Independent and anonymous Whistle Blowers programme implemented

We are excited to announce the engagement of Whistle Blowers (Pty) Ltd to provide an independent anonymous reporting channel for suspicious or unethical activities,, effective from June 1, 2023. This initiative is a direct response to audit requirements and further strengthens our commitment to fostering transparency, accountability, and ethical practices within our organization.

The Whistle Blower programme will operate alongside our existing internal reporting mechanisms which are underscored by the company’s 36 human resources policies (on SharePoint) and our open-door management policy which allows employees to report anything suspicious to their or a HOD. These channels have served us well, but we recognise the importance of providing an avenue for reporting unethical or suspicious behaviour. To ensure a seamless transition, training on the Whistle Blower reporting system will be conducted throughout the first three weeks of June. We encourage all employees to participate in these training sessions to familiarise themselves with the various reporting channels available. The Whistle Blower programme offers multiple reporting options designed to accommodate different preferences and ensure anonymity.

You can report concerns in one of the following ways:

Toll-Free Number: 0800 111 602

Email: alconcp@whistleblowing.co.za

WhatsApp Chatbot & Call

Toll-Free Fax: 0800 212 689

Postal:

FREEPOST KZN665, MUSGRAVE, 4062

SMS: 33490

Online: www.whistleblowing.co.za

Mobile APP: Available on the Google Play and Apple App stores .

Rest assured that your identity will be protected, and strict measures are in place to prevent any form of retaliation against whistle-blowers. Every report received through the Whistle Blower programme will be treated with the utmost confidentiality, and thorough investigations will be conducted.

We believe that by implementing this programme, we are taking proactive steps towards maintaining a culture of integrity and upholding the highest ethical standards at AlcoNCP.

Driving AlcoNCP’s efficiency and reliability

It doesn’t take much to get AlcoNCP project engineer Lumeshni Govender talking about the projects aimed at improving the company’s efficiency and reliability. Lumi, as she is affectionately known, passionately shares the latest insight on these projects.

Effluent Project (Picture a)

A flocculation process is being introduced to ensure our effluent treatment plant is more robust to cope with normal and upset process conditions. This involves directing two high solids effluent streams, Col521 spent feints and acid condensate, to the new process.

The former evaporation plant nitric tank will be used as a pH correction and coagulant tank in which vigorous mixing will occur. The buffer tank will be repurposed as the flocculation tank for solids settling and supernatant overflow to the effluent plant. The primary benefit of the project is suspended and settleable solids reduction, however, the added advantage of COD reduction has also been observed. Aeration trials are in the pipeline to further reduce COD which will help to decrease effluent costs.

Water Security Project (Picture b)

In 2022, there were several incidents in which the municipality shut off the water supply to the site. The production and power plant became very resourceful during those incidents in preventing plant shutdown, but operating under those strained conditions was not sustainable for long periods. The current breakwater storage tank is only 23kl and does not provide adequate operating time to run isolated from the municipality. This led to the Water Security Project in which Molasses Tank 3 was identified for conversion to water storage. This tank will provide AlcoNCP with 3-4 days of water storage, a massive upgrade from the current 14min storage. Over the past 6 months, the molasses tank was emptied and cleaned. Later this year the change-over will be done in making this tank the new breakwater tank. Not only is it a big advantage for production, but it is also important for safety as this water will also be used as a backup for fire water on site.

Water Saving Project (Picture c)

During the February shutdown, a modification was done to reuse cooling water as seal water at evaps. This is currently saving AlcoNCP 3000l/h in water and effluent. It is anticipated additional water will be saved at the cooling towers once critical instrumentation is automated and added to the DCS. This will allow operators to better monitor and control the towers.

Reverse Osmosis Project

Reverse Osmosis (RO) is also being explored whereby waste streams from the distillation process, called spent feints, would be fed to the RO plant and cleaned up to demineralised water quality. A sampling campaign was launched in February with detailed elemental analysis conducted on the waste streams. Based on the results, technology providers have designed a plant bespoke to AlcoNCP’s stream quality. The feasibility of the project is being evaluated.

Degassing scrubber (Picture d)

Degassing is very important for the distillery as it can affect product quality. Due to mash carryover in the degassing vapours from the beer column, degassing plate heat exchanger HTR515 would often experience blockages. As a solution, a degassing scrubber was installed and commissioned during the recent April shutdown. The degassed vapours now pass through the scrubber first where it is washed with alcohol, and then enters degassing heat exchanger HTR515. Positive results have already been observed since the project was commissioned as the desired degassing flow rates are now being maintained, indicating that the heat exchanger is staying clean.

Deaerator Loop Seal Water Recovery (Picture e)

The deaerator is used to eliminate oxygen and heat the water that goes into the boiler. Before the shutdown, about 25 kilolitres of water per day were lost from the deaerator through the loop seal. However, during the shutdown, a change was made to redirect the excess water from the deaerator to the Ogden tank, which is then recycled back to the hotwell. This modification allows for the recovery of approximately 25 kilolitres of water per day, which is heated to 85°C. As a result, it is estimated that this modification will result in annual savings of about R909,791.21 in terms of water, energy, and effluent.