Bio-gas
New market
horizons in bio-gas
I
ndustrial gases company Afrox is partnering with bio-
tech start-up, New Horizons Energy, to turn organic
waste destined for landfills into useable products for
South African industries.
Bio-methane
Bio-methane (also
compressed natural
proven alternative
fuels used primarily
known as
gas) is a
to existing
for heating
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currently available in the Western
Cape; it is cleaner burning with
far less production of sulphur or
nitrogen by-products, and it will
have a far more consistent quality
which will be especially valuable to
processing industries.
“In addition, the benefits to the
environment are worth noting,
as the process eliminates the
need to send waste to landfill
and less harmful greenhouse
gases are generated from the
use of bio-methane versus other
conventional fuels.”
applications across a multitude
of sectors and processes ranging
from food production to metal
fabrication, as well as for the
generation of electricity.
“Afrox is currently in discussions
with potential customers about the
advantages of a local source of
bio-gas in the Western Cape,” said
Afrox’s Heinrich Uytenbogaardt,
Strategic Marketing Manager Bulk
Markets. “And while compressed
natural gas (CNG) is already
widely used in many countries
around the world, this is still a
relatively underdeveloped market
in South Africa, and in Cape
Town in particular, but one we
expect to grow.
“The upgraded bio-methane
from the New Horizons plant
in Athlone has a number of
advantages over other fuel sources
New Horizons Energy will turn
organic waste into usable bio-
methane at purity levels of over
90%. Furthermore, the addition
of a brand new carbon dioxide
source to the Afrox portfolio will
add significant capacity to Afrox’
national, but more importantly
Western Cape, infrastructure.
The New Horizons plant is
located in Athlone, near Cape
Town, and is expected to start
generating bio-gas by mid-2017.
Afrox will then distribute the
compressed bio-methane to its
customer base as an alternative to
LPG and/or diesel.
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Horizons
The carbon dioxide storage
facility comprising of vessels
specially
designed
and
manufactured for Afrox brought
in via the Cape Town port,
awaits commissioning of the New
Currently, South Africa is reliant
on methane/natural gas, supplied
from Mozambique; but New
Horizons Energy plans to supply
local bio-methane to business
across South Africa with further
plans to roll out more anaerobic
digestion plants.
RELIABLE
ENERGY
SOLUTION
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for the entire
agricultural sector.
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Zest WEG Group has been servicing the agricultural sector for
more than 35 years with its range of robustly engineered products.
WEG products, designed using modern technology, offer farmers
optimum reliability coupled with excellent energy efficiency. From
WEG Premium Efficiency electric motors to WWash electric motors
with WEG Variable Speed Drives, all have developed a reputation
for solid performance in the most demanding conditions. Low
maintenance requirements as well as ease of serviceability allow
reduced total cost of ownership to the agricultural sector.
As a market leader, Zest WEG Group offers access through WEG
Brazil, to international best practice in electrical solutions for the
agricultural sector. The Zest WEG Group operates a strategically
situated network of branches and distributors to ensure optimum
availability of product and parts.
Horizons’ facility in Athlone.
The carbon dioxide produced
by the New Horizons Energy’s
plant is planned to meet market
requirements offering Western
Cape industry, agriculture and
waste water treatment customers
a renewable door-step gases
solution.
Currently
carbon
dioxide for the Western Cape
market is predominantly sourced
from Mossel Bay, which is more
than 380 km away.
Tel: +27 11 723 6000
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WWash Motor
Invicta Vibrator Motors
Indoor Customisable Control Panels
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Transformers
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Premium Efficiency Motors
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