Industrial and Mining Water Research Unit

Last updated
Industrial and Mining Water Research Unit
TypeResearch Entity
Established2011
Academic staff
6
Postgraduates 30+
Location
Johannesburg
,
Gauteng, South Africa

26°11′35.14″S28°01′46.95″E / 26.1930944°S 28.0297083°E / -26.1930944; 28.0297083
CampusEast campus
Website IMWaRU webpage
Industrial and Mining Water Research Unit(IMWaRU).gif

The Industrial and Mining Water Research Unit (abbreviated IMWaRU) is one of several research entities based in the School of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. It provides research as well as supervision to masters and doctorate students within the University, as well as consulting to industry.

Contents

Unit Structure

The unit deals with cross disciplinary water issues relating to industry and mining. [1] As such the group includes experts in chemical engineering, microbiology and other sciences.

The unit includes five NRF rated researchers and over 20 masters and doctoral level postgraduate students in the faculties of engineering and science.

Members

The group currently comprises 7 academics (alphabetically - Mogopoleng (Paul) Chego, Kevin Harding, [2] Michelle Low, [3] Craig Sheridan, [4] Geoffrey Simate, [5] Karl Rumbold [6] and Lizelle van Dyk), as well as several postgraduate students.

IMWaRU icon IMWaRU logo.jpg
IMWaRU icon

The logo of the Unit is in the shape of a drop of water, with the left half representing the blue of water.

The right half of the drop is modified to show grass and how water is linked to all life. Underneath the icon are the letters IMWaRU, while to the right, the name "Industrial and Mining Water Research Unit" appears.

Location

Richard Ward Building, to the right, home to the Industrial and Mining Water Research Unit. Wits Life 009.jpg
Richard Ward Building, to the right, home to the Industrial and Mining Water Research Unit.

The unit is housed in several buildings across the University, most notably in the Richard Ward Building on East campus. [7] Additionally, some members are located in the Biology Building on East Campus and have access to laboratories in that building.

They also have access to an outdoor facility on West Campus where constructed wetland, and other outdoor, experiments take place.

Research

2nd floor laboratories of the Richard Ward Building, upgraded in 2013 for use by IMWaRU and others. Richard Ward 2nd floor labs University of the Witwatersrand.jpg
2nd floor laboratories of the Richard Ward Building, upgraded in 2013 for use by IMWaRU and others.

The group has a broad range of research publications in the areas as listed below: [8]

Collaboration

The unit works closely with the Centre in Water and Research Development (CiWaRD), a cross disciplinary water research think tank.

Active collaborations include the Schools of Law, Chemistry, Civil and Mining Engineering and the Global Change Institute at the university, in addition to the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research in Leipzig, Germany. They have also collaborated with the Universities of Cape Town, Geneva, Queensland and the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile.

IMWaRU has had several Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) projects run through Wits Enterprise.

The unit exhibited with several other groups at Mine Closure 2014. [51]


Constructed wetland equipment used in research experiments by the group. IMWARU CW Rig2.jpeg
Constructed wetland equipment used in research experiments by the group.

