Two coal utility plants in South Africa selected (one from Sasol and another from Eskom) for this study produce large volumes of fly ash (over 40 Mt from Eskom at Tutuka, and 3 Mt from Sasol Synfuels at Secunda annually), and brines as by-products during coal processing. Co-disposal of the brines and fly ashes has been a normal practice in these coal-utility plants for decades. Long-term management of fly ash is necessary and requires an understanding and knowledge of how the different waste materials interact with water and brines in different chemical situations. However the geochemistry of their interactions, the leaching and mobility of elements in these disposal systems has not been fully understood. This work gives insights into the chemical processes taking place in the brine-water/brines systems that govern the concentrations of major and minor elements in ash leachates under different environmental conditions. The possible presence of organic compounds (subsequently referred to as 'organics') in brines and their effects on the leaching chemistry of fly ash was also studied. Sustainability and long term impact of the co-disposal of fly ash and brines on the environment was studied through static (batch tests) modeling of the pH-dependent acid neutralization capacity (ANC) tests and columns modeling for dynamic leach tests. The modeling was based on experimental results from other Sasol-Eskom ashbrine project collaborators. Modeling results of the ANC tests were in good agreement with the reported experimental results, which revealed that the release trends of various elements (including trace, heavy elements and contaminants) contained in fly ash into solution is highly pH dependent. However Na, K, Mo and Li exhibited constant solubilisation which was independent of pH changes from all the scenarios. The presence of different constituents of brines subjected to ANC resulted to different ANC capacities ranging from 0.98 moles H⁺/Kg dry ash (of ash-organics mixed with Mg-brines) to 3.87 H⁺/Kg dry ash for those with the C(4) brines. As expected, those constituents from the cationic brines were found on the lower region of acid addition (in the order Mg-brines < Ca-brines < Na-brines) while the anionic brines were found at the upper region of acid addition (in the order S(6)-brines < Cl-brines < C(4)-brines). In the middle region of acid addition were three important scenarios: that of ash with brine, ash without brines (i.e. ash with DMW) and ash with both ASW organics and combined brines. It was from these three scenarios that a generalization of the effect of brines and organics on the ANC was inferred. The ANC of ash with demineralised water (DMW) was 2.33 mol H⁺/Kg dry ash and that of ash with ASW organics lower at 2.12 mol H⁺/Kg dry ash which was the same value as that of ash with combined brines. This indicated that brines decreased the ANC of ash by about 9.01 % and which could be attributed to the acid-base neutralization process and the dynamics of solid phase dissolutions in response to the acid addition. Both fly ashes exhibited a typical pH > 12 (suspension in demineralised water) and the predominant cation even at this high pH is Ca²⁺ (at concentration > 0.002 mmol/L). This indicates that dissolution of CaO and formation of OH⁻ species at pH > 10 contributes to acid neutralisation capacity of both fly ashes and is the greatest contributor to the acid neutralizing capacity of both fly ashes. Two broad leaching behaviours as a function of pH were observed from the three fly ash-ASW organics-brines scenarios (i) leaching of Ca, Mg, Ni and Sr follows a cationic pattern where the concentration decreases monotonically as pH increases; (ii) leaching of Al, Fe, Ti and Zn follow an amphoteric pattern where the concentration increases at acidic and alkaline pH, although Al showed some anomaly from pH 11 where the concentration decreased with the increase in pH. Al showed an amphoteric pattern in which its release increased between pH 12.8 and 11 for all the scenarios and then decreased with decrease in pH down to neutral pH of 7. The batch leaching simulation results from hydrogeochemical modeling also showed that mineral dissolution, precipitation and new phase formation during ash-organics-brines interactions was controlled by pH. The newly formed phases however remain in equilibrium with the ash-brines-organics mixture. Each individual mineral phase dissolution/precipitation/formation system controls the concentration and speciation of the respective constituent elements as evidenced by the log C-pH diagrams obtained from the modeled scenarios. The ash-brines-organics interactions do exhibit and affect the mineralogical chemistry of fly ash. However the extent to which these interactions occur and their effect, varies from one scenario to another, and are dependent on the amounts and type of the constituent brine components. Organics do have a significant effect on dissolution characteristics of few minerals such as calcite, mullite, kaolinite, Ni₂SiO₄, and SrSiO₃ due to complexation effect. The effect is quantitatively conspicuous for calcite mineral phase and for the formation of some new phases such as Fe(OH)₃(am)-CF and portlandite. The