Usage of Energy Efficient Furnace as Technology Transfer Concept to Rural Foundries

Abstract

In South Africa public institutions of higher learning and government agencies are funded with tax payers' money. They are encouraged, through the use of science and technology, to help and assist in the development of small and medium enterprises by contributing in addressing their challenges be it technological, business management related, or quality of production and productivity inclined. Rural foundries are enterprises at the remote areas commonly known for casting three legged aluminum pots from aluminum metal scraps. Most of these rural foundries have been found struggling with a lack of green production process and lack of sustained improved productivity mainly due an inefficient heat energy generation and conservation within the furnace. Technology transfer aspect was used to look at intervention to improve the status quo of the rural foundries. The technology transfer aspect was used as proof of concept to improve the energy efficiency of the furnace, which resulted into reduced melting time and usage of coal as input material. In conclusion the use of science and technology is critically in terms of proof of concept of heat transfer and engineering skills play a vital role in developing technologies which will have technical capabilities of meeting the end user's requirement.