Innovations

The North-West University has developed a method in which municipal wastewater is treated to remove ammonia and phosphate while simultaneously recovering struvite as a byproduct. Struvite is used to reduce the acidity of acidity of the acid mine drainage water which leads to precipitate metal

Chalcopyrite is a common but low-grade copper ore, and NWU researchers have developed an innovative method to improve copper dissolution and extraction from this mineral. This is achieved by harnessing galvanic interactions between chalcopyrite and magnetite, they achieved more efficient copper

The invention relates to the use of maghemite nanoparticles at pH less than 5 to remove sulphate, manganese, copper, nickel, cobalt and zinc metal ions from acid mine drainage (AMD). In conventional AMD treatment, these pollutants are only removed at higher pH, and that requires costly alkaline

This system involves the process of taking soil samples from a potential building site, mixes it with water and then the sedimentation process is evaluated by a camera and analysed to determine how much clay is in the soil sample. This in turn will then provide the engineers with information on what

This invention relates to a continuous solids/fluid contacting process and equipment in which appropriate solids are contacted with a fluid that may be either liquid or gaseous, or a combination thereof, under elevated pressure and optionally elevated or reduced temperature. More particularly, but

Omega Caro-E Xtra combines Omega-3 fatty acids with 11 different carotenoids and five different forms of vitamin E, all derived from Palm oil and manufactured by a patented process in Malaysia. It also contains 50% of the daily requirement for vitamin D. The concept was created and developed in

The invention relates to a novel process of partial oxidation of un-agglomerated chromite ore in ferrochrome production processes. The process includes the steps: Providing a source of un-agglomerated chromite ore; subjecting the source of un-agglomerated chromite ore to pre-oxidation at a

The North-West University (NWU) has pioneered the novel use of Europium-Tellurium-Oxide (ETO) in the production of clean energy. ETO is a light-chargeable catalyst material that exhibits sustained and enhanced activity after light excitation has ended. Its unique characteristics present an

Surfactants are amphipathic molecules with both hydrophilic and hydrophobic moieties that partition preferentially at the interface between fluid phases such as oil/water or air/water interfaces. Such characteristics confer excellent detergency, emulsifying, foaming, and dispersing traits, which

The skin represents the first physical barrier to protect our bodies from harmful toxins, pathogens and dangerous environmental factors and plays an important role in social and visual experiences. South Africans have used traditional herbal medicinal products to increase immunity in

The cost of building materials contributes significantly to overall construction costs, with ordinary Portland cement (OPC) being one of the main components. The production of OPC is not environmentally friendly. It is energy-intensive, uses natural resources such as limestone, and produces high

Fly ash, is a waste by-product from the coal-fired electricity generating stations. Power stations need to dispose of the fly ash in a safe and environmentally friendly manner, making the need to utilize fly ash important. The production of zeolites is one way to beneficiate the fly ash waste where