composition of the liquid phase from acid neutralisation capacity experiments was successful.Hydrogeochemical modeling was used as a means to provide insights and understanding of the complex reactions taking place, speciation and mineralogical changes occurring. These changes would serve to predict future environmental scenarios when pH conditions change. In this study, an extension of the application field of PHREEQC hydrogeochemical code for modeling and simulation of equilibrium; kinetic and transport mechanisms associated with the interaction of water; and organics and brines with fly ash during their co-disposal is successfully demonstrated. The parameters associated with these mechanisms were used as inputs into the PHREEQC program using modified Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) database for inorganic brines and MINTEQ.V4 database for organics, and used to model the results of ANC test data for the fly ashes. A special reference is made to two separate modeled mineralogical ash recipes from two of the South African power utility plants' fly ash systems, namely, Tutuka and Secunda. The effects of brines in the leaching of major, minor and trace elements at various pH values and the mineralogical changes associated with the intermediate and final products from the interactions of ash-brines systems under different scenarios are qualitatively and quantatively discussed. Multiphase saturation characteristics have been determined for mineral species in contact with water and brines. The modeling results indicated that several mineral phases could be controlling the species concentration in the leachates, and the ANC and column modeling results corroborated well in many aspects with the experimental results obtained from collaborating institutions (South Africa Universities and Research institutions). In addition, application of the PHREEQC model to the ash heap under different disposal systems was carried out to predict the heap leachate composition and geochemical transformations taking place in a period of time. Pore water chemical analysis, and moisture content analysis revealed that contact of the ash with water is a crucial factor in the mobilization of the contaminants with time. Maximum weathering/dissolution of the ash is observed in the top layer (1-3) m and at the point of contact with the subsurface water level which was in good agreement with the model results. The surface layer and the very lowest layers of the dump in contact with lateral flows experience the highest degree of weathering leading to depletion of species. The geophysical transformation of fly ash was also captured through the porosity change calculations and the results revealed that geochemical reactions do affect the porosity of fly ash during the weathering processes. These modelling results were in agreement with the hydraulic tests and salt leaching tests conducted during Sasol-Eskom ashbrine project in Phase I which suggested that salts captured in the ash will become mobile and leach from the fly ash over time. The data therefore indicates that ash dumps may not act as sustainable salt sinks. These findings may have some bearing on engineering decisions on fly ash reuse. From the above observations, it is apparent that release of large quantities of the salts in the ash depends on the extent of its interaction with brines being used for irrigation or with water, either through plug-in flow after a rainfall event or contact with groundwater. The results revealed effects of brine-water contact time with fly ash, the flow volume and velocity, the pH, the degree of saturation, hydrogeology and ash heap geometry as important factors that affect fly ash transformation and weathering. Overall, the ash heap modeling enhanced the understanding of the ash-brines interactions and demonstrated that leachate composition is determined by the following factors; (i) the mass flows from the pores of fly ash, (ii) the surface dissolution of the mineral phases, (iii) the various chemical reactions involved during the ash-brine and ash-water interactions, (iv) the interactions with a gas phase (atmospheric CO₂), (v) the composition of the initial fly ash, and (vi) by the leachate flow and hydrodynamics as captured in the conceptual model. Any ash handling system should therefore be designed to take these criteria into consideration to prevent environmental contamination. The modeling results also gave indications that the ash-brine co-disposal in dry ash systems would be an unsustainable way of locking up brine salts in the long run. In this Thesis, modeling results were used to support experimental data which further reaffirmed the important role hydrogeochemical modeling plays in liquid and solid waste management. Furthermore, hydrogeochemical modeling complements the work of analytical/environmental scientists as well as guiding the future solid waste management and engineering decisions. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2012.