Now showing 1 - 10 of 17
  • Publication
    Sulfur dioxide removal by calcium-modified fibrous KCC-1 mesoporous silica: kinetics, thermodynamics, isotherm and mass transfer mechanism
    ( 2022-04-01)
    Hanif M.A.
    ;
    ; ; ;
    Tuan Abdullah T.A.
    ;
    Jalil A.A.
    The removal of sulfur dioxide from industrial flue gas through dry flue gas desulfurization method commonly involves the use of adsorption process with porous sorbent. The efficiency of this process is highly dependent on the adsorption capacity and the adsorption rate of SO2 onto the sorbent materials. The use of KCC-1 mesoporous silica modified with calcium metal additives (Ca/KCC-1) in SO2 adsorption is examined in a fixed bed reactor system. The adsorption capacity of Ca/KCC-1 is found to be critically governed by the reaction temperature and inlet SO2 concentration where low values of both parameters are favorable to achieve the highest adsorption capacity of 3241.94 mg SO2/g sorbent. SO2 molecules are adsorbed on the surface of Ca/KCC-1 by both physisorption and chemisorption processes as assumed by the Avrami kinetic model. Thermodynamic study shows that the process is exothermic and spontaneous in nature, and changes from an ordered stage on the surface of KCC-1 towards an increasingly random stage. The process is well explained by Freundlich isotherm model indicating a slightly heterogeneous process and moderate adsorption capacity. The adsorption stage is limited by film diffusion at the initial stage and by intraparticle diffusion during the transfer of SO2 into the network of pores before adsorption takes place on the active sites.
  • Publication
    Optimization of hydrogen production from steam reforming of biomass tar over Ni/dolomite/La₂O₃ catalysts
    (Elsevier, 2020)
    Ru Shien Tan
    ;
    Tuan Amran Tuan Abdullah
    ;
    Aishah Abdul Jalil
    ;
    Industrially, the endothermic process of steam reforming is carried out at the lowest temperature, steam to carbon (S/C) ratio, and gas hourly space velocity (GHSV) for maximum hydrogen (H2) production. In this study, a three-level three factorial Box-Behnken Design (BBD) of Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was applied to investigate the optimization of H2 production from steam reforming of gasified biomass tar over Ni/dolomite/La₂O₃ (NiDLa) catalysts. Consequently, reduced quadratic regression models were developed to fit the experimental data adequately. The effects of the independent variables (temperature, S/C ratio, and GHSV) on the responses (carbon conversion to gas and H2 yield) were examined. The results indicated that reaction temperature was the most significant factor affecting both responses. Ultimately, the optimum conditions predicted by RSM were 775 °C, S/C molar ratio of 1.02, and GHSV of 14,648 h−1, resulting in 99 mol% of carbon conversion to gas and 82 mol% of H2 yield.
  • Publication
    The application of continuous pneumatic jig for solid waste separation
    (Springer, 2025)
    M. A. Abd Aziz
    ;
    N. A. F. Bashari
    ;
    M. A. Hairunnaja
    ;
    M. A. Arifin
    ;
    This study investigates the use of continuous pneumatic jigging as an efficient technique of solid waste separation, with a focus on the different materials of copper wire and rubber insulator. The research investigates the effect of several parameters on separation efficiency, such as air flow, pulse rate, vibrational force, and bed thickness. The 7-min experiment, which included the simultaneous use of jigging and vibration, gives light on the subtle relationships that govern particle movement. The results of the air flow and pulse rate investigation highlight the importance of concentration criteria and density discrepancies in obtaining appropriate separation. The usage of small particles refines the process for greater efficiency. A persuasive case is presented in the analysis of the vibrational impact for the efficacy of lower air flow rates coupled with higher vibrational force. This is consistent with the minimal fluidization velocity notion, emphasising the critical role of effective fluidization in particle separation performance. The analysis of bed thickness emphasises the significance of proportional modifications in air flow rate to maintain optimal separation efficiency. The research finishes with a synthesis of these findings, emphasising the attractive prospects of pneumatic jigging for solid waste separation, notably with copper wire and rubber insulator materials. The implications for waste processing scenarios, notably in the beneficiation or pre-treatment of waste electrical and electronic equipment prior to recycling, are discussed. This research lays a foundation for further exploration and application of pneumatic jigging in sustainable waste management practices.
