërobiese kompos van vorige eksperimente was as inokula gebruik. Gedurende hierdie studies was goeie resultate verkry en het 'n hoë biogas produksie, goeie volume reduksies, vermindering van slegte aromas en kompos met 'n neutrale pH ingesluit. . Nadat hierdie goeie resultate met die 2 L laboratorium-skaal metode verkry was, was groter volumes vaste vrugte afval gebruik om te bepaal of dieselfde metode toegepas kan word op en groter skaal. Spesiale 20 L komposteringseenhede was ontwerp om aan die operasionele vereistes van 'n anaërobiese proses te voldoen. Dit was ook besluit om appel pulp met perske pulp te meng en te gebruik as deel van die komposteringssubstraat. Verskeie inokula was weereens gebruik en het die volgende ingesluit: vars beesmis, anaërobiese slyk, brouery granules en anaërobiese kompos van vorige eksperimente. Hoewel baie goeie resultate met vars beesmis en anaërobiese kompos as inokula verkry was, was 'n volgende doel gewees om die kompoterings tydperk te verkort deur die pH vinniger te stabiliseer. Daar was besluit om NaHC03 by die komposteringssubstraat te voeg en so 'n vinniger pH stabilisasie te fasiliteer. 'n UASB ('upflow anaerobic sludge blanket') bioreaktor was ook gebruik om die komposteringsproses aan te help deur die vlugtige vetsure wat in die kompostloog teenwoordig was, te verwyder. Die insluiting van die bioreaktor in die anaërobiese komposteringsproses het bygedra tot die sukses van die proses deurdat die uitvloeisel as 'n vogmiddel vir die komposteringseenhede gebruik was en 'n konsortium van aktiewe anaërobiese bakterieë bevat het. Nadat al die operationele parameters in plek was, was goeie resultate bereik en het die volgende ingesluit: 'n volume reduksie van 60% (m/m), goeie biogas produksie, 'n komposteringstyd van 25 dae, 'n kompos wat vry was van slegste aromas, 'n finale kompos pH van >6.5, finale loog CSB van <3 000 rnq.l' en 'n finale vetsuur konsentrasie van tussen 0 en 250 mq.l'. lndien verdere navorsing onderneem word, word dit aanbeveel dat die UASB bioreaktor direk aan die komposteringseenheid gekoppel word om sodoende die proses meer aaneenlopend en die proses prakties makliker uitvoerbaar te maak. Indien die operationele tydperk nog korter gemaak kan word en die inokulum aanpasbaar kan wees om moeilik verteerbare afvalprodukte te akkomodeer, sal hierdie tegnologie baie voordelig wees as 'n metode om omgewingsbesoedeling te beheer

Thesis submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Technology: Tourism and Hospitality Management in the Faculty of Business at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2012
The objective of the research study was to investigate how effective an eco initiative to recycle water and food waste would be when implemented in selected Cape Town hotels. Earthworm farms are able to convert organic food waste into usable compost as an alternative to landfills. Harvesting rainwater as a direct method for the reuse of waste water makes it possible to store captured rainwater for future use. This serves as an alternative source of surface water. The study further investigated whether implementing these initiatives would be successful as a future endeavour. Environmental movements were the instigators of the high demand for recycling initiatives. These movements aimed to address the deteriorating quality of water supplies, as well as growth in landfills. In South Africa, a decrease in the availability and quality of surface water has been coupled with an annual increase of 3.7 % in the demand for water. Landfills furthermore release toxic smoke when burned. Within the Hospitality Industry, travelers are increasingly seeking out environmentally friendly hotels as part of their corporate travel policy. This has occurred as a result of the increased focus on environmental initiatives by the International community. The researcher therefore aimed to provide practical examples of how existing theory regarding these initiatives is applicable to operations within hotels. The research methodology was determined through analysing the research strategy, the design and the research instruments. The research strategy was based on gathering facts relevant to the theory of the study. A descriptive approach was therefore adopted as the “-what-” question that was asked when measuring data to answer the research questions. The research design utilised a multi-strategy approach whereby both quantitative and qualitative data were gathered. This resulted in questionnaires, interviews and case studies forming part of the research instruments. The researcher found it effective to corroborate the findings from both quantitative and qualitative data: that is, the findings from the questionnaires were enhanced by the findings from the interviews. The case studies were conducted to provide a practical context to the theory. Recommendations have been made according to technological and social developments. Ultimately, this study illustrates the success of eco initiatives aimed at recycling water and food waste produced by selected hotels in Cape Town and a reduction in the waste generated by the hotels.

