Kevin Swamy, who is currently a systems engineer at SAPPI Tugela, gave a well structured and interesting talk to members and visitors at the last technology meeting which was held at UKZN. He gave the group an overview of their steam distribution system and how the various types of boiler fitted in to the overall scheme before describing how fuzzy logic had been developed to improve the combustion efficiency of one of their water tube boilers. Their system currently has shown significant benefit using only existing measurements; steam demand, flue gas oxygen content and flue gas particulate loading, to regulate the FD fan damper. Fuzzy logic has enabled them to achieve improved efficiency without adding the complexity of measuring the coal feed rate to the boiler. This is the first phase of their programme to improve boiler efficiency and reduce particle emissions from their coal fired boilers.
Kevin Swamy (left) with John Owen-Ellis
Forthcoming attractions
Our next Technology evening will be held on the first Wednesday in August. Bruce Barratt from Dimension Data will be giving a presentation on industrial networking.
SAIMC Zambia SAIMC
SAIMC News
SAIMC Zambia marked its 21st anniversary with the annual SAIMC Banquet, held on 29 November 2025 at Mukwa Lodge in Kitwe, Zambia.
Read more...SAIMC: Durban branch SAIMC
SAIMC
The SAIMC Durban Branch closed off its 2025 technology meetings with an exceptionally well-attended session on selecting and applying signal transducers.
Read more...SAIMC: Durban year-end dinner SAIMC
SAIMC
The SAIMC Durban branch hosted its much-anticipated annual year-end dinner at the Mount Edgecombe Country Club on 22 November 2025. Durban’s summer weather provided the perfect backdrop for a warm, ...
Read more...Durban branch
SAIMC
At the Durban branch of the SAIMC held in October, Mitch Naidoo took the attendees on an interesting journey on Asset Health Management: Tracking The Pulse Of Your Plant.
Read more...SAIMC: Durban branch SAIMC
SAIMC
At the Durban branch of the SAIMC held in October, Mitch Naidoo took the attendees on an interesting journey on Asset Health Management: Tracking The Pulse Of Your Plant.
Read more...SAIMC: Johannesburg branch SAIMC
SAIMC
The SAIMC Johannesburg Branch technical evening was hosted by Proconics Advanced Solutions. The topic of the session was ‘Turning Big 3D Data into Actionable Engineering Insights – Challenges and Smart Solutions’.
Read more...SAIMC User Advisory Council Annual Summit 2025 SAIMC
SAIMC
October 2025 marked a pivotal moment for the South African automation and manufacturing community as the SAIMC User Advisory Council hosted its first annual summit under the SAIMC banner.
Read more...SAIMC: Johannesburg
SAIMC
The Johannesburg Branch of the SAIMC hosted a successful Technology Evening on 10 September. The event was well attended and generously sponsored by Phoenix Contact.
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