Beneficiation of for materials development and energy generation in South Africa

Nonhlanhla P. Cele* *[email protected]

Temperature and Humidity Laboratory

8/14/2017 A hallmark of measurement excellence TQM-5134-1 Objectives

• Investigate alternative uses of biproduct

• Analyze the opportunity of electricity supply

• Optimize sugarcane industry as a multipurpose (food, ethanol and electricity production)

8/14/2017 Have you Ever wondered who is responsible for traceability of measurements in South Africa? TQM-5134-1 Introduction

Sugarcane Industry in South Africa

• The South African is one of the world’s leading cost-competitive producers of high quality sugar • Ranking in the top 15 out of approximately 120 sugar producing countries worldwide.

• 14 sugarcane mills

8/14/2017 A measurement centre of excellence TQM-5134-1 Introduction Sugarcane Industry in South Africa

Aproximately one million people in rural area, or 2% of South Africa’s population, depend on the sugar industry for a living

There are approximately 79 000 direct jobs and 350 00 indirect jobs.

The dti Strategy for the South African sugar industry recognises that value addition is critical to the sustainability and survival of the local industry in order to preserve and enhance job creation

Approximately 75% of the area of sugarcane harvested in South Africa is dryland (relying on rainfall) and 25% is irrigated, and as such the impact of drought is widespread

In line with developments in the global sugar sector, it has the potential to be a producer of renewable energy, bio-fuels and bio- plastics

Land reforms: transfer of 22% of freehold land under commercial sugar cane production from white growers to black growers.

8/14/2017 South Frican Sugar Association TQM-5134-1 Sugarcane Bagasse

• Sugarcane bagasse – plant residue remaining after the extraction of juice from sugar cane. A good candidate for the production of renewable energy. • For every 10 tons of sugarcane crushed, produces 3 tons of bagasse

• Advantage – high calorific/energy value

• Disadvantage – low energy efficiency

Tons of sugarcane crushed per year

2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 2015/16

19 255 404 18 655 089 16 015 649 16 800 277 17 278 020 20 032 969 17 755 504 14 561 401

8/14/2017 South African Sugar Association TQM-5134-1 Generation of Electricity from Sugarcane bagasse

Cogeneration of bagasse is one of the most successful energy project, demonstrated in many sugarcane producing countries (Brazil, India)

8/14/2017 Support the country’s trade TQM-5134-1 Generation of Electricity from Sugarcane bagasse in SA

• Combustion - sugarcane bagasse is fed to a specially designed furnace, at about 6 MPa and 495 °C

• South Africa situation - sugarcane bagasse is burned to generate electricity and heat for own use at sugar mills, meet internal energy requirements, 23% energy efficiency

• Implementation for energy efficiency measures is essential to nationalize sugarcane bagasse as a renewable energy source

8/14/2017 Support the country’s trade TQM-5134-1 Energy Efficiency Factors

• Controlled combustion chambers

• Reduced moisture content

• Pellets formation – will increase energy content and bulk density (handling, storage and transport)

8/14/2017 Have you Ever wondered who is responsible for traceability of measurements in South Africa? TQM-5134-1 Preliminary results Effect of moisture content on energy value of bagasse

Moisture content (%) Energy/calorific value (kJ/kg) 50 7300 30 10610 20 13100

A grade coal has energy/calorific value of 27 000 kJ/kg

8/14/2017 Have you Ever wondered who is responsible for traceability of measurements in South Africa? TQM-5134-1 Future studies

• Full characterization of sugarcane bagasse • Effect of moisture (sugarcane bagasse) • Effect humidity in crops (sugarcane) • Effect of sugarcane crushing techniques • Effect of combustion chambers • Effect of pellets size

• Development of the Moisture National Measurement Standard • NRCS, SABS and SANS

8/14/2017 Have you Ever wondered who is responsible for traceability of measurements in South Africa? TQM-5134-1 Acknowledgements

NMISA

Tshwane University of Technology

University of Witwatersrand

University of Johannesburg

NRF

8/14/2017 Enable the protection of the environment TQM-5134-1 Thank you

8/14/2017 Enable the protection of the environment TQM-5134-1