Rapid-Slow Sand Filtration for Groundwater Treatment: Effect of Filtration Velocity and Initial Head Loss

Iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) are two of many substances that causing harm to human health and various environmental contamination. This study investigates the performance of rapid sand filter as an improvement to the existing commercial filter media. Rapid sand filters were tested using groundwater collected from Kg Budi Kelantan. Groundwater collected were tested using seven velocities ranging from 0.89 to 5.04ml/hr. The concentration of Mn, Fe and turbidity of the treated groundwater were compared. It is found that the highest Mn, Fe and turbidity removal were recorded by using velocity of 4.38ml/hr followed by 2.95ml/hr and 2.4 ml/hr. These three velocities represent more than 95% removal of final treated groundwater, where final Fe, Mn and turbidity ranging from 0.06 mg/L to 0.09 mg/L, 0 to 0.4 mg/L and 0.9 to 3.0 NTU, respectively. A positive trend also recorded where the initial head loss of the sand filter is directly proportional to the flow velocity. This means the filter media was still under a clean condition and no accumulation of sediment deposit occurs. The significance of this study to treat groundwater by removing the iron and manganese especially in rural areas were achieved successfully

Metals hydroxide activation of casuarina empty fruit for methylene blue and congo red removal

Casuarina equisetifolia empty fruit has been utilized as activated carbon material because it is abundantly available in nature. The fruit was activated by metals hydroxide, namely potassium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide for dyes adsorption. The present work was aimed to evaluate the adsorption properties of activated carbons towards cationic dye (methylene blue) and anionic dye (congo red). Results show that KOH activation yields activated carbon with excellent maximum adsorption capacities of 614 mg/g and 340 mg/g for methylene blue and congo red, respectively. The adsorption data were analysed using isotherm and kinetic models and displayed a good regression with Langmuir and pseudo-second-order kinetic models

Influence of hydrophilic polymer on proteins separation, molecular weight cut-off (MWCO) and average pore size of polysulfone blend membrane

The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of different composition of cellulose acetate phtalate (CAP) on the membrane structural properties of polysulfone (PSf) membrane which in turn affect the separation performance of PSf/CAP blend membrane. The PSf/CAP blend membranes were prepared by using casting solutions contain 17 wt% of polymer via wet phase inversion process. The results showed that increasing the composition of CAP in PSf/CAP blend membranes increased molecular weight cut-off (MWCO), average pore size and pore density which then increased protein solution permeate fluxes but reduced proteins rejection of PSf/CAP blend membranes. Pure PSf membrane has the lowest membrane structural properties compared to blend membranes. This characteristic contributed to decrease in protein permeation flux and increase proteins rejectio

E-Wallet Models: An Appraisal of Shariah Related Issues

This paper aims to evaluate the existing e-wallet business models and to provide a preliminary analysis of Sharia issues, specifically related to the relationship of the involved parties in the contract (operators, customers, and third parties). As e-wallet is also a critical enabler to increase financial inclusion among the different levels of society members (richer and poor), thus there is an increasing need to analyze the existing e-wallet models and their practices. The final aims are to preserve all parties’ rights and support the policymakers to structure e-wallet parameters that comply with Islamic law. This paper adopts qualitative research approaches, specifically content analysis and interviews. The data collection includes, among others, document reviews, interviews, and observations. The paper evaluates four e-wallet models in Malaysia and analyzes arising Sharia issues from those models. In the models, several Sharia issues can be found, which are related to the contracts used, the status of funds held by e-wallet providers, deposits in banks, and revenue generation. Findings from this paper serve as a basis for scholars and policymakers to provide guidelines for Sharia-compliant e-wallets. Tulisan ini bertujuan untuk mengevaluasi model bisnis dompet elektronik yang ada dan memberikan analisis awal tentang masalah syariah, khususnya terkait dengan hubungan pihak-pihak yang terlibat dalam kontrak (operator, pelanggan dan pihak ketiga). Karena dompet elektronik juga merupakan faktor penting untuk meningkatkan inklusi keuangan di antara berbagai tingkat anggota masyarakat (kaya dan miskin), maka ada peningkatan kebutuhan untuk menganalisis model dompet elektronik yang ada dan praktiknya. Tujuan akhirnya adalah untuk menjaga hak semua pihak dan mendukung pembuat kebijakan untuk menyusun parameter dompet elektronik yang sesuai dengan hukum Islam. Tulisan ini mengadopsi pendekatan penelitian kualitatif, khususnya analisis isi dan wawancara. Pengumpulan data meliputi telaah dokumen, wawancara, dan observasi. Tulisan ini mengevaluasi empat model dompet elektronik di Malaysia dan menganalisis masalah syariah yang muncul dari model tersebut. Ada beberapa masalah syariah yang dapat ditemukan dari model-model tersebut, yaitu terkait dengan akad yang digunakan, status dana yang dipegang oleh penyedia dompet elektronik, status simpanan di bank dan perolehan pendapatan. Temuan dari makalah ini dapat digunakan sebagai dasar bagi para sarjana dan pembuat kebijakan untuk memberikan pedoman dompet elektronik yang sesuai syariah

