Sasol  (Page 4/4)

1. Explain what is meant by a 'risk assessment'.
2. Imagine that you have been asked to conduct a risk assessment of the Sasol/Lurgi gasification process. What information would you need to know in order to do this assessment?
3. In groups, discuss the importance of each of the following in ensuring the safety of workers in the chemical industry:
   • employing experienced Safety, Health and Environment personnel
   • regular training to identify hazards
   • equipment maintenance and routine checks
4. What other precautions would you add to this list to make sure that working conditions are safe?

Sasol and the environment

From its humble beginnings in 1950, Sasol has grown to become a major contributor towards the South African economy. Today, the industry produces more than 150 000 barrels of fuels and petrochemicals per day, and meets more than 40% of South Africa's liquid fuel requirements. In total, more than 200 fuel and chemical products are manufactured at Sasolburg and Secunda, and these products are exported to over 70 countries worldwide. This huge success is largely due to Sasol's ability to diversify its product base. The industry has also helped to provide about 170 000 jobs in South Africa, and contributes around R40 billion to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

However, despite these obvious benefits, there are always environmental costs associated with industry. Apart from the vast quantities of resources that are needed in order for the industry to operate, the production process itself produces waste products and pollutants.

Consumption of resources

Any industry will always use up huge amounts of resources in order to function effectively, and the chemical industry is no exception. In order for an industry to operate, some of the major resources that are needed are energy to drive many of the processes, water , either as a coolant or as part of a process and land for mining or operations.

Refer to the data table below which shows Sasol's water use between 2002 and 2005 ( Sasol Sustainable Development Report 2005 ), and answer the questions that follow.

1. Explain what is meant by 'potable' water.
2. Describe the trend in Sasol's water use that you see in the above statistics.
3. Suggest possible reasons for this trend.
4. List some of the environmental impacts of using large amounts of river water for industry.
5. Suggest ways in which these impacts could be reduced

Industry and the environment

Large amounts of gases and pollutants are released during production, and when the fuels themselves are used. Refer to the table below, which shows greenhouse gas and atmospheric pollution data for Sasol between 2002 and 2005, and then answer the questions that follow. ( Source: Sasol Sustainable Development Report 2005 )

1. Draw line graphs to show how the quantity of each pollutant produced has changed between 2002 and 2005.
2. Describe what you see in the graphs, and suggest a reason for this trend.
3. Explain what is meant by each of the following terms:
   1. greenhouse gas
   2. global warming
4. Describe some of the possible effects of global warming.
5. When sulfur dioxide is present in the atmosphere, it may react with water vapour to produce sulfuric acid . In the same way, nitrogen dioxide and water vapour react to form nitric acid . These reactions in the atmosphere may cause acid rain . Outline some of the possible consequences of acid rain.
6. Many industries are major contributors towards environmental problems such as global warming, environmental pollution, over-use of resources and acid rain. Industries are in a difficult position: On one hand they must meet the ever increasing demands of society, and on the other, they must achieve this with as little environmental impact as possible. This is a huge challenge.
   • Work in groups of 3-4 to discuss ways in which industries could be encouraged (or in some cases forced) to reduce their environmental impact.
   • Elect a spokesperson for each group, who will present your ideas to the class.
   • Are the ideas suggested by each group practical?
   • How easy or difficult do you think it would be to implement these ideas in South Africa?