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: SUMMARY This research studies the concept of Knowledge Management (KM) in organisations and also its integration with other structures. While KM is seen as being beneficial to organisations, it is of crucial importance for its proponents not to overlook the fact that it may also have disadvantages. There are numerous publications, both scholarly and otherwise, that describe how a well-implemented KM initiative can add value to an enterprise by improving the sharing of information between managers and employees, but the risk factors around instituting KM have not received the same attention. Its proponents have generally inadequately explained how even a “well-implemented” KM initiative can spell disaster for an organisation; KM, like other management theories such as Total Quality Management (TAM), Business Process Re-Engineering (BPR) and others, can and have failed and there needs to be an understanding of why this happens. This research looks at the risk and value issues that come with KM and the various ways in which these risks may be mitigated and the value retained. In particular, the integration of KM with management initiatives like Value Management (V.M) and Risk Management (RM) will be examined. This process is seen as problematic because of the nature of the interrelationship between KM on the one hand and V.M and RM on the other. It is argued that only when organisations fully understand this interrelationship, can they begin to integrate risk and Value Management into their Knowledge Management initiatives. Therefore, the analysis of the relationship between Value Management and Risk Management as semi or fully formalised management processes plays an important part in the research. The study examines cases where V.M and RM have been incorporated in KM implementations in the South African petrochemical industry in an attempt to arrive at a more accurate assessment of this process. The study argues that Knowledge Management can pose a threat to any organisation that does not manage its attendant risks as well as it does its benefits. As an example, this research looks at how knowledge workers can be deployed by knowledge managers to add value to an enterprise without risking the loss of its intellectual capital, for instance when such workers are recruited by competitors. The finding of this thesis are somewhat varied in nature. As far as this research is concerned there are no adequate and streamlined measures taken to analyse risk in SASTECH, particularly Risk that comes with or as a result of Knowledge Management. As a consequence there are no formalised control measures and review processes put into place for monitoring these risks. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie navorsing ondersoek die begrip Kennisbestuur (KM) in organisasies en die integrasie daarvan in ander strukture. KM word beskou as voordelig vir organisasies, maar dit is van kernbelang vir sy voorstaanders om nie uit die oog te verloor dat dit ook nadele mag meebring nie. Daar is talle publikasies, akademies en andersins, wat beskryf hoe ‘n deeglike KM inisiatief waarde kan toe voeg by ‘n onderneming deur die wyse waarop dit die deel van inligting tussen bestuurders en werknemers verbeter; die risikofaktore rondom die instel van KM het egter nie naastenby dieselfde aandag geniet nie. Sy voorstaanders kon gewoonlik nie verklaar hoe selfs ‘n “deeglike” KM inisiatief rampspoedige gevolge vir ‘n organisasie kan hê nie; KM, soos ander bestuursteorieë soos Totale Kwaliteitsbestuur (TQM), Heraanpassing van Sakeprosesse (BPR) en ander, kan en het misluk en die redes daarvoor moet verstaan word. Hierdie navorsing ondersoek die risiko’s en waarde-implikasies van KM en die verskillende maniere waarop hierdie risiko’s beheer kan word. In besonder word die integrasie van KM met bestuursinisiatiewe soos Waardebestuur (V.M) en Risikobestuur (RM) ondersoek. Hierdie proses word as problematies beskou weens die aard van die onderlinge verwantskap tussen KM aan die een kant en V.M en RM aan die ander. Daar word betoog dat slegs wanneer organisasies hierdie onderlinge verwantskap ten volle verstaan, hulle risiko- en waardebestuur in hulle KM-inisiatiewe kan begin integreer. Daarom speel die analise van die verhouding tussen Waardebestuur en Risikobestuur as semi of ten volle geformaliseerde bestuursprosesse 'n belangrike rol in die navorsing. Die studie ondersoek gevalle waar V.M en RM ingelyf is by die implementering van KM in die Suid-Afrikaanse petrochemiese nywerheid ten einde ‘n meer akkurate waardebepaling van hierdie proses te maak. Die studie stel voor dat kennisbestuur ‘n bedreiging kan inhou vir enige organisasie wat nie die meegaande risiko’s ewe goed as die voordele bestuur nie. As praktiese voorbeeld kyk hierdie studie na hoe kenniswerkers deur kennisbestuurders ontplooi kan word om waarde by ‘n onderneming te voeg sonder om die risiko te loop dat hierdie intelektuele kapitaal verlore gaan wanneer sulke werkers byvoorbeeld deur mededingers gewerf word. Die bevindinge opgeteken in hierdie tesis is wisselend van voorkoms. Sover dit hierdie navorsing betref is daar geen voldoende en vaartbelynde maatreëls om risiko in SASTECH, veral Risiko wat afkomstig van Kennisbestuur getref nie. Die gevolg hiervan is dat daar geen formele beheermaatreëls en hersieningsprosesse in plek gesit is vir die monitering van hierdie risiko's nie.