Thesis submitted in the requirements for the degree Doctor Technologiae: Chemical Engineering in the Faculty of Engineering at the CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, 2013
To date, limited information has been published on textile wastewater treatment, for re-use, in South Africa (SA), with treatment processes focusing on conventional wastewater treatment methods. A large contributor to the contamination of water within textile industries is from dyehouse processes. A major concern in textile wastewater treatment is the release of azo dyes and their metabolites, some of which are carcinogenic and mutanogenic, into the environment since they are xenobiotic and aerobically recalcitrant to biodegradation. A necessity therefore exists to find an effective treatment method capable of removing both the strong colour and the toxic organic compounds from textile wastewater. Membrane bioreactors (MBRs) are favoured when treating high-strength wastewater, since the membrane area is determined by the hydraulic throughput and not the biological load; no sludge is wasted and all bacteria are retained within the reactor, including specific bacteria capable of degrading the toxic, non-biodegradable constituents present in textile wastewater. MBR systems, using various configurations have been utilised extensively in the rest of the world to treat textile wastewater at both lab and pilot-scale. This DTech project formed part of a collaborative Water Research Commission (WRC) funded project K5/1900 - Pilot application of a dual-stage membrane bioreactor (dsMBR) for industrial wastewater treatment. The main purpose of this study was the on-site evaluation of a pilot-scale dsMBR incorporating two ultrafiltration (UF) sidestream membrane modules for the treatment, recovery and re-use of textile wastewater. The objectives of this project were to determine the treatment efficiency of the system; to evaluate the degree of colour removal from the textile wastewater; to improve residual colour removal within the system using treatment processes, such as NF and RO, as well as to propose a design and cost for a full-scale plant. A textile industry located in Bellville, Western Cape, was chosen as the industrial partner for the on-site evaluation of a semi-automated pilot wastewater treatment MBR plant using two 5.1 m2 Norit X-flow AirliftTM membrane modules. Since the wastewater treatment system was located on the premises, real continuously changing industrial wastewater was being treated. The industrial textile wastewater was treated in a series of tanks: 1) an anaerobic tank, which cleaved the azo bonds of the reactive dyes; 2) an anoxic tank containing reduced amounts of dissolved oxygen, in which denitrification occurred; and 3) an aerobic tank, in which i) nitrification, as well as ii) mineralisation of the aromatic amines occurred. The UF-membrane modules would account for the removal of any organic material. The wastewater stream was characterised by a chemical oxygen demand (COD) range of between 45 to 2,820 mg/L and an average biological oxygen demand (BOD) of 192.5 mg/L. The dsMBR achieved an average COD reduction of 75% with a maximum of 97% over the 220 day test period. The COD concentration obtained after dsMBR treatment averaged at 191 mg/L, which was well within the City of Cape Town industrial wastewater discharge standard. The average reduction in turbidity and TSS was 94% and 19.6%, respectively, during the UF-MBR stage of the system. Subsequent treatment of the UF permeate with nanofiltration (NF) for 4 days, alternated with reverse osmosis (RO) for 14 days removed both the residual colour and salt present in the UF permeate. A consistent reduction in the colour of the incoming wastewater was evident. The colour in the wastewater was reduced from an average of 659 ADMI units to ~12 ADMI units in the NF permeate, a lower American dye manufacturing index (ADMI) (i.e. method of colour representation) compared to the potable water (~17 ADMI units) utilised by the industrial partner in their dyeing processes. The colour was reduced from an average of 659 to ~20 ADMI units in the RO permeate, a lower ADMI and therefore colour when compared to the potable water. An average conductivity rejection of 91% was achieved with conductivity being reduced from an average of 7,700 to 693 μS/cm and the TDS reduced from an average of 5,700 to 473 mg/L, which facilitated an average TDS rejection of 92%. Based on the composition of the UF permeate fed to the RO membrane a maximum removal of 98.7% was achieved for both conductivity and total dissolved solids (TDS). The proposed full-scale plant would incorporate a UF-MBR system, followed by NF, RO, flocculation and a filter press. Therefore, the two waste products produced during operation of the proposed full-scale plant, would be the solid filter cakes and the liquid filtrate from the filter press. Implementing the proposed full-scale plant it would cost the industrial partner an operating cost of ZAR 113.85 and ZAR 3,415.49 to treat 97.1 m3 and 2,913 m3 of textile wastewater, respectively, per day and per month. This results in an annual saving of ZAR 845,848 on potable water expenses. This research, would provide SA textile industries, with an option to: 1) reduce their water consumption, thereby utilising less of a valuable decreasing commodity; 2) meet the SA government discharge standards and reduce their discharge costs; 3) reduce their carbon footprint (i.e. reduce their impact on the environment) by re-using their treated wastewater and therefore using less water from the municipality; and 4) decrease their annual expenditure on water, since the treated wastewater would be available for re-use.

