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Characterisation of silica-alumina ratio in ceramic porcelain materials
No full textThis research studies the characterisation of ceramic porcelain materials influenced by different ratio addition of alumina and silica. First, the mineralogical and chemical composition of ceramic porcelain materials were determined. Next, ceramic porcelain fabricated with different quantities of alumina-silica addition (25wt% of feldspar, 20wt. % of kaolin, 50wt. % of alumina and 0wt. % of silica) followed by increasing concentration of silica and decreasing concentration of alumina. These ceramic porcelain samples were fired at 900°C sintering temperature. The effect of different addition ratio of alumina-silica on the technological behaviour of the ceramic porcelain materials was assessed by X-Ray diffraction test, water absorption method, firing shrinkage values, density and apparent porosity. The results shown that the XRD diffraction pattern exhibited good phase changes in A30S20 composition. The water absorption rate was the highest in the same composition with 15.79 %, high density and highest apparent porosity, 2.83% compared to all other results. Based on the results, the structural and physical properties of ceramic porcelain with 30wt% alumina and 20wt% silica (A30S20) is identified as ideal composition for ceramic porcelain industry
Preparation, characterization and optimization of biochar from oil palm empty fruit bunch
No full textFossil fuel supply is limited and they will be depleted one day. Alternative fuels such as hydrogen and biomass are essential and play a huge role together with the natural gas in the changeover to renewable energies. In this study, the production of biofuels from Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches (OPEFB) has been used to identify the potential of pyrolysis biochar as a renewable energy source through thermochemical routes. The biochar was produced using a furnace at holding temperatures of 400, 500 and 600 oC and residence time at 15, 30 and 45 minutes. This research focused on the analysis of mass yield and optimization using surface response methodology (RSM), the Box-Behnken Model and the analysis of the bonding behaviour of pyrolysis OPEFB biochar due to its properties and functional groups. The raw OPEFB and product (biochar) were characterized usingFourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to find the functional groups. The optimum conditions suggested by Design Expert 7.1.6 are at 662.50 μm of particle size,401.67 °C of holding temperature and 19.25 min of residence time with 90.6632 % mass yield in order to obtain the most efficient OPEFB biochar. Whereas, the actual experiment showed a mass yield of 92.64 % which indicates an excellent match for values of biochar in predicted and experimental results
Characterization of Pink Pigmented Facultative Methylotrophs (PPFMs) from Palm oil (Elaeis guineensis) Leaves
No full textMethylobacterium strains are ubiquitous in the environment especially in the phyllosphere of plants. Four Methylobacterium strains have been isolated previously; EPPM1 (Unidentified), ENPM1 (Methylobacterium radiotolerans),ENPM (Methylobacterium aeroletum), and ENPM3 (Methylobacterium radiotolerans). All four strains were characterized to determine their ability in promoting the plant growth for significant use in biofertilizer. The microbes with plant growth promoting (PGP) attributes have emerged as an important and promising tool for sustainable agriculture. The evaluation of the production of Indole acetic acid (IAA) by Methylobacterium sp. indicated the isolates can produce IAA by using different concentrations of L-tryptophan as a precursor. In addition, IAA production rate of isolates increased with the increasing concentration of L-tryptophan. The ability of nitrogen fixation by Methylobacterium sp. isolates was determined using a qualitative technique on two different medium; Burks’s and Jensen resulted three of the selected isolates (ENPM1, ENPM2, ENPM3) able to fix nitrogen. The determination of phosphate solubilization by Methylobacterium sp. Isolates was done using two types of medium; NBRIP and Pikovskaya’s. Measurement of Solubilization Index (SI) on agar plate showed that ENPM1, ENPM2 and ENPM3 strains have the ability to perform phosphate solubilization activity using inorganic TCP. Phosphate assay was done using vanadate molybdate reagent using inorganic TCP. All four isolates have ability to solubilise inorganic phosphate and EPPM1 recorded the highest capability in NBRIP and Pikovskaya’s broth followed by ENPM3, ENPM2, and ENPM1. Solubilization of inorganic phosphate in Pikovskaya’s showed a higher value in all isolates compares to NBRIP. So the Methylobacterium sp. strains analysed had a promising potential as plant growth promoting bacteria and be used as biofertilizer
The effect of high dosage of starch in Sesbania grandiflora pulp in improving the paper properties
