Theses and Dissertations

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Open Access
Application of solution state NMR to structural problems in chemistry
(Durham University, 2006-09) Khoabane, Ntai Martin; Dr. Sanderson, John; Dr. Grayson, Elizabeth; Dr. Natrajan, Louise; Mr. McKeag, Ian; Mrs. Heffernan, Catherine
First and foremost I would like to thank the Lord almighty for the life he has given me. My stay and study at Durham University was funded and supported by Canon Collins Trust to whom I am very thankful. I would also like to pass my gratitude to the National University of Lesotho for releasing me on staff development leave, my dependants’ allowance, and funding my travel both ways. I would like to thank my supervisory team: Dr. Alan M. Kenwright for his supervision and training and demonstrated kindness and patience. He motivated and encouradme during this period. I am also grateful to him for coming up with original ideas of a project on which I worked. Dr. John Sanderson cannot be forgotten for his co-supervisory role. I am also grateful to Dr. Elizabeth Grayson for the supervision in chemistry and for the protection and deprotection of the mannoside compounds. Dr. Louise Natrajan, I thank you for the lanthanide complexes I worked on. I would also like to thank Mr. Ian McKeag and Mrs Catherine Heffernan who contributed a lot to my training in solution state NMR. Other groups of people who contributed to my training need to be mentioned: all my lectures in the taught modules, the mass spectrometry facility and all the Chemistry Department staff. Last but not least my family members. Most importantly my wife and son who suffered the loneliness of my being thousands of miles away from them without complaint. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is a robust, non invasive technique applicable in structure determination as well as in the study of dynamic behaviour of chemical compounds. This thesis is in two sections, the first dealing mainly with a structure determination application of NMR and the second dealing mainly with a study of dynamic behaviour. Section 1 NMR characterisation of carbohydrates has proved challenging because of the limited chemical shift ranges of both the proton and carbon signals. The broad signals due to the labile hydroxyl protons cause further complications by overlapping proton signals from the ring. Protecting group chemistry is vital in the preparation and manipulation of synthetic carbohydrates and can potentially help with the assignment of the (otherwise extremely complicated) NMR spectra of carbohydrates. However, the widely used benzyl protecting group can make the spectrum more difficult to interpret because the benzyl CH2 proton signals often come in the same region of the spectrum as the anomeric protons, usually used as reporter groups of carbohydrates and the benzyl CH2 carbon signals come in the same region as the carbohydrate ring carbons. This section reports the invetsigation and application of a family of alternative protecting groups, namely various fluorobenzyl groups, which have not been used in carbohydrate chemistry before. With pentafluorobenzyl, the proton chemical shift dispersion is improved, and the CH2 and carbohydrate ring carbon signals are shifted to lower frequency, considerably simplifying the task of assigning the carbon spectrum, facilitating the interpretation of all 1H-13C correlation experiments (HSQC, HMQC, HMBC). Section 2 Cyclen complexes of lanthanide (III) ions have found use in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), luminescence imaging and assay studies. In particular, europium (III) complexes have potential in anlytical, forensic, and biomedical applications based on their impressive emissive properties. However, the emissive properties are modulated by the thermodynamic stability and kinetic inertness of the complexes. For biomedical applications, chelation is necessary to avoid europium toxicity that may be triggerd by accidental dissociation of the complex and release of the metal in vivo. A new cyclen europium(III) complex with pyridyl pendant ligands instead of the usual acetate groups has been synthesised by a group at Manchester University. The pyridyl ligands confer higher emmisive intensities to the complex, to enable applicability of the complex in time gated measurements. The chemical structure determination of the compound was accomplished by 1H, 13C, COSY, HMQC / HSQC and EXSY NMR experiments. Selective inversion experiments data were evaluated using the CIFIT simulation program, and showed that in aqueous solutions from -0.2º C to 107.6º C the dominant dynamic process is flipping of the pendant (pyridyl) arms, and isomerism is biased towards the twisted square antiprism (TSAP).
