Engineering News — December 08, 2017

AN ENGINEERING NEWS | December 8–14, 2017 27

GENERATORS & STANDBY POWER

on the fault level requirements

and various tap settings are also

available.

Unlike oil transformers, cast

resin units offer reduced over-

all weight, size and dimensions

and can, thus, be installed inside

commercially occupied build-

ings. With no need for oil con-

tainment bunions, civil costs

are decreased and flexibility is,

moreover, ensured at the location

of any installation. As no cool-

ing fluids are necessary, main-

tenance costs are also reduced.

Rubber inserts also alleviate

the transmission of vibrations

between core and windings,

reducing operating noise levels

and absorbing thermal expan-

sion of components. Sockets on

the medium-voltage side adapt

the primary voltage to the mains,

which can be set when the trans-

former is switched off.

Class F insulating material and

epoxy resins enable operation

at temperatures of up to 155 ºC.

Meanwhile, the carriage of these

units allows safe movement and

is pre-equipped for the mounting

of ingress-protection reinforced

enclosures.

Accessories include thermal

sensors or thermistors, elec-

tronic units for temperature

control and forced ventilation

systems to increase transformer

power in temporary overloads

or at high environmental tem-

peratures. Legrand can also

supply medium-voltage termi-

nations for plug-in connections,

surge arrester kits and antiseis-

mic supports. Various enclosure

options are available, with diffe-

rent degrees of protection.

Legrand transformers are

enhanced by the Zucchini busbar

trunking system, which provides

synergy for a direct connection

and are available in aluminium

or copper.

Legrand also offers a techni-

cal advisory service, guiding cus-

tomers with regard to choosing

a transformer and busbar trunk-

ing system that provides the best

solution for each specific appli-

cation.

such future demand?”

This question, Mulshaw notes,

is complicated by the fact that

not all nickel is suitable for bat-

tery cathode materials. Very pure

nickel sulphate (NiSO4), which

is made by dissolving nickel in

sulphuric acid, is required for

such applications and, ideally,

the nickel raw material should be

pure metal – Class 1 nickel – in

powder, pellet or briquette form.

“This discounts about half of

global nickel production, with

only about 40% of the remaining

half comprising briquettes, pow-

der, pellets or chemicals.”

Mulshaw notes that, globally,

there has been significant growth

in the production of NiSO4, par-

ticularly in China and South-East

Asia, to feed the expanding EV

market. In addition, there are

several options open to battery

makers from existing nickel sup-

ply and stocks that would ensure

their access to the required nickel

units.

However, he points out that this

will not solve the problem of defi-

cits in the wider nickel market,

especially if nickel is side-tracked

to the battery supply chain and

away from existing consumers in

other sectors, such as the stain-

less steel industry.

“The outlook for nickel is, thus,

one of deepening deficits, falling

stocks and rising prices, with the

anticipated expansion in EV sales

likely to exacerbate the predicted

shortage in nickel until 2025.”

Although Africa is not a major

contributor to global nickel pro-

duction, key producers on the

continent include the Nkomati

mine, in South Africa – a 50:50

joint venture between diversified

miner African Rainbow Minerals

and Russia’s Norlisk Nickel

• and the Ambatovy mine, in
  Madagascar – owned by Canada’s
  Sherritt International, Japan’s
  Sumitomo and South Korea’s
  Korea Resources.
  Nickel mines are also operated
  in Zimbabwe by Africa-focused
  Asa Resources Group and plati-
  num-group metals mining com-
  panies in the country’s Great
  Dyke.

Tel: +27 11 723 6000 http://www.zestweg.com

The Zest WEG Group has been servicing the mining, infrastructure, construction

and manufacturing sectors for more than 35 years and by leveraging best

practice engineering and manufacturing capabilities, the group is able to offer a

range of standard off-the-shelf products as well as end-to-end energy solutions.

An in-depth understanding of the operational conditions found across all these

sectors and years of experience have ensured that the Zest WEG Group service

offering is fit-for purpose.

1 Overhead Lines

2 Distribution Transformers

3 Motor Control Centres

4 All Weather Outdoor Control Panels

5 Diesel Generator

6 Push Buttons and Pilot Lights

7 Motor Protective LV Switchgear

8 Direct Online Starters (DOL)

9 LV Motors and Drives

10 Invicta Vibrator Motors

11 Mini Substations

12 MV Motors

13 MV Generators

14 Automation Control Room

15 MV Switchgear

16 Tiger Ring Main Unit

17 Power Transformers

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RELIABLE
ENERGY
SOLUTION
for the entire industry.
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