Engineering
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The influence of particle size on the pore development of coal chars during gasification
(North-West University (South Africa), Potchefstroom Campus, 2019)In recent times, there is a strong drive towards the reduction and dependency of coal for the production of energy globally, and specifically in Europe and Japan. However, coal utilisation, includes gasification technology, ... -
An integrated thermal-hydraulic system CFD model of a prismatic block HTR core using Flownex
(North-West University (South Africa), Potchefstroom Campus, 2019)The active core of a prismatic high temperature reactor (HTR) consists of standard fuel, reserve shutdown and control blocks which must be maintained within a safe operating envelope. The fuel blocks are coupled to the ... -
A computational model for the description of electrostatic precipitator performance
(North-West University, 2019)A comprehensive computational model of an electrostatic precipitator was developed by incorporating the interacting phenomenon of fluid dynamics, particle dynamics and electrostatics using the commercial software STAR-CCM+® ... -
Framework for effective additive manufacturing education at South African Universities
(North-West University (South Africa), 2019)Additive Manufacturing (AM) which is also known as 3D printing technology; is a process by which digital 3-dimensional data is used to build up components or parts layer upon layer by depositing material. Additive manufacturing ... -
A management plan to improve the productivity of the labour workforce : Vaalharts Water User Association as case study
(North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2016)The purpose of this study was to set up a management plan to improve the productivity of the labour workforce. Two concrete placement teams at Vaalharts Water were used as a case study. In order to determine the factors ... -
Opportunity for synchrophasors in monitoring sources of renewable energy integrated into distribution networks
(North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2016)Synchrophasor measurements have traditionally been reserved for monitoring the operation of transmission systems. This technology enabled direct supervision over transmission system operation without any complex estimation ... -
Production of value added products from biodiesel-derived crude glycerine
(North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2016)The increasing growth of the biodiesel industry has resulted in the increase of crude glycerine generated as a by-product. Typically, for every 100 kg of biodiesel produced, 5-10 kg of crude glycerine is produced. The ... -
Ultrasonic-assisted lignocellulose pretreatment of amaranth stem for bioethanol production
(North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2016)The depletion of fossil fuels, increasing energy demands in the world, and the effects associated with global warming has led to a search for alternative energy forms that are renewable such as bioethanol. Bioethanol ... -
Procedure for conveyer-belt dryer sizing using dehydration-rate curves
(North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015)The aim of this dissertation is to provide an understanding of the drying phenomena associated with the drying of a selected extruded maize product. Mathematical modelling of drying is complicated and in many cases ... -
Hybridisation of energy storage for multiple input DC-DC converters
(2019-05)One of the biggest challenges towards achieving efficient and effective energy use in electric vehicles is the energy storage systems. Batteries, though being improved with newer technologies, are still not capable of ... -
Cooperative control of an active magnetic bearing and sensorless drive system
(North-West University (South Africa). Potchefstroom Campus, 2019)This thesis presents the cooperative control of an active magnetic bearing (AMB) and sensorless drive system. Traditionally, these two systems are considered as independent modular components within a larger system. The ... -
Novel biochemical and catalytic microwave-assisted methods for the synthesis of biobutanol
(North-West University (South-Africa). Potchefstroom Campus, 2019)Biofuels such as bio-ethanol, bio-butanol and biodiesel are attractive fuel substitutes to negate the negative effects of fossil fuel use. Bio-butanol, in particular, is of interest because of its properties, such as; low ... -
Numerical modelling of the flow and heat transfer in a prismatic block VHTR singlechannel fuel module
(North-West University (South Africa). Potchefstroom Campus, 2019)No Abstract available -
Condition based reliability simulator for power stations
(North-West University (South Africa). Potchefstroom Campus, 2018)The SA Power Utility operates 27 power stations with a total nominal capacity of 41,995 MW, comprising 35,726 MW of coal-fired stations, 1,860 MW of nuclear, 2,409 MW of gas–fired, 2,000 MW hydro and pumped–storage stations ... -
Simulating operational improvements on mine compressed air systems
(North-West University (South Africa). Potchefstroom Campus, 2018)As the operational costs of deep-level mines increase and gold ore grades decrease, profitability in the South African gold mining sector is becoming a challenge. Electricity tariff increases moreover contribute to the ... -
Optimising production through improving the efficiency of mine compressed air networks with limited infrastructure
(North-West University (South Africa). Potchefstroom Campus, 2017)The global gold mining industry is currently on a growing trend, while the local gold mining industry in South Africa has been experiencing a decline in gold production. This is due to a unique set of production challenges ... -
The dry beneficiation of South African small coal in a dense medium fluidized bed
(North-West University, 2018)Conventionally, wet processing was preferred to beneficiate coal based on its sharp separation efficiency; however, the excessive process water constraint is an extreme drawback and proves that wet beneficiation is currently ... -
Comparison of feature-based classifiers in Automatic Modulation Classification systems
(North-West University, 2018)In South Africa, the telecommunications regulator, ICASA, follows a ?xed spectrum allocation approach. The radio spectrum is assigned to incumbents (primary users) on a long-term basis. This practice follows a wholesale ... -
Improving energy cost performance of steel production mills
(North-West University, 2018)The global steel supply capacity is more than the demand. This has caused an increase in competition and imports to some countries. South Africa is one of the affected countries and the effects have been seen in the closing ... -
The experimental evaluation of nitrogen transformation in South African coal chars and the concomitant release of nitrogenous species
(North-West University, 2018)The effect of typical South African (SA) coal properties on nitrogen functional transformation and release were examined in the course of pyrolysis in a fluidised bed (FB) and drop-tube furnace (DTF). Chars were generated ...