Research Topics in Renewable Energy for 2016
Dosent / Lecturer: (Title, Initials & Surname)
Prof Johann Görgens
Fakulteit / Faculty:
Engineering
Email:
jgorgens@sun.ac.za
Tel:
021 808 3503
Departement / Department:
Process Engineering
Navorsingsarea / Area of Research:
Bio-energy production, including fuels and electricity from plant biomass
Algemene beskrywing van navorsingsveld: (nie meer as 2 paragrawe nie):
General description of research area (only 2 paragraphs):
Plant biomass is highly multifunctional, being suitable not only for the production of energy, but also for a range
of foods, fibres (materials), animal feeds and chemicals. The latter products often carry higher value in terms of
societal and economic benefits. Ultimately will the production of a chemical from biomass, which replaces a
chemical derived from a fossil fuel, provide similar environmental benefits as the production of bio-energy. Thus,
bio-energy production from plant biomass should be considered in a different context, to ensure that
appropriate sources of plant biomass are applied for this purpose – and ultimately contribute to sustainability on
all 3 axis of environmental, social and economic.
Following this approach, priorities for the production of bio-energy from plant biomass include utilisation of
liquid and solid waste streams from biomass processing, and the integration of bio-energy production into
biorefineries, with co-production of food products, chemicals and/or animal feeds. The use of wastes/residues
of plant biomass for bio-energy production ensures that competing uses for limited biomass supplies are not
negatively affected, thus completely avoiding the “food vs. fuel (energy)” debate. Furthermore, co-production of
valuable products with bio-energy, which is a low value commodity, ensures that maximum economic value is
derived from limited biomass supplies, and that competing applications are not negatively affected. Thus, bioenergy production in the context of waste/residues processing and biorefineries are prioritised for further
development. The projects below consider both experimental and modelling approaches to furthering these
goals.
Lys van onderwerpe/List of topics: (Merk graad met X/Mark degree with X) M.Eng.
M.Eng.
Ph.D.
(Structured) (Research)
Co-production of bio-energy in a biorefinery with food products, valuable
X
X
chemicals and animal feeds – several projects with different feedstocks
Conversion of fruit and paper wastes to ethanol and biogas, integrated with
waste water treatment
X
Fermentation of liquid wastes from pulp mills into bio-ethanol using
advanced yeasts
X
Spesifieke voorvereistes / Specific requirements:
B.Eng in Chemical Engineering, completed in 5 years or less, with averages of at least 60%.
Befondsing beskikbaar / Funding available:
Yes, funding for experimental and modelling work available.