A degradação da qualidade da água pelo despejo de efluentes líquidos industriais, mesmo que tratados em algum grau, vem afetando a saúde dos organismos do meio aquático, inclusive podendo afetar a saúde dos seres humanos, caracterizando um problema ambiental de escala global. Os efluentes líquidos provenientes das indústrias alimentícias A e B, objeto do presente estudo, com reconhecido potencial genotóxico, são fortes contribuintes desse processo de degradação e mesmo assim, são somente fiscalizados através de analises físicas e químicas. Desta forma, o presente estudo teve por objetivo avaliar o sistema de tratamento de efluentes líquidos de duas empresas de alimentos e seus efeitos genotóxicos em Astyanax sp (lambari). Os peixes foram expostos aos efluentes líquidos pré e pós-tratamento, bem como, a montante e a jusante do lançamento. A genotoxicidade foi avaliada segundo a técnica do ensaio cometa e teste do micronúcleo písceo. Foram analisados os parâmetros físicos, químicos e biológicos dos efluentes: temperatura, pH, oxigênio dissolvido, alcalinidade total, ácidos voláteis, DQO, DBO5,20, nitrogênio total, fósforo total e coliformes totais. Na análise genotóxica foram utilizados 600 exemplares de Astyanax sp, que foram expostos por 96 horas ao efluente bruto, pós tratamento, montante e jusante do corpo hídrico das duas indústrias. Os resultados obtidos através do presente estudo indicaram que em todas as amostras analisadas, inclusive no pós-tratamento e a jusante do lançamento, foram constatados danos estatisticamente significativos no material genético dos peixes analisados, com (p<0,0001). Os resultados evidenciaram que os efluentes líquidos das indústrias A e B avaliadas neste estudo, tem potencial genotóxico para causar danos aos organismos vivos presentes nos ecossistemas em que as mesmas estão inseridas.
The degradation of water quality by the discharge of industrial wastewater, even treated to some degree, has been affecting the health of aquatic organisms, including being able to affect the health of humans, featuring a global environmental problem. Liquid effluents from the food industries A and B, the object of this study with recognized genotoxic potential, are only monitored through physical and chemical analyses. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the treatment system of wastewater from two food companies and their genotoxic effects in Astyanax sp. Fish were exposed to wastewater pre and post treatment as well as upstream and downstream of the release. The genotoxicity was evaluated according to the technique of the comet assay and micronucleus test in piscine. Physical, chemical and biological parameters of: temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, alkalinity, volatile acids, COD, BOD5.20, total nitrogen, total phosphorus and coliforms were analyzed. Genotoxic analysis in 600 specimens of Astyanax sp, which exposed for 96 hours to raw wastewater, after treatment, and downstream water body in the two industries were used. The results obtained from this study indicated that in all samples, including post processing and downstream of the release, statistically significant damages were observed in the genetic material of the fish analyzed, with (p<0,0001). The results showed that the wastewater from industries A and B evaluated in this study, have genotoxic potential to cause harm to living organisms in the ecosystems in which they are embedded.

