Haslenda Hashim

SAHPPA: a novel power pinch analysis approach for the design of off-grid hybrid energy systems

This work proposes a novel approach called stand-alone hybrid system power pinch analysis (SAHPPA), which is particularly applicable for the design of off-grid distributed energy generation systems. The enhanced graphical tool employs new ways of utilising the recently introduced demand composite curve and supply composite curve while honouring and adapting fundamental energy systems engineering concepts. The SAHPPA method is capable of optimising the capacity of both the power generators and energy storage for biomass (i.e. non-intermittent) and solar photovoltaic (i.e. intermittent) energy technologies, which is a contribution to the emerging area of power pinch analysis. In addition, the procedure considers all possible efficiency losses in the overall system encompassing the charging–discharging and current inversion processes.

A multi-period model for optimal planning of an integrated, resource-efficient rice mill

Abstract Rice is one of the worlds most important staple foods. Previous studies have focused on the yield improvement for an individual rice mill. There is a need to develop a framework to address the multitude of variables influencing the design of a rice mill complex, which include fluctuating thermal and electrical energy demands, diverse energy supply options, fluctuating product demands, resource availability and product degradation. The objective of this study is to develop a framework for the optimal design and planning of the product portfolio and processing route of an integrated, resource-efficient (IRE) rice mill complex. The objective function is to maximise the profitability of the rice mill by using the developed multi-period mathematical model. Sensitivity analysis was performed on the case study to evaluate the impact of fluctuating product demands, product prices and electricity cost on the production throughput, process configuration and profitability of the IRE rice mill complex.

Design of green diesel from biofuels using computer aided technique

This paper presents a systematic computer aided technique to design a sustainable (safe, environmentally friendly and economical) tailor-made “green diesel” blend that satisfies a set of desirable target properties. In this work, the software, Integrated Computer Aided System (ICAS) was used to predict the green diesel properties. The blending model is formulated to identify a set of feasible mixture blends that satisfy the desirable target properties such as density and viscosity. The blend design problem is formulated as an NLP problem and solved through GAMS. Application of the systematic technique yields several promising green diesel blends. Four final candidate blends were selected based on three key criterion, i.e. cost, sulfur content and carbon dioxide emissions. The results show that the best diesel contains 82.4% diesel, 16.6% butanol and 1% butyl levulinate. This diesel blend contributes to the reduction of CO2 emission and sulfur content by up to 15% and 17%, respectively.

Optimal operation of a distributed energy generation system for a sustainable palm oil-based eco-community.

Abstract The palm oil industry potentially can be environmentally sustainable through utilizing the vast availability of biomass residues from palm oil mills as renewable energy sources. This work addresses the optimal operation of a combined bioenergy and solar PV distributed energy generation system to meet the electricity and heat demands of an eco-community comprising a palm oil mill and its surrounding residential community. A multiperiod mixed-integer linear programming planning and scheduling model is formulated on an hourly basis that optimally selects the power generation mix from among available biomass, biogas, and solar energy resources with consideration for energy storage and load shifting. A multiscenario approach is employed that considers scenarios in the form of many possible weather conditions and various energy profiles under varying mill operation modes and residential electricity consumption. The proposed approach is demonstrated on a realistic case study for a palm oil mill in the Iskandar Malaysia economic development region. The computational results indicate that biomass-based resource is the preferred renewable energy to be implemented due to the high cost associated with solar PV. As well, load shifting and energy storage can be feasibly deployed for demand peak shaving particularly for solar PV systems.

Review of microalgae growth in palm oil mill effluent for lipid production

Wastewater treatment using microalgae is an eco-friendly process without secondary pollution. During the process, the wastewater produced is reused, which allows efficient nutrient recycling. This review provides constructive information to enable progress of competent technology for microalgae based productions in palm oil mill effluent (POME). The characteristics of POME that will be described in this paper would be a source of pollution in water if discharged directly. Since microalgae have great potential to be isolated and cultivated in POME, previous studies to improve POME based culture media are still limited. Microalgae are highly competent in diminishing CO2 emissions and reducing the organic components in POME. In conclusion, biological treatments by using microalgae discussed in this paper and the lipid production from microalgae biomass can be used as an alternative for energy production. The POME treatment with microalgae may meet the standards or limits before being discharged into the water body.