Open Access
Characterisation and Application of Municipal Sewage Sludge to Agricultural Land in the Maseru Metropolitan Area
(National University of Lesotho, 2011) Khesa, Makhale E; Tanor, E.B.
The nutrient content and other important properties of the sewage sludge from the Wastewater Treatment Plant at Ha Ratjamose in Maseru were determined. In addition, the sludge was characterised in terms of its, pH, salinity, TDS and temperature. The sludge was found to contain 0.011 - 0.013 (wt%) PO43- and 0.018 - 0.070 (wt%)NO3- with D/R 2000 Spectrophotometer. The values for some important physical properties were found to be as follows: pH,( 6.35-6.59); conductivity,( 335- 1674μScm-1) , salinity,( 0.00-0.6) , total dissolved solids (TDS) ,( 355-1576mgL-1) and temperature ,( 24.1-25.5˚C). The sludge was found to contain considerable amounts of nutrients, but lower than those found in commercial chemical fertilizers. It was also slightly acidic, hence it can be more appropriate if applied to strongly alkaline soils or be stabilized with alkalis if it is to be applied to neutral of acidic soils.
Open Access
The Effect of Phosphate Detergents Discharges and the Application of Fertilizers on the Water Quality of Liphiring River
(National University of Lesotho, 2011-04) Tlali, A.R; Dr Tanor, E.B.
Sewage from the waste treatment ponds serving the university community in Roma, water samples from the Liphiring River and soil samples from the croplands along the river banks were analyzed for some selected parameters. The values for the physical parameters pH, temperature, conductivity, total dissolved solids and turbidity suggest that the discharge of the wastewater into the river does have much negative impact on the water quality. Also, the levels of chemical parameters suggest some degree of contamination. The levels of nitrites and sulphates are higher in the sewage thus the effluent discharge contributes to levels in the river. The levels of phosphates and nitrates are higher in soil thus the soil contributes to levels in river water due to leaching and run-offs.
Open Access
Detection and Estimation of Aflitoxins in Groundnut and Groundnut Materials
(National University of Lesotho, 2011-05) Nkhabu, Rethabile A; Prof. Alemayehu, G.C
The aflatoxins are well suited for analysis by Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) since most of the compounds fluoresce under long wave ultraviolet (UV) light. The TLC technique serves as both purification and quantitation step. Before the TLC analysis, the peanut butter and crushed groundnut (peanuts) samples were separately de-fatted with light petroleum (boiling point 40 to 600C, ant the toxins within the samples were extracted from the de-fatted samples with methanol, and the extracts were purified by repetition solvent partition technique. The solvents used in the former technique were water-methanol mixture and chloroform, and aflatoxins have high affinity for chloroform. The obtained extracts were diluted to desirable concentrations and were then used for TLC analysis using silica gel Kieselgel G chromatoplate, and the mobile phase as the methanol-chloroform combinations. The quantitation of the results obtained was by fluorescence using fluorescent lamp (365 nm).
Open Access
Moisture Absorption, Dimensional Stability Properties and Applications of Composites made from Thermosetting Resins, Reinforced with Sandstone, Diorite, and Corn Stalk.
(National University of Lesotho, 2011-05) Osiki, I.O; Dr. Thamae, T.
