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Life cycle assessment of expanded polystyrene

2021-01-26 , Lim Y.S. , Tengku Nuraiti Tengku Izhar , Irnis Azura Zakaria , Sara Yasina Yusuf , Siti Khadijah Za'aba , Mohamad M.A.

Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is one of the most common materials used in packaging. In Malaysia, EPS is a type of plastic which is not in the recycling category. Usually, EPS wastes will end up in landfill and incinerator, leading to severe environmental impacts. Therefore, a cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment (LCA) study of EPS was carried out to investigate the potential environmental impacts of EPS. The most significant potential environmental impact will also be identified. Both will be identified under 2 different scenarios. The study was analyzed using GaBi Education Software with the method of TRACI 2.1 to the environmental indicators of global warming potential (GWP), acidification potential (AP), eutrophication potential (EP), and ozone depletion potential (ODP). In scenario 1, the emission percentage for GWP, AP, EP, and ODP are 99.73 %, 0.21 %, 0.06 %, and 3x10-6 %, respectively. As for scenario 2, all the 3 conditions show similar trend with scenario 1. The LCA study of EPS is particularly focused on the manufacturing, distribution, and the end-of-lifetime treatments, with the introduction of recycling into the system. The findings show that manufacturing of EPS is the major contributor of the environmental impacts and GWP contributes to the most significant potential environmental impacts. Overall, recycling was found to have the least impact to the environment, which possibly be used as the new end-of-lifetime treatment of EPS in Malaysia.

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Performance of two phase anaerobic digestion on food waste for biogas production

2022-01-01 , Irnis Azura Zakaria , Tengku Nuraiti Tengku Izhar , Siti Khadijah Za'Aba , Nur Adlina Mohd Hilmi , Mohammad Rizam Che Beson , Monica Matei

Every year, the total amount of solid waste generated in Peninsular Malaysia grew, according to the Malaysia government. The typical solid waste management system practiced in developing country brings many problems that can cause risks and hazards for living things and the environment in Malaysia if there are not managed properly. For example, illegal dumping cause groundwater and soil pollution. The methane gas produced from the landfill causes greenhouse effect. Food waste is categorized under household waste, where it is produced in residential areas, restaurants, cafeteria, markets and commercial areas. Therefore, anaerobic digestion process is introduced for organic waste with higher solids contents such as food waste as an alternative method. The effectiveness of anaerobic digestion process can be investigated through this process. In this study, two phase of anaerobic digesters was proposed. The reactor was operated at a temperature 35 Â°C, analyzed for biogas production, pH values and C/N ratio. The highest biogas production in this study is 50.4%. For a co-digestion containing more sludge can increase the pH value and biogas production.

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Workability and density of concrete containing Coconut Fiber

2022-01-01 , Norlia Mohamad Ibrahim , Nur Liza Rahim , Roshazita Che Amat , Mustaqqim Abdul Rahim , Woo Chin Kah , Irnis Azura Zakaria , Moncea Andreea

Use of natural fiber in concrete to enhance the strength of concrete have been used widely and become as part of an alternative building materials. For instance, the use of coconut fiber (CF) which are non-hazardous, environmental-friendly and can improves the engineering properties of concrete. The aim of this study is to identify the workability and density of CF modified concrete. CF were added into the mixture in 3 different amount that is 200 g, 400 g, and 600 g. The size of the cube samples is 100 × 100 × 100 mm and were cured for 14 days, and 28 days. To evaluate the effect of CF in improving the properties of concrete, the properties of ordinary concrete are used as a reference which consist 0% CF. The fresh and hardened densities for all samples also show that when more fiber was added into mixture, densities reduced. As summary, the study shows that by adding CF in concrete reduced the workability and density of concrete.