No full textCurrently pulp and paper industry are facing challenges from strict environmental law enforcement and limitation of resources. New pulpwood resources and biochemical are required to supply growing demand for paper and paper products without causing too many pollutions. Sesbania grandiflora commonly known as Agathi is a fast growing pulpwood and starch is a common dry strength additive and sizing agent. This paper aims to study the effect of different consistency of starch on the handsheets made from Sesbania grandiflora pulp. The kraft pulp pulped from S.grandiflora were added with starch of 2%, 4%, 6% and 8% starch consistency based on the pulp weight. 0% served as blank test. The physical and mechanical properties, water absorbency and pulp freeness were evaluated according to TAPPI standard. The mechanical properties were enhanced at 8% starch consistency but exhibit a drop in 6%. The water absorbency and freeness showed hydrophilic properties with increasing starch consistency. In conclusion, certain mechanical properties in Sesbania grandiflora are able to improve using starch however, starch are not suitable to hinder water absorptiveness and lowering the drainage rate of Sesbania grandiflora pulp
The effects of drying temperatures on the preservative retention and penetration of rubberwood
No full textRubberwood is highly susceptible to fungus and other bio deteriorating organisms attack. In order to fulfil the demand of rubberwood in wood-based industry, higher quality of rubberwood that is less susceptible to bio deteriorating organisms attack is needed. Proper treatment is needed to increase the resistance of the wood towards external conditions. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of drying temperature on the preservative retention and penetration of rubberwood. The objective of this study was to find the optimum drying temperature at which the preservative could penetrate sufficiently into the wood. Also, the findings were aimed to provide basic information regarding the effects of drying temperature on preservative treatability of rubberwood. Rubberwood was dried under air-drying condition, at a constant temperature of 60, 80 and 100°C with controlled RH, and at temperature of 120°C to a final MC of 12%. After drying, the wood was then treated with copper azole preservative. The results showed that there was a significant effect of on the preservative retention and penetration of rubberwood at different drying temperatures. It was found that the optimum drying temperature for rubberwood to achieve maximum preservative retention and penetration was at 100°C with controlled RH of 85%
PRODUCTION of cellulose bioplastics derived from bamboo (Bamb Usa Vulgaris)
No full textThis study summarized the research on the production of cellulose bioplastics from bamboo (Barnbusa vulgaris). Cellulose from bamboo were a good renewable material for the substitution of the conventional polymer for the production of plastics. In this research work, bamboo were treated by using Kraft methods and alkali treatment to obtain the cellulose. PLA acts as matrix while PBAT acts as plasticizer and cellulose acts as filler in the production of bioplastics. The determination for the functional group in this bioplastics was carried out by using FTIR. Meanwhile, the mechanical properties of different percentage of cellulose bioplastics were determined by using tensile strength test. Sample of PLA/PBAT/cellulose bioplastics with the cellulose content 0% and 3% showed the excellent results for tensile strength which the value are 11.052 N/mm2 and 9.591 N/mm2, while the sample of cellulose 9% showed poor result in tensile strength which the value are 0.564 N/mm2 (PLA/cellulose) and 2.038 N/mm2 (PLA/PBAT/cellulose). This indicates that the increased in the cellulose content caused the reduction in the tensile strength due to the excessive fiber density in the bioplastics. On the other hand, the water absorption properties of the bioplastics were determined by using water absorption test. Sample with cellulose 9% absorbed the highest amount of water with 5.991% (PLA/cellulose) and 12.69% (PLA/PBAT/cellulose) of the total water absorption. The percentage of water absorption increased as the cellulose increased. In addition, the biodegradability of the bioplastics was determined by using biodegradation test. Sample with cellulose 9% showed the greater mass loss compared to the other samples. However, samples with 3% of cellulose also showed the ability to decompose rapidly with the total mass loss of 3.28% (PLAJcellulose) and 2.07% (PLA/PBAT/cellulose). This indicates as the cellulose content increased, the decomposition of bioplastics is also increased. As a conclusion, sample with 3% of cellulose content exhibits an excellent properties of bioplastics due to the high tensile strength, good water resistance and fast biodegradation
Study on the effect of different drying temperatures on preservative treatability of Acacia Mangium
No full textThis research study on the treatability of Acacia mangium specimen with the waterborne preservative copper azole (CuAz) that were dried under air-dry condition, temperature of 60, 80, 100 and 120°C respectively. The relative humidity (RH) during drying was set in order to allowed the specimens to achieved equilibrium moisture content (EMC) of 12% except for the specimens dried under air-dry condition and 120 °C where RH are uncontrollable under these conditions. Specimens dried under temperature of 120°C shows the best drying properties in term of drying time when compared with others drying condition. The average drying time of the specimens dried under air-drying condition, temperature of 60, 80, 100 and 120 °C was 1583, 826, 214 ,154, and 71 hours respectively. In case of preservative treatability, the specimens dried under temperature of 100°C resulted in the highest preservative retention and penetration when compared with others specimens that dried under different drying conditions in this study. The average preservative retention of the specimen dried under air-drying condition, temperature of 60, 80, 100 and 120 °C was 45.07, 43.59, 58.74, 121.69 and 71.94 kg/m3, respectively