Moisture absorption and dimensional stability of materials is one major concern in any engineering design, as well as in any environment. This is because moisture absorption and poor dimensional stabilities in any material is capable of leading to the degradation and ultimate failure of such a material. The purpose of this research however, was to study the moisture absorption as well as dimensional stability properties of composites made from thermosetting polymers, reinforced with diorite, sandstone, and cornstalk. Other objectives of the research were to determine possible applications of the different composite materials as well as determine which of the thermosetting polymer resins would be most applicable as matrix material. Moisture absorption was carried out using the long term immersion procedure based on the ASTM D 570 - 98 standard. From the results of moisture absorption, the corn stalk-polyester composite was found to absorb more moisture than the other synthesized composite. The diorite-polyester composite absorbed the least moisture and results indicate that moisture decreases with increasing amount of the diorite filler added. The dimensional stability tests indicate that the sandstone-polyester composite is the most dimensionally stable of all the composite materials made in this research, and comparism of this composite with the water based acrylic resinsandstone composite indicates that the polyester composite is the preferable choice of polymer resin as matrix material for the production of composites. This conclusion was based on facts obtained from dimensional stability tests that indicate that the polyester resin is more stable dimensionally when filled with sandstone. Finally, designs were made from the various composites and this include table tops made from polyester-diorite composites, wall tiles made from polyester-sandstone composite, artifacts made from polyester-cornstalk composite, and wall tiles were also made using the water-based acrylic resin. A cost analysis was also carried out and although cornstalk was estimated as possible material for production of cost effective composites but its undesirable properties such as high moisture intake , made the sandstone a preferable choice of filler material for production of cost effective materials.
Open Access
Synthesis and characteristics of Phthalocyanines
(National University of Lesotho, 2011-05) Ts'enoli, Sidwell; Dr. Sekota, M;
The phthalocyanine compounds K2[(CN)2FePc], K2[(CN)2CoPc], FePc(Py)2 and CoPc(Py)2 were successfully synthesized and characterized by UV-Visible and IR spectrometry. This was done for application of these compounds as electrode modifiers and as chemical sensors. These coordination compounds were synthesized by the synthesis of the metal-free phthalocyanines followed by the introduction of the axial ligands. The characteristic UV-Visible and IR spectral bands were observed for the four complexes. Therefore it can be concluded that the complexes were successfully synthesized.
Open Access
Synthesis and Characterization of Erbium and Neodymium Oxide doped Titanium Oxide Nanocomposites and their Application in Visible Light Photocatalysis of Congo red
(National University of Lesotho, 2011-05) Alotsi, Ntjamang Daniel; Prof. Alemu, Hailmichael
Nanocomposites (NCs) of Titanium dioxide doped with Erbium and Neodymium oxides, ( TiO2[Er2O3 ]x and TiO2[Er2O3 ]x, x=0.1,0.2) were prepared both by chemical co-precipitation followed by hydrolysis (CPH) as well as the solid-state reaction (SSR). The CPH synthesized NCs were obtained with particle sizes in the range (10nm-30nm). TiO2 was also synthesized using precipitation followed by hydrolysis method. All the NCs were investigated for their capability of degrading a dye, Congo Red (CR) using visible light and about 99.6% of CR was degraded. Throughout the entire research, all the chemically synthesized NCs showed high photocatalytic activity and this is attributed to smaller particle size of the NCs as compared to those NCs prepared by the SSR method. This directly reflects that photosensitization is major route of photocatalytic degradation mediated on TiO2 NCs. On comparison with the synthesized TiO2, the doped NCs revealed no greater photocatalytic activity than the synthesized TiO2, however this is apparent since TiO2 was synthesized with similar method to CPH method.
Open Access
Voltammetric Determination of Paracetamol with Poly (3, 4-Ethylenedioxythiophene) PEDOT modified Glassy Carbon Electrode
(National University of Lesotho, 2011-05) Setubatuba, T.A; PROF. Alemu, H.
The voltammetric oxidation of paracetamol on poly (3, 4-Ethylenedioxythiophene) PEDOT modified glassy carbon electrode was explored in 0.1M sodium acetate buffer solution by using cyclic and differential pulse viltammetry. Cyclic and differential pulse voltammetry studies indicated that oxidation of paracetamol at the electrode surface as a two-electron reversible step and fundamentally controlled by diffusion. A quasi-reversible redox process of paracetamol at modified electrode was obtained and the over-potential of paracetamol decreased significantly compared with that at bare electrode. PEDOT modified electrode showed excellent performance for detecting paracetamol in the linear detection range between 9.99 x 10-6 to 3.38 x 10-4 M, with a detection limit of 4.7 x 10-6 M and a sensitivity of 0.043 A/M. The method was then successfully utilised for the determination of paracetamol in a real samples of Panado tablets and Ibupain capsule with recoveries of 99.1% and 80.7% respectively for each sample.