CAPES
Atualmente há preocupação da sociedade em relação aos impactos gerados pelas indústrias ao meio ambiente. Para produção de celulose e de papel é usada grande quantidade de água, madeira e produtos químicos, sendo gerado efluente nos diferentes processos produtivos da indústria. A matéria orgânica e a cor do efluente do processo Kraft se devem à presença de moléculas derivadas da lignina que são difíceis de serem removidas ou biodegradadas. Com vistas à remedição deste efluente, o presente trabalho busca avaliar a remoção de cor e matéria orgânica residual de efluente de celulose Kraft pré-tratado biologicamente, usando carvão ativado de casca de coco e argila montmorilonita pelo método de adsorção através de delineamentos experimentais. Para remoção de cor e matéria orgânica foram avaliados os fatores: a) pH do efluente; b) massa do material adsorvente no processo de adsorção e c) temperatura. A capacidade de adsorção de matéria orgânica e cor no carvão ativado e argila montmorilonita foram determinados pelo modelo matemático de Langmuir e Freundlich, por meio de ensaios de construção de isotermas de adsorção em efluente Kraft. O efluente foi caracterizado quanto a DQO, DBO5,20, COT e cor verdadeira antes e depois do tratamento terciário. Para o tratamento do efluente foram empregadas duas temperaturas: 25 e 40°C, seguiu-se planejamento fatorial completo 32 em triplicata com ponto central tendo como variáveis pH (5,0; 6,0 e 7,0) e massa de material adsorvente (0,5; 1,0 e 1,5 g). O planejamento experimental utilizado permitiu obter os melhores resultados com carvão ativado em 40 °C, pH 7,0 e 1,5 g de adsorvente com remoção de: 98% de COT, 83% de DQO, 97% de DBO5,20 e 95% de cor verdadeira e para argila em temperatura de 40 oC, pH 7, e 1,5 g de adsorvente com remoção de: 55% de COT, 50% de DQO, 90% de DBO5,20, e 56% de cor verdadeira. A principal variável responsável pela remoção de cor e matéria orgânica foi a massa de adsorvente seguida do pH. Também foi avaliada a possibilidade de aproveitamento do resíduo obtido a partir do processo de adsorção na incorporação de cinzas de carvão na produção de argamassas com teores de 0,4%, 1,0% e 1,2%; em cimento portland, areia e água com tempos de cura de 7 e 28 dias fazendo testes de resistência à compressão. Para a reutilização da argila foram utilizados 15% de argila do processo de adsorção, 25% de vidro e 60% de argila vermelha, para a confecção de corpos de prova cerâmico à temperatura de 1100 oC a 1150 oC. De modo geral, o processo de tratamento proposto neste trabalho utilizando carvão ativado, demostrou ser boa alternativa comparado com argila montmorilonita para redução de cor e matéria orgânica residual do efluente de processo Kraft, tendo-se em vista a utilização da cinza do carvão utilizado no processo de adsorção como um agregado para formação de argamassas na construção civil e argila utilizada na adsorção como material cerâmico.
Nowadays, there is a concern of society regarding the impacts caused by the industries on the environment. Large amounts of water, wood and chemichal are used to produce cellulose and paper, and contaminated effluents are generated through the various industrial processes associated. The organic matter and the color of the Kraft effluent are due to the presence of lignin-derived molecules that are difficult to be removed or biodegraded. With intent to remediate this effluent, this study aim to evaluate the removal of color and residual organic matter from biologically pretreated Kraft effluent, using activated carbon from coconut shell and montmorillonite clay by adsorption method through experimental designs. For the color and organic matter removal, the following factors were evaluated: a) pH of the effluent; b) the mass of the adsorbent material in the adsorption process and c) temperature. The adsorption capacity of organic matter and color in the activated carbon and in the montmorillonite clay were determined by the mathematical model of Langmuir and Freundlich, by means of isotherm adsorption construction in Kraft effluent.The effluent was characterized by COD, DBO5,20, COT and true color before and after the tertiary treatment. For it treatment two temperatures were employed: 25 °C and 40 °C, followed by a 32 full factorial design with center point in triplicate, using pH (5.0, 6.0 and 7.0) and masses of adsorbent material (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 g) as variables. The experimental design used showed that the best results with activated carbon are obtained at 40 ° C, pH 7.0 and 1.5 g of adsorbent with removals of 98% of TOC, 83% of COD, 97% of BOD5,25 and 95% of true color. With clay, the best results occurred at temperature of 40 ° C, pH 7, and 1.5 g of adsorbent to remove 55% of COT, 50% of COD, 90% of BOD5,20 and 56% of true color. The main responsible for the removal of color and organic matter was the mass of adsorbent, followed by the pH. It was also evaluated the possibility of using the residue obtained from the adsorption process in the incorporation of carbon ash to produce mortars with levels of 0.4%, 1.0% and 1.2% in Portland cement, sand and water, with curing times of 7 and 28 days, for which compressive strength tests were performed. To reuse the clay, 15% of the clay from the adsorption process was used, together with 25% of glass and 60% of red clay, in order to construct ceramics bodies specimen generated at temperatures from 1100 °C to 1150 °C. The treatment process proposed in this work using activated carbon demonstrated to be, in general, a good alternative compared to montmorillonite clay for the color reduction and residual organic matter removal from Kraft process effluent, while residues from both process can be used as aggregates for mortars and ceramic body production.

