Introduction The world is at a point in history where decarbonization of energy sources has become imperative. There are two important reasons why decarbonization and sustainability have become the focus of global attention. One reason, which has been widely publicised and debated, is the threat posed by climate change, due to accumulated Greenhouse gases from […]
Introduction Hydrogen is envisioned as a “dream” energy carrier that will play a major role in the global transition to a sustainable future. The phrase “Hydrogen economy” has been coined to describe this futuristic vision. Hydrogen is abundant and non-polluting. Large-scale industrial Hydrogen production and utilization has been prevalent for decades, in sectors such as […]
Background Carbon Dioxide is an inevitable product of fossil and bio-fuel combustion and a by-product of many industrial processes. Throughout the early industrial age and most of the previous century, the general practice was to dispose exhaust gases from combustion equipment and processes generating Carbon Dioxide by venting to the atmosphere. It was only about […]
What Are Petrochemicals? Petrochemicals, a specific type of industrial chemicals, are derived from petroleum resources like ethane, naphtha, and natural gas. These substances are crucial in producing a wide range of chemicals and materials (like plastics). The consumption of plastics, synthetic fibers, rubber, fertilizers, and other industrial chemicals heavily influences petrochemical demand. Interestingly, petrochemical production […]
What are Smart Materials? There is no established definition of “smart” or “intelligent” materials. Many argue they are substances that respond to external stimuli (change in temperature, pressure, electric or magnetic field, etc.) and produce useful responses. However, this would also include common sensing substances like piezoelectric materials or shape memory alloys, which some scientists […]
The invention of synthetic plastic or polymer in 1907 and its fast commercialization around 1950s resulted in technical improvements affecting many aspects of human life [1]. Plastics, for example, have significantly contributed to computers, mobile phones, cheap automotive parts, flooring and roofing materials, and the majority of modern lifesaving medicine discoveries, among many other applications. […]
Geothermal energy is generated from the natural Earth’s heat, predominantly resulting from the decay of naturally occurring radioactive isotopes such as potassium, thorium and uranium. The Earth’s surface heat flow, averaging 82 mW/m2 and equivalent to a total heat of approximately 42 million megawatts is the result of Earth’s internal heat. The total heat content […]
Over 80% of international trade is carried out by the shipping industry, making it an essential component of the global economy. Shipping is an economical way to transfer goods across long distances, both locally and internationally. Since the 1950s, because of its widespread availability and low price, heavy fuel oil (HFO) has largely replaced other […]
By Dr. DF Duvenhage Water and minerals extraction and processing in South Africa South Africa’s mineral extraction and processing industries play a crucial role in the country’s economy, but they face significant challenges related to water resources. One of the primary issues is the limited water availability in many mining regions. South Africa is a […]