Open Access
Catalytic Behaviour of Anionic Metalloporphyrins towards the Synthesis of Water- Soluble Polyaniline
(National University of Lesotho, 2011-05) Phooko, Mathese Palesa; Ass.Prof. Sekota, M.
In this study, metalloderivates of anionic tetrasulphonated tetraphenyl porphyrin (MTPPS4, where M= Ru(III) and Rh(III)) were synthesized and characterized and later utilized in the synthesis of water-soluble Polyaniline (PANi). The selected metalloporphyrins were synthesized with very low percentage yields. It was found that the RUTPPS4 was more effective as the homogeneous catalyst than RhTPPS4 as it showed a high turnover. This was attributed to the size of Ru3+ and the relative ease of oxidation of Ru(III) to Ru(IV). The synthesis and properties of PANi prepared are reported. The processabilty of the polymer was examined and it was found to be soluble in water and polar aprotic solvents like dimethyl formamide (DMF). The clewed nanostructured porous PANi exhibited rich electrochemical features which are interesting in the field of sensors and actuators.
Open Access
Isolation,Charactorisation and electrochemistry of geshoidin from rhamnus prinoides
(National University of Lesotho, 2011-05) Malataliana, T. F; Professor G. C., Alemayehu; Professor H., Alemu
The leaves and the stems of Rhamnus Prinoides (Amharic name, Gesho and Sesotho name, Mofifi) are used as traditional medicine to treat pneumonia, gonorrhea, rheumatism, stomach-ache, as a gargle and so many more. In some countries such as Ethiopia, the leave and stems are used in traditional fermented beverages such as Tella and Tej. Chemical investigation on the leaves resulted in the isolation of a characteristic bitter principle known as naphthalenic compound β-sorigenin-8-O-β-D-glucoside. Then, the name Geshoidin was proposed for this novel glucoside. The structure of Geshoidin was established from the spectroscopic analysis of natural products. The electrochemical behaviour of Geshoidin was investigated at a glassy carbon electrode in mixtures of citric acid and di-sodium hydrogen orthophosphate aqueous buffer system over a wide pH range (pH 2-11) using cyclic voltammetry. Chemically irreversible single oxidation and reduction peaks were obtained in the potential and pH region investigated. Variations in the peak potential and peak current of the oxidation peak have been observed as function of pH. The wave characteristics, the reversibility of the reactions, the diffusion coefficient and the number of electrons transferred have been studied. Linear sweep voltammetry was applied for the voltammetric determination of Geshoidin and a linear calibration curve over the range 1.00 x 10-6 - 1.00 x 10-4 mol dm-3 Geshoidin was achieved. The detection limit was found to be 5.00 x 10-7 mol dm-3 Geshoidin. For eight successive determinations of 1 x 10-5 mol dm-3 Geshoidin, a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 3.2% was obtained. Thabang Fernando
Open Access
Determination of cost-reflective feed-in tariff for grid connected solar PV systems in Lesotho
(National University of Lesotho, 2020) Kokome, Limpho; Hove, Tawanda
Lesotho needs a feed-in tariff policy that can help accelerate integration of renewable energy in its electricity grid. In this study a method to determine the feed-in tariff for grid connected solar Photovoltaic (PV) systems was developed. The necessity to set different tariffs for different locations in terms of the solar PV array yield 𝑌 , and different tariffs for different installed capacities were examined. Location specific tariffs were examined because given a particular solar module, the array yield 𝑌 could vary with location because of different ambient temperature and radiation, while size specific tariffs were examined because solar PV systems have different specific costs for different system sizes. In order to determine the cost reflective feed-in tariff, the Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE) was used as the objective function. With this approach the feed-in tariff was set as the price for selling electricity that is reasonably above the unit cost of production. A custom spreadsheet model was used to calculate the solar PV array yield 𝑌 over Lesotho. This array yield was used to divide Lesotho into two regions, low yield regions, and high yield regions. Representative systems were chosen and the feed-in tariff for different solar PV installed capacities in both regions were determined. The study found that the feed-in tariff varies with location and system size as follows; System Category FiT ($/kWh) Low Array Yield Region High Array Yield Region 30 kWp Roof Mount 0.1778 0.1616 500 kWp Roof Mount 0.1597 0.1451 30 kWp Ground Mount 0.1740 0.1581 500 kWp Groun Mount 0.1453 0.1321 10 000 kWp Ground Mount 0.1138 0.1034 The study recommends a feed-in tariff that is both location and size specific. The feed-in tariff depends on duration of the tariff with shorter periods resulting in higher feed-in tariff. A 20-year duration of the feed-in tariff is therefore recommended by this study. The method used in this study to determine the feed-in tariff included the impact of inflation in the analysis and therefore a fixed feed-in tariff (that is not indexed to inflation) is recommended. The energy regulator, and the ministry responsible for energy policy setting can make use of this study in setting out feed-in tariff policy.
