SATREPS"CRER"Project toward Decarbonised Society Using Mineral Carbonation

21/08/2024

Lead investigator Prof. Ojumu made an invited keynote presentation at the AfriNET 2024 in Nigeria.
This winter, Prof. Ojumu made an invited keynote presentation at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in IleIfe, Nigeria
Prior to his PhD studies at University of Cape Town, Professor Ojumu completed his first degree with First-Class Honors in Chemistry and Master of Science in Chemical Engineering.
The presentation was titled “Development of a carbon recycling system to addressing some of the SDGs : gleaning from South African and Japan experience”. In that presentation, Prof. Ojumu introduced the background of our project.
Active discussion was made after the presentation to seek opportunities to disseminate the project outcome to Nigeria and beyond.
The presentation was attended by many at the OAU auditorium as well as many online audiences via zoom platform.

12/07/2024

Co-investigators in South Africa tell us the expertise and expected outcomes about the Project. We hear from Professor Leslie PETRIK,
Emeritus Professor Leslie Petrik
Co-Investigator South Africa
Q: Please tell us your background
I obtained my MSc and PhD in Chemistry in 2004 and 2008 respectively at the University of the Western Cape in South Africa, and have a Google Scholar h-index of 51, i10-index of 167, with 8798 citations and am ranked amongst the top 3% of scientists nationally and globally based upon my last 6 years h-index and i10 Index, (https://www.adscientificindex.com/scientist/leslie-petrik/101463).
I am currently Professor Emeritus in the Department of Chemistry, University of the Western Cape (UWC), and appointed as an Adjunct Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, in South Africa

https://www.adscientificindex.com/scientist/leslie-petrik/101463

Q: What is your expertise on project
My expertise relating to this project is in material science, modern instrumental methods and analytical chemistry and my activities focused on providing guidance and co-supervision of students, project planning and ex*****on of deliverables. The study focusses on the potential of concrete waste, concrete sludge and demolished concrete for mineral carbon capture. Currently, demonstration experiments using a mobile 1000 L pilot-scale plant are ongoing, whereby calcium is extracted from concrete sludge or construction and demolition waste into a liquid phase, where after CO2 is captured mineralogically via CaCO3 precipitation.

18/04/2024

The handing over ceremony to commemorate equipment donated from Japan as part of the CRER project was held at CPUT on 13 March 2024. In the morning, after a fruitful Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) meeting at SARETEC (South African Renewable Energy Technology Centre), the management of the academic partners and industrial partners joined the team for lunch.　In the afternoon, CPUT welcomed the honoured guests who presented their remarks, where after everyone moved to the Department of Chemical Engineering at CPUT for the ribbon cutting ceremony to open the pilot plant. Young researchers played a role as tour guides for guests to view and understand the pilot plant operation and analytical equipment in the laboratory.
Remarks were given by the following honourable guests:
• Prof Chris Nhlapo, Vice-Chancellor, CPUT
• Mr Francois Davel, Director of International Cooperation and Resources from the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI),
• Mr Mosa Mabuza, CEO, Council for Geoscience (CGS)
• Prof Jeff Murugan, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Internationalisation, University of Cape Town (UCT)
• Mr Atsushi Kuwabara, Minister, Embassy of Japan in South Africa
• Mr Kaoru Okada, Chief Representative, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) South Africa Office

For further details, please also have a look at the JICA South Africa page.

https://www.facebook.com/jicasaoffice

18/04/2024

18/04/2024

CRER project held a Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) meeting on 13 March 2024 to present and confirm the project progress and plans. Project plans are approved and our mutual cooperation was reconfirmed.
In preparation for the JCC meeting, researchers workshop and pre-JCC discussion were made. Preliminary discussion led us to better understanding of the plan and consensus.
For further details, please have a look at the CPUT homepage repots.

14/03/2024

Mr. Sibulele ZIDE graduated from CPUT (Cape Peninsula University of Technology). Summer Graduation was held on 12 December 2023.

The degree was conferred in absentia.
He received a Summa Cum Laude for his Master of Engineering (MGCHMR): Chemical Engineering degree. Summa Cum Laude is an honorary to signify a degree that was earned with the highest distinction.

Before graduation ceremony he traveled to Japan. He has been studying at Tohoku University since October 2023. So far, on his first year of doctoral studies, he is doing well at this current early stage and has recently concluded his first major Ph.D. presentation.

