Simulation of hybrid electric vehicle based on a series drive train layout

This paper provided a validated modeling and a simulation of a 6 degree freedom vehicle longitudinal model and drive-train component in a series hybrid electric vehicle. The 6-DOF vehicle dynamics model consisted of tire subsystems, permanent magnet synchronous motor which acted as the prime mover coupled with an automatic transmission, hydraulic brake subsystem, battery subsystem, alternator subsystem and internal combustion engine to supply the rotational input to the alternator. A speed and torque tracking control systems of the electric power train were developed to make sure that the power train was able to produce the desired throttle torque in accelerating the vehicle. A human-in-the-loop-simulation was utilized as a mechanism to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed hybrid electric vehicle. The proposed simulation was used as the preliminary result in identifying the capability of the vehicle in terms of the maximum speed produced by the vehicle and the capability of the alternator to recharge the battery. Several tests had been done during the simulation, namely sudden acceleration, acceleration and braking test and unbounded motion. The results of the simulation showed that the proposed hybrid electric vehicle can produce a speed of up to 70 km/h with a reasonable charging rate to the battery. The findings from this study can be considered in terms of design, optimization and implementation in a real vehicle

Increasing T-method accuracy through application of robust M-estimatior

Mahalanobis Taguchi System is an analytical tool involving classification, clustering as well as prediction techniques. T-Method which is part of it is a multivariate analysis technique designed mainly for prediction and optimization purposes. The good things about T-Method is that prediction is always possible even with limited sample size. In applying T-Method, the analyst is advised to clearly understand the trend and states of the data population since this method is good in dealing with limited sample size data but for higher samples or extremely high samples data it might have more things to ponder. T-Method is not being mentioned robust to the effect of outliers within it, so dealing with high sample data will put the prediction accuracy at risk. By incorporating outliers in overall data analysis, it may contribute to a non-normality state beside the entire classical methods breakdown. Considering the risk towards lower prediction accuracy, it is important to consider the risk of lower accuracy for the individual estimates so that the overall prediction accuracy will be increased. Dealing with that intention, there exist several robust parameters estimates such as M-estimator, that able to give good results even with the data contain or may not contain outliers in it. Generalized inverse regression estimator (GIR) also been used in this research as well as Ordinary Lease Square Method (OLS) as part of comparison study. Embedding these methods into T-Method individual estimates conditionally helps in enhancing the accuracy of the T-Method while analyzing the robustness of T-method itself. However, from the 3 main case studies been used within this analysis, it shows that T-Method contributed to a better and acceptable performance with error percentages range 2.5% ~ 22.8% between all cases compared to other methods. M-estimator is proved to be sensitive with data consist of leverage point in x-axis as well as data with limited sample size. Referring to these 3 case studies only, it can be concluded that robust M-estimator is not feasible to be applied into T-Method as of now. Further enhance analysis is needed to encounter issues such as Airfoil noise case study data which T -method contributed to highest error% prediction. Hence further analysis need to be done for better result review

Preparation and characterization of TiO2-LaFeO3 based mixed matrix membrane for oily wastewater treatment

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of catalyst loading in mixed matrix membrane. LaFeO3 and TiO2-LaFeO3 were synthesized by sol-gel glucose method. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), contact angle, membrane permeation testing unit and UV-Vis spectrophotometer techniques are used for characterization. FTIR showed the successful transformation of photocatalyst TiO2, LaFeO3 and TiO2-LaFeO3. Due to increase in nanoparticles loading, the hydrophilicity of the membrane had improved thus increase the permeation flux. The cross-section morphology of membranes (PTL-1, PTL-3 and PTL-4) indicated that all the membranes were found to have asymmetric structure, consisting of dense top layer (air side), a porous sublayer (finger-like) and a small portion of sponge-like bottom surface layer (glass side). But as for the PTL-2, the cross sections of the membranes have a fully sponge-like structure. The formation of sponge-like structure was associated to the slow solidification process during the casting. The highest oily wastewater rejection was 76.26% with highest permeation flux and lower contact angle. This result showed that nanoparticles with membrane had improved the oily wastewater rejection. It proved that the fabricated nanoparticles with mixed matrix membrane exhibits a high flux, which is 2 to 3 orders of magnitude higher than commercial filtration membranes with an acceptable separation performance