Open Access
Development of time-of-use tariffs
(National University of Lesotho, 2020) Mohasoa, Lebohang Edwin; Mpholo, Moeketsi; Eager, Dan; Thamae, Retselisitsoe
The electricity consumption profile varies during any 24-hour period, but the electricity pricing policy for Lesotho Electricity Company (LEC) does not reflect this fluctuation as it employs flatrate tariffs across all customer categories. This fails to adequately capture the costs exerted on the electricity network by each customer at a certain period. To address this problem, time-of-use (ToU) tariffs are determined in this study, while ensuring revenue neutrality for the utility before any load shifting. Implementation of a comprehensive ToU based pricing model could be an effective mechanism to reflect the costs imposed on the network by customers and therefore encourage customers to engage in load adjustment. The Gaussian mixture model has been utilized to determine ToU time-periods and prices. The time-periods are divided into different periods; offpeak, standard, and peak periods. Different customer categories have different durations of time- periods. This is attributed to the observed load profiles of different customer categories. Furthermore, different customer categories have different prices per period resulting in different price ratios. Possible load-shifting scenarios of 5% and 10% have resulted in a reduction in customer energy bills of 2.6% and 5.2%, respectively. While, the LEC bulk energy savings translated to 13 GWh and 30 GWh for the two load-shifting scenarios, respectively.
Open Access
Evaluation and optimisation of solar water pumping systems for Lesotho
(National University of Lesotho, 2020) Moholo, Itumeleng Moses; Hove, Tawanda
Water and energy are the key drivers of sustainable development, yet the world is facing severe energy and water crisis. Photovoltaic water pumping system (PVWPS) is a mature technology that conserves both energy and water for sustainable applications. However the wider application of this technology is affected by improper system designs wider application of this technology is affected by improper system designs, high initial costs lack and of predictability . This study aims to evaluate critical factors for optimal sizing and performance prediction of PVWPS at the least cost of pumping. First objective of this study is to develop the meteorological parameters interpolated grid data base for Lesotho. Solar and ambient temperature data are recorded for 0.25 ×0.25 longitude and latitude interval for the range 27.00 East to 30.00 East and 28.00 South to 31.00 South. The range defines the extreme longitude and latitude boundaries of Lesotho. Grid data is interpolated and implemented into the computer program, hence meteorological parameters variations are automatically read at any point in Lesotho. Another objective is to develop a flow-power function, which comprehensively takes into account the instantaneous variation of ambient temperatures and solar irradiance and their effect on the pump system flow-rate and the system resistance. The flow-power function expresses the flow output of the solar pumping system as a function of the dynamic variation of the photovoltaic array power output, for a given pump and pipe parameters. The PVWPS components namely, the pump; solar photovoltaic array; pipeline system and the water storage are sized in an integrated fashion. The model is especially suitable for long pipelines where the PV array power required to deliver a demanded daily volume of water significantly decreases as the pumping main pipe diameter is increased. From the factory gate to site of installation the relative specific costs of PV array, pump and pipe differ from place to place. As a final objective an economical optimum combination of these sub system components, which meet the required daily demand of water at the least cost of pumping, is attained. Applying a time-step balance of the hourly pump flow output with the hourly water demand also enables a more precise estimation of the required balancing storage, by applying the mass-balance-curve approach. This study shows; how does the time step variation in meteorological parameters for a specified water requirement affect PVWP systems design and efficiencies; and how can the different pump-pipe combinations of PVWP systems be optimized from an integrated system perspective