Louis Wentzel

Experience

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  Aces Caterers

  Jan 2015 - Jan 2018

  Head Bartender & Manager

  Started as a waiter at this wedding catering company but was quickly promoted to head bartender and soon after to manager due to my work ethic. I managed waiters, bartenders and setup crews and developed valuable managerial skills.

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  City of Cape Town

  Jun 2017 - Jul 2017

  Chemical Engineering Intern

  Worked as part of a group of chemical engineering students to upgrade the wastewater treatment process at Cape Flats Waste Water Treatment Works by designing an anaerobic digester and a biogas-fuelled boiler to heat the digester. The upgraded process included pH regulation and belt presses to dewater the treated sludge. Skills in process design, mass and energy balancing as well as teamwork proved to be invaluable.

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  The HeadRoom Initiative

  Jun 2018 - Jul 2018

  Chemical Engineering Intern

  Interned at The HeadRoom Initiative – an engineering consultant company in the mining industry – for four weeks during the 2018 June/July vacation. Mr Craig Sweet and I expanded his flotation circuit toolkit to include salt tracer tests to analyse the residence time distribution of the platinum flotation circuit at Sylvania Metal’s Millsell MF2 plant.Performed experiments with various syphon cell geometries to measure conductance in the flotation circuit for the residence time distribution analysis and built a water displacement tool to measure the superficial gas velocity of the flotation units. Visited Sylvania Metal’s Millsell MF2 plant in the North West Province to test two syphon cell prototypes built in Craig’s workshop and to troubleshoot rougher no.2 with superficial gas velocity profile testing. Mr Craig Sweet was an excellent mentor from whom I learnt a lot about the mining industry, consulting, and business. Show less

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  Cape Thoroughbred Sales & Klawervlei Stud

  Jan 2019 - Jan 2019

  Chauffeur

  Chauffeured clients and personnel attending the Cape Thoroughbred Sales in Cape Town as well as the Klawervlei Stud auction outside Bonnievale. I am a responsible driver with a professional driving permit.

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  Stellenbosch University

  Jun 2021 - Mar 2022

  Graduated cum laude with a master's degree in Chemical Engineering.My research focused on the modelling and prototyping of a biogas-fueled refrigeration cycle, designed to keep food fresh and reduce post-harvest losses in rural food value chains without the need for electricity.Successfully modified an absorption refrigerator to run on biogas. This involved the design and installation of a specialized biogas burner, enabling efficient operation of the refrigerator. I then used this prototype to generate novel experimental data.To assess the biogas production of different biomass materials during anaerobic digestion, I executed internationally standardized methods with precision. By combining the results of these experiments, I developed a comprehensive model for the biogas-fueled refrigeration cycle. Throughout this research, I found that the engineering and administrative skills I acquired during my undergraduate studies played a vital role in tackling the complex challenges encountered. Show less Was the teaching assistant for this bio-energy module in which postgraduate students developed and critically evaluated project proposals in bio-energy production (biogas, biodiesel, bioethanol and pyrolysis). The module introduced various bio-energy conversion technologies and focused on economic-, social- and environmental feasibility. My responsibilities included setting up tutorials and a questionnaire as well as helping postgraduate students to understand bio-energy fundamentals during tutorial sessions. Show less

  • Masters Graduate

    Feb 2020 - Mar 2022

  • Undergraduate Engineering Chemistry Tutor

    Feb 2020 - Nov 2021

  • Postgraduate Bio-energy Teaching Assistant

    Jun 2021 - Sept 2021
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  NEWCARBON

  Jan 2022 - Nov 2022

  Process Engineer

  NewCarbon, an R&D company, aims to establish sustainable and profitable environments for community upliftment around various pyrolysis products such as activated bio-carbon, biochar, wood vinegar and bio-oil.Contributed to the design, commissioning and operation of gasification, torrefaction, pyrolysis, comminution, sieving, powder milling and packaging processes. Compiled production procedure checklists for the pyrolysis of various feedstocks (pine, eucalyptus, black wattle, Namibian hardwood charcoal and macadamia nutshells). Collected and interpreted process data to make conclusions and recommendations for process design and optimisation.Collaborated with departments like Mechanical Engineering, Electrical and Instrumentation Engineering, Fabrication, Marketing, Procurement and New Product Development in a technical and scientific capacity. Compiled punch lists and coordinated with engineers, artisans and the procurement team to ensure their timely execution.Worked closely with the New Product Development team to establish experimental protocols for trials involving biochar, bio-carbon (activated & non-activated) and wood vinegar in animal feed, soil amendment, herbicide and pesticide trialing. Prepared and dispatched product samples (bio-carbon, biochar, wood vinegar and bio-oil) for external analysis.Researched innovative approaches to catalytic cracking of tar, which is a significant challenge in pyrolysis processes, and oversaw the pilot catalytic unit prototype. Designed the layout of an onsite laboratory for research and development as well as quality control (ISO9001). Calibrated, operated and maintained gas analysers, chaired new product development and procurement meetings and contributed to the writing of the NewCarbon Project Definition Document. Show less

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  G4eps Pty Ltd

  Nov 2022 - now

  Process Engineer

  Joined G4 Engineering & Project Services and The HeadRoom Initiative to collaborate with experienced process and mechanical engineers, contributing to mining and industrial process design, commissioning, optimisation and operation.Responsibilities include developing process block flow diagrams, conducting mass balances and sizing equipment and pipelines. Working closely with draughtspersons, I prepare process design drawings like Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs) and Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs).Additionally, I write process engineering support documentation like Process Design Criteria, Control Philosophies, equipment datasheets, equipment lists, pipeline schedules and valve schedules. Working alongside experienced engineers, I contribute during plant commissioning by providing on-site assistance and preparing commissioning plans and schedules.I am responsible for conducting process sampling, supervising plant-based testwork, surveying campaigns, interpreting results and developing spreadsheet-based tools for process-related calculations. Alongside experienced engineers, I also assist in the development of tender documents, ensuring accuracy and adherence to project requirements.This fantastic opportunity allows me to engage in all project stages, from feasibility to commissioning, and to make a valuable contribution to the field. Show less