Harare Institute of Technology’s graduate, Tatenda Nengiwa from the Department of Chemical and Process Systems Engineering has won the First Prize at the National Engineering Students Competition Awards held at the University of Zimbabwe.
Tatenda beat four other contestants from the University of Zimbabwe, National University of Science and Technology and Chinhoyi University of Technology.
She scooped the Engineer Paul Kodzwa Master Floating Trophy, the Zimbabwe Institute of Engineers’ Shield for the Best Female Prize; the Engineer Paul Kodzwa Miniature Trophy after her project on the Design of a Plant for Refining 1 TPD using Lubricating Oil was voted the best by a panel of judges from the Zimbabwe Institute of Engineers.
The University of Zimbabwe came second while the National University of Science and Technology won the third prize.
The project involves the refining of 1 000 TPD of used lubricating oil taken from different automobiles garages such as Total Garage to produce 0.75 TPD refined oil with a plant utilization of 80 %. The refining process involves dehydration, solvent extraction, solvent stripping, and thin film evaporation. The lubricating oil processing conditions and behaviour are examined experimentally for each process step. The refined oil properties are compared to those of virgin and used oils. By agitated thin film evaporation, highly pure lubricant oil with almost zero ash content is obtained using solvent treated oil with an optimum solvent ratio of 4:1 and pressure of 4 mBar. A base oil of 98cP viscosity, -11oC pour point, 180oC flash point and specific gravity of 0.909 was experimentally produced. These values were in line with the specifications range of refined oils.
With the process parameters and optimum conditions available, a detailed design of major equipment for the designed process was done, which included: an agitated thin film evaporator and a plug flow reactor. The process control loops and HAZOP Analysis for the designed equipment together with the overall Pipe and Instrumentation Diagram were carried out as well as the Environmental Impact Assessment. This led to the choice of a plant site in Chitungwiza industrial area and plant layout to minimize environmental damage.
The University of Zimbabwe came second while the National University of Science and Technology won the third prize.
"It was so exciting, I could not believe that I made it," said Nengiwa. "There was very stiff competition as every participant was geared to win, but I think because of hard work and the innovation in our DNA at HIT and God made it possible," she said.
Tatenda said that her project was the most outstanding because of its innovation aspects and its fit with the ZIMASSET agenda through value addition and beneficiation of a waste resource into a valuable resource, as well as creating employment through the establishment of the plant.
"I am now looking for funds for the establishment of the plant and I am looking forward to securing funding from the Ministry of Youth, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment and any other investor interested in funding the project," she said.
Tatenda also acknowledged the efforts made by the HIT Department of Chemical and Process Systems Engineering, her supervisor Engineer Mercy Manyuchi as well as her family and friends who were very helpful in the preparation of her project and the competitions.
Another HIT graduate Tafadzwa Gijima from the Department of Chemical Processes and Systems Engineering also presented his project on the Design of a 1500 tonnes/ Annum Plant for Producing Diesel from Waste (Polyethylene) Plastics and was awarded fifth prize.
Commenting on the award, the Chairperson of the HIT Department of Chemical and Process Systems Engineering Eng. Mercy Manyuchi said she was proud of her department’s achievement and is looking forward for more support from the Institute and other stakeholders in preparing for the next competitions and funding the student’s projects. "Our objective is to keep this trophy at HIT for the next 20 years," she said.
The Zimbabwe Institute of Engineers Final Year Engineering Students Pre-National Competition was held at the Harare Institute of Technology Campus on the 22nd of May 2014 and HIT final year engineering students presented six projects. The two winning projects from the Department of Chemical Processes and Systems Engineering by Tatenda Nengiwa and Tafadzwa Gijima proceeded to the national final competitions.
The Minister of Tourism and Hospitality, Honourable Engineer Walter Mzembi was the guest of Honour at the National Engineering Students Awards competition.
Engineers, representatives from mining, commercial and industrial corporate bodies, staff and students from various universities attended the event.