to arrive at the least cost of pumping. The applied method is technical accurate for sizing and also more economical thus proves to be a significant improvement to the traditional simplified approach of sizing solar pumping systems. It can result in significantly reduced unit cost of pumping. In the case study for Tosing, Lesotho (27.90 longitude 30.36 latitude) potable water demand of 350m3/ day. The design overall system efficiency is 7.1% the required PV array power was reduced by 25.8 % and the required water storage capacity reduced by 50% when compared to their respective values prescribed by the traditional sizing method. Keywords: meteorological grid data base, dynamic variations, photovoltaic water pumping system (PVWPS), flow-power function, optimal sizing, least cost of pumping
Open Access
Formulating short-term electricity demand forecasting for Lesotho
(National University of Lesotho, 2020) Lefela, Lereko; Prof Thamae, L. Z.
Electricity demand forecasting is an important process in the planning and operation of the electricity industry. Providing uninterrupted energy to consumers requires electricity demand to be predicted accurately. This study utilizes ABB Nostradamus short-term demand forecasting software, which accepts historical demand data, days of the week, time of the year and Lesotho public holidays for electricity demand forecasting. It produced day-ahead, week-ahead and hourahead electricity demand forecasting results with 3.06%, 4.06% and 5.09% accuracy. These MAPE results are close to or within the acceptable 5% accuracy for short-term demand forecasting, and provide crucial confidence levels for LEC to engage in power pool trading in the SAPP market for optimal power procurement. LEC utilizes bilateral agreements with LHDA, Eskom and EDM to supply the electricity demand. During the high demand season, bilateral imports from Eskom and EDM costs LEC around 3.27 Million US Dollars (M49 Million) which is twice the money incurred (1.60 Million US Dollars (M24 Million)) during the low demand season. Compared to the average SAPP DAM, IDM and FPM-W prices, Eskom’s 20 USc/kWh peak cost is higher than SAPP’s 12 USc/kWh DAM and IDM, and 13 USc/kWh FPM-W peak charges. Again, EDM’s 4 USc/kWh off-peak cost is higher than SAPP’s 3 USc/ kWh DAM, IDM and FPM-W off-peak charges. The study therefore recommends bilateral contracts use to meet intermediate demand of around 103 MW. For demand above 103 MW, utilizing SAPP market can assist to reduce bulk purchases costs.
Open Access
Energy Audit and Management Opportunities for a Diamond Mine: A case for Lets’eng Diamond Mine
(National University of Lesotho, 2020) Ntelekoa, Masiane; Hove, Tawanda
The mining sector is highly energy intensive. Undertaking mining activities at a geographic location bearing extremely cold temperatures like Lets’eng in Lesotho exacerbates the situation as abundant energy is required to provide the comfort needed by employees. Nonetheless, there exists ample waste in energy use within the mining sector which can be avoided by bringing forth energy management strategies. The study firstly identifies areas of energy waste and their cause. Both simple and technical energy management strategies are employed in correcting ways of energy use in order to utilise the least possible energy. The aim of the study is to minimize energy costs at the mine and reduce environmental damage associated with electrical energy use while also integrating renewable energy technologies where it is possible to do so. Monthly energy consumption profiles from electrical meters at the mine were used to analyse the consumption patterns of different energy processes. The study identified energy management opportunities in the energy processes of lighting, space heating, water heating and poor power factor. Energy management interventions for all the opportunities identified were economically assessed in terms of their cost of implementation and operation against the associated energy savings they would yield. All the recommendations proved to be economically viable as they resulted in a positive Net Present Value (NPV) and all Payback Period in years were within the remaining life of the mine which spans until 2034. Modelling gives a total of 41 903.14 tonnes of greenhouse gases averted from emission to the environment as a result of implementation of energy management opportunities.