Les rejets des Usines à Zinc de Kolwezi contiennent majoritairement du zinc sous forme réfractaire (ferrite) au traitement hydrométallurgique conventionnel. Ils contiennent d’autres métaux « lourds » qui les rendent dangereux vis-à-vis de l’environnement dans lequel ils sont actuellement entreposés. Ces métaux, dont la plupart peuvent être valorisés, font de ces rejets un véritable gisement secondaire. Il est donc impératif de mettre au point un procédé adéquat de valorisation ;d’où le thème de la présente thèse :« Etude de valorisation des rejets des Usines à Zinc de Kolwezi, RDC ».

A l’aide des techniques modernes de caractérisation (physico–chimique, minéralogique et morphologique), nous sommes arrivés à cibler, à adapter et à justifier l’utilisation d’une technique de valorisation des matières minérales existantes. Les minéraux utiles contenus dans les rejets UZK ont été sulfatés par digestion et sélectivement mis en solution après un grillage. La sulfatation s’est avérée l’étape déterminante du procédé et un intérêt particulier a été focalisé sur cette étape en réalisant une étude cinétique approfondie.

Les données et informations récoltées tout le long de cette recherche nous ont permis de réaliser une simulation du procédé par le logiciel ASPEN PLUS. Ce qui a permis de faire une ébauche d’un schéma de traitement industriel. Ce dernier s’est avéré souple vis-à-vis de l’utilisation d’autres matières comme les calcines des concentrés sulfurés cuivre-zinc.

Residues from the Kolwezi Zinc Plant (Usines à Zinc de Kolwezi UZK) essentially contain zinc in a refractory (ferrite) form, which is difficult to recover by conventional hydrometallurgical methods. « Heavy» metals are also present that make them hazardous towards the environment in which they are currently stored. Most of these metals are valuable; thus, the UZK residues are a real secondary deposit. It is therefore imperative to develop an appropriate method of treatment, hence the theme of the present thesis: « Recovery study of values metals from Kolwezi Zinc Plant residues, DRC ».

Using modern techniques of characterization (physical and chemical, mineralogical and morphological), we focused, adapted and justified the use of a technique for efficient recovery of the existing valuable minerals. The minerals contained in UZK residues have been sulphated by digestion and thereafter selectively dissolved after roasting. Sulphatation proved to be the decisive step of the process and a particular attention has been given to this step by performing a detailed kinetic study.

The data and information collected throughout this research allowed a simulation of the developed method by using the « Aspen Plus » software. This allowed us to propose a draft scheme of industrial processing. The latter proved flexible towards the use of other materials such as calcines of copper-zinc sulphide concentrates.

