Industrial and Mining Water Research Unit

The Industrial and Mining Water Research Unit (abbreviated IMWaRU) is one of several research entities based in the School of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. It provides research as well as supervision to masters and doctorate students within the University, as well as consulting to industry.

Industrial and Mining Water Research Unit
TypeResearch Entity
Established2011
Academic staff
6
Postgraduates30+
Location
Johannesburg
,
Gauteng, South Africa

26°11′35.14″S 28°01′46.95″E
CampusEast campus
WebsiteIMWaRU webpage

Unit Structure

The unit deals with cross disciplinary water issues relating to industry and mining.[1] As such the group includes experts in chemical engineering, microbiology and other sciences.

The unit includes five NRF rated researchers and over 20 masters and doctoral level postgraduate students in the faculties of engineering and science.

Members

The group currently comprises 7 academics (alphabetically - Mogopoleng (Paul) Chego, Kevin Harding,[2] Michelle Low,[3] Craig Sheridan,[4] Geoffrey Simate,[5] Karl Rumbold[6] and Lizelle van Dyk), as well as several postgraduate students.

IMWaRU icon

The logo of the Unit is in the shape of a drop of water, with the left half representing the blue of water.

The right half of the drop is modified to show grass and how water is linked to all life. Underneath the icon are the letters IMWaRU, while to the right, the name "Industrial and Mining Water Research Unit" appears.

Location
Richard Ward Building, to the right, home to the Industrial and Mining Water Research Unit.

The unit is housed in several buildings across the University, most notably in the Richard Ward Building on East campus.[7] Additionally, some members are located in the Biology Building on East Campus and have access to laboratories in that building.

They also have access to an outdoor facility on West Campus where constructed wetland, and other outdoor, experiments take place.

Research
2nd floor laboratories of the Richard Ward Building, upgraded in 2013 for use by IMWaRU and others.

The group has a broad range of research publications in the areas as listed below:[8]

  • Acid mine drainage (AMD) - methods of reducing, treating and managing AMD.[9][10]
  • Biorefineries - the use of biomass for values add product,[11] including obtaining these with dual purpose water treatment.
  • Constructed wetlands (CW) - waste water remediation through natural biological processes.
  • Ecological Engineering - study of creating and sustaining cohabitation conditions for both humans and their environment.[12]
  • Grade Engineering
  • Industrial biotechnology - the use of biotechnology in water related applications e.g. for water purification and water reduction.[13][14]
  • Industrial Ecology - the use of sustainability principles in reducing environmental impacts; particularly relating to water.
  • Life-cycle assessment (LCA) - quantification and minimisation of liquid/solid/gaseous waste at sites which include food processing, industrial bioprocessing and other sites.[15][16][17][18][19][20]
  • Membrane technology
  • Nanotechnology
  • Ozone - determination of optimal treatment techniques for cooling water purification systems, chemical vs ozone.
  • Water footprinting (WF) - quantification and minimisation of water use on, amongst others, mine and paper/pulp sites.[21][22][23][24][25]
  • Wastewater treatment[26][27]
  • and more.[28][29]

Collaboration

The unit works closely with the Centre in Water and Research Development (CiWaRD), a cross disciplinary water research think tank.

Active collaborations include the Schools of Law, Chemistry, Civil and Mining Engineering and the Global Change Institute at the university, in addition to the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research in Leipzig, Germany. They have also collaborated with the Universities of Cape Town, Geneva, Queensland and the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile.

IMWaRU has had several Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) projects run through Wits Enterprise.

The unit exhibited with several other groups at Mine Closure 2014.[30]

Presentations
Constructed wetland equipment used in research experiments by the group.