  • Publication
    Innovative formulation and characterisation of grease made from waste engine oil
    (UPM Press, 2023)
    Muhammad Auni Hairunnaja
    ;
    Mohd Aizudin Abd Aziz
    ;
    Nurul Waheeda Abdu Rahman
    ;
    Mohd Azmir Arifin
    ;
    ;
    Lubricating grease is usually produced from mineral oil, making the relationship between grease and mineral oil unavoidable. Formulation of grease from waste oil can reduce the dependency of the grease industry on mineral oil as well as help to reduce the waste generation of used oil. This study aims to produce fumed silica (FS) grease from waste engine oil (WEO) and analyse the properties of the formulated grease. The method started with treating WEO to remove any contaminants in the used oil. After that, the greases are produced using a weight percentage ratio before being examined for consistency, oil separation, oil bleeding, FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy) analysis, and corrosiveness. In terms of uniformity, oil separation, and oil bleeding, WEO percentage content had a substantial impact on the findings. The FTIR demonstrated that synthetic greases had the same spectra when evaluated between 500 cm-1 and 4000 cm-1. The grease's corrosiveness is low, as determined by class 1 corrosiveness toward the copper strip. However, the grease properties differ when consistency, oil bleeding and oil separation test is done. Higher oil content in grease produced high oil bleeding and separation but low consistency. As a conclusion of the results, fumed silica grease with oil percentages of 83 and 82 have the most grease-like features, showing that the grease fits the traits' requirements. Based on the investigation's findings, it was established that WEO may be used as a base oil in grease formulation and that the grease's properties are satisfactory.
      2  12
  • Publication
    Breaking boundaries in biodegradable packaging : a comprehensive review on magnetic alignment of iron-cellulose in PLA
    (Universiti Malaysia Perlis, 2025)
    Siti Hajar Omar
    ;
    Mohd. Aizudin Abd. Aziz
    ;
    ; ;
    Nur Amira Fatihah Binti Bashari
    ;
    Muhammad Auni Hairunnaja
    This review paper explores the transformative potential of incorporating iron-coated cellulose into polylactic acid (PLA) composite films, presenting a comprehensive analysis of the advancements, implications, and challenges associated with this innovative approach. The introduction establishes the context, emphasizing the growing significance of sustainable packaging and the unique properties offered by biopolymers. The subsequent sections delve into the synthesis and fabrication methods, emphasizing the pivotal role of iron-coated cellulose in enhancing the mechanical, magnetic, and barrier properties of PLA nanocomposites. The review discusses in detail the magnetic alignment techniques employed, elucidating their impact on particle distribution and alignment within the PLA matrix. The exploration of magnetic field application reveals intricate relationships with curing times, emphasizing the dynamic interplay between magnetic alignment, curing processes, and particle distribution. The mechanical properties section further underscores the positive influence of magnetic alignment on tensile strength, stiffness, and dimensional stability, offering promising avenues for oriented structures in structural and functional materials. Expanding the scope to water barrier properties, the review investigates the effects of iron-coated cellulose on moisture absorption, revealing nuanced interactions that enhance the water barrier characteristics of the nanocomposites. Contact angle measurements provide insights into the surface properties, with the study uncovering how magnetic alignment contributes to improved hydrophobicity, thereby resisting water absorption and enhancing the effectiveness of these materials in packaging applications. The implications for sustainable packaging constitute a critical aspect of the review, shedding light on the environmental benefits and challenges associated with implementing magnetic alignment on a larger scale. The optimized material usage, renewable nature of iron-coated cellulose, and potential reduction in waste align with sustainability goals. However, challenges such as specialized equipment requirements and disposal considerations are also discussed, providing a balanced perspective. The paper concludes by summarizing the key advancements achieved through the incorporation of iron-coated cellulose into PLA composite films. It highlights the potential of these nanocomposites for future sustainable packaging, emphasizing their robust mechanical properties, magnetic functionalities, and enhanced water barrier characteristics. The conclusions underscore the collaborative effects of cellulose and iron coating, envisioning a future where sustainable packaging not only meets but surpasses industry standards. In essence, this review paper serves as a comprehensive guide, consolidating knowledge and insights to pave the way for future research and industry practices in the realm of sustainable and enhanced biopolymer packaging.
