Different methods of grading or rating refrigerator freezers

As refrigerator-freezers are one of the major energy consuming appliances in the household environment, a great deal of attention has been paid to improve their efficiency throughout the world. In order to reduce their energy consumption, cost effective policy and strategies, such as energy efficiency standards and labels are in place for a number of countries and several other countries are in the processes of establishing these strategies. To attain standards and labels, an appliance grading or rating system must be established to demonstrate the products performance in the most comprehensive way. The grading or rating system provides a clear idea to consumers about the products’ energy performance. This paper mainly focuses on different ways of grading or rating household refrigerator-freezers using current data in Malaysia

Energy and associated emission analysis in office buildings

In this paper energy consumption of office buildings have been estimated. Energy consumption of major equipments has been identified. Energy intensity a measure of building performance has been estimated for Malaysia and compared with other countries as well. It has been found that air conditioners are the major energy users (57) in commercial building followed by lighting (19), lifts and pumps (18) and others (6). Different ways/options to reduce/save building energy consumption have been formulated, amount of energy saved by these options have been quantified and emission reduction associated with the above savings have been quantified as well. From the data analysis, it has been found that huge amount of energy can be saved for the above policy measures/ options. Moreover, significant amount of emissions can be reduced for the associated energy savings for different policy/measures

Sustainable production of furan-based oxygenated fuel additives from pentose-rich biomass residues

The emission of carbon monoxide, greenhouse gases (e.g., carbon dioxides), hydrocarbon, and particulate matter can be reduced by applying oxygenated additives as a blend to combustible hydrocarbon fuels. However, conventional oxygenates, such as dimethyl ether and methyl t-butyl ether, are sourced from non-renewable feedstocks. This study presents a critical review on the catalytic synthesis of furanic compounds, as an alternative to the conventional oxygenated fuels, from highly abundant lignocellulosic biomass (LCB). This study aims to evaluate the potential of production of furan-based oxygenated fuel additives (e.g., 2-methyl furan, 2-methyl tetrahydrofuran, alkyl levulinates, ethylfurfuryl ether, ethyl tetrahydrofurfuryl ether, tetrahydrofurans) from LCB via the C5-sugars pathway (through furfural); the fuel properties and the performance of furanic fuels in SI or CI engine. The review showed that selecting solvents and catalysts is critical in improving the yield of furanic compounds and reducing the generation of intermediates. The biphasic system for the one-pot conversion of LCB (dehydration and hydrogenation) into furans could facilitate the final product separation and improve final product yield. The combination of Brønsted/Lewis acid catalysts or heterogenous catalysts is promising for effectively converting LCB (alcoholysis) into alkyl levulinates. The use of biomass-based furan fuel additives could potentially have a substantial positive impact on the life cycle analysis of furan/fuel blends due to the availability of lignocellulosic biomass-based feedstocks and improving the sustainability of fuel additives synthesis sourced from LCB wast

Literature review on energy efficiency standards and labels for household electrical appliances

This is a summarized previous works on energy efficiency standards and labels for household electrical appliances. It concerns mostly about international situation and other country experience about energy efficiency standard in residential sector. The possibilities of implementation of standards and labels for various household electrical appliances in Malaysia are also discussed. From the international review and other country experience shown that; there are many advantages for Malaysia to implement the standards and labels for household electrical appliances

Actual usage conditions and energy consumption of refrigerator-freezers

About 19 of the total electricity production is consumed in the residential sector and this fraction is expected to grow in future. Air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines and other appliances are significant energy users in this sector. In this paper, the energy consumption and internal cabinet temperatures of 30 domestic refrigerators have been monitored to give an overview of the usage pattern of this appliance in Malaysian households. A questionnaire was designed to get relevant information regarding the usage of this appliance in the actual kitchen environment as well. This information is paramount in shaping or implementing a program that would get more support from users. The statistical analysis such as clustering and segmentation were manipulated and utilized in order to show the influence of the usage conditions on the temperature. The paper also calculated energy, bill savings and associated emission reductions by replacing an old inefficient refrigerator with a new efficient one

Actual usage conditions, energy savings and associated emission reductions of washing machines