Awards

References

  1. ↑ Harding, KG, 2014, Accounting for water use in the process industries, Chemical Technology, April 2014, p3, retrieved 14 November 2014.
  2. ↑ "K Harding". Google Scholar. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
  3. ↑ "M Low". Google Scholar. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
  4. ↑ "C Sheridan". Google Scholar. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
  5. ↑ "G Simate". Google Scholar. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
  6. ↑ "K Rumbold". Google Scholar. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
  7. ↑ Google+, IMWaRU, Google Maps location, retrieved 13 November 2014.
  8. ↑ "IMWaRU researchers". Google Scholar. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  9. ↑ Sheridan, C, 2013. The Toxic Legacy of South Africa’s Gold Rush Archived 2014-12-06 at the Wayback Machine , IChemE presentation, Mining and Minerals special interest group, retrieved 7 November 2014.
  10. ↑ Sheridan, C, 2013. Paying the Price Archived 2014-08-19 at the Wayback Machine , The Chemical Engineer, www.tcetoday.com, 30-32.
  11. ↑ Smith, Janet; Sheridan, Craig; van Dyk, Lizelle; Harding, Kevin G. (July 2022). "Critical evaluation of the chemical composition of acid mine drainage for the development of statistical correlations linking electrical conductivity with acid mine drainage concentrations". Environmental Advances. 8: 100241. Bibcode:2022EnvAd...800241S. doi: 10.1016/j.envadv.2022.100241 .
  12. ↑ Enwereuzoh, Uzochukwu; Harding, Kevin; Low, Michelle (May 2020). "Characterization of biodiesel produced from microalgae grown on fish farm wastewater". SN Applied Sciences. 2 (5): 970. doi: 10.1007/s42452-020-2770-8 .
  13. ↑ Enwereuzoh, Uzochukwu; Harding, Kevin; Low, Michelle (April 2021). "Microalgae cultivation using nutrients in fish farm effluent for biodiesel production". South African Journal of Chemical Engineering. 37: 46–52. doi: 10.1016/j.sajce.2021.03.007 .
  14. ↑ Grobler, J; Harding, KG; Smit, M; Ramchuran, S; Durand, P; Low, M (3 September 2021). "Biodiesel production potential of an indigenous South African microalga, Acutodesmus bajacalifornicus". Scientific African. 13: e00952. Bibcode:2021SciAf..1300952G. doi: 10.1016/j.sciaf.2021.e00952 .
  15. ↑ Okoro N.M., Harding K.G., Daramola M.O. (2020) Pyro-gasification of Invasive Plants to Syngas. In: Daramola M., Ayeni A. (eds) Valorization of Biomass to Value-Added Commodities. Green Energy and Technology. Springer, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-38032-8_16
  16. ↑ Burman, Nicholas W.; Sheridan, Craig M.; Harding, Kevin G. (September 2020). "Feasibility assessment of the production of bioethanol from lignocellulosic biomass pretreated with acid mine drainage (AMD)". Renewable Energy. 157: 1148–1155. Bibcode:2020REne..157.1148B. doi:10.1016/j.renene.2020.05.086. S2CID   219449810.
  17. ↑ Bonner, Ricky; Aylward, Lara; Kappelmeyer, Uwe; Sheridan, Craig (2017). "A comparison of three different residence time distribution modelling methodologies for horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands". Ecological Engineering. 99: 99–113. Bibcode:2017EcEng..99...99B. doi:10.1016/j.ecoleng.2016.11.024.
  18. ↑ Harding, K.G.; Harrison, S.T.L. (2016). "Generic flow sheet model for early inventory estimates of industrial microbial processes. I. Flowsheet development, microbial growth and product formation". South African Journal of Chemical Engineering. 22: 34–43. doi: 10.1016/J.SAJCE.2016.10.003 .
  19. ↑ Harding, K.G.; Harrison, S.T.L. (2016). "Generic flowsheet model for early inventory estimates of industrial microbial processes. II. Downstream processing". South African Journal of Chemical Engineering. 22: 23–33. doi: 10.1016/J.SAJCE.2016.10.002 .
  20. ↑ Harding, KG, 2014. LCA Studies at the University of the Witwatersrand, UNEP/SETAC Presentation, Pretoria, South Africa.
  21. ↑ Sebisto, T, Kharidzha, M, Harding KG, 2015. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Biodiesel, Chemical Technology, February 2015, 6-11, retrieved 23 March 2015.
  22. ↑ Harding, K; Dennis, J; von Blottnitz, H; Harrison, S (2007). "Environmental analysis of plastic production processes: Comparing petroleum-based polypropylene and polyethylene with biologically-based poly-β-hydroxybutyric acid using life cycle analysis". Journal of Biotechnology. 130 (1): 57–66. doi:10.1016/j.jbiotec.2007.02.012. PMID   17400318.
