Sasol enhances synthetic fuels research in collaboration with University of Cape Town

Date

2 December, 2005

Sasol and academic scientists at the newly-established Sasol Advanced Fuels Laboratory at the University of Cape Town (UCT) are involved in multi-million rand research projects to develop high quality, low emission synthetic fuels for the future.

Research at the laboratory which was officially opened today, include collaboration with an international engine manufacturer to develop fuels for new generation engines with ultra-low emission levels that may render obsolete expensive catalytic converters on exhaust systems.

“The goal of the laboratory is to actualise Sasol's future-oriented fuels research and to help deliver capable fuel scientists and technologists to work in this highly specialised field. It also provides a myriad of opportunities for industry to work much closer with academic institutions,” says UCT deputy vice-chancellor for research and innovation, Professor Cheryl de la Rey.

The laboratory falls under UCT's department of mechanical engineering. Test and evaluation partners include research institutes, test centres, engine manufacturers, government agencies and industry organisations.

“Research and development programmes play an important role in shaping our competitive edge and to this end we collaborate closely with major universities, research institutions and other international research and development centres of excellence. We have been working closely with the University of Cape Town for a number of years now and are confident that our long-term research to develop fuels for the future will be successful,” says Sasol CE Pat Davies.

Sasol is the world's only company to produce commercial scale synthetic fuel from coal. It is also the only oil company on Sub-Saharan Africa with world class fuels research facilities at altitude and sea level. Sasol employs some 65 scientists, including post graduate students at the laboratories based at UCT and at Sasolburg. It can leverage another 500 scientists employed by the Sasol Technology R&D group.

Sasol Technology R&D group employs one of the southern hemisphere's highest concentrations of science and engineering doctorates in the synfuels and allied petrochemical fields. More than 100 R&D employees have doctorates in science or engineering, with many regarded as leading authorities in their fields of specialisation.

Sasol researchers, who have been seconded to the Sasol Advanced Fuels Laboratory at UCT supervise and participate relevant postgraduate project's. They also teach at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

“With the co-operative accommodation of UCT, Sasol has invested several million rands into creating a world-standard fuels and engine testing facility. The laboratory boasts three fully equipped engine test cells as well as combustion research equipment in several other laboratory work areas. There is also a dynamic postgraduate studio and seminar room, “says Sasol Technology's head of fuels research Dr Johan Botha.

This pioneering development will enhance Sasol's unique position as the world-leader in synthetic fuels development. It represents a benchmark for the successful integration of e common goals between industry and academia.

Notable achievements by Sasol fuel researchers include development of the world's first semi-synthetic jet fuel, production of F1 racing fuels and diesel and the introduction of ultra low sulphur diesel.

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1	Relabelled	Salt River	29 Brickfield Road, Salt River, Cape Town	(021)4479913
2	Relabelled	Bellville	Shop 4, Corner Voortrekker Rd & Durban RD, Bellville	(021)9171860
3	Relabelled	Kenilworth	Unit number 3 access park, Chichester road, Kenilworth	(021)6714778,
4	Relabelled	Kuilsrivier	Shop 4 & 5 Access Park, Kuilsrivier	(021)9031294 061 287 3980
5	Relabelled	Mobeni	Cnr Grimsby & Leicester Rd, Mobeni, Durban	(031)4620540 W\House (031) 469 9409
6	Relabelled	Pier 14	21A Pier 14, Shopping Centre, Port Elizabeth	(041)4841575 083 5176 728
7	Relabelled	Marlboro	13 Sparten Crescent ,Marlboro , Ext 3 Johannesburg	(011) 262 0460
8	Relabelled	Soweto	Maponya Shop 200 2127 Chris hani Road, klipspruit ext5 Soweto	(011) 933 1023
9	Relabelled	Umlazi	Shop 155 Umlazi Mega City 50 Griffiths Mxenge Highway Umlazi	(031) 902 1325
10	Relabelled	Epping	10 Losack avenue , epping industrial	(021) 534 0401
1	BCWC	Kloof	Lifes on Kloof, 50 Kloof Street, Gardens ,Cape Town, shop G-15	(021) 422 1593 078 211 8051
2	BCWC	Canal Walk	Shop 619 Canal Walk , Century BLVD, Century City , Cape Town 7441	(021) 551 2891
3	BCWC	Monte Casino	Shop 80B Montecasino, No1 Monticasino Bouelvard Fourways , 2191 Magents	(011) 465 0438
4	BCWC	Menlyn	Shop UF 42 & 43 cnr atterbury road & lois avenue , menlo park , Pretoria	(012) 764 9600
5	BCWC	Balito	SHOP 608 LEONORA DRIVE,DOLPHIN COAST,BALLITO,4399	032 586 0242
6	BCWC	Rosebank	Shop GF08, The Zone, Rosebank mall, Oxford Street, Johannesburg	(011)268 1114
1	Magents	Canal Walk	Shop 08 , Century Blvd , Century City 7441	(021) 551 2533 JP CELL: 064 686 4026
2	Magents	Monte Casino	Shop 21 Montecasino, No1 Monticasino Bouelvard Fourways , 2191 Magents	(011) 465 6721 074 669 6310 073 804 4352 079 884 7607
3	Magents	Menlyn	MENLYN MALL , SHOP G190 CNR ATTERBURY ROAD & LOIS AVENUE,MENLO PARK,PRETORIA	(012) 348 4725 073 8677 468 - Sieya , kiley , OUPA, Micheal
4	Magents	Balito	SHOP 608 LEONORA DRIVE,DOLPHIN COAST,BALLITO,4399	061 521 7446 032 586 1467
1	WSA	Menlyn	MENLYN MALL ,LF41A CNR ATTERBURY ROAD & LOIS AVENUE,MENLO PARK,PRETORIA	Vicky - 078 816 1921 land line - 012 348 4766
6	BCWC	Rosebank	Shop GF08, The Zone, Rosebank mall, Oxford Street, Johannesburg	(011)268 1114
1	Magents	Canal Walk	Shop 08 , Century Blvd , Century City 7441	(021) 551 2533 JP CELL: 064 686 4026
2	Magents	Monte Casino	Shop 21 Montecasino, No1 Monticasino Bouelvard Fourways , 2191 Magents	(011) 465 6721 074 669 6310 073 804 4352 079 884 7607
3	Magents	Menlyn	MENLYN MALL , SHOP G190 CNR ATTERBURY ROAD & LOIS AVENUE,MENLO PARK,PRETORIA	(012) 348 4725 073 8677 468 - Sieya , kiley , OUPA, Micheal
4	Magents	Balito	SHOP 608 LEONORA DRIVE,DOLPHIN COAST,BALLITO,4399	061 521 7446 032 586 1467
1	WSA	Menlyn	MENLYN MALL ,LF41A CNR ATTERBURY ROAD & LOIS AVENUE,MENLO PARK,PRETORIA	Vicky - 078 816 1921 land line - 012 348 4766

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Sasol enhances synthetic fuels research in collaboration with University of Cape Town

Sasol enhances synthetic fuels research in collaboration with University of Cape Town