M.Tech. (Construction Management) / In this study the environmental aspect of sustainability of the platinum catalysed Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology (HFCT) in progress in South Africa is examined as two case studies. The first case study is a laboratory-based process of platinum nanophase composite electrode prototype suitable for SPE electrolyser and PEM fuel cell. The second case study is the Anglo American Platinum industrial engineering process of recovering platinum group metals (PGMs). Environmental assessments were achieved using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) standard ISO 14040 series and the Eco-indicator 99 methodology. The energy potential and sustainable development of the South African HFCT initiative as well as the initiative public awareness are also looked into. Emerging as high concerns in the region are South African coal-based and gas supply security for energy supply and sustainability, and the growth of energy demand. The heavy South African carbon footprint and the related global climate change are also high concerns. The South African cabinet adopted hydrogen and fuel cell technology as one of the priority technologies to be developed in a bid to reduce the country’s dependence on coal-fired power generation, oil and gas. The Department of Science and Technology (DST) submitted this proposition initiated from the public and private sectors; and this has been seen as a significant competitive advantage for the global HFCT initiatives in view of the country’s abundant platinum metals deposits, a key raw material in fuel cells. Arguing that the adoption of renewable energy systems as clean technology calls for the achievement of the ecology leg aims of sustainability. An environmental assessment over synthesizing nanophase composite electrode and producing platinum group metals are therefore proved to be pertinent. Results of LCA showed equivalent emissions of carbon dioxide in the preparation process of 119.23g electrode platinum nanophase were evaluated at approximately 8.78 kg CO2eq. Over 90% of all emissions of carbon dioxide equivalent were attributed to energy supplied, produced by emitting resources. Direct emissions which were mostly of chemicals were probably involved in the heating, calcining and drying of materials. The environmental impact assessment by Eco-indicator 99 methodology based on LCA results of the platinum composite electrode determined airborne likely potential emissions such as carbon monoxide, NOX, Ethanol, Formaldehyde, SOX and water vapour with their evaluated impacts as well as other potential emissions to soil/water such as wastewater and HMS matrix which can be recycled. LCA results of the PGMs recovery process showed airborne and waterborne emissions as well as emissions to soil. Emissions observed were both direct and indirect. Direct emissions were from ore composites, chemicals, coal, fuels and water recycled. Over 91% of GHG emissions are indirect from energy supplied. The largest environmental damage impact caused by over 91% of GHG emissions indirect to PGMs production process was estimated to be 8.18 E+9 mPt equivalent to 19,049 Terajoules from electricity purchased. The used electricity is coal-based with damage impact to resources caused by extraction of fossil fuels. The second largest damage impact of 3.43 E+8 mPt was attributed to resources caused by extraction of minerals. The damage impact of 2.48 E-1 mPt by SO2 emissions, which has an impact on human health and the ecosystem quality and the reason behind the motivation to assess the process of recovering PGMs, was relatively minor compared the first two and to some others. The energy potential of the South African HFCT initiative is thought through by its objectives and the capacities to achieve them. The sustainability management of the initiative for the long-term energy supply and sustainability can be determined by specific factors among those, addressing progressively GHG emissions involved in the entire life cycle of PGMs, from mining to recycling. As regards the current state of public awareness to the South African HFCT initiative, this is not well known and has little media attention.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:uj/uj:7777 |
| Date | 21 November 2013 |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Rights | University of Johannesburg |
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