      3  1
  • Publication
    Performance of Waste Cooking Oil Esterification for Biodiesel Production Using Various Catalysts
    ( 2024-03-01)
    Herman I.T.
    ;
    ; ; ;
    Abdullah T.A.T.
    ;
    Aziz M.A.A.
    ;
    Hairunnaja M.A.
    In this study, waste cooking oil (WCO) with high free fatty acid (FFA) content was esterified to produce biodiesel, and the catalysts’ performance was investigated. Two deep eutectic solvents (DESs) were employed as the liquid catalysts (K2CO3-Gly and KOH-Gly), while the solid heterogeneous catalysts used were spent bleaching earth (SBE), KCC-1, and Na/KCC-1. DESs were prepared by mixing at reaction temperature and time of 80°C and 120 min, respectively. The American Standard Testing Method (ASTM) D974 determined the acid value. The catalysts were first screened for their catalytic activity in WCO esterification. The parameters investigated in this study were oil-to-methanol molar ratio, catalyst loading, reaction time, and temperature. The highest conversion (94.7%) was obtained using Na/KCC-1. The performance of solid and liquid catalysts was evaluated using KOH-Gly and SBE for the reduction of FFA in WCO under different conditions of oil-to-methanol molar ratio (1:6–1:10), catalysts loading (0.2–2.0 g), reaction time (30–60 min), and temperature (40–100°C). The highest reduction of FFA in the esterification process for KOH-Gly and SBE as catalysts was 97.74% and 84.2%, respectively. Transesterification of the esterified oil shows a promising result (97%), and the process can potentially be scaled up. The GC-MS result shows that the produced oil has the highest percentage of hexadecanoic acid and methyl ester.
      2  49
  • Publication
    Comparative Performance of Catalytic and Non-Catalytic Pyrolysis of Sugarcane Bagasse in Catatest Reactor System
    ( 2020-04-30)
    Faraheen Kabir Ahmad S.
    ;
    ; ; ;
    Sataimurthi O.
    Catalytic pyrolysis is a favourable process used to enhance the quality of bio-oil. Based on reviews from previous research there are only scarce of studies on the comparison of catalytic and non-catalytic pyrolysis of biomass such as rice husk, olive husk and corncob. In this study, sugarcane bagasse was selected as it has not been explored much yet. The target of this research is to compare the impact of catalytic and non-catalytic pyrolysis of sugarcane bagasse in terms of the yield, properties, and also the compositions of bio-oil. Catalytic and non-catalytic pyrolysis was executed in catatest bed reactor at temperatures 400°C to 550°C with the aids of ZSM-5 zeolite catalyst. Bio-oil from catalytic and no-catalytic pyrolysis which gives the maximum yield was used to be studied further in terms of the properties and chemical compositions. The result shows that the maximum yield of bio-oil was accomplished from catalytic pyrolysis at temperature 500°C which was 21.4%. The properties and composition of bio-oil from catalytic pyrolysis shows better result compare to non-catalytic pyrolysis.
      2  13
  • Publication
    Sulfur dioxide removal by calcium-modified fibrous KCC-1 mesoporous silica: kinetics, thermodynamics, isotherm and mass transfer mechanism
    ( 2022-04-01)
    Muhammad Adli Hanif
    ;
    ; ; ;
    Tuan Abdullah T.A.