M.Phil. / In modern society, professional engineers, technologists and technical managers are responsible for the planning, design, manufacture, maintenance and operation of the processes and systems ranging from simple processes to complex systems. The failure of these can often cause effects that range from inconvenience and irritation to severe impact on the society and its environment. Users, customers and society in general expect that products be reliable and safe at all times (Allan & Ballinton 1992). The biggest investment in any plant is, arguably, on individual plant equipment. It is therefore reasonable to give the greatest attention possible to the health and integrity of equipment that form part of the chemical process plant.Most of plant failures occur without warning and this result in equipment breakdowns, huge production losses and expensive maintenance. The reaction to plant failures has, in most cases, been a reactive maintenance which means that the plant equipment must fail before the cause of fault is investigated and the equipment is repaired. Reactive maintenance has shortcomings in that it is successful in solving problems temporarily but does not guarantee prevention of fault recurrence. Equipment and process failures waste money on unreliability problems. The question that arises is. ‘How reliable and safe is the plant during its operating life?’ This question can be answered, in part, by the use of quantitative reliability evaluation. The growing need to achieve high availability for large integrated chemical process systems demands higher levels of reliability at the operational stage. Reliability is the probability of equipment or processes to function without failure when operated correctly for a given interval of time under stated conditions. This research dissertation is aimed at developing equipment optimisation program for the chemical process plant by introducing a logical approach to managing the maintenance of plant equipment. Some relevant reliability theory is discussed and applied to the Short – Path Distillation (SPD) plant of SASOL WAX. An analysis of the failure modes and criticality helps to identify plant equipment that needs special focus during inspection.

Thesis (MComm)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study explore how forecasting techniques can be combined in linear programming (LP) as a tool to optimise the parameters of forecasting methods in order to ensure sufficient capacity of logistic infrastructure exist for future growth. This study will use greenfield and brownfield projects from Sasol, a petrochemical company from South Africa, to test the methodology on. The methodology followed in the study was to firstly look at previous literature studies on logistical infrastructure and how to create sufficient capacity. Secondly, understandings of supply chain planning principles in general as well as supply chain planning in context of Sasol were investigated. Thirdly, different forecasting methods like; qualitative include judgemental, life cycle, Delphi method, market research etc. and quantitative methods including time series and causal methodologies had been investigated. Fourthly, decision making tools to incorporate multiple forecasts were investigated to understand why Sasol decided to use i2. Fifthly, the current capital project approach in Sasol had been investigated to fully understand where room for improvements would be possible. Finally the theory from the study was applied on two different projects in Sasol, one greenfield and one brownfield project. The results found that by using sound supply chain planning methodologies, sound supply chain design principles and multiple forecasts being combined by using LP decision making tools a better decision can be made with regards to logistical infrastructure investment as well as ensuring sufficient logistical infrastructure capacity. The two case studies have shown that this approach is flexible enough, apart from a few minor changes and can be adopted for both scenarios and that great results can be achieved. Logistical infrastructure could be optimised due to collaboration and the overall costs and performance of a supply chain improved. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie ondersoek hoe lineêre programmering ( LP ), as n hulpmiddel, gebruik kan word om vooruitskattingstegnieke te kombineer om sodoende die vooruitskattingsmetodes te optimaliseer en te verseker dat voldoende kapasiteit van logistieke infrastruktuur bestaan vir toekomstige groei. Hierdie studie se metodes sal getoets word op groenveld- en bruinveldprojekte van Sasol , 'n petrochemiese maatskappy van Suid –Afrika. Die metode gevolg tydens die studie, was eerstens om te kyk na vorige literatuurstudies oor logistieke infrastruktuur en hoe om voldoende kapasiteit te skep. Tweedens, om ‘n breë oorsig van die beginsels van voorsieningsketting-beplanning te bekom sowel as voorsieningsketting-beplanning in die konteks van Sasol te ondersoek. Derdens, verskillende vootuitskattingsmetodes soos kwalitatiewe metodes (insluitend veroordelende-, lewensiklus- en Delphi-metode en marknavorsing) en kwantitatiewe metodes (insluitend die tydreeks- en oorsaaklike metodes) is geondersoek. In die vierde plek is besluitnemingshulpmiddels, wat verskeie vooruitskattings kombineer, geondersoek om te verstaan waarom Sasol besluit het om i2 aan te koop. In die vyfde plek is die metode van Sasol se kapitaalprojekte geondersoek om te verstaan of daar nie moontlik ruimte vir verbeterings sou wees nie. Laastens is die studie se metode op twee projekte van Sasol toegepas, een groenveld- en een bruinveldprojek. In die studie is gevind dat beter besluite geneem kan word aangaande beleggings in logistieke infrastruktuur en om te verskere daar is voldoende logistieke infrastruktuur kapasiteit - deur gebruik te maak van optimale metodes in voorsieningsketting-beplanning en voorsieningskettingontwerp. Die twee gevallestudies het getoon dat hierdie benadering buigsaam genoeg is, afgesien van 'n paar klein veranderinge, om vir beide moontlikhede gebruik te kan word en goeie resultate te behaal. Deur die samewerking van verskeie besigheidseenhede kon logistieke infrastruktuur geoptimaliseer word terwyl die kostes en algehele prestasie van voorsieningsketting verbeter kon word.

>Magister Scientiae - MSc / Electrochemiluminescence (EeL) is applied for industrial applications that have considerable potential, such as clinical diagnostic, analytical chemistry, and light-emitting devices, due to selectivity, sensitivity for detection and quantification of molecules through generation of fluorescence light when electric current is applied on the materials. In EeL the electrochemical reaction allows for precise control over the time and position of the light emitting reaction. The control over time allows one to synchronise the luminescence and the biochemical reaction under study and control over position not only improves sensitivity of the instrument by increasing the signal to noise ratio, but also allows multiple analytical reactions in the same sample to be analyzed using an electrode array. The EeL generation fluorescent materials are based on inorganic semiconductor materials for light-emitting devices. Further progress in this EeL field mainly depends on discovery of new advanced materials, interfacial films and nanoparticle coatings, advances in microfluidics leading to total increase in EeL properties. There has been extensive use of polymers for enhancement of EeL properties. Electrochemiluminescent conjugated polymers constitute a new class of fluorescent polymers that emit light when excited by the flow of an electric current. These new generation fluorescent materials may now challenge the domination by inorganic semiconductor materials for the commercial market of light-emitting devices such as lightemitting diodes and polymer laser devices (PLDs).