Members of the group have had presentations given at:

Awards
  • The IMWaRU group was awarded a special presentation award at the GAP Bioscience gala dinner in December 2014 for work on remediating AMD using biological substrates.[64]
  • Charne Germuizhuizen received the best mine water presentation award, while Mogopoleng (Paul) Chego received the 3rd place best technical talk, at the Water Institute of Southern Africa 2016 (WISA2016) conference in May 2016.
  • Tamlyn Naidu won the IOM3 2019 "YOUNG PERSONS' WORLD LECTURE COMPETITION" [65][66]
gollark: It seems like a good cost-saving measure.
gollark: Well, sure, but those are rare, and iGPUs mean significant tradeoffs in CPU availability.
gollark: You *can* just get a cheap £30 GPU, probably more cost-effective than iGPUs.
gollark: Basically, you wanted three levels or something, so store those directly and multiply when actually doing IO.
gollark: (and replace `total -= 254./3.;` accordingly, obviously)

References
  1. Harding, KG, 2014, Accounting for water use in the process industries, ChemTech, April 2014, p3, retrieved 14 November 2014.
  2. "K Harding". Google Scholar. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
  3. "M Low". Google Scholar. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
  4. "C Sheridan". Google Scholar. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
  5. "G Simate". Google Scholar. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
  6. "K Rumbold". Google Scholar. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
  7. Google+, IMWaRU, Google Maps location, retrieved 13 November 2014.
  8. "IMWaRU researchers". Google Scholar. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  9. Sheridan , C, 2013. The Toxic Legacy of South Africa’s Gold Rush Archived 2014-12-06 at the Wayback Machine, IChemE presentation, Mining and Minerals special interest group, retrieved 7 November 2014.
  10. Sheridan, C, 2013. Paying the Price Archived 2014-08-19 at the Wayback Machine, The Chemical Engineer, www.tcetoday.com, 30-32.
  11. Okoro N.M., Harding K.G., Daramola M.O. (2020) Pyro-gasification of Invasive Plants to Syngas. In: Daramola M., Ayeni A. (eds) Valorization of Biomass to Value-Added Commodities. Green Energy and Technology. Springer, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-38032-8_16
  12. Bonner, Ricky; Aylward, Lara; Kappelmeyer, Uwe; Sheridan, Craig (2017). "A comparison of three different residence time distribution modelling methodologies for horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands". Ecological Engineering. 99: 99–113. doi:10.1016/j.ecoleng.2016.11.024.
  13. Harding, K.G.; Harrison, S.T.L. (2016). "Generic flow sheet model for early inventory estimates of industrial microbial processes. I. Flowsheet development, microbial growth and product formation". South African Journal of Chemical Engineering. 22: 34–43. doi:10.1016/J.SAJCE.2016.10.003.
  14. Harding, K.G.; Harrison, S.T.L. (2016). "Generic flowsheet model for early inventory estimates of industrial microbial processes. II. Downstream processing". South African Journal of Chemical Engineering. 22: 23–33. doi:10.1016/J.SAJCE.2016.10.002.
  15. Harding, KG, 2014. LCA Studies at the University of the Witwatersrand, UNEP/SETAC Presentation, Pretoria, South Africa.
  16. Sebisto, T, Kharidzha, M, Harding KG, 2015. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Biodiesel, ChemTech, February 2015, 6-11, retrieved 23 March 2015.
  17. Harding, K; Dennis, J; von Blottnitz, H; Harrison, S (2007). "Environmental analysis of plastic production processes: Comparing petroleum-based polypropylene and polyethylene with biologically-based poly-β-hydroxybutyric acid using life cycle analysis". Journal of Biotechnology. 130 (1): 57–66. doi:10.1016/j.jbiotec.2007.02.012.
