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Catalysts have been used on cars since 1974 to reduce tailpipe emission levels of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and oxides of nitrogen. Initially, oxidation catalysts were used that operated under very lean air/fuel conditions and gave rise to increased sulphate particulate emissions. These sulphate emissions could fortunately be reduced by better air/fuel control. However, the introduction of more active catalyst compositions, in particular the use of cerium oxide components on the wash coat, led to bad odour complaints from motorists. In the report it is shown that under fuel-lean conditions, sulphur, originating from the fuel, is stored as aluminium and cerium sulphates onto the washcoat. Upon a rapid change to fuel-rich engine operation the stored sulphates are released as hydrogen sulphide and is the cause for the smell observed. The sulphur storage/release process results in hydrogen sulphide emissions many times higher than is possible from steady-state conversion from the fuel sulphur level. By using a catalyst/engine combination on a testbed the experiments have shown that the hydrogen sulphide release is a kinetically limited reaction and, apart from the air/fuel control, depends mainly on the catalyst temperature.

This thesis presents tha findings of an investigation into the use of energy, between the years 1975 and 1984, in five of the major energy-intensive industries in South Africa. Energy use in all economic sectors, from 1964 to 1974, was surveyed in the report "Energy Utilisation in South Africa", published by the Department of Planning and the Environment in 1978. As this report showed the major primary industries to be the largest single users of energy in South Africa, it was decided to isolate a number of major energy-intensive industries for investigation in this study. The 1979 Census of Manufacturing showed five industrial sectors to have consumed 41% by value of the total industrial energy consumption in that year, and it is those with which this thesis is concerned. The five industries are: The Structural Clay Products Industry, The Portland Cement Industry, The Glass Making Industry, The Iron and Steel Industry, The Pulp and Paper Industry.

This research study presents the wind resource assessment at two potential onshore wind sites at the Western Cape of South Africa for small and large scale wind energy generation. It is anticipated that by virtue of the enormous wind resources prevalent along the South Africa West Coast, it is economical and cost effective to generate electricity from the wind to offset the increasing cost of energy generation from non-renewable sources (coal-fired, nuclear, gas etc.) which are the major source of power generation. Despite the environmental benefit and economic potentials of the wind energy, its variability and the inability to accurately predict (estimate) the long term energy generation potentials usually lead to difficulties in the selection and development of a suitable wind site for any proposed wind farm project(s) in the country.

Bibliography: pages 130-134. / Poor rural communities of South Africa frequently face shortages of convenient, affordable energy services. Sub-sectoral energy interventions that are not properly coordinated with each other and with the development context are unlikely to address the problems effectively. The methodology of 'integrated rural energy planning' (IREP) is a possible means of achieving this coordination. This process encompasses a new paradigm which is an improvement on the supply-driven thinking of the past. It seeks to overcome anomalies in the rural energy system in a way that places the final users of energy services at its centre, that coordinates planning between different energy sub-sectors, and integrates energy planning with economic planning processes. It emphasises continuity, efficient utilisation of resources, and genuine participation of rural people. Although originally designed for the energy sector as a whole, the theoretical methodology is applicable to rural regions of developing countries with only small modifications. International and local experience in IREP is not extensive, but it nevertheless provides valuable lessons regarding methodological and institutional requirements. The current trends in the institutional framework in South Africa show that while there are many obstacles to implementing an IREP process, there are also many unique aspects which suggest that an IREP process could be very effective. It seems clear that an appropriate way forward would be to launch a well-resourced and strategically-located initiative that would investigate, with care and foresight, the potential and relevance of an IREP process in South Africa.

The literature and data describing the environmental effects of air pollution in South Africa were examined, with a focus on the effects that are produced by the use of energy. This examination consisted of three parts: The emissions resulting from the use of the different fuels were calculated, with a complete sectorial and regional breakdown for pollution sources. A review of the data obtained from pollution monitoring programmes conducted in South Africa was completed. It was found that while monitoring is conducted in various regions and urban districts, there are areas with recognised pollution problems, such as townships, where little or no monitoring has been conducted. Often the resulfs of monitoring programmes were not published, or only available in unprocessed form. The literature describing environmental effects related to air pollution was reviewed. The number of studies pertaining to South African environments was found to be limited and tended to focus on certain areas, while neglecting others. Areas requiring further study and research were identified.

The Safety Analysis Report (SAR) of the Oregon State University TRIGA Research Reactor (OSTR) was prepared and used as a safety baseline for the reactor's operation since 1968. Although, in general, revision of the Safety Analysis Report of a research reactor is not a regulation requirement, it should be revised from time to time to include changes to the facility or procedures or update to current regulatory standards. The ANS 15.21 workgroup developed a draft standard format and content for safety analysis reports for research reactors. An area of this guidance, which was selected for this work's revision of OSTR-SAR, is the radiation protection program and waste management chapter. The Health Physics program of the facility was observed. The radiological data were obtained from the annual reports for more than 10 years of operation. The related data, such as meteorological data, were obtained and prepared for the analysis processes. The current federal regulation limits and recommendations were used as the references for dose assessments. The results show the OSTR has a sufficient radiation protection program not only for the facility's workers, but also for the general public, and the program is in full compliance with the federal regulations. The dose estimation shows that the workers and general public can not receive and have not received doses in excess of regulatory limits from the normal operation of the OSTR. / Graduation date: 2000

The flat-plate solar collector is the most commonly used device for the direct utilization of solar energy, but its applicability in some places is still debatable. The performance of the solar collector varies with changes in environmental and operational conditions. In this thesis the performance ice of a flat-plate solar collector was examined in order to determine the feasibility of utilizing solar energy s an alternative energy resource for residential water and space heating purposes in East Central Indiana.Various environmental and operational data pertinent to the performance of the solar collector were collected over a period of 76 days (March 26 through June 10). Analysis of the data showed that the efficiency of the collector varies with changes in climatic and operational conditions. Negative relationships were observed between efficiency and fluid inlet temperature, wind speed, cloud cover and precipitation, while relationships between the collector efficiency and ambient temperature, solar radiation and fluid flow rate were found to be positive. Further analysis of the collector performance findings and the average energy consumption in i-iuncie, Indiana produced encouraging evidence for the utilization of solar energy for residential crater heating and space heating purposes in the area.Ball State UniversityMuncie, IN 47306

The Hayes Arboretum Solar Greenhouse located in Richmond, Indiana, at 39° 50' N latitude, 84° 50' W longitude has been operational since December 1, 1976. Temperatures inside the 1000 square foot greenhouse were maintained at 55°F. minimum, 85°F. maximum. Data on gas usage was collected over a 24 month period (December 1, 1976 - November 30, 1978). Temperature data was collected during months when auxiliary heat was necessary to supplement the greenhouse.The solar greenhouse was designed by the author to test the feasibility of solar energy in Indiana. Solar energy provided 27% of heating needs during the two year period. A total of 77% of the energy needed to run a convencial design features."Fuel" (natural gas + collector pump electricity) costs were 11.8 ¢ /sq. ft./year for the solar greenhouse compared to 51 ¢ /sq. ft./year for conventional greenhouses during the same period.Ball State UniversityMuncie, IN 47306