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / Towards the end of 2007, South Africa started experiencing widespread rolling electricity blackouts as the electricity demand exceeded the supply from energy giant Eskom. The crisis reached its tipping point when industries, including Sasol, were requested to reduce their electricity consumption by 10%. The purpose of this research was to identify alternative futures for Sasol in the light of the current electricity crisis. The scenario process was used to develop the following independent scenarios for Sasol: • Fuel to the fire. The country is amidst an ongoing nationwide electricity crisis and Sasol is still dependent on Eskom for more than 50% of its electricity demand. The end result is reduced turnover, shortage of liquid fuels and a decrease in Sasol’s contribution to the economy. • Ignorance is bliss. This is a world where Sasol is independent of Eskom for electricity supply despite the country’s continuing electricity crisis. Independence is ideal but unfortunately it comes at a cost. It is about taking painful action in the near term to forestall even more painful consequences in the future. • Blessing in disguise. Sasol is dependent on Eskom for the majority of its electricity requirement. The reliability of electricity supply in South Africa recovered and there is an overall awareness regarding energy efficiency and a positive adoption of alternative energy technologies. • Icing on the cake. Sasol is completely independent of Eskom and Eskom managed to restore the integrity of electricity supply. The end result, Sasol can continue with its planned growth and expansion. In order for the scenarios to be useful for Sasol, it is necessary to incorporate them into the strategic agenda. Some considerations include the gradual replacement of traditional fossil fuels, carbon capture and sequestration, advanced coal electricity generation (clean coal technology), increasing the use of renewable energy sources and developing the hydrogen economy.

Human capital is the only resource within an organisation that can learn. Developing high levels of competence in employees is one of the most challenging issues in organisations. Off–the–Job training programs either miss the mark or are too far away from the performance setting to have the desired impact on employee competence. Studies have shown that unstructured On–the–Job Training (OJT) leads to increased error rate, lower productivity and decreased training efficiency, compared to structured On–the–Job Training(S–OJT). The proven efficiency and effectiveness of S–OJT make it especially suitable to meet this challenge. Though S–OJT has been around for a while there has not been a proper integration of technology into the process. Every training approach, including S–OJT, is merely a means to an end, not an end in itself. The use of S–OJT helps to develop consistent appropriate levels of employee competence. When employees have these competencies e.g. better knowledge of the production processes, they can increase productivity, complete projects on time, lower defect rates, or achieve other outcomes of importance. These are the outcomes that matter to the organisation and the effectiveness of S–OJT should be judged from this perspective. Researchers have consistently found that one way to improve learners' success is to increase the frequency of exams. Classes meet for a set number of times. An instructor's decision to give more exams typically means that students have less time for learning activities during class meetings. How then can one have the best of both worlds, increasing the number of assessments and at the same time having enough time for learning activities? This can only be accomplished by integrating computer–based assessment into S–OJT programs. Computer–based testing and training can provide flexibility, instant feedback, an individualised assessment and eventually lower costs than traditional written examinations. Computerised results create opportunities for teaching and assessment to be integrated more than ever before and allow for retesting students, measuring growth and linking assessment to instruction. This research aims to evaluate the effectiveness of integrating computer–based testing and training into S–OJT programs using the Air Separation unit of Sasol Synfuels as a case study. The null hypothesis is used to investigate the draw backs of OJT and S–OJT programs. A framework is also developed for the effective integration of CBT into S–OJT programs. / Thesis (M.Ing. (Development and Management))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