  23. ↑ Harding, K.G.; Dennis, J.S.; von Blottnitz, H.; Harrison, S.T.L. (2008). "A life-cycle comparison between inorganic and biological catalysis for the production of biodiesel". Journal of Cleaner Production. 16 (13): 1368–1378. Bibcode:2008JCPro..16.1368H. doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2007.07.003.
  24. ↑ Harding, K.G. (2013). "A technique for reporting Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) results". Ecological Indicators. 34: 1–6. Bibcode:2013EcInd..34....1H. doi:10.1016/j.ecolind.2013.03.037.
  25. ↑ Maepa, Mpho; Bodunrin, Michael Oluwatosin; Burman, Nicholas W.; Croft, Joel; Engelbrecht, Shaun; Ladenika, A. O.; MacGregor, O. S.; Harding, Kevin G. (2017). "Review: life cycle assessments in Nigeria, Ghana, and Ivory Coast". The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment. 22 (7): 1159–1164. Bibcode:2017IJLCA..22.1159M. doi:10.1007/S11367-017-1292-0. S2CID   114885312.
  26. ↑ Harding, K.G.; Harrison, S.T.L. (August 2020). "Generic flowsheeting approach to obtain material and energy data for life-cycle assessment of cellulase production (submerged fermentation)". Bioresource Technology Reports. 11: 100549. Bibcode:2020BiTeR..1100549H. doi:10.1016/j.biteb.2020.100549. S2CID   225200895.
  27. ↑ Harding, Kevin G.; Friedrich, Elena; Jordaan, Henry; le Roux, Betsie; Notten, Philippa; Russo, Valentina; Suppen-Reynaga, Nydia; van der Laan, Michael; Goga, Taahira (16 November 2020). "Status and prospects of life cycle assessments and carbon and water footprinting studies in South Africa". The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment. 26: 26–49. doi:10.1007/s11367-020-01839-0. hdl: 2263/80575 . S2CID   226960269.
  28. ↑ Mdhluli, Faith Tokologo; Harding, Kevin G. (December 2021). "Comparative life-cycle assessment of maize cobs, maize stover and wheat stalks for the production of electricity through gasification vs traditional coal power electricity in South Africa". Cleaner Environmental Systems. 3: 100046. Bibcode:2021CEnvS...300046M. doi: 10.1016/j.cesys.2021.100046 .
  29. ↑ Enwereuzoh, Uzochukwu O.; Harding, Kevin G.; Low, Michelle (29 July 2021). "Fish farm effluent as a nutrient source for algae biomass cultivation". South African Journal of Science. 117 (7/8). doi: 10.17159/sajs.2021/8694 .
  30. ↑ Harding, K.G.; Dennis, J.S.; Harrison, S.T.L. (July 2018). "Generic flowsheeting approach to generating first estimate material and energy balance data for Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Penicillin V production". Sustainable Production and Consumption. 15: 89–95. Bibcode:2018SusPC..15...89H. doi:10.1016/J.SPC.2018.05.004. S2CID   134260556.
  31. ↑ Ugwu, Samson Nnaemeka; Harding, Kevin; Enweremadu, Christopher Chintua (April 2022). "Comparative life cycle assessment of enhanced anaerobic digestion of agro-industrial waste for biogas production". Journal of Cleaner Production. 345: 131178. Bibcode:2022JCPro.34531178U. doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.131178. S2CID   247241156.
  32. ↑ Qalase, Chule; Harding, Kevin G. (2022). "Eco-efficiency assessment of pork production through life-cycle assessment and product system value in South Africa". E3S Web of Conferences. 349: 13002. Bibcode:2022E3SWC.34913002Q. doi: 10.1051/e3sconf/202234913002 .
  33. ↑ Goga, Taahira; Harding, Kevin; Russo, Valentina; von Blottnitz, Harro (31 August 2022). "What material flow analysis and life cycle assessment reveal about plastic polymer production and recycling in South Africa". South African Journal of Science. 118 (Special issue: WaaR). doi: 10.17159/sajs.2022/12522 .
  34. ↑ Goga, Taahira; Harding, Kevin; Russo, Valentina; Von Blottnitz, Harro (31 January 2023). "A lifecycle-based evaluation of greenhouse gas emissions from the plastics industry in South Africa". South African Journal of Science. 119 (1/2). doi: 10.17159/sajs.2023/13842 .
  35. ↑ Botha, Edwin E.; Harding, Kevin G. (4 December 2024). "Significance of international life cycle data in South African extended producer responsibility". South African Journal of Science. 120 (11/12). doi: 10.17159/sajs.2024/16384 .
  36. ↑ Sheridan, C, 2014. Water footprinting, UNEP/SETAC Presentation, Pretoria, South Africa.
  37. ↑ Dhlamini, S, Mkhonza, T, Haggard, E, Osman, A, Crundwell, F, Sheridan, C, Harding KG, 2013. An Introduction to Water Footprinting, Chemical Technology, Jan 2013, 29-33.