  18. Harding, K.G.; Dennis, J.S.; von Blottnitz, H.; Harrison, S.T.L. (2008). "A life-cycle comparison between inorganic and biological catalysis for the production of biodiesel". Journal of Cleaner Production. 16 (13): 1368–1378. doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2007.07.003.
  19. Harding, K.G. (2013). "A technique for reporting Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) results". Ecological Indicators. 34: 1–6. doi:10.1016/j.ecolind.2013.03.037.
  20. Maepa, Mpho; Bodunrin, Michael Oluwatosin; Burman, Nicholas W.; Croft, Joel; Engelbrecht, Shaun; Ladenika, A. O.; MacGregor, O. S.; Harding, Kevin G. (2017). "Review: life cycle assessments in Nigeria, Ghana, and Ivory Coast". The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment. 22 (7): 1159–1164. doi:10.1007/S11367-017-1292-0.
  21. Sheridan, C, 2014. Water footprinting, UNEP/SETAC Presentation, Pretoria, South Africa.
  22. Dhlamini, S, Mkhonza, T, Haggard, E, Osman, A, Crundwell, F, Sheridan, C, Harding KG, 2013. An Introduction to Water Footprinting, Chemical Technology, Jan 2013, 29-33.
  23. Haggard, EL; Sheridan, CM; Harding, KG (2015). "Quantification of water usage at a South African platinum processing plant". Water SA. 41 (2): 279. doi:10.4314/wsa.v41i2.14.
  24. Ranchod, N; Sheridan, CM; Pint, N; Slatter, K; Harding, KG (2015). "Assessing the blue-water footprint of an opencast platinum mine in South Africa". Water SA. 41 (2): 287. doi:10.4314/wsa.v41i2.15.
  25. Osman, Ayesha; Crundwell, Frank; Harding, Kevin G; Sheridan, Craig M (2017). "Application of the water footprinting method and water accounting framework to a base metal refining process". Water SA. 43 (4): 722. doi:10.4314/wsa.v43i4.18.
  26. Brink, A.; Sheridan, C.M; Harding, K.G. (April 2017). "The Fenton oxidation of biologically treated paper and pulp mill effluents: A performance and kinetic study". Process Safety and Environmental Protection. 107: 206–215. doi:10.1016/J.PSEP.2017.02.011.
  27. Brink, A.; Sheridan, C.M.; Harding, K.G. (2017). "A kinetic study of a mesophilic aerobic moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) treating paper and pulp mill effluents: The impact of phenols on biodegradation rates". Journal of Water Process Engineering. 19: 35–41. doi:10.1016/J.JWPE.2017.07.003.
  28. Harding, K.G.; Gounden, T.; Pretorius, S. (2017). ""Biodegradable" Plastics: A Myth of Marketing?". Procedia Manufacturing. 7: 106–110. doi:10.1016/j.promfg.2016.12.027.
  29. Pfister, Stephan; Boulay, Anne-Marie; Berger, Markus; Hadjikakou, Michalis; Motoshita, Masaharu; Hess, Tim; Ridoutt, Brad; Weinzettel, Jan; Scherer, Laura; Döll, Petra; Manzardo, Alessandro; Núñez, Montserrat; Verones, Francesca; Humbert, Sebastien; Buxmann, Kurt; Harding, Kevin; Benini, Lorenzo; Oki, Taikan; Finkbeiner, Matthias; Henderson, Andrew (2017). "Understanding the LCA and ISO water footprint: A response to Hoekstra (2016) "A critique on the water-scarcity weighted water footprint in LCA"". Ecological Indicators. 72: 352–359. doi:10.1016/J.ECOLIND.2016.07.051. PMC 6192425.
  30. Mine Closure 2014 Archived 2014-11-07 at the Wayback Machine, Exhibitors list, 9th International Conference on Mine Closure, 1–3 October 2014, Sandton Convention Centre Johannesburg, South Africa, retrieved 7 November 2014.
  31. Harding, KG, Mkhonsa, T, 2012. Current Water Accounting Methods for Mining Operations, South African Institution of Chemical Engineering Conference 2012, Champagne Sports Resort, South Africa, 16–19 September 2012.