Human capital is the only resource within an organisation that can learn. Developing high levels of competence in employees is one of the most challenging issues in organisations. Off–the–Job training programs either miss the mark or are too far away from the performance setting to have the desired impact on employee competence. Studies have shown that unstructured On–the–Job Training (OJT) leads to increased error rate, lower productivity and decreased training efficiency, compared to structured On–the–Job Training(S–OJT). The proven efficiency and effectiveness of S–OJT make it especially suitable to meet this challenge. Though S–OJT has been around for a while there has not been a proper integration of technology into the process. Every training approach, including S–OJT, is merely a means to an end, not an end in itself. The use of S–OJT helps to develop consistent appropriate levels of employee competence. When employees have these competencies e.g. better knowledge of the production processes, they can increase productivity, complete projects on time, lower defect rates, or achieve other outcomes of importance. These are the outcomes that matter to the organisation and the effectiveness of S–OJT should be judged from this perspective. Researchers have consistently found that one way to improve learners' success is to increase the frequency of exams. Classes meet for a set number of times. An instructor's decision to give more exams typically means that students have less time for learning activities during class meetings. How then can one have the best of both worlds, increasing the number of assessments and at the same time having enough time for learning activities? This can only be accomplished by integrating computer–based assessment into S–OJT programs. Computer–based testing and training can provide flexibility, instant feedback, an individualised assessment and eventually lower costs than traditional written examinations. Computerised results create opportunities for teaching and assessment to be integrated more than ever before and allow for retesting students, measuring growth and linking assessment to instruction. This research aims to evaluate the effectiveness of integrating computer–based testing and training into S–OJT programs using the Air Separation unit of Sasol Synfuels as a case study. The null hypothesis is used to investigate the draw backs of OJT and S–OJT programs. A framework is also developed for the effective integration of CBT into S–OJT programs. / Thesis (M.Ing. (Development and Management))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

116 leaves single sided printed, preliminary pages i-viii and numbered pages 1-106. Includes bibliography. / Scanned using a Hp Scanjet 8250 Scanner to pdf format (OCR). / Thesis (MPhil (Sociology)--University of Stellenbosch, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In South Africa few systematic studies have been done on university-industry partnerships. This research investigated the evolution of the University of Cape Town (UCT) and SASOL partnership involving heterogeneous catalysis. As part of this investigation, I analysed the driving force and sought to determine the motivations and benefits that UCT and SASOL have since accrued as a result of their partnership. I also analysed knowledge transmission or technology transfer processes such as the hiring of graduates, intellectual property etc. In light of all of these I sought to draw lessons that could be learnt from UCT-SASOL partnership for future purpose. I followed four themes or sections in order to situate the study. These were, (a) the socio-economic context (global and knowledge economy, innovation, knowledge society etc.), the changing modes of knowledge production ("Mode 2") and the changing ways of interactions among stakeholders industry, university and government (Triple Helix). The key argument here is that the university industry partnership cannot be seen as an independent development, but is interrelated or partly the consequence of changes in the socio-economic, science, technology and higher education fields, (b) The driving force behind the partnership, (c) motivations, benefits, and (d) knowledge or technology transfer/transmission processes. I used the case study research design. I conducted interviews with the UCT Chemical Engineering Department, UCT Centre for Research and Innovation and SASOL officials. I collected several documents related to the study and also visited the laboratories in which UCT-SASOL partnership research activities were happening. Some of the findings of the study include the following. The partnership demonstrates the significant role of an individual academic, who steered transformation in terms of research activities and culture in the Chemical Engineering Department. The legacy of the individual academic's strong personality and commitment to research is evident and continues to stimulate high levels of research interest and teamwork among staff members which is characteristic of this department. A strong link is maintained between the basic disciplinary "Mode 1" teaching and research on the one hand and the multidisciplinary "Mode 2" applied and strategic research and training on the other: This is evident in the strong emphasis on the solid undergraduate disciplinary education as a basis for a high quality multidisciplinary postgraduate education. All staff members are involved in both teaching and research. A strong link is maintained between academic, research and postgraduate activities: The department utilizes surpluses generated through industrial-oriented research to cross-subsidize the academic and postgraduate activities. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Daar is weinig sistemiese studies in Suid-Afrika reeds uitgevoer oor universiteit-industrie samewerking. Hierdie studie ondersoek die ontwikkeling van 'n vennootskap tussen die Universiteit van Kaapstad (UK) en SASOL wat heterogene katalise insluit. Ek analiseer in hierdie studie die dryfkrag van die vennootskap, en probeer die motivering en voordele bepaal wat beide die UK en SASOL toegekom het as deel van hulle vennootskap. Ek analiseer ook die oordrag van kennis of oordrag van tegnologiese prosesse, die aanstelling van graduandi, intellektuele eiendom, ens. Ek probeer op grond hiervan lesse van die UK-SASOL vennootskap uitlig vir toekomstige doeleindes. Ek het vier temas of afdelings gebruik om hierdie studie te vestig. Dit is, (a) die sosio-ekonomiese konteks (globale en kennis ekonomie,innovasie, kennis samelewing ens.), die veranderende modus van kennis produksie ("Modus 2") en die veranderende wyses van interaksie tussen belanghebbendes - industrie, universiteit en regering (Triple Helix). Die sleutel argument hier is dat die universiteitindustrie vennootskap nie gesien kan word as 'n onafhanklike ontwikkeling, maar dat dit verband hou met of deel is van die gevolge van die veranderinge in die sosio-ekonomiese, wetenskap, tegnologie en hoer onderwys arenas; (b) die dryfkrag agter die vennootskap; (c) motivering en voordele; en (d) die oordrag van kennis of tegnologie/oordrag van prosesse. Ek gebruik die gevallestudie metodologie in hierdie studie. Ek het onderhoude gevoer met die UK Chemiese Ingenieurswese Departement, die UK Sentrum vir Navorsing en Innovasie, asook die SASOL betrokkenes. Ek het die projekdokumentasie versamel en het ook die laboratoriums besoek waarin die navorsingsaktiwiteite van die UK-SASOL vennootskap plaas vind. Die bevindinge van hierdie sluit dus die volgende in. Die vennootskap demonstreer die belangrike rol van 'n individuele akademikus wat transformasie bewerkstellig het in terme van navorsingsaktiwiteite en die kultuur in die Chemiese Ingenieurswese Departement. Die nalatenskap van die individuele akademikus se sterk persoonlikheid en toewyding tot navorsing is duidelik en stimuleer steeds hoe vlakke van belangstelling in die navorsing en spanwerk in die departement. Dit is ook een van die kenmerke van hierdie departement. Daar is 'n sterk skakel gehandhaaf tussen die basiese dissiplinere "Modus 1" onderrig en navorsing aan die een kant, en die multidissiplinere "Modus 2" toegepaste en strategiese navorsing en onderrig aan die ander kant. Dit is duidelik in die sterk kleim wat gele word op die stewige voorgraadse dissiplinere onderrig as 'n basis vir 'n hoe kwaliteit multidissiplinere nagraadse onderrig. Alle personeel is betrokke by beide onderrig en navorsing. 'n Sterk skakel is behou tussen akademiese, navorsings- en nagraadse aktiwiteite: die departement gebruik die oorskotte van industrieverwante navorsing om akademiese en nagraadse aktiwiteite te kruissubsideer.

Thesis (D. Tech. (Electrical Engineering, Dept. of Process Control and Computer Systems))--Vaal University of Technology. / In recent years, industrial plant maintenance has changed dramatically. These changes are due to a considerable increase in the number and variety of physical plant assets, increased design complexity, new maintenance techniques and changing perspectives regarding on how to perform maintenance effectively. Managers at modern process plants are becoming increasingly aware of the extent to which equipment failure affects safety and the environment. Process plant personnel are limited in their ability to accurately and consistently evaluate the health of plant assets. Due to poor record keeping, maintenance staff often has little defence against aging equipment and asset failures. As a result companies have undertaken to implement planned equipment maintenance schedules and install new technology to allow for efficient tracking and analysing of equipment health across the board. The introduction of an integrated asset management solution is presented in this thesis. The integrated asset management solution will assist maintenance staff to cost-effectively predict the probability of asset failure prior to the occurrence of any actual plant incidents. The integrated solution documented in this thesis will be implemented at the Sasol Solvents site to enhance plant availability, maximum up time for all plant assets and plant safety. Strategic Asset Management Inc. (SAMI) uses the Operational Reliability Maturity Continuum model to improve profitability, efficiency and equipment reliability. The SAMI empirical model employs various stages to address improved performance and asset management and was used as a guideline to develop an integrated solution to optimise plant performance and profits. The integrated asset management solution, documented in this thesis, was developed with the intended function of bringing information from diverse plant based systems and field equipment to the maintenance personnel in an understandable interface so that the information can be used to improve the reliability and availability of all plant assets.