Engineering

This paper proposes the development of a superconducting series reactor (SSR) as an alternative to traditionally employed technologies and superconducting fault current limiters when managing fault levels on the electrical power grid. By utilizing superconducting tape, which has negligible resistance, in the construction of a series reactor, it is proposed that fault level mitigation could be achieved in a more energy efficient manner. Once constructed the SSR will be installed and tested at a grid-connected power engineering research site, and the proposed impact of this installation is firstly simulated using Reticmaster® power system simulation software. Design parameters for the prototype SSR are then calculated enabling the total cost of the modifications and prototype SSR to be determined. A desktop SSR was also constructed and tested as a pre-cursor to the prototype construction to confirm functionality and design and was found to be up to four times more energy efficient as ...

High cost of production as well as increasing sugar imports currently force the industry to export sugar at low global market prices. The industry busies itself constantly with research and development to improve its efficiency and sugar yields, both on the agricultural and milling sides. However, these endeavours only translate to economic profits when additional products are produced from the excess sugar not consumed within South Africa that will generate a higher revenue than that obtained through export sugar. Further potential lies in value addition to by-products of the industry, such as molasses and bagasse, by conversion to products such as bio-chemicals and materials through biorefining.