  32. Dwarkapersad, U, Harding, KG, 2012. Life Cycle Assessment on Unilever’s Premium Soap Brands: Lux and Lifebuoy, South African Institution of Chemical Engineering Conference 2012, Champagne Sports Resort, South Africa, 16–19 September 2012.
  33. Gina, N, Gina, D, Harding, KG, 2012. Effective and Efficient Ozone Use on Cooling Water Systems, South African Institution of Chemical Engineering Conference 2012, Champagne Sports Resort, South Africa, 16–19 September 2012.
  34. Macingwane, M, Harding, KG, 2012. Life Cycle Assessment on a Food Manufacturing Facility, South African Institution of Chemical Engineering Conference 2012, Champagne Sports Resort, South Africa, 16–19 September 2012.
  35. Sheridan, G; Harding, K; Koller, E; De Pretto, A (2013). "A comparison of charcoal- and slag-based constructed wetlands for acid mine drainage remediation". Water SA. 39 (3). doi:10.4314/wsa.v39i3.4.
  36. Mavukwana, A, Jalama, K, Ntuli, F, Harding, K, 2013. Simulation of sugarcane bagasse gasification using Aspen Plus, International Conference on Energy, Nanotechnology and Environmental Sciences, International Conference Proceedings of Planetary Scientific Research Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa, 15–16 April 2013, p70-74.
  37. Mavukwana, A, Jalama, K, Harding, K, 2013. Simulation of South African corncob gasification with Aspen Plus: A sensitivity analysis, International Conference on Power Science and Engineering (ICPSE 2013), Paris, France, 20–12 December 2013.
  38. Osman, A, Crundwell, FK, Harding, K, Sheridan, C, Hines, K, Du Toit, A, 2013. Water Accountability and Efficiency at a Base Metals Refinery, Water in Mining 2013, Brisbane, Australia, 26–28 November 2013.
  39. Haggard, E, Sheridan, CM, Harding, KG, 2013. Water Footprint for a South African Platinum Mine, Water in Mining 2013, Brisbane, Australia, 26–28 November 2013.
  40. Ranchod, N, Sheridan, CM, Plint, N, Slater, K, Harding, KG, 2014. Assessing the Water Footprint and Associated Impacts for a South African Platinum Mining Operation, Water in Mining 2014, Viña del Mar, Chile, 28–30 May 2014.
  41. Sheridan, C, Brennan, M, Bye, A, Stange W, Woodley A, 2014. Determining the effect of Grade Engineering® on the water account of a copper mine, Water in Mining, Viña del Mar, Chile, 28–30 May 2014.
  42. Sheridan, CM, Janet, JP, Drake, DC, Rumbold, K, Magowo, W, Harding KG, 2014. Increasing Pumping Depth in the Long-term Management of Acid Mine Drainage, WISA2014, Mbombela (Nelspruit), South Africa, 25–28 May 2014.
  43. Haggard, E, Sheridan, CM, Harding, KG, 2014. Water Footprint for a South African Platinum Processing Mine, WISA2014, Mbombela (Nelspruit), South Africa, 25–28 May 2014.
  44. Ranchod, N, Sheridan, CM, Plint, N, Slater, K, Harding, KG, 2014. Water Accounting for a South African Platinum Mine, WISA2014, Mbombela (Nelspruit), South Africa, 25–28 May 2014.
  45. Sheridan, C, Bonner, R, Bruyns, L, Burgess, J, Drake, D, Janet, JP, Harding, K, Rumbold, K, Saber, N, 2015. Conceptual Project on Eliminating Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) by Directed Pumping, ICARD, Santiago, Chile, 21–24 April 2015.
  46. Pena, C, Harding, KG, Sonneman, GW, Gemechu, ED, 2015. Material supply opportunity as a new perspective to address the "criticality" issue from a developing countries context: the case of Chile and South Africa, SETAC Europe 25th Annual Meeting, Barcelona, Spain, 3–7 May 2015
  47. Harding, KG, 2015. Why is measuring water important?, African Utility Week, Cape Town, South Africa, 13–14 May 2015.
