Dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Masters Degree in Technology: Chemical Engineering in the Department of Chemical Engineering of Cape Peninsula University ofTechnology, 2005 / The emulsion used for this study is a new thermodynamically unstable multi-component waterin- oil (w/o) explosive type with an internal phase ratio of approximately 94%, i.e. far beyond the close packing limit of spherical droplets of 74%. Economic considerations and the ongoing need for continuous drilling, loading and blasting in the mining industry, has made long-distance pipeline transportation of these emulsion explosive systems a viable economic option. Presently, rheological characterization of emulsion explosives is well documented (Bampfield & Cooper, 1988, Utracki, 1980). However, very little or none has been done for this system, pertaining to the use of rheometry for prediction of pumping characteristics of these systems in long-distance pipeline transport. This Master's dissertation is devoted to develop rheological methods of testing, characterization and correlation in order to develop a basis for predicting the pumping characteristics of highly concentrated w/o emulsion explosives from rheometry. The literature and theory pertinent to the pipeline flow of high internal phase ratio emulsion explosives are presented, as well as the fundamentals of both concentric cylinder rheometry and pipe viscometry. The most relevant is the work of Bampfield and Cooper (1988), Utracki (1980) and Pal (1990). Two experimental test facilities were used for data collection. Pipeline experiments were done using an experimental test facility at African Explosives Limited (AEL), and rheometry was conducted at the Rheology Laboratory of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology Flow Process Research Centre. The AEL experimental test facility consisted of a four-stage Orbit progressive cavity pump, two fluid reservoirs, (a mixing tank and a discharge reservoir), five 45m HOPE (high density polyethylene) pipes of internal diameters of 35.9 mm, 48.1 mm, 55.9 mm, 65.9 mm and 77.6 mm pipes. The test work was done over a wide range of laminar flow rates ranging from 3 kg.min-I to 53 kg.min-I . Rheometry was done using a PaarPhysica MCR300 rheometer, and only standard rotational tests (i.e. flow curve) at 30 °c in controlled rate mode were done. Rheological characterisation was done using three rheological models, i.e. the Herschel-Bulkley, the Power Law and the Simplified Cross models. The coefficients obtained from these models were then used to predict pumping characteristics. The performances of these models were then evaluated by comparing the pipeline flow prediction to the actual pipeline data obtained from pipeline test experiments. It was found that the flow behaviour depicted by this explosive emulsion system was strongly non-Newtonian, and was characterized by two distinct regions of deformation behaviour, a lower Newtonian region of deformation behaviour in the shear rate region lower than 0.001 S-I and a strong shear thinning region in the shear rate range greater than 0.001 S-l. For all the models used for this study, it was evident that rheometry predicts the pumping characteristics of this high internal phase ratio emulsion reasonably well, irrespective of the choice of the model used for the predictions. It was also seen that the major difference between these models was in the lower shear rate domain. However, the Simplified Cross model was preferred over the other two models, since its parameter (the zero shear viscosity denoted by 110) can in general be correlated to the structure of the emulsion systems (i.e. mean droplet size, bulk modulus, etc.). Thus, structural changes induced by shearing (either inside the pump or when flowing inside a pipe) can be detected from changes in the value of the 110. The above statement implies that Tlo can be used as a quality control measure. Different pumping speeds were found to cause different degrees of shear-induced structural changes which were manifested by two opposing processes. These two opposing processes were the simultaneous coalescence and flocculation of droplets encountered at low rates of shear, and the simultaneous refinement and deflocculation of droplets encountered at high rates of shear. These two droplet phenomena were associated with a decrease or an increase in viscous effects, leading to both lower and higher viscous stresses and pumping pressures during pump start-up respectively.

THESIS Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree MAGISTER TECHNOLOGIAE in BUSINESS INFORMATION SYSTEMS in the FACULTY OF BUSINESS INFORMATICS at the CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY 2006 / E-commerce improves value chain integration, enables customisation and also provides smaller companies opportunity to reach customers worldwide. However e-commerce poses challenges to companies, including how to approach e-commerce to gain competitive advantage. Although a number of studies report on e-commerce adoption, these do not provide clear guidelines to determine how SMMEs should progress or move into e-commerce adoption. The aim of this research study is to examine the various available approaches and propose a model to assist SMMEs to determine how to start e-commerce adoption. Findings from this research study indicate that a small percentage of SMMEs are selling online in the Western Cape and realizing benefits derived from ecommerce adoption. The SMMEs interviewed followed an “adoption ladder” approach to e-commerce adoption, however, some had the perception that with maturity of e-commerce, a “managed strategic” approach would be possible. In conclusion the research study proposes a model to assist SMMEs to progress into e-commerce adoption, illustrating two available approaches.

Dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Technology: Quality in the Faculty of Engineering at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2013 / Many top performing businesses, which achieve superior levels of success and sustainability, have a sound, implemented, and well maintained, Quality Management System (QMS). The correlation between business success and an implemented management system has been shown in numerous papers. This research, which culminates in a quantitative measure of QMS performance, was conducted at Eskom’s Koeberg Nuclear Power Station (KNPS). The power station is the operating leg of the Koeberg Operating Unit (KOU). The researcher is a QMS lead auditor in the KNPS Quality Assurance Department. A program of audits is planned based on the KOU quality and safety manual and the national regulatory licencing requirements. The audit monitoring program is then implemented over a three year period and considers all the management system processes which impact on nuclear safety and business performance. The individual audits each consider ISO 9001 criteria in context of the business area audited. Each major business area (e.g. design, maintenance, etc.) within the power station adheres to all generic ISO 9001 QMS clauses and considerations, such as documentation management, records management, etc. Each process or business area audit is thus effectively a QMS audit. The audit results, when combined are therefore a representative measure of the overall organisational QMS performance. The potential value to be gained from the audit results and data accrued over the monitoring period has not been optimised to maximise the return on investment to Eskom. The research problem statement thus proposes that the performance measurement capability of the quality management system at Eskom's Koeberg Power Station is insufficient. This diminishes management's ability to identify business risk resulting from management system deficiencies, which impacts negatively on business performance. The research question seeks to determine how the performance measurement capability of the QMS can be improved to assist management in identifying business risk resulting from quality management system deficiencies in order to improve business performance. The research objectives are supported by the literature study, which identifies the quality management methods currently used in order to measure and subsequently improve business performance. It also shows how QMS performance measurement, when deconstructed and analysed can provide the required insight for supporting management decision making. The research approach is considered inductive in that a theory is developed based on the collection and the analysis of that data. Applied research, will thus serve as the basis of the research methodology as it is considered the most appropriate research approach, based on the need to answer practical questions around the measurement of QMS performance philosophy. The research shows that by introducing additional theming and severity data into the secondary audit findings data, it is possible over time to extract high level strategic direction information when analysing the additional metadata. The dimensions and value of the QMS Performance measuring instrument are: Ø A cause and effect theming philosophy of audit findings providing an additional context to business improvement advice to management. Ø The provision of a QMS process deficiency locator / identifier which targets management action areas for improvement. Ø The provision of a quantitative measure of the management system performance, providing a reference from which to improve. By providing a quantifiable measure of an organisations QMS performance, a reference point is provided to gauge QMS performance and also render a definitive measure to enable performance improvement of the business.