Doctorat en Sciences de l'ingénieur
info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

Theoretical waste minimisation opportunities and options for electroplating were sought from the literature. Their suitability under the specific site conditions of a chromium electroplating plant were evaluated using the results of a waste minimisation audit (audit). The audit showed that many waste minimisation practices were already in place. These included counter current flowing rinse systems, multiple use of rinses and recycling of the drag-out solution back into the plating solution. Two types of information were collected during the audit, namely new chemical monitoring (concentration levels of sodium, iron, zinc, copper, lead, chromium and nickel and conductivity, total dissolved solids and pH) and flow rate data and existing data (composition of the process solutions, products and waste outputs, and raw materials, workpieces and utility inputs). The data were analysed using four established waste minimisation techniques. The Scoping Audit and the Water Economy Assessment results were determined using empirically derived models while the Mass Balancing and the True Cost of Waste results were obtained through more detailed calculations. The results of the audit showed that the three most important areas for waste minimisation were water usage, effluent from rinse water waste streams and nickel consumption. Water usage has the highest waste minimisation potential followed by nickel. Dragged-out process chemicals and rinse water consumption contribute to ranking the effluent stream the most important waste minimisation opportunity identified by the True Cost of Waste Analysis. Potential financial savings were roughly estimated to be in the order of R 19949 and R 126603 for water and nickel respectively. Intervention using only "low cost-no-cost" waste minimisation measures was recommended as a first step before contemplating further focus areas or technical or economical feasibility.
Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2004.

A chromium plating line used by a local company was monitored to identify any potential waste minimisation opportunities. Plating of the workpiece surface is carried out by immersing the workpiece in seven process (treatment) solutions including nickel and chromium plating baths. Between each process step the workpieces are rinsed. The chromium plating process was evaluated using the results of a waste minimisation audit. This involved gathering data on the composition, flow rates and costs of the inputs of the process. Two types of data were collected namely new and existing data. The new data included chemical monitoring (concentration levels of Ni, Cr, Na, S, B, P, Si, Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb as well as conductivity, TDS, SS and pH measurements) and water usage data. The existing data included raw materials, utility inputs, composition of process solutions and product outputs. The data were analysed using three established waste minimisation techniques. The Water Economy Assessment (a form of Monitoring and Targeting) results were determined using an empirically derived model. The Water Balance and True Cost of Waste results were obtained through more detailed calculations using the results of the chemical analysis. The results from the audit showed that the water usage on the chromium plating line has the highest waste minimisation potential. The True Cost of Waste analysis showed there is no significant chemical wastage in the effluent stream. The potential savings of the effluent stream was negligible (approximately R10 for 238 days). Drag-out calculations were also performed and showed that the drag-out volumes were in good agreement with the typical volumes found in the metal finishing industry. Intervention using simple lowcost and no-cost waste minimisation opportunities were recommended as a first step before contemplating further focus areas for technical or feasibility studies.
Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2009.

M. Tech. Chemical Engineering.
Discusses the general objective of this research is to study the application of a combined advanced oxidation and adsorption process, with a view to developing a novel technique for the treatment of tea industry effluents prior to discharge into receiving water bodies. The specific objectives of the research are: a) To tailor natural zeolite physico-chemical properties in attempt to enhance its adsorptive performance ; b) To evaluate the decolourization efficiency of functionalized zeolite in tea industry effluent treatment. c) To evaluate the effect of the following operational parameters: pH, initial concentration,temperature and the sorbent mass, on the removal of colour in tea industry effluent. d) To apply adsorption and advanced oxidation independently and to combine the two into one process.

