

Published monthly by
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mechchemafrica@crown.co.za www.mechchemafricamagazine.co.zaEditors:
Peter Middleton
e-mail:
peterm@crown.co.zaGlynnis Koch
e-mail:
glynnisk@crown.co.zaAdvertising:
Brenda Karathanasis
e-mail:
brendak@crown.co.zaDesign:
Darryl James
Publisher:
Karen Grant
Deputy publisher:
Wilhelm du Plessis
Circulation:
Karen Smith
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the editors.
Transparency You Can See
Average circulation
January-March 2017: 4768
Printed by:
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2015CROWN LOGO february.indd 1
2015/02/10 01:17:09PM
Cover story:
Festo
Contact:
Adrian Bromfield
+2711 971 5500
adrian.bromfield@festo.com sales.interaction@festo.com www.festo.co.zaJune 2017
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MechChem Africa
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Pump systems, pumps, valves and seals
8 Process-focused solution ups crusher plant output After implementing a full process-focused solution fromWeir MineralsAfrica,Stilfontein-based sand and aggregate supplier CNC Crushers raised throughput at its Roadstone Shaft 5 crushing plant by 45% while cutting back on maintenance and simultaneously increasing production. 10 Pumping systems 101: Getting a return on your training investment 13 Pump rental success on copper mine 14 New generation Etanorm is a winner 15 Curve pump proves it capability Sustainable energy and energy management 16 Cast resin transformer technology: an efficient low-risk option MechChem Africa talks to Mervyn Low, MD of Greenergi, the sole distributor of cast resin transformers (CRTs) from Trafo Elettro Italy. 19 Aluminium offers benefits in transformer windings 20 African hydropower plant receives international recognition 22 New high-tech energy-efficient water heating solution 23 Load bank system supplied into Botswana Petrochemical, oil and gas 24 MoviTrans improves handling reliability in wax plant MechChemAfrica’s Peter Middleton visits Sasol’s wax packaging plant and reports on the use of SEW-Eurodrive’s MoviTrans® contactless energy transfer solution to manage the transfer of loaded pallets from its robot packing cell. 27 All-in-one service from rope access workers 28 Investment in grass-root talent changes lives 29 Tanzania to pipe natural gas to capital 30 Gas and electricity generation for Southern Africa: Shifts in the landscape 32 NIDF: Crossing the nano innovation chasm Innovative engineering 38 Producing plant-based drinking bottles from FDCA VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland has developed an environmentally sound and economical method for producing furan dicarboxylic acid (FDCA) from plant sugars enabling production of plant-based products.REGULARS
2 Comment: The energy mix: the case for maximising renewables 4 On the cover: Festo South Africa: engineering tools for success Festo South Africa’s Adrian Bromfield talks about Festo’s modern drive to enhance the competitive edge for customers and the launch of the new Cabinet Guide Online tool. 6 SAIChE Spotlight: SA’s global chemical award finalists 34 Product and industry news 40 Back page: Benchmark Green Star building in Namibia