Geological mapping in Gua Musang and evaluation of seawater intrusion in shallow aquifer of Kemumin, Kota Bharu using integrated geophysical & geochemical methods
Get PDFThis study focus on geological mapping of Lojing, Gua Musang and evaluation of seawater intrusion in shallow aquifer of Kemumin, Kota Bharu that is located near the shoreline using integrated geophysical and geochemical methods. Geological map was produced on 1 : 25,000 scale by conducting traversing, field observation and petrographic study. Lithology mainly composed of mudstone, quartzite and alluvium unit in the study area. Meanwhile, seawater intrusion in shallow aquifers can pose serious issue as it can be considered as contamination of groundwater. Therefore, integrated approach is applied using Electrical Resistivity Imaging (ERI) method was used by using ABEM Terrameter LS of 200 meter line with 41 electrodes and 5 meter spacing to produce a 2D imaging of the subsurface using RES2DINV software. The aforementioned method than was integrated with in situ geochemical analysis to gather data with the parameters such as pH, temperature, salinity, turbidity, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Total Suspended Solids (TSS) and Electrical Conductivity (EC) and laboratory analysis such as Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) and titration analysis in five well locations. A total of three survey line were conducted by applying Wenner, Schlumberger and Pole-dipole array. Based on resistivity profile, only two locations of survey line showing seawater intrusion at approximately 5 to 20 meter depth. Meanwhile, all the groundwater samples are safe to use as the graphical data was compared with the National Guideline of Raw Water Quality Standards by Ministry of Health Malaysia. From the chemical result, samples collected near the shoreline (AT1, AT3, AT7 and AT8) show high salinity value
Geology and urban analysis of Gua Musang city by using GIS
Get PDFGeological study in Gua Musang City covers lithology, geological composition, stratigraphy geomorphology and petrography. The study objective is to generate the 1:30000 Geological Map of Gua Musang City, to create flood hazard map for Gua Musang City, to produce safety map for Gua Musang City. The fieldwork and laboratory analyses have been carried out in this research. Aspects included in fieldwork were lithological analysis for all unit stones, geomorphology and structural geology discovered. Petrography analysis was conducted during this study using the samples taken from the fieldwork. The rock unit found in the study area is granite, limestone, marble, shale, slate, mylonite, and phyllite. Flood hazard is very dangerous to urban area. Looking back to the big Yellow Flood of 2014, plenty of losses was counted and injury was beyond counting. Therefore, a safety map was supposed to be produced to guide the responsible parties to have better exposure about flood hazard. Citizens should be able to be alerted by the authority. A safety map will highlight about a safer choices for urbanization, to avoid the flood hazard. Thus, the fatality can be reduced greatly
Geology and geochemistry of lava types in Lembang, West Java, Indonesia
Get PDFThis research study is conducted in Lembang, West Java, Indonesia. West Java is a part of Java Island which is believed to locate in the transitional zone between oblique subduction in Sumatra and orthogonal subduction at the eastern part of West Java that contribute to the series of volcanism in West Java. At least four volcanic complexes present at the West Java includes Galunggung-Tangkuban Parahu complex. The lithology of the study area is composed of the eruption products of Mount Tangkuban Parahu and its surrounding volcanoes. Mount Tangkuban Parahu is located within Sunda caldera, which is formed from the catastrophic phenomena, the collapsed of the summit of the giant Sunda volcano. The collapsed of the giant Sunda caldera caused the formation of major fault in the West Java known as Lembang fault with the total extends of 29 km. The research area had covered a part of Lembang fault which lies from East to West direction. This volcano-tectonic activity caused the geomorphological changes in the regional scale. Geological mapping is conducted by covering the area about 25 km2 in Lembang in order to produce the detail geological map and lava study of the research area. Lithology, geomorphology, stratigraphy and structural geology of the study area are been observed and recorded. The raw data of geological mapping is analysed using ArcGIS software and rose diagram software for the geological part. The study area consists of andesite of the Lembang fault scarp, the older volcanic breccia, basaltic lava, young volcanic breccia and tuff units. For the specification part, the five rocks samples are been collected which indicate two types of lava found in the study area, basaltic lava and andesite lava. These five samples are analysed using XRF analysis and been interpret by GCDkit 6.0 software. Based on the interpretation using TAS, Si02-K20 plot and Harker trends diagram, these two types of lava are represent a same magma suite which is talc-alkaline suite but different magma sources