Open Access
Optimal sizing, performance prediction and economic appraisal of off-Grid Solar PV hybrid power systems in Lesotho: A reliability–cost approach
(National University of Lesotho, 2020) Lepolesa, Selone Augustinus; Hove, Tawanda
This dissertation reports about the development of and the application of a simple spreadsheet-based mathematical model for the sizing, the performance prediction, and the economic analysis of a PV-Diesel-Battery autonomous power supply system. The main objective was to find appropriate reliability level required of a mini-grid system in Lesotho that minimized the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE), and at the same time, supplied a satisfactory energy service. The goal was to determine the costeffective level to set for the energy reliability for mini-grids in Lesotho, such that the LCOE would not increase disproportionately with the marginal increase in the reliability level. The method used was to find the reliability at the minimum cost using the elbow of the graph. The simulation and performance analysis showed that there was an infinite number of combinations of battery, PV array and diesel generator size required to achieve a given supply reliability. It was observed that the conditions for minimum LCOE may not correspond to highest reliability and satisfactory energy service.
Open Access
Development of charcoal briquettes using Sehalahala ( Seriphium plumosun and Felicia filifolia)
(National University of Lesotho, 2020) Thabane, Kanono; Mekbib, Sissay
Introduction: Production of charcoal briquettes using invasive shrubs found on Lesotho’s rangelands can provide alternative sustainable biomass energy for household heating and cooking applications in rural Lesotho. Objectives: To develop briquettes using the two species of Sehalahala (Seriphium plumosum and Felicia filifolia) and evaluate the performance properties of charcoal briquettes made from the two shrubs. Methods: Sehalahala feedstock was harvested and dried for five days to reduce the moisture content. Dried materials were cut and carbonised using a 200L steel drum. Wheat and clay binders were added at 5% (w/w) with charcoal powder and mixed together. Puck shaped briquettes were developed using a car jack driven briquetting machine. Four treatments (2 species and 2 binders) were developed and compared with a briquette purchased from the local supermarket for benchmarking. Proximate analysis was conducted using ASTM standards. Caloric value (MJ/Kg) was calculated using an empirical formula. Ultimate analysis was undertaken using a LECO CHNS 628 Determinator. Results: The mean percentage value of the four manufactured briquettes for the respective parameters evaluated were found to be as follows: moisture content (6.83 ± 2.72) m %,volatile matter content (30.53 ± 5.93) m %, ash content (3.77 ± 1.10) m %, fixed carbon (58.88 ± 6.51) m %, and higher heating value (25.66 ± 1.28) MJ/kg. In addition, the results indicated that the clay binder yields higher calorific value compared to the boild wheat flour suspention mix. Results of the ultimate analysis showed total carbon (35.14 ± 4.13) %, total nitrogen (1.01 ± 0.20) %, hydrogen (2.13± 0.26)% and sulphur (0.34 ± 0.08) %. Conclusion: Based on the results, it can be concluded that Sehalahala is suitable for production of bio-char briquettes. The newly produced briquettes have a higher energy content, less indoor air pollution and burns longer than traditional biomass (cow dung, agro-residues, shrubs, wood, etc) used in rural Lesotho for cooking and laughing applications. However, the results also indicate an opportunity for optimising production methods in order to achieve better results for mass production.
