Promising research progress on agrimats

9th August 2019

By: Darren Parker

Creamer Media Contributing Editor Online

     

Font size: - +

Research is under way on new technology that aims to convert algae and any other biomass waste, such as bagasse, into organic fertiliser mats, or agrimats, Agricultural Research Council (ARC) senior researcher Dr Khumbulani Dhavu tells Engineering News.

The agrimats are manufactured by pressing this biomaterial in either a hot or cold press machine. These mats are intended for use as mulching material in agriculture, which aims to replace traditional plastic-based mulch mats with purely organic material that has potential to release nutrients into the soil.

Two press machines have been installed at the ARC’s Institute for Agricultural Engineering campus in Silverton, Pretoria. An expert from Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology (TUAC) assisted with the installation and demonstration of the equipment before leaving the operation in South African hands in June.

The collaborative research project, which began in May 2017, is led locally by the Durban University of Technology, in partnership with the ARC, and in conjunction with Japanese partners Nagoya University and the TUAC.

The research is funded by the Department of Science and Innovation, in collaboration with the Japan Science and Technology Agency and the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

Under this project, oil will be extracted from algae harvested from water treatment plants at eThekwini municipality. After extracting this oil for biofuel purposes, the dry microalgal residue is then mixed with waste biomass from a variety of agriculture industrial processes – such as bagasse from sugar production, wood chips from timber production or any other crop residues – to produce material for agrimat production.

“We are currently familiarising our engineers and researchers on the operation of the machines where we are trying several proportional input variations. The agrimats are being subjected to various tests for the assessment of physical and chemical properties. This small-scale case study will help us determine the rate of degradation and how well the nutrients are released into the soil,” Dhavu explains.

The field test is being conducted at the ARC Ornamental and Vegetable campus in Roodeplaat, Pretoria.

Depending on the success of the research, the ARC aims to commercialise the agrimat technology in the near future, in conjunction with its local and international partners, Dhavu confirms.

To ensure that this technology takes root in South Africa, the research team is working on establishing a sustainable environmental business model, as well as training local personnel.

Edited by Zandile Mavuso
Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor: Features

Comments

The content you are trying to access is only available to subscribers.

If you are already a subscriber, you can Login Here.

If you are not a subscriber, you can subscribe now, by selecting one of the below options.

For more information or assistance, please contact us at subscriptions@creamermedia.co.za.

Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):

Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format

Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):

All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.

Already a subscriber?

Forgotten your password?

MAGAZINE & ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE

RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA

SUBSCRIBE

CORPORATE PACKAGES

CLICK FOR A QUOTATION