Electricity + Control January 2015

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Pyrolysis technology is making headway in
South Africa
Gauteng based Milvinetix is one of South Africa’s first fully functional
pyrolysis plants. Working closely with the Recycling and Economic De-
velopment Initiative of South Africa (REDISA), over the last year and a
half Milvinetix has received an infrastructure development grant of R310
per tonne of waste tyre – delivered at no charge by REDISA registered
transporters.
This grant has been used by the company to develop existing infrastruc-
ture and purchase new equipment so that the business can expand, and
ultimately take more waste tyres.
Pieter Buckle, managing director of Milvinetix said: “The infrastructure
development grant paid by REDISA is a solid and reliable source of income.
This has allowed us to focus on developing our core business and is an
essential part of our company’s ability regarding our planning strategies
- particularly to potential future growth”.
At this processor, tyres are transformed into smaller and simpler
compounds.These compounds can then be turned into various products
including carbon char, oil, and may also be used to generate electricity.
Currently Milvinetix supplies its products to an organisation that further
purifies the oil and sells it into the market. In addition, carbon char is sup-
plied to interested parties who in turn re-process and refine the product
which again is sold off to the market.
“Despite initial start-up challenges, we at Milvinetix continue to look for
solutions in terms of creating synthetic fuels. This is not only leading to
job creation opportunities, but also a cleaner South Africa,” said Buckle.
All processors involved in the REDISA Plan are required tomeet stringent
criteria, and are subject to a vetting process.
“We applaud the work that Milvinetix has done to date. The company
is certainly proving that pyrolysis is an upcoming industry for the South
African market and is showing huge potential. Setting up a pyrolysis plant
is an incredibly technical and expensive exercise, but companies like Mil-
vinetix are going a long way towards assisting REDISA in setting up the
new tyre recycling industry,” said Stacey Davidson, director at REDISA.
Enquiries: Email
ROUND UP ENERGY + ENVIROFICIENCY: AFRICA
EnviroFicient head office
Dr Musa Gumede, deputy city manager: Community
and Emergency Services, officially opened Magnet’s
environmentally-friendly head office in Riverhorse Valley,
Durban. “Special care has been given to every aspect
of power usage in the building, to ensure minimum
electricity consumption,” says Brian Howarth, manag-
ing director, Magnet. The new premises utilise energy
efficient LED lighting technology; occupancy sensors for
the control of lighting and heat pumps which reduce con-
ventional water heating costs. A 60 kVA solar array has
been grid tied to eThekwini Electricity and photovoltaic
(PV) modules, which convert solar energy to electricity,
have also been installed.
Enquiries: Brian Howarth.
Email
Solar powered PC lab
Africa’s first commercially available Solar powered PC
lab built within a shipping container, will improve ac-
cess to information and communication technologies
(ICT) in non-affluent, rural and remote communities; a
challenge that has been contributing to economic and
social inequality in South Africa. 715 Learners at Umhloti
Primary School in Verulam, KwaZulu Natal will benefit
from the ongoing power of the sun when product de-
veloper, giveITback, in partnership with Poynting and
African Union Communications, will donate the first of
its Solar Powered Computer Labs valued at R450 000
RRP, on 05 December 2014. The digital divide, where
less fortunate learners do not have access to, use of, or
knowledge of ICT, has a major impact on economic and
social inequality in South Africa.
. 011 826 5959 or email
‘Gusty’ support for local wind
power
Nordex, multi-megawatt wind turbine manufacturers
supports the local wind power sector through job crea-
tion and continuous supply of cutting edge technology,
employs 40 people at their three wind farm sites in the
Eastern Cape and their Cape Town offices. Anne Hen-
schel, managing director of Nordex Energy South Africa,
spoke at WINDABA 2014, the 4th annual wind industry
conference, hosted in November by the South African
Wind Energy Association (SAWEA). Henschel formed
part of a keynote session where industry leaders engaged
multilaterally with the Department of Trade and Industry
on South Africa’s wind energy.
Enquiries: Email
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39 January ‘15 Electricity+Control