Restructuring rental rate components to be more innovative sharia compliance product in Islamic home financing

This study attempts to restructure a more innovative Sharia compliant product in Islamic home financing. By examining the components of residential rental index and addressing some unresolved issues particularly in Musyarakah Mutanaqisah, the study seeks to propose rental index as an alternative benchmark to current interest rates. This paper employs library research derived from the pedigree of Islamic home financing. However, some mathematical modelings are employed to strengthen the analysis. The paper proposes a new structure of rental rate as a benchmark instead of the conventional interest rate in pricing of loans. This structure comprises of Islamic rental rates, risk premium, overhead expenses and profit margin. Our findings suggest that these components are better-able to capture the market conditions as compared to the element of interest in BLR (Base Lending Rate) as practiced by banking industry. This paper also recommends the solution for default payment and at the same time addresses inconsistencies of MM contract offered by Islamic banks. Since rental index is regarded as new approach in Islamic home financing, this study limits its scope with one contract namely musharakah mutanaqishah. This limitation might wreak different views from industries for implementation and thus needs to be further tested. The findings also reveal some future challenges in applying more innovative Sharia compliant approach since up to date, there are no general consensus derived from different schools of thought in resolving the issues of pricing in Islamic home financing. Islamic banks might be resistant in accepting this newly proposed structure of rental rate since it generates lesser amount of profits

Polysulfone/Cellulose Acetate Phthalate/Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PSf/CAP/PVP) Blend Membranes: Effect of Evaporation Time on Blend Membrane Characteristics

Recently, researchers proved that the evaporation time during the membrane fabrication process has a significant effect on the characteristics and performance of membranes. In this study, flat sheet asymmetric polysulfone/cellulose acetate phthalate/polyvinylpyrrolidone (PSf/CAP/PVP) blend membranes were fabricated at different evaporation time in the range of 0–20 s to investigate the effect of the evaporation time on characteristics of the blend membranes. The PSf/CAP/PVP blend membranes were characterized in terms of water content, porosity, pure water flux and permeability coefficient. The results showed that an increase of evaporation time from 0 to 20 s has resulted in decreasing of water content and porosity of the PSf/CAP/PVP blend membranes. The permeation water flux of the blend membrane was decreased with the increment of evaporation time. This indicated that an increase of evaporation time would lead to a decrease of the membrane permeability coefficient and hence increased the membrane resistance to permeation of water through the membranes

Hujjat Allah Al-Balighah: The Uniqueness of Shah Wali Allah Al-Dihlawi’s Work

This study reviews on the uniqueness of the book Hujjat Allah al-Baligha by al-Dihlawi that emphasizes two important aspects, in terms of thought and debate on the topics presented by him. The study found al-Dihlawi’s thoughts in this book reflect his idealism as an Islamic scholar. He expressed impressive thoughts with the Qur’an as a fundamental ingredient and Sunna as a commentator to the Qur’an. While the reflection may generate useful perspective from the point of significance or preference according to the prevailing realities. Due to dissension between the Islamic parties during that time was considered chronically. This anxiety inspired a number of ideas to him to rebuild civilization of life in the name of Islam without mingling with the seeds of superstition and believing in mythical. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n5s1p40

Review on natural clay ceramic membrane: Fabrication and application in water and wastewater treatment

Membrane technology is important in industrial wastewater and water treatment. Recently, the polymeric membrane technology is widely chosen in these applications. However, they are low-temperature ranges, low corrosion resistance, and low lifespan. Thus, researchers are actively trying to develop a better membrane technology such as natural clay ceramic membrane due to their excellent in chemical, mechanical and thermal resistance, high-pressure application and long lifespan. This detailed review compiles through the literature of current scientific research over the last ten years. Its highlights the key findings of factors in the fabrication of natural clay ceramic membrane that contributed to its properties. This review article presented an outline of the advantages, disadvantages, and how to overcome the disadvantages, structure, and preparation of ceramic membrane, including method, raw materials, drying and sintering temperature. The review confirmed that the sintering temperature, the composition of raw materials and pore-forming agent are significantly enhanced the mechanical strength and porosity of the natural clay ceramic membrane. However, further development and modification of the natural clay ceramic membrane technology and their applications to treat different environmental pollutants is still necessary