  38. ↑ Haggard, EL; Sheridan, CM; Harding, KG (2015). "Quantification of water usage at a South African platinum processing plant". Water SA. 41 (2): 279. doi: 10.4314/wsa.v41i2.14 .
  39. ↑ Ranchod, N; Sheridan, CM; Pint, N; Slatter, K; Harding, KG (2015). "Assessing the blue-water footprint of an opencast platinum mine in South Africa". Water SA. 41 (2): 287. doi: 10.4314/wsa.v41i2.15 .
  40. ↑ Osman, Ayesha; Crundwell, Frank; Harding, Kevin G; Sheridan, Craig M (2017). "Application of the water footprinting method and water accounting framework to a base metal refining process". Water SA. 43 (4): 722. doi: 10.4314/wsa.v43i4.18 .
  41. ↑ Harding, Kevin Graham (2019). "And now to confuse you! How is the public expected to understand water footprinting metrics?". Procedia Manufacturing. 35: 731–736. doi: 10.1016/J.PROMFG.2019.06.016 .
  42. ↑ Brink, A.; Sheridan, C.M; Harding, K.G. (April 2017). "The Fenton oxidation of biologically treated paper and pulp mill effluents: A performance and kinetic study". Process Safety and Environmental Protection. 107: 206–215. Bibcode:2017PSEP..107..206B. doi:10.1016/J.PSEP.2017.02.011.
  43. ↑ Brink, A.; Sheridan, C.M.; Harding, K.G. (2017). "A kinetic study of a mesophilic aerobic moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) treating paper and pulp mill effluents: The impact of phenols on biodegradation rates". Journal of Water Process Engineering. 19: 35–41. Bibcode:2017JWPE...19...35B. doi:10.1016/J.JWPE.2017.07.003.
  44. ↑ Mamathoni, Phathutshedzo; Harding, Kevin G. (May 2021). "Environmental performance of extended activated sludge and sequential batch reactor using life cycle assessment". Cleaner Environmental Systems. 2: 100039. Bibcode:2021CEnvS...200039M. doi: 10.1016/j.cesys.2021.100039 .
  45. ↑ Harding, K.G.; Gounden, T.; Pretorius, S. (2017). ""Biodegradable" Plastics: A Myth of Marketing?". Procedia Manufacturing. 7: 106–110. doi: 10.1016/j.promfg.2016.12.027 .
  46. ↑ Pfister, Stephan; Boulay, Anne-Marie; Berger, Markus; Hadjikakou, Michalis; Motoshita, Masaharu; Hess, Tim; Ridoutt, Brad; Weinzettel, Jan; Scherer, Laura; Döll, Petra; Manzardo, Alessandro; Núñez, Montserrat; Verones, Francesca; Humbert, Sebastien; Buxmann, Kurt; Harding, Kevin; Benini, Lorenzo; Oki, Taikan; Finkbeiner, Matthias; Henderson, Andrew (2017). "Understanding the LCA and ISO water footprint: A response to Hoekstra (2016) "A critique on the water-scarcity weighted water footprint in LCA"". Ecological Indicators. 72: 352–359. Bibcode:2017EcInd..72..352P. doi:10.1016/J.ECOLIND.2016.07.051. PMC   6192425 . PMID   30344449.
  47. ↑ Okoro, Nnanna-jnr M.; Ozonoh, Maxwell; Harding, Kevin G.; Oboirien, Bilianu O.; Daramola, Michael O. (28 January 2021). "Potentials of Torrefied Pine Sawdust as a Renewable Source of Fuel for Pyro-Gasification: Nigerian and South African Perspective". ACS Omega. 6 (5): 3508–3516. doi: 10.1021/acsomega.0c04580 . PMC   7906487 . PMID   33644524.
  48. ↑ Okoro, Nnanna-jnr M.; Ikegwu, Ugochukwu M.; Harding, Kevin G.; Daramola, Michael O. (24 September 2021). "Evaluation of Fuel Quality of Invasive Alien Plants and Tropical Hardwoods as Potential Feedstock Materials for Pyro-Gasification". Waste and Biomass Valorization. 13 (2): 1293–1310. doi:10.1007/s12649-021-01572-1. hdl: 2263/93149 . S2CID   255768450.
  49. ↑ Chama, Chama; Harding, Kevin; Mulopo, Jean; Chego, Paul (2021). "A Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis Approach to Pallet Selection: Development of a Material-Of-Construction Evaluation Model". The South African Journal of Industrial Engineering. 32 (2). doi: 10.7166/32-3-2614 .
  50. ↑ Mbanjwa, Mesuli B.; Harding, Kevin; Gledhill, Irvy M. A. (30 April 2022). "Numerical Modelling of Mixing in a Microfluidic Droplet Using a Two-Phase Moving Frame of Reference Approach". Micromachines. 13 (5): 708. doi: 10.3390/mi13050708 . PMC   9144237 . PMID   35630175.
  51. ↑ Mine Closure 2014 Archived 2014-11-07 at the Wayback Machine , Exhibitors list, 9th International Conference on Mine Closure, 1–3 October 2014, Sandton Convention Centre Johannesburg, South Africa, retrieved 7 November 2014.
  52. ↑ CHMT Twitter account, 2014. GAP announcement, retrieved 16 December 2014.
  53. ↑ "Tamlyn Naidu has won the prestigious Institute of Materials". YouTube. 15 October 2019. Retrieved 7 May 2020.

School of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, WITS - IMWaRU page