Open Access
Formulating short-term electricity demand forecasting for Lesotho
(National University of Lesotho, 2020) Lefela, Lereko; Thamae, Leboli Zak
Electricity demand forecasting is an important process in the planning and operation of the electricity industry. Providing uninterrupted energy to consumers requires electricity demand to be predicted accurately. This study utilizes ABB Nostradamus short-term demand forecasting software, which accepts historical demand data, days of the week, time of the year and Lesotho public holidays for electricity demand forecasting. It produced day-ahead, week-ahead and hourahead electricity demand forecasting results with 3.06%, 4.06% and 5.09% accuracy. These MAPE results are close to or within the acceptable 5% accuracy for short-term demand forecasting, and provide crucial confidence levels for LEC to engage in power pool trading in the SAPP market for optimal power procurement. LEC utilizes bilateral agreements with LHDA, Eskom and EDM to supply the electricity demand. During the high demand season, bilateral imports from Eskom and EDM costs LEC around 3.27 Million US Dollars (M49 Million) which is twice the money incurred (1.60 Million US Dollars (M24 Million)) during the low demand season. Compared to the average SAPP DAM, IDM and FPM-W prices, Eskom’s 20 USc/kWh peak cost is higher than SAPP’s 12 USc/kWh DAM and IDM, and 13 USc/kWh FPM-W peak charges. Again, EDM’s 4 USc/kWh off-peak cost is higher than SAPP’s 3 USc/ kWh DAM, IDM and FPM-W off-peak charges. The study therefore recommends bilateral contracts use to meet intermediate demand of around 103 MW. For demand above 103 MW, utilizing SAPP market can assist to reduce bulk purchases costs.
Open Access
Energy supply management system for Lesotho user interactive system
(National University of Lesotho, 2020) Mololo, Tsepo Phineas
There is inadequate energy data in Lesotho due to lack of data collection tools that would assist in collecting and storing data from supply through transformation to final use of each energy form. This report describes a development of a full web-based system that captures and stores energy products in database from various supply sources using Personal Home Page (PHP) programming language. This system is user interactive and allows specified users to insert and/or retrieve energy products from the database while other users can register into the system to view, query or fetch as well as download stored energy products data and system generated energy commodity account (ECA) and energy balance (EB) for a specified year. From the 2017 and 2018 energy data that has been inputted into the Energy Supply Management System (ESMS), an ECA and EB reports are generated for the energy supply part which is where the system’s emphasis is on. The report provides analysis on Lesotho’s energy supply mix which is mainly from biomass with 73% of the total supply for both 2017 and 2018, with almost no traces of renewable energy penetration for both years. The supply of petroleum fuel constitutes 19% and 18% for 2017 and 2018 respectively which indicates a significant contribution to the greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions to the environment. It further gives analysis from the system generated EB on Lesotho’s self-reliance on energy supply which shows 75% and 76% for 2017 and 2018 respectively from indigenous production mainly covered by unsustainable biomass used inefficiently by major population of Lesotho. The major portion of energy supply is from imports of electricity from Eskom and EDM, coal and coal products, petroleum fuel and liquefied petroleum gas from South African mines and refineries respectively which indicates Lesotho’s reliance on imports and hence less security of energy supply.
Open Access
Optimal sizing, performance prediction and economic appraisal of off-grid solar PV hybrid power systems in Lesotho
(National University of Lesotho, 2020) Lepolesa, Selone Augustinus; Hove, Tawanda
This dissertation reports about the development of and the application of a simple spreadsheet-based mathematical model for the sizing, the performance prediction, and the economic analysis of a PV-Diesel-Battery autonomous power supply system. The main objective was to find appropriate reliability level required of a mini-grid system in Lesotho that minimized the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE), and at the same time, supplied a satisfactory energy service. The goal was to determine the costeffective level to set for the energy reliability for mini-grids in Lesotho, such that the LCOE would not increase disproportionately with the marginal increase in the reliability level. The method used was to find the reliability at the minimum cost using the elbow of the graph. The simulation and performance analysis showed that there was an infinite number of combinations of battery, PV array and diesel generator size required to achieve a given supply reliability. It was observed that the conditions for minimum LCOE may not correspond to highest reliability and satisfactory energy service.