Despite the challenges he faces with adapting to an entirely new environment, he still enjoys different culture and the current cold weather.

He continues to work hard. His colleagues from Japan will deliver the original certificate of his degree to him on their return to Japan.

Congratulations Sibulele!

Let us work towards a circular economy society in South Africa and Japan.

14/11/2023

Congratulations on your admission to Tohoku University and welcome to Japan. Thank you for MEXT (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology), JST (Japan Science and Technology Agency), JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency), and, of course, DSI (Department of Science and Innovation) to support this initiative.

Message from Mr Ghaleeb Jeppie, Minister Counsellor: Science, Innovation and Education, Embassy of the Republic of South Africa in Tokyo, JAPAN

10/11/2023

Embassy of South Africa in Japan welcomed the students.
Mr ZIDE joined fellow students to meet the South African Ambassador to Japan.

31/10/2023

Capacity development is one of the core objectives of SATREPS project. Above all, CRER project places an importance on the capacity building of the young researchers.

Mr. Sibulele ZIDE, one of the project members, was granted the Japanese Government Scholarship! He started his PhD study at Tohoku University from October 2023.

Mr. ZIDE and fellow young researchers gain experience during the course of the project. After the project period, they will play key role to further expand the project outcome to achieve overall goal.

We are committed to train future human resources in South Africa and in Japan.

His interview is on the University homepage.
https://www.cput.ac.za/newsroom/news/article/4817/the-sky-is-the-limit-for-chemical-engineering-student?fbclid=IwAR1UpJAq9oaSvyok-r6dKKfuwzitek_UxYV9EBuWb0SrmoL2s9enHbtmAwE

10/10/2023

Lead members introduce the project with their expertise. The project aims, objectives and expected contribution are illustrated more precisely.

Dr Henry ROMAN
Project Director – South Africa


Q: Please tell us your background.
I have a PhD in Biotechnology from Rhodes University, Grahamstown, Republic of South Africa (RSA). My thesis was on the Bioremediation of Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) using Lignocellulose as a substrate for Sulphate-Reducing Bacteria under Anaerobic Conditions. At the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) I also hold the role of National Designated Entity (NDE-RSA) for the UN Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN). In 2016 under the CTCN the precursor to this project was funded entitled ‘Substantial GHG Emissions reduction in the cement industry by using waste heat recovery combined with mineral carbon capture and utilisation’. That project was the foundation for the application to SATREPS for further funding. As the NDE-RSA I was responsible for overall project management of the project.

Q: What is your expertise in the project?
I am what is called the Project Director. This means that I am responsible for the delivery of the South African side of the project. I also have a technical background in the treatment of AMD, which is one of the aspects to be addressed through this project, the treatment of AMD.

Q: What will be achieved through the project?
This project is investigating a means to assist the cement and concrete sector in RSA to reduce their GHG* emissions through carbon capture and utilization of the byproducts. This will contribute to the Circular Economy ambitions of the RSA by reducing carbon emissions but also by creating value-added products that can contribute economically. This, if successful, will contribute to the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) of the RSA to reduce carbon emissions and contribute to a low-carbon society as envisaged in the National Development Plan.

* Green House Gas

10/10/2023

Lead members introduce the project with their expertise. The project aims, objectives and expected contribution are illustrated more precisely.

Professor Tunde Victor OJUMU
Principal Investigator and Project Manager – South Africa


Q: Please tell us your background.
I hold a B.Sc. (Hons.) in Chemistry with a first-class division from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile-Ife, Nigeria and I completed M.Sc. and PhD in Chemical Engineering from OAU and the University of Cape Town respectively. My areas of research are Biohydrometallurgy and Environmental Engineering

Q: What is your expertise in the project?
My expertise relating to this project is on fly ash utilization and beneficiation. I have graduated a number of postgraduate students in different aspects involving fly ash utilization, beneficiation and its use in the treatment of acid mine drainage (AMD).

Q: What will be achieved through the project?
The project aims to reduce process-related CO2 emissions from the cement and concrete industries. Our strategy for achieving this is through the development of carbon recycling systems, including resource recycling loops. These include carbon/material recycling systems using a proposed mineral carbon capture and utilisation (MCC&U) technology in the concrete and cement industries in South Africa. On this basis, we can make strides towards the achievement of a circular economy based on a decarbonised society.