  48. Alive2Green, 2015. Water Resource Seminar Speaker list, Sustainability Week 2015, CSIR ICC, Pretoria, South Africa, 23–25 June 2015.
  49. Govender, V, Harding, KG, 2015. Water footprint analysis of the South African (SA) paper and pulp industry, Life Cycle Management Conference (LCM2015), Bordeaux, France, 30 August – 2 September 2015
  50. Harding, KG, Basson, L, Brent, A, Friedrich, E, Janse van Rensburg, P, Mbohwa, C, Notten, P, Pineo, C, Ruiters, L-H, von Blottnitz, H, 2015. Status and prospects of life-cycle assessment in South Africa, Life Cycle Management Conference (LCM2015), Bordeaux, France, 30 August – 2 September 2015
  51. Harding, KG, Dheda, D, Sheridan, CM, McIntyre, N, 2015. Water accounting methods for platinum mines in South Africa , Life Cycle Management Conference (LCM2015), Bordeaux, France, 30 August – 2 September 2015
  52. Macingwane, M, Harding, KG, 2015. Life-cycle assessment on a starch facility in South Africa , Life Cycle Management Conference (LCM2015), Bordeaux, France, 30 August – 2 September 2015
  53. Harding, KG, 2015. Modelling & (cradle-to-grave) environmental optimisation of industrial processes, School of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering 21st Anniversary Conference, 23 September 2015, Sturrock Park, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
  54. Osman, A, Crundwell, F, Harding KG, Sheridan, CM, Du Toit, A, 2016. Application of the Water Footprinting Method and Water Accounting Framework to a Base Metals Refining Process, WISA2016, Durban, South Africa, 15–19 May 2016.
  55. Harding, KG, Mofomate, BF, Selato, TR, 2016. Water footprint of a mixed use laboratory/office building at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, WISA2016, Durban, South Africa, 15–19 May 2016.
  56. Dheda, D, Sheridan, CM, Harding, KG, McIntyre, N, 2016. Quantification of water use in South African Platinum mines , WISA2016, Durban, South Africa, 15–19 May 2016.
  57. Chego, MP, Sheridan, CM, Harding, KG, 2016. Design of a bio-hydrogen reactor for wastewater purification, WISA2016, Durban, South Africa, 15–19 May 2016.
  58. Brink, A, Sheridan, CM, Harding, KG, 2016. Combined biological and advance oxidation process (AOP) for paper and pulp effluent treatment , WISA2016, Durban, South Africa, 15–19 May 2016.
  59. "A review of methods for the quantification of water use in South African mines". ResearchGate. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
  60. Harding, KG, Gouden, T, Pretorius, S-L, 2017. “Biodegradable” plastics: A myth of marketing?, International Conference on Sustainable Materials Processing and Manufacturing (SMPM 2017), Skukuza, Kruger National Park, South Africa, January 2017
  61. "Flow Sheet and Sensitivity Analyses for the Bio-Remediation of Acid Mine Drainage Using Sulfate Reducing Bacteria and South African Grasses". ResearchGate. Retrieved 11 July 2017.
  62. "Process design for the treatment of acid mine drainage utilising lignocellulosic material as the organic carbon source for dissimilatory sulfate reduction". ResearchGate. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
  63. Nhlapo, Mpumelelo; Mashego, Malebo; Low, Michelle; Ming, David; Harding, Kevin (2019). "Investigating the development of low-cost sanitary pads". Procedia Manufacturing. 35: 589–594. doi:10.1016/j.promfg.2019.05.083.
  64. CHMT Twitter account, 2014. GAP announcement, retrieved 16 December 2014.
  65. "Tamlyn Naidu has won the prestigious Institute of Materials". YouTube. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
  66. "2019 Young persons' world lecture competition". IOM3. Retrieved 7 May 2020.

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