Preliminary study of ohmic heated hydro distillation for essential oil's plant extraction

Essential oils can be extracted by various extraction methods such as hydro distillation, steam distillation and solvent extraction. However, the application of ohmic heated hydro distillation has not been reported much elsewhere. In this study, ohmic heated hydro distillation of four types of plants; Cymbopogon atratus (Lemon grass), Cymbopogon nardus (Citronella grass), Backhousia Citriodora (Lemon myrtle) and Syzygium aromaticum (Clove) were studied in terms of yield and power consumption with electrical element heated hydro distillation. Generally, in most cases ohmic heated hydro distillation required less power and produce more essential oils yield for the same duration of extraction time. The results of the extraction process were presented

Sustainability framework for palm oil mill

Palm oil mill has been regarded as a profit making industry for the past decades. Besides revenue from the palm oil production itself, the abundance of biomass could generate high economic return to the palm oils mill by converting it to value added products. However, the palm oil industry currently suffered various criticisms and negative reports from the international non-government organisations on the sustainability issue. This paper presents the development and the applicability of sustainability index (SI) for palm oil mill in order to enhance the competitiveness of the industry. The methodology will include the index development and identify area of weaknesses (hotspot). The index will be able to identify performance of the mills in sustainable aspect against benchmarks and differentiate every mills performance. By this, the mills can easily identify its hotspot and take necessary steps to improve. The system will also benefit the marketing team to market its products (CPO, PKO etc.) to niche markets that seek uptake from mills with lowest footprints (Carbon, water, energy etc.). The results can be used not only to evaluate the performance of an operating process against standard benchmarking but also to establish the best sustainable practices among palm oil industry. It is anticipated that the development of sustainable index will be an important instrument for supporting sustainable operation for palm oil mill

Production of 316L Stainless Steel (SS316L) Foam via Slurry Method

Metal foams are a special class of porous materials with novel physical, mechanical, thermal, electrical and acoustic properties. Nowadays, 316L stainless steel (SS316L) foam is considered as one of the attractive metallic materials for biomedical applications due to its excellent mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and corrosion resistance. In this study, SS316L has been used to produce metal foams using the slurry method. The compositions of the SS316L metal powder were 40 wt% and 60 wt%, PEG (3 wt%), CMC (3 wt%) with the remainder distilled water. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) and methylcellulose (CMC) were used as a binder. The raw materials were mixed using a ball milling machine. After that, the polyurethane (PU) foams were immersed in the mixture then dried in the oven for 24 hours. Then, the samples were sintered in a box furnace at 1300oC. In order to characterize the samples, several tests were conducted such as x-ray diffraction (XRD), energy diffraction x-ray (EDX), and morphological analysis (optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM)). The most suitable composition of SS316L is 60 wt% with a sintering temperature of 1300°C which resulted in large-pored metal foam. The SS316L metal foams were successfully produced using the slurry method. However, the quality of the SS316L metal foam must be improved because it had too low a strength to undergo mechanical testing

A sustainability performance assessment framework for palm oil mills

The palm oil industry has had to undergo rapid development in order to cope with the increasing demand from consumers year by year. The palm oil industry is receiving criticism from various parties on the issue of sustainability. This paper presents the development of a Palm Oil Mill Sustainability Index that enables millers to assess the sustainability performance of palm oil mills against benchmarks, and to differentiate between the performance of each mill. The assessment was performed via the adoption of a Proximity-to-Target approach that measures the current sustainability performance of the industry relative to policy targets. The industry's comparable performance was observed in terms of sustainability and indicators through a graphical method. The resulting Palm Oil Mill Sustainability Index scores were translated into a five-point rating system to describe the sustainability performance levels for different mills i.e. excellent, good, fair, poor, and very poor. Based on the Palm Oil Mill Sustainability Index scores and rating system, weak performance indicators were identified, for example, excessive use of water consumption due to inappropriate operation of hydrocyclones. By identifying the weak performance indicators, practical recommendations and measures for improvement can be proposed and the Palm Oil Mill Sustainability Index scores recalculated to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed sustainability performance strategy. Selected palm oil mills in Malaysia were used as a case study to demonstrate the applicability of the framework. The results provide empirical evidence to support a decision-support-system for enhancing palm oil mill sustainability performance, so as to achieve a balance between environmental, economic, and social aspects in the palm oil mill sector

