MechChem Africa March 2017

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Pump systems, pumps, valves and seals 8 Specialist alloys and custom pumping solutions MechChemAfrica’s Peter Middleton talks to Danny Lubbe from SAM Engineering about custom-made pumps built to suit Africa’s harsh conditions. 10 Pumping systems 101: Why throttle pumping systems? 13 Real round-the-clock rental pump availability 14 Crowning a successful year 15 Efficient motorised actuator for globe and diaphragm valves 16 Pumping technology for lubricant and abrasive fluids 17 New Curve slurry pumps Petrochemical, oil and gas 18 Better API pumping solutions Peter Middleton talks toWeir Minerals’ Ronald Govender, and Kevin Roelofse, about two modern API pumps for the petrochemical industry. 20 Resolving fractured debates about fracking 23 New biogas market on the horizon As a side event to the African Energy Indaba 2017, The National Cleaner Production Centre (NCPC-SA) hosted an Energy Efficiency Workshop in partnership with the Consumer Goods Council of South Africa (CGCSA) and the Chemical and Allied Industries Association (CAIA). MechChem Africa’s Glynnis Koch attends and reports. 28 Balama Graphite Mine powered by SA-built generator plant 30 PV training creates sustainable employment 31 US$75-million power order for transmission link in Brazil Waste management 32 Can waste solve the waste problem? To halt the downward spiral of waste generation, it’s time to rethink and redesign how we consume for a circular economy: says Aurecon’s Tim Plenderleith. 34 Environmental sustainability through resource recycling 35 SA’s next generation litter picker Innovative engineering 42 Fuel cells, greener gensets and FCEVs Implats has established a fuel cell project with the ultimate aim of taking its Impala Platinum Refinery off the Eskom grid. Peter Middleton takes a look at the expanding range of applications for fuel cells in a greener economy. REGULARS 2 Comment: An alternative to matriculation? 4 On the cover: SMC’s exponential expansion plans Peter Middleton talks to SMC’s general manager, Adrian Buddingh, about the company’s growth path. 6 SAIChE News: An Interview with Maloba Tshehla 36 Product and industry news: Aerator drives and the single source advantage 44 Back page 25 Mobile heater skid for 127 km natural gas pipeline Sustainable energy and energy management 26 Addressing industrial energy costs and availability

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

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Transparency You Can See Average circulation MechTech+ChemTech October-December 2016: 4913

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Cover story: SMC Pneumatics Unit 4, Midrand Central Business Park, Midrand, 1019 Morkels Cl, Midrand, Johannesburg, 1685 +27 11 100 5866

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March 2017 • MechChem Africa ¦ 1