No description available.

M.Ing. / Eskom's power stations receive their main supply of coal from mines next to the power stations. The coal supply contracts only specify maximum allowable variations of some coal quality parameters. The quality of the supplied coal can, however, vary greatly within a few hours. The boilers in the power plant are optimized for a certain quality of coal, while the supplied coal is burnt as it is received from the mine. The variations in the coal quality can, therefore, have a negative impact on both the life expectancy and maintenance costs of the power plant as well as the controllability of the boiler. The effects of short term variations in the coal qualities can be reduced by segregating the supplied coal into separate stockpiles according to coal quality parameters such as ash content and volatile matter, and then blending different portions from these stockpiles to a preferred coal quality before the coal goes to the boilers. A self organising feature map neural network was proposed in this research, to determine how to separate the supply coal, according to measured coal quality data. Furthermore, linear programming was proposed to determine the proportions to be taken from each stockpile in order to achieve a more consistent blended coal again. The segregating and blending systems are described in this thesis; and they were tested by means of a simulation based on measured coal quality data from a power station. It was shown that it is possible to successfully segregate coal from a single supply and then blend the different stockpiles to render coal with less short term variations in its quality parameters. The blending process uses stockpile size as its main driver to optimize the selection of the proportions, such that the most coal is taken from the largest stockpile, while the resultant coal quality remains within the specified constraints.

M.Phil. / The aim of this study is to achieve a greater output by scrutinizing the present way of coordinating the efforts Qf Steam Industries in South Africa to achieve a sustainable industrial development by using energy source efficiently and effectively. Furthermore into the study we look at obstacles that prevents and those that leads to maximum utilization of energy management measures, and also highlights the effects of implementing cheap available energy source in South Africa...

M.Ing. (Engineering Management) / South African power demand has been increasing over the past years due to increase in energy consumption from industrial, commercial and residential sectors. In order to meet the growing power demand Eskom Holdings Limited SOC (Eskom) has implemented a number of initiatives such as the energy efficiency programme, power generating capacity increase and refurbishment of the operational coal fired power stations. Energy efficiency initiatives have been designed to encourage residential, commercial and industrial customers to use energy efficient technologies which consume less energy compare to conventional technologies. Power generating capacity increase programme includes construction of new base and peaking generating power plants (such as Medupi, Kusile and Ingula) and return to service of the old generating plants (such as Camden, Komati and Grootvlei). The refurbishment programme or coal refurbishment involves upgrading of operational coal fired power stations with the objective of extending their life expectancy, improve performance and to ensure compliance to latest safety standards...

M.Ing. / The necessity for deployment of Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) technology in the South African energy sector is examined in this dissertation. A background is given on the different technologies that exist in the solar power sector with specific reference to Concentrated Solar Thermal Power (CSTP). The economic, social and environmental benefits that this technology embodies in the near-, medium-, and long-term is discussed in detail. It highlights the local market potential for the establishment and large-scale roll out of CSP technology in a South African context and the economic value-chain that could subsequently be created...

D. Tech. Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics and Industrial Design / South Africa has limited reserve electricity resources and many parts of the country have limited access to electricity. Electricity production capacity is at maximum and almost each Giga watt is accounted for. Predictions suggest South Africa would have a serious electricity allocation problem in the very near future and current rolling blackout in many of our cities can attest to the looming problem. The energy crisis in South Africa has highlighted the need to increase electricity generation capacity and to search for alternative energy sources. Solar chimney plants could form part of the solution in the near future in South Africa to create additional power. This study aimed to develop a wind generation system in areas where wind is absent. A solar chimney power plant is expected to provide remote areas in South Africa with electric power, or to complement the current electricity grid. Solar energy and the psychometric state of the air are important to encourage the full development of a solar chimney power plant for the thermal and electrical production of energy for various uses. Research within the South African context and particularly on increasing the effectiveness of the solar chimney power plant technology is lacking; as such this study proposes the development of a solar chimney plant and associated technology to ensure the effectiveness of this plant.

Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Technology: Business Administration in Project Management in the Faculty of Business at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology 2013 / The nuclear industry has established stringent controls to ensure that electricity is produced in a safe and reliable manner. It is expected that a nuclear power plant should be operated safely, adheres to processes and procedures that govern those safe operations, and implements projects or modifications that are of a high quality; and this would be considered as ‘business as usual’. This is crucial for an industry that is under constant scrutiny, since every project or modification, which is implemented, is critically judged. One important contributing factor to the successful operation of any nuclear power plant is the implementation of projects and modifications in accordance with respective nuclear codes and standards, specifications, processes and procedures. The industry demands that this should be a norm, as quality is synonymous with safety and reliability; factors that cannot be compromised or divorced from each other on a nuclear power plant. Recently, however, there has been great concern relating to non-conformances experienced throughout the project lifecycle, which ultimately affects the quality of modifications and projects, which are implemented at the plant. The research project investigates factors that affect project quality at a nuclear power plant in South Africa. Against the above backdrop, the research problem was “the delivery of poor quality projects have an adverse effect on modifications and projects, which are implemented at the nuclear power plant in South Africa”. The primary research objectives of this study are the following: · To investigate the root cause and impact of inconsistent project quality practices on the project lifecycle; and · To recommend measures that should be established to improve the way in which project quality is conducted throughout the project lifecycle.

Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Technology (M Tech) Cape Peninsula University of Technology 2014 / The increased demand for electricity has persuaded a number of countries world-wide to re-evaluate their strategies on energy production. These strategies largely focus on expanding the power generation capacity and adjustment of the amount of energy generated from various sources, in the light of global climate change, security of energy supply and fossil fuel price volatility (OECD report, 2010). In the United States of America (USA), for example, according to Ansolabehere & Konisky (2009), a projection of 40% rise in electricity demand is forecast over the next three decades presenting a need for diversifying the energy mix and expanding power generation capacity. The need for expanding energy supply is increasingly becoming more pronounced in a number of developing countries as well. The demand for energy warrants generation of energy from a variety of sources: coal-fired power plants, gas turbines, wind farms and nuclear power facilities. In order to transmit electricity efficiently these facilities need to be located near residential centres. The challenges associated with the construction of such centres are multi-fold. The option of nuclear power generation is a very divisive issue with as many opponents as supporters, and it has certainly been put back on the agenda in many countries including China, India and Russia, with over 250 nuclear projects in the pipeline globally. The construction of nuclear power plants is often masked with opposition from the public resulting in huge delays in completing the projects yet, nuclear energy is considered as one of the most comprehensive and cost-effective generating options which has the potential to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, meet the ever-increasing demand for electricity as well as making a crucial contribution to energy independence and security of supply.

M.Cur. / We are living in a century of industialization, with noise as the more general of the polutents. Because Eskom workers are subjected to this risk factor, it was decided to institute and implement a hearing conservation programme. Literature concerning noise and hearing conservation was researched with the view to suggestions as a basis for a successful hearing conservation programme. A programme was compiled and included in research of the relevance concerning the knowledge and attitude towards the active use of hearing protection. For the purpose of this research a true experimental design, with a pre-test and post test in the form of a standardised questionnaire, wa~ used. The hearing conservation programme was implemented and controlled by an occupational health nurse in conjunction with other competents on the subject. On completion of the presentation and analysis of the questionnaires, certain findings were noted and used as guidelines to specific recommendations.

Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for Degree of Master of Management Sciences: Business Administration, Durban University of Technology, 2017. / The execution of maintenance and repairs are the core business deliverables of the Power Plant Maintenance (PPM) department at Eskom Distribution South Africa (SA). However, external service providers are employed to similarly execute these deliverables. Given this background, this study aimed to determine the influence of outsourcing core deliverables on the performance of the PPM department at Eskom SA. This quantitative study sought to determine the prevalence of any statistically significant differences in the degree of respondents’ responses regarding outsourcing the core business deliverables of their respective PPM departments in terms of profile factors such as gender, marital status, age, education qualification, designation and length of service. The study was carried out in eight out of nine PPM departments. A total of 135 responses were attained from a possible 152 participants, providing a response rate of 89 percent. The study was successful in the achievement of all the objectives. The results of the chi-square and regression tests revealed the presence of significant factors contributing to the outsourcing of core business deliverables, accomplishing the first objective. The results of the chi-square and correlation tests revealed that outsourcing did effect business performance, though this was not generally an enhancing effect, accomplishing the second objective. Results of the chi-square tests also highlighted significant effects on the motivation of internal employees when the repairs and maintenance of the power plant equipment are outsourced, accomplishing the third objective. The results of the correlation and chi-square also highlighted the effect of managing the core business deliverables on the business performance, the motivation of internal employees, as well as the alleviation of significant risks resulting from outsourcing core deliverables. The coefficient of determination (R-squared) revealed only 33 percent of the variations in the dependent variable that were explained by the independent variables. Finally, there was an indication of statistically acceptable reliability for the variables of the study. / M