South Africa is facing numerous challenges that pertain to increasing water deficit and pollution of water resources. Only 40 out of 821 wastewater treatment works in South Africa achieved Green Drop certifications in the 2010 Green Drop assessments (DWA, 2011). This is not only threatening net water availability but also human health. South African water sources are comprised of 77 % surface water, 14 % return flows and 9 % groundwater (van Vuuren, 2009). This study was therefore intended to explore the quality, quantity and treatability of corn wet milling effluent resulting from Tongaat Hulett Starch Pty Ltd (THS) operations. THS is a major producer of corn derived starch and glucose in Africa. Amongst its three corn wet milling plants in Gauteng (Kliprivier, Germiston and Meyerton) and one in Western Cape (Bellville), 600000 tonnes of maize were processed in the 2011/2012 financial year. The objective of the study was to establish the wastewater footprint of the corn wet milling process. To achieve this, qualitative and quantitative characterisation studies were completed on effluents generated from the Germiston and Meyerton corn wet milling plants, respectively. This characterisation study was focused on volumetric and organic load analyses of the various sections of the corn wet milling process. A full scale anaerobic digestion treatability study of the Meyerton plant effluent was also conducted. The study results indicated that the combined effluent discharged to the Municipal sewer averaged between 2.9 and 3.1 m3/tonne of corn processed. The effluent generated resulted in an average chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentrations of between 6211 and 7790 mg/L, with suspended solid concentrations of between 635 and 899 mg/L. From the full scale anaerobic treatability study, a minimum of 87 % COD removal at organic volumetric loading rates (OLR) of between 0.3 and 3.9 kg COD/m3.d was achieved. It was concluded that corn wet milling effluent can be categorised as high strength in terms of COD concentrations. This type of effluent proved to be amenable to anaerobic digestion treatment. Anaerobic pretreatment of corn wet milling effluent can proportionately reduce pollution loading into the receiving municipal conventional wastewater treatment systems.
Thesis (M.Sc.Eng.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2013.

Dissertation submitted in fulfillment of academic requirements for the Degree of Master of Technology: Chemical Engineering, Durban University of Technology, 2008.
Currently KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province is populated with textile industry, which produces wastewater, some of which is not biodegradable. Due to the stringent environmental regulations the wastewater cannot be discharged into the rivers or public owned treatment systems. The alternative solution is to co-dispose this wastewater with easily biodegradable waste (labile effluent). The aim of this investigation was to develop a process protocol for the codigestion of high strength and toxic organic effluents under mesophilic conditions (35°C ± 2°C), with emphasis on the effect of biomass acclimation. A total of four effluents were chosen for this study, two labile (distillery and size) and two recalcitrant (scour dye and reactive dye). Two anaerobic batch experiments and two pilot scale trials were performed. The first batch anaerobic experiment investigated the influence of biomass source in anaerobic treatability. The second batch test investigated, whether biomass acclimation enhanced the biodegradability of pollutants. The pilot scale trials were the scale up version of the biomass acclimation test. The results showed sludge from Umbilo Wastewater Treatment Works was a superior biomass source, producing more gas and methane compared to Mpumalanga waste. For the high strength organic waste, the acclimated size and distillery samples produced 50% more biogas and methane compared to non-acclimated samples. This confirms that the biomass acclimation enhances the biodegradability. The biomass acclimation did not enhance the biodegradability of the recalcitrant effluent (scour dye). The pilot scale trials did not yield meaningful data; therefore it could not be proven if acclimation works on a larger scale.

