Novel Materials and Directed Crystal Engineering for Continuous Eutectic Freeze Crystallization (EFC) Applications
COALTECH Project Number: E2022-1
By Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Cape Town | December 2025
R1500,00
Description
The study evaluates eutectic freeze crystallization (EFC) as a treatment technology for hypersaline industrial brines, focusing on mitigating ice scaling and improving ice–salt separation. It demonstrates that polypropylene graphite (PP-GR) significantly reduces ice scaling particularly in MgSO₄-rich and concentrated brines enabling longer, continuous ice production and outperforming stainless steel. While operating conditions such as increased mixing intensity and heat transfer improved ice recovery, ice purity remained limited due to fine crystal formation, requiring post-washing for meaningful purity enhancement.
Related Products
Evaluation of Ground Geophysical Techniques on the Waterberg Coal Fields
2008
Interim account of trial ground surveys along a profile in the Waterberg coalfield, for exploration geologists weighing survey cost against the structural detail mine planning needs.
What this report foundElectrical and electromagnetic ground surveys were run over a Waterberg profile with borehole logs and three dimensional seismic data as control, to test...
R1500,00
Electrical and electromagnetic ground surveys were run over a Waterberg profile with borehole logs and three dimensional seismic data as control, to test whether cheaper methods can match seismic reflection for locating coal and faults. Resistivity tomography at two electrode spacings, frequency and time domain electromagnetics, controlled source audio magnetotellurics and magnetics were all acquired. Results are preliminary.
Dry Processing of Coal – Progress Report: Tests Conducted on the IMS / Slater Coal Marketing Allair Dry Jig
2016
Test work on a dry jig installed at a Balmoral site, covering coal sized below 50 mm and duff below 12 mm, for producers considering waterless beneficiation.
What this report foundA 30 tonne per hour pilot Allair dry jig upgraded run of mine coal to thermal coal specification, but could not effectively beneficiate finer duff.
R1500,00
201613 pages
A 30 tonne per hour pilot Allair dry jig upgraded run of mine coal to thermal coal specification, but could not effectively beneficiate finer duff. Cut point densities and EPM values matched other dry processing equipment, though the jig appeared to give better control of the parameters governing separation. Four tests ran on run of mine coal and two on duff.
Simulation of Regional Collapses in Bord & Pillar Workings
2018
Three dimensional modelling of a documented subsidence event in the Witbank coalfield, aimed at reserves in the seam above old workings that current pillar strength formulae sterilise.
What this report foundFinite element simulation reproduced the rapid collapse of bord and pillar workings in the 2 Seam at a Witbank colliery, showing that progressive pillar...
R1500,00
Finite element simulation reproduced the rapid collapse of bord and pillar workings in the 2 Seam at a Witbank colliery, showing that progressive pillar deterioration triggers snap through of a strong sandstone plate in the overburden. Too little was known about the chosen collapse to back out a real pillar safety factor, so the calibration goal was not met.