Tailor-Made Green Diesel Blends Design using a Decomposition-Based Computer-Aided Approach

In this study, the tailor-made green diesel blend design problem is mathematically formulated and solved by a decomposition-based computer-aided approach. The green diesel design problem is solved in three main stages to identify the feasible green diesel blend candidates that meet the product property constraints (density, kinematic viscosity, cetane number, higher heating value and flash point) with the desired performance criteria. An optional additives identification step is introduced to enhance the blends. The shortlisted green diesel blends are evaluated on the basis of cost, cetane number and higher heating value. To ensure that the shortlisted candidates have acceptable functional reliability, their compatibility with the engine compartment, engine performance, and emission requirements should be addressed in future works.

Mobilising the potential towards low-carbon emissions society in Asia

Emission of CO2, CH4, and NOx is among the main sources of greenhouse gases (GHGs) emitted through human activities such as fossil fuels combustion for power, heat and transportation, industrial processes, and land-use change. Low-carbon emission has become synonymous with GHG emission, which is often expressed in t CO2 eq. as derived from the major GHG. However, CO2 emission from fossil fuel constitutes just about 2/3 of GHGs. Low-carbon emission has received high publicity in recent years as a major reason for the potential mitigation of climate change. Achieving low GHG emission targets while decoupling the economic growth from high emissions, pollution, and resource use is desirable. This paper reviews the low-carbon emissions initiatives to develop resilient growth strategies to reduce GHG emissions in Asia and beyond. Four major initiatives, including the modelling of GHG emission and mitigation initiative; sustainable energy systems; sustainable waste management; and education and community outreach, are reviewed for mobilising the potential towards low-carbon emissions societies in Asia. Cooperation from major stakeholders, e.g. government, policy makers, financial institutions, private investors, industrial, commercial sector, residential, has been needed towards realising the goal.

Integrated biomass and solar town concept for smart eco-village

Integrated Biomass and Solar Town Concept for Smart Eco-Village Haslenda Hashim*, Wai Shin Ho, Jeng Shiun Lim, Sandro Macchietto Process System Engineering Center (PROSPECT), Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 UTM Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia Centre for Process Systems Engineering , Imperial College London, Roderic Hill Building, South Kensington Campus, London, SW7 2AZ haslenda@cheme.utm.my

Towards low carbon society in Iskandar Malaysia: Implementation and feasibility of community organic waste composting

Rapid population growth and urbanisation have generated large amount of municipal solid waste (MSW) in many cities. Up to 40-60% of Malaysias MSW is reported to be food waste where such waste is highly putrescible and can cause bad odour and public health issue if its disposal is delayed. In this study, the implementation of community composting in a village within Iskandar Malaysia is presented as a case study to showcase effective MSW management and mitigation of GHG emission. The selected village, Felda Taib Andak (FTA), is located within a palm oil plantation and a crude palm oil processing mill. This project showcases a community-composting prototype to compost food and oil palm wastes into high quality compost. The objective of this article is to highlight the economic and environment impacts of a community-based composting project to the key stakeholders in the community, including residents, oil palm plantation owners and palm oil mill operators by comparing three different scenarios, through a life cycle approach, in terms of the greenhouse gas emission and cost benefit analysis. First scenario is the baseline case, where all the domestic waste is sent to landfill site. In the second scenario, a small-scale centralised composting project was implemented. In the third scenario, the data obtained from Scenario 2 was used to do a projection on the GHG emission and costing analysis for a pilot-scale centralised composting plant. The study showed a reduction potential of 71.64% on GHG emission through the diversion of food waste from landfill, compost utilisation and significant revenue from the compost sale in Scenario 3. This thus provided better insight into the feasibility and desirability in implementing a pilot-scale centralised composting plant for a sub-urban community in Malaysia to achieve a low carbon and self-sustainable society, in terms of environment and economic aspects.

Renewable energy and carbon reduction potentials of municipal solid waste in MALAYSIA

Release of green house gases (GHGs) from landfills as a result of ineffective management of those landfills is a serious environmental problem especially in developing countries. The landfill gas (LFG) thus released is a potential resource that can be converted to renewable energy. LFG is made up majorly of methane and carbon dioxide and produced by anaerobic biodegradation processes of municipal solid waste in landfills. This study estimates the amount of this methane emitted from landfills and its potential economic benefits. Using the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) methodology, in 2002, methane emission of 251,000 tonnes per year was estimated for Peninsular Malaysia based on 16,988 tonnes per day of municipal solid waste generated. This can generate 1.5 billion kWh of electricity per year worth over RM 450 million (US