Take care how you place your moccasins upon the earth, step with care, for the faces of the future generations are looking upfrom the earth waitingfor their turnfor life - Lyoru, 1988 Increasing levels of pollution and the increase in demand for water and other resources by industry led to a number of policies and regulations being developed and revised in South Africa. According to the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (Act 108 of 1996), everyone has the right to an environment that is not harmful to health or wellbeing. In order to have the environment protected and sustained for future use, it became necessary to move away from the traditional fragmented approach to pollution and waste management and focus on an integrated strategy aimed at achieving a balance between ecological sustainability and socioeconomic development. In the Durban Metropolitan Area (DMA) , the Durban Metropolitan Council (Metro) incorporated pollution prevention in their bylaws, which contained stringent discharge limits for heavy metal concentrations. This posed a potential problem for metal fmishers who were concerned about complying with these discharge standards. In addition, the metal finishing industry was considered to be a significant contributor to the pollution load in the DMA, and therefore needed to find suitable solutions to dealing with environmental problems, especially waste management. Waste minimisation was believed to be a good tool for this industry to utilise in order to reduce its pollution load. It was seen from the literature and case studies from international initiatives that waste minimisation results in an improvement in process efficiency and reductions in production costs and environmental impacts, generally at minimal costs. A waste minimisation club was initiated for the metal finishing industry in the DMA in June 1998. The club consisted of twenty-nine members of which the majority were small and medium sized companies. The club was run over a period of thirty months. A core group of sixteen companies actively participated in the activities of the club. During the period of investigation, a total of 391 waste minimisation options were identified for club members and 147 of these options were implemented. This resulted in a total financial saving in excess of R 4 million for the duration of the club's existence. The saving represents combined savings in water, chemicals, metals, energy, effluent treatment, and waste disposal. Corresponding environmental benefits were achieved including a reduced demand for water, reduced toxicity of effluent from chemical and metal reduction, and a reduction in energy requirements. Four companies were investigated in detail and presented as case studies. These companies showed that the payback on implementing waste minimisation options was mostly immediate. The size of the companies was not critical in determining the level of success from running waste minimisation programmes. Success depended mainly on commitment from companies and motivation of project champions. It was found that the greatest barriers to implementing waste minimisation, as identified by companies, were a lack of time, resources, and commitment. Companies joined the club mainly for benefit of reducing costs and complying with legal standards. Aside from successfully raising awareness and promoting the concept of waste minimisation, the waste minimisation club also resulted in an improvement in the relationship between the metal finishing industry and the Metro, and among club members. Based on the results achieved by club members, and from managing the club, it was evident that the club was effective in promoting waste minimisation in industry. For the future running of clubs, it is recommended that waste minimisation assessment training be given to all employees of a company. It would also be more useful if companies reported savings on a more regular basis and more formally. In addition it is recommended that club membership should be limited to between ten and fifteen companies to facilitate improved management of the club.
Thesis (M.Sc.Eng.)-University of Natal,Durban, 2002.

This study introduces the Fanonian thought on race and racism, rhetoric of modernity, and new humanism as three constitutive thematic areas in order to enable a new understanding of the South African situation. These thematic areas are examined with specific reference to socio-economic development within the limited context of post-apartheid South Africa. This is done by reading Fanon’s text in the context of South Africa to provide the background against which the unfolding of the post-apartheid era and its political discourses may be analysed. In essence, this study is based on Fanon’s predictions that he made in the text written more than 50 years ago about the future of post-colonial states. Therefore, this study argues that Fanon’s thought has proven to be more prophetic with regard to post-apartheid South Africa and its political reforms which left the fundamental question of structures such as land, economy, and labour unaddressed. What happened on 27 April 1994 is not genuine liberation, but a mere transition from apartheid to democratic dispensation that left the status quo in spatial arrangements uninterrupted. Indeed, it was an elite pact between the African National Congress and white monopoly capital, which betrayed the national liberation movement and the black majority. The contention is that South Africa celebrated the cosmetic reforms that attributed the term liberation incomplete in the absence of fundamental and structural changes. What is therefore recommended is that for there to be success, there must be genuine liberation that is consistent with the needs of society. This means bringing to an end the racially marked structures and reimagining the black condition, through jobs, education, social and economic programmes aimed at empowering the black majority to depend on themselves as opposed to relying on the State.
Development Studies
M.A. (Development Studies)

The research work critically analyzed the factors responsible for imprudent waste tyre management in South Africa. As an approach to determine the complexity of the problem, questionnaires were sent to one hundred and sixty (160) respondents in conjunction with interviews. Perusal of literature and interaction with industry involved in waste tyre processing to further gain knowledge of the problem and possible solutions that can be solicited to address the problem. Findings revealed that, lack of clear, focused legislation that guide the handling, disposal and processing of waste tyres remain the challenge. It is also deduced that recycling of waste tyres can provide economic benefits and opportunities. It is recommended that South Africa develop appropriate legislation that deals with handling, treatment and disposal of waste tyres, develop an incentive programme to set up initiatives as well as developing skilled and capacitated enforcement agency.
Environmental Sciences
M.A. (Environmental Management)