About 19 of the total electricity production is consumed in the residential sector and this fraction is expected to grow in future. Air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines and other appliances are major energy users in this sector. In this paper, the energy consumption of 50 real-houses domestic clothes washers have been monitored to give an overview of the usage pattern of this appliance in Malaysian households. A questionnaire was designed to get relevant information regarding the usage of this appliance in the actual environment as well. This information is paramount in shaping or implementing a program that would get more support from users. Finally, energy savings, bill savings and CO 2 reductions associated with energy savings have been calculated and presented in this paper for using horizontal axis machines rather than vertical axis using actual monitored data

Engine performance and emissions analysis using “Envo Diesel” and coconut biodiesel blended fuel as alternative fuels

The Environmental concerns and regulations to reduce green house gas emission and fluctuation of fossil fuel price have stimulated research on alternative fuels. Moreover, use of unproductive land to produce vegetable oil which is a potential biodiesel source has opened up a way to reduce oil bill. Biodiesel does not need major modification in engine, even though it causes some engine problems in long term use. This paper presents experimental results that evaluates the performance and exhaust emissions of a diesel engine operated on “Envo Diesel” which consists of 5% palm diesel and 95% ordinary diesel fuel (also termed as P5) and C5 (5% coconut biodiesel and 95% ordinary diesel fuel. Experimental results showed that P5 and C5 reduced brake power compared to diesel fuel by 1.2% and 0.7% respectively. Emissions such as HC, smoke, CO and NOx concentration were lesser for P5 and C5. The results of this investigation will be used to partial replacement of diesel fuel using low percentage of methyl ester (maximum 5%) obtained from waste vegetable oils

Effect of synthetic antioxidants on storage stability of calophyllum inophyllum biodiesel

Biofuels especially biodiesel derived from renewable sources are becoming important increasingly due to environmental and energy concerns. Biodiesels are composed of long chain unsaturated fatty acid esters that are prone to oxidation. Non-edible high acid value calophyllum inophyllum oil based biodiesel (ClME) was produced by two stage esterification and one stage transesterification process. The oxidation stability of biodiesel treated with three prominent antioxidants namely Pyrogallol (PY), Propyl gallate (PG), and Tertbutylhydroxyquinone (TBHQ) was evaluated. The induction period ofbiodiesel with or without antioxidant was measured according to EN141l2 standard using a Rancimat instrument. Antioxidants were added at 500 ppm, which in general improved the induction period. Samples were kept for 70 days and different properties that change during storage namely induction period, density and kinematic viscosity were monitored. For all samples oxidation stability decreased and kinematic viscosity increased due to formation of oxidation products. PY showed the best effect in retaining oxidation stability of calophyllum inophyllum biodiesel

Performance and emissions characterization of diesel engine running with re-formulated palm oil methyl ester-diesel blended fuel

Diesel engine emissions such as CO, NOx, THC and smoke were evaluated while the engine running with re-formulated Palm Oil Methyl Ester (POME) blended fuel. The fuel was re-formulated by additional additive and blending agent in order to get better atomization during blending process. A multi cylinder diesel engine was operated from 1000 rpm to 2500 rpm with 50% load, full throttle opening and fueled by three (3) types of fuel blends which containing 20% vol POME and 1% vol to 5% vol of additive. The additive is the combination of blending agent additive, ester stabilizer and anti-oxidation additive. The result shown that by presence of additive the emissions were decreased generally, especially for NOx and CO emission showed favorable result for POME blended additive fuel. Therefore, by re-formulating POME-diesel blended fuel could reduce poisonous gases from diesel engine combustion. In addition, the use of blended additive by proper composition is capable to increase the stability of the fuels as well as produce better combustion

Physicochemical and tribological properties of microalgae oil as biolubricant for hydrogen-powered engine

Hydrogen fuel offers a cleaner fuel alternative to fossil fuel due to more efficient burning as well as reduces the environmental and health issues brought by fossil fuel usage. In engine application, regardless of either pure hydrogen or in combination with air or/and other biofuel, all the moving parts are exposed to friction and wear, and lubricant is used to minimize friction and wear for optimum operation. Thus, in this study, the use of microalgae oil as an alternative biolubricant is evaluated from the physicochemical and tribological aspects. It is found that modified microalgae oil (MMO) has demonstrated great anti-friction and anti-wear potential, particularly the 10% modified microalgae oil blend (MMO-10). The coefficient of friction is reduced (up to 10.1%) and significant reductions of wear loss and surface roughness are obtained in comparison to pure poly-alpha-olefin. Lubricant's heat dissipation is also enhanced with MMO addition, demonstrating great prospect for MMO for hydrogen-powered engine utilization