Ramli Mat

Optimization and characterization of bio-oil produced by microwave assisted pyrolysis of oil palm shell waste biomass with microwave absorber

In this study, solid oil palm shell (OPS) waste biomass was subjected to microwave pyrolysis conditions with uniformly distributed coconut activated carbon (CAC) microwave absorber. The effects of CAC loading (wt%), microwave power (W) and N2 flow rate (LPM) were investigated on heating profile, bio-oil yield and its composition. Response surface methodology based on central composite design was used to study the significance of process parameters on bio-oil yield. The coefficient of determination (R(2)) for the bio-oil yield is 0.89017 indicating 89.017% of data variability is accounted to the model. The largest effect on bio-oil yield is from linear and quadratic terms of N2 flow rate. The phenol content in bio-oil is 32.24-58.09% GC-MS area. The bio-oil also contain 1,1-dimethyl hydrazine of 10.54-21.20% GC-MS area. The presence of phenol and 1,1-dimethyl hydrazine implies that the microwave pyrolysis of OPS with carbon absorber has the potential to produce valuable fuel products.

Hydrogen production from acetic acid steam reforming over bimetallic Ni-Co on La2O3 catalyst- Effect of the catalyst dilution

Catalytic steam reforming of acetic acid using bimetallic catalysts of 5 wt.% nickel and 5 wt.% cobalt supported on Lanthanum (III) oxide (La2O3) for hydrogen production was investigated in a micro fixed bed reactor. The reactor was of quartz tube with a 10 mm inside diameter. The effect of catalyst dilution on the reaction was studied. Silicon carbide was used as the dilution material. The experiments were conducted at atmospheric pressure and temperatures ranging from 500 to 700°C. The complete conversion of acetic acid to product gases has been observed at 550°C and 700°C for diluted and non-diluted catalysts respectively. It shows that catalyst dilution had a profound effect on the conversion of acetic acid at low temperature (550°C) whilst high temperature of 700°C was required for the non-diluted catalyst. The product gas distributions are similar when using both diluted and non-diluted catalysts.

Fossil fuel energy scenario in Malaysia-prospect of indigenous renewable biomass and coal resources

The fossil fuel resources, oil and Natural Gas (NG) have been playing a vital role in reshaping the socioeconomic status of many countries. The socioeconomic stability of the country is connected to sustainable fuel energy supply. The conventional fuel resources are valuable supply of finite natural energy. However, their increasingly supply and exploited production have shown great concern over fuel source depletion. Malaysias economic growth is also connected to fossil energy resources, which is continued to effects by the growing energy demand. The two power sectors, industrial and transportation remained heavily dependent on oil and NG. Among these energy sectors, the energy demand is increasing in industrial sector due to rapid growth. The life expectancy of Malaysia fossil fuel reserves is also alarming. The concern over the energy insecurity is driving the region to look for sustainable energy supply. Presently, the most critical challenge faced by energy sectors is to provide continuous energy supply and diversification of various energy resources. This paper highlights the fossil fuel energy scenario in Malaysia and life expectancy of fossil fuels. The role of indigenous biomass and coal resources is discussed which can serve as a potential source for valuable chemicals and chemical feedstock. The issues highlighted in this study is expected to garner the role of indigenous renewable biomass and coal resources by exploring energy products which can partially decrease dependence on non-renewable oil and NG resources.

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.

Microwave Assisted Pyrolysis of Waste Biomass Resources for Bio-Oil Production

The agro-industrial sector of many countries generates considerable quantity of waste biomass and potential exploitation of this reside is necessary for economic and environmental reasons. Pakistan is an agricultural based country with widespread amount of crop residue generated annually. This study utilized rice husk, sawdust and bagasse residues to investigate the effects of microwave absorber loading on process temperature, pyrolysis products, and bio-oil composition using multimode microwave pyrolysis system operated at 300W and 2.54GHz. The results indicated that pyrolysis process temperature depends on the type of waste residue and microwave absorber loading. The maximum bio-oil yield of 22.41wt%, 33.61wt% and 19.1wt% were produced at 75wt% microwave absorber loading from rice husk, sawdust and bagasse, respectively. The D-Allose of 21.95 %area, dodecanoic acid of 71.22 %area and octasiloxane of 74.50 %area under GC-MS in rice husk, sawdust and bagasse bio-oils, respectively suggests potential use as chemical feedstock. Keywords: Waste biomass; microwave absorber; microwave assisted pyrolysis; process temperature; product distribution; bio-oil composition

The Efficacy of Calcium Carbonate Scale Inhibition by Commercial Polymer Scale Inhibitors

The efficacy of calcium carbonate scale inhibition by three selected inhibitors, Polymaleic Acid (PMA), Polyamino Polyether Methylene Phosphonic Acid (PAPEMP) and Acrylic Acid-Maleic Anhydride (AA/MA) copolymer was investigated via static beaker tests at 40 °C, pH 8.50 and incubated for 20 h. The calcium carbonate scales formed in the presence and absence of inhibitors have been examined by SEM. All the above compounds were found to be an effective calcium carbonate scale inhibitor at minimum concentrations ranging from 2.0 to 6.0 ppm depending on type of compound. PMA was found to be the most effective inhibitor. The normal crystal growth of calcium carbonate has been altered in the presence of all the above compounds as observed through SEM micrograph.

