DUT And German University Collaborate On Research Into Sustainable Chemicals From Agricultural Waste

A research collaboration between Durban University of Technology (DUT) and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) in Germany is bringing together research on agricultural waste and the production of sustainable chemicals.

As part of the collaboration, Chemical Engineering researcher Kea Limbeck from KIT is currently based at DUT, where she is working on the conversion of furfural into furfuryl alcohol.

Furfural can be produced from biomass and has applications in the chemical industry. Limbeck’s research is investigating transfer hydrogenation, using a liquid hydrogen donor instead of conventional hydrogen.

Her research links closely with the work of DUT PhD candidate Charles Gnana, who is investigating ways of converting sugarcane bagasse into valuable products such as furfural and biofuels.

Sugarcane bagasse is a major agricultural residue from KwaZulu-Natal’s sugar industry. Gnana’s research looks at how this waste material can be processed to produce useful chemicals and fuels.

The two projects therefore connect at different stages of the process. Gnana’s research focuses on producing furfural from sugarcane bagasse, while Limbeck is investigating how furfural can be converted into furfuryl alcohol.

The collaboration is led by Prof Alisa Dorasamy from DUT and Prof Moritz Wolf from KIT.

For Limbeck, the research visit has also given her the opportunity to experience South Africa outside the laboratory.

“Charles and Prof Dorasamy are so welcoming and the people are so nice here,” she says.

During her stay, she has sampled local food, including a Zulu burger and pap, and visited the Drakensberg, where she went hiking.

She is also looking forward to exploring more of Durban and South Africa while continuing her research at DUT.

The collaboration provides an opportunity for researchers from DUT and KIT to share expertise while exploring new uses for biomass and agricultural waste.