A survey study on the assessment of food handler’s compliance to personal hygiene practices regulation in selected Malaysia food outlets

Food safety remains a major issue around the world particularly when the COVID-19 pandemic becomes the main issue nowadays. Food safety is essential to the human population worldwide because food is the primary energy source and nutrition for humans. Therefore, food handlers' personal hygiene is one of the factors that are necessary to maintain food safety. The purpose of this study was to assess the food handler’s compliance with personal hygiene practices in randomly any food outlets across Malaysia including Kuching, Sarawak; Lawas, Sarawak; Johor Bahru, Johor; Kuala Penyu, Sabah, and Gurun, Kedah. A quantitative method, a cross-sectional descriptive study to one thousand and five (N = 1005) food handlers who participated in the questionnaire and observation checklist was developed by modifying questions in accordance with the Food Hygiene Regulations 2009. Overall, the mean percentage of conformity in adhering to food handler attire was the highest observed at Gurun, Kedah and Kuala Penyu, Sabah with 86.96% and 80.79%, respectively, followed by Kuching, Sarawak with 77.5%, Johor Bahru with 76.71%, and Lawas, Sarawak with 74.93%. Personal hygiene practices conformity showed a high mean percentage with all districts scoring >91% higher than non-conformity. The food handlers also show less unhygienic behaviour while on duty and scored a mean percentage of > 92%. Although in that positive behaviour, some of the food handlers did not perform some unhygienic practices (≤ 8 %). In conclusion, there is no significant difference (p-value > 0.05) in the level of conformity between the mean percentages among all districts. Thus, this issue shall raise a concern to the food industries in order to make sure their workers comply with the legal requirement and to avoid any food poisoning outbreak related to food hygiene and food safety in the future

Study on Ultimate Properties and Crystallinity Index of Torrefied Biochar from Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch

This study was conducted to characterize the elemental properties and crystallinity index of the torrefied oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) biochar from torrefaction process via furnace intended for being as an alternative renewable energy sources. The influence of three major torrefaction parameters namely particle size, holding temperature and residence time was investigated. Characterization of torrefied OPEFB biochar had been done by elemental analyser and X-ray diffraction (XRD) for ultimate properties and crystallinity index respectively. The carbon element in the torrefied OPEFB biochar was increased when the holding temperature and residence time increased while oxygen element amount is decreasing. This is due to decomposition of hemicellulose occurred in this region. For crystallinity index (CrI) by XRD, there was decreasing pattern occurred as the holding temperature and residence time increased from 200–300°C and 30-90 minutes respectively. This shows that the torrefied OPEFB biochar’s cellulose crystallinity is reduced as the cellulose become completely amorphous

Quinine, an old anti-malarial drug in a modern world: role in the treatment of malaria

Quinine remains an important anti-malarial drug almost 400 years after its effectiveness was first documented. However, its continued use is challenged by its poor tolerability, poor compliance with complex dosing regimens, and the availability of more efficacious anti-malarial drugs. This article reviews the historical role of quinine, considers its current usage and provides insight into its appropriate future use in the treatment of malaria. In light of recent research findings intravenous artesunate should be the first-line drug for severe malaria, with quinine as an alternative. The role of rectal quinine as pre-referral treatment for severe malaria has not been fully explored, but it remains a promising intervention. In pregnancy, quinine continues to play a critical role in the management of malaria, especially in the first trimester, and it will remain a mainstay of treatment until safer alternatives become available. For uncomplicated malaria, artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) offers a better option than quinine though the difficulty of maintaining a steady supply of ACT in resource