Prospect of parallel biodiesel and bioethanol production from jatrophacurcas seed

This study focuses on the utilization prospect of JatrophaCurcas seed solely as transport sector renewable fuel for producing biodiesel and bioethanol in a parallel system. Diesel (biodiesel) and petrol (bioethanol as petrol additive) engine fuel could be produce from J. Curcas seed oil portion and its’ seed residue, respectively. Ultrasonic-assisted reactive extractions were used for simultaneous oil extraction and esterification/transesterification of J. Curcas seed. The use of acid/alkaline catalyst and ultrasound resulted in a completely de-oiled seed residual by extracting about 50% oil which is equivalent to the Soxhlet extraction performance. The seeds were being chemically and physically characterized with ultimate analyses and TGA for its suitability as bioethanol raw material. Ultimate analyses revealed similarity with other bioconversion feedstock having carbon and oxygen as the major chemical compositions; with slightly lower carbon content in the residuals due to the oil extraction during the in-situ process. However, TG profile exhibited better decomposition of mass in the ultrasonicated residues having easier accessible and better degradable fiber for bioethanol production process. These shown positive effects on the J. Curcasseed pre-treatment during biodiesel reactive extraction process and for further bioconversion toward bioethanol.

Study of Enhanced Reactive Extraction Process Using Ultrasonication for Jatropha curcas Seed

The purpose of this study is to investigate the feasibility and positive effects of ultrasonication toward Jatropha Curcas seed reactive extraction process. Ultrasonic-assisted oil extraction from Jatropha seed were compared with conventional stirring method of a shaker bath at varied conditions such as seed sizes (<1.0 – 4.0 mm), temperature (30 – 60°C) and time (1 – 60 min). The results revealed that a swift and complete Jatropha oil extraction can be achieved with the aid of ultrasound influenced mostly by temperature and reaction time differences. Transesterification conversion were confirmed with NMR revealing the presence of Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (FAMEs) in the solution mixture. Enhanced effect by the ultrasonication were evidenced for a better and faster extraction whilst simultaneously converting Jatropha oil into biodiesel.

Pyrolysis of solid palm waste biomass with microwave absorber under microwave irradiation

Malaysian agro-industrial sector produces considerable quantity of solid palm waste biomass and potential exploitation of this waste residue is necessary for economic and environmental aspects. The Oil Palm Shell (OPS) waste biomass was subjected to multimode microwave pyrolysis at 2.54GHz with coconut activated carbon layers. The microwave power and N2 flow rate were varied to investigate its effects on heating profile, product distribution and bio-oil composition using fixed coconut activated carbon loading. The OPS surface and bed temperature, heating rate, pyrolysis product distribution and bio-oil composition was found dependent on microwave power and N2 flow rate. The highest bio-oil yield of 31 wt% was obtained both at 300W and 600W using 4LPM. The phenol content varied from 34.02-44.42% of GC-MS area with highest value at 300W and 8LPM. Bio-oil from this study also contained 1,1-dimethyl hydrazine of 7.04-13.01 % of GC-MS area.

Influence of Hydrophilic Polymer on Pure Water Permeation, Permeability Coefficient, and Porosity of Polysulfone Blend Membranes

It is well known that membrane with hydrophobic property is a fouling membrane. Polysulfone (PSf) membrane has hydrophobic characteristic was blended with a hydrophilic polymer, cellulose acetate phthalate (CAP) in order to increase hydrophilicity property of pure PSf membrane. In this study, membrane casting solutions containing 17 wt% of polymer was prepared via wet phase inversion process. The pure PSf membrane was coded as PC-0. PSf/CAP blend membranes with blend composition of 95/5, 90/10, 85/15 and 80/20 wt% of total polymer concentration in the membrane casting solutions were marked as PC-5, PC-10, PC-15 and PC-20 respectively. All of the membranes were characterized in terms of pure water flux and permeability coefficient in order to study their hydrophilicity properties. The investigated results shows that increased of CAP composition in PSf blend membranes has increased pure water flux, permeability coefficient and porosity of the blend membrane which in turn formed membrane with anti-fouling property.