Innovation and Technology Development

RSA PATENT: 05297 of 2016

F. Muthizongo and L.W. Snyman, “Development of low-cost reflective plate thermal energy absorber systems for application in South Africa”, Journal of Energy in Southern Africa 32(3): 41–56, 2021. (DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.17159/2413-3051/2021/v32i3a8044)

• Increased absorption of Thermal Energy on household rooftop through innovative design and utilising low-cost materials and nanotechnology.
• 0.30 Rand per kWhr (ten years) versus R2.50 per kWhr from Eskom Grid.

RSA PATENT: 05297 of 2016

F. Muthizongo and L.W. Snyman, “Development of low-cost reflective plate thermal energy absorber systems for application in South Africa”, Journal of Energy in Southern Africa 32(3): 41–56, 2021. (DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.17159/2413-3051/2021/v32i3a8044)

• Store thermal energy in a second geyser.
• Use low temp energy to feed washing machine, dishwasher, room heating and utility taps.
• 0.50 Rand per kWhr (ten years) versus R2.50 per kWhr from Eskom Grid.
• Reduce load on the Grid.

RSA PATENT: 07826 of 2016 

L.W. Snyman, “Thermal Energy to electricity extraction system”. Publication: L.W. Snyman and G. Maeko , “Viability of using Solar Thermal-to-Electricity Energy Conversion Systems in South Africa”, Journal of Energy in Southern Africa 32 (4), 2021.

• Store thermal energy in a second geyser.
• Much cheaper than to store in batteries.
• Install T-E Pod to convert thermal energy to electricity.
• 1.20 Rand per kWhr (ten years) versus R2.50 per kWhr from Eskom Grid.

RSA PATENT: 04789 of 2015

L.W. Snyman and R. Kene, “Electronic controller for household energy control based on timing and tariff data”.

• It is possible to construct low-cost un-interruptible electricity supply systems using a verity of devices from SA stores.
• Each system serves a specific application, making management specific and easier.
• Develop own subcomponents by local manufacturing.

RSA PATENT: (in Process) 

Publication: “Mesfin A. Kebede, Spyros N. Yannopoulos, Labrini Sygellou, and Kenneth I. Ozoemena, High-Voltage LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4-δ Spinel Material Synthesized by Microwave-Assisted Thermo-Polymerization: Some Insights into the Microwave-Enhancing Physico-Chemistry, J. Electrochem. Soc. 164 (2017) A3259-A3265.

• SA contains huge resources of in-house minerals such as Manganese, Zinc, Platinum.
• These minerals, together with suitable analytes, can be used to develop our own energy storage battery.
• Cost efficiency aspects could most favourably compte with imported products.

IP DiSCLOSURE: (in Process) 

• Photorectors come in different designs and sizes. 
• LEDs have emerged as preferable devices for long-life application in photorectors.
• Cost efficiency of LEDs compete and outperform most imported  products.

Ground water containing minerals and salts are circulated through a membrane system and a thermal activation process. Fresh water moves through the membranes and are collected on the cold side of the membranes and stored in a secondary reservoir.

Mine water rich in metals sulphate can be treated in an integrated process (neutralization/desalination/bine treatment through freeze crystallization /thermal treatment) to recover valuable products, such as pigment and drinking water.

Application 1. Pigment recovery and production of drinking water

Through partial neutralization to pH 3.5, ferric hydroxide can be recovered selectively from iron-rich acid mine water, which can be processed through heat treatment to pigment, a commodity that is imported by SA. By raising the pH further to 8, for removal of the remaining metals, including calcium, the water is treated with reverse osmosis to produce drinking water and brine with a high concentration of 90 g/L, to be further processed with freeze crystallization.

Application 2. Brine treatment with freeze crystallization

Brine from desalination plants (mine or sea water brine) can be treated through freeze crystallization to recover water and sodium sulphate from mine water brine and sodium chloride from seawater brine.

Application 3. Thermal treatment

Salt, such as gypsum and sodium sulphate, can be processed through thermal treatment to CaCO3 and Na2CO3 respectively. Sulphur and rare earth metals can be recovered from phosphogypsum from the fertilizer industry.

Application 4. Use treated mine water for intensive farming

SA produce 570 mega litre per day of mine water.  If 20 cubic water of is used per hectare, 28 500 mine land is needed for intensive farming. If 7 jobs are needed for crop production, processing, packaging and distribution, a total number of 200 000 jobs will be created.