    ;
    Jalil A.A.
    The removal of sulfur dioxide from industrial flue gas through dry flue gas desulfurization method commonly involves the use of adsorption process with porous sorbent. The efficiency of this process is highly dependent on the adsorption capacity and the adsorption rate of SO2 onto the sorbent materials. The use of KCC-1 mesoporous silica modified with calcium metal additives (Ca/KCC-1) in SO2 adsorption is examined in a fixed bed reactor system. The adsorption capacity of Ca/KCC-1 is found to be critically governed by the reaction temperature and inlet SO2 concentration where low values of both parameters are favorable to achieve the highest adsorption capacity of 3241.94 mg SO2/g sorbent. SO2 molecules are adsorbed on the surface of Ca/KCC-1 by both physisorption and chemisorption processes as assumed by the Avrami kinetic model. Thermodynamic study shows that the process is exothermic and spontaneous in nature, and changes from an ordered stage on the surface of KCC-1 towards an increasingly random stage. The process is well explained by Freundlich isotherm model indicating a slightly heterogeneous process and moderate adsorption capacity. The adsorption stage is limited by film diffusion at the initial stage and by intraparticle diffusion during the transfer of SO2 into the network of pores before adsorption takes place on the active sites.
      2  31
  • Publication
    Evaluation of phenol formaldehyde resin synthesized from sugarcane bagasse bio-oil under optimized parameters
    Bio-oil from biomass is considered as a potential substitute to partially replace phenol in the preparation of phenol formaldehyde resin as replacement to the commercial phenol which high in cost. However, the percentages of bio-oil substitutions need to be determined to ensure that the performance is good as the commercial ones. The aim of this research is to identify the optimum conditions for synthesizing phenol formaldehyde resin (PF) and determines the percentages of bio-oil substitutions by manipulating the synthesizing variables such as formaldehyde to phenol (F/P) catalyst ratio (NaOH/P), catalyst ratio and duration using one-factor-at-time method. The effect of each manipulated variables on shear strength was compared to the Chinese National Standard for PF resin shear strength. Bio-based phenolic resins are synthesized using the optimum conditions by replacing 10, 20, 30 and 40% of phenol with bio-oil from the pyrolysis of sugarcane bagasse. The results obtained shown that the optimum conditions to synthesize phenol formaldehyde resin is at F/P molar ratio of 2.0, catalyst ratio of 0.6 and duration of 3 hour. The results of bio-based phenolic resins bonding performance shows that substitution percentage of bio-oil up to 20% at most gives good performance compared to the pure PF resin.
      44  2
  • Publication
    Chemically modified sugarcane bagasse as a potentially low-cost biosorbent for dye removal
    The use of adsorbent prepared from sugarcane bagasse, an agro waste from sugar industries has been studied as an alternative substitute for activated carbon for the removal of dyes from wastewater. Adsorbents prepared from sugarcane bagasse were successfully used to remove the methyl red (MR) from an aqueous solution in a batch reactor. This study investigates the potential use of sugarcane bagasse, pretreated with phosphoric acid (SBC), for the removal of methyl red from simulated wastewater. Phosphoric acid treated sugarcane bagasse was used to adsorb methyl red at varying dye concentration, adsorbent dosage, pH and contact time. A similar experiment was conducted with commercially available powdered activated carbon (PAC) and untreated sugarcane bagasse (SB) in order to evaluate the performance of SBC. The adsorption efficiency of different adsorbents was in the order PAC > SBC > SB. The initial pH 3 to 6 favoured the adsorption of synthetic dyes by both SBC and SB. This prepared adsorbent was very efficient in decolorized diluted solution. It is proposed that SBC, in a batch or stirred tank reactors could be employed as a low-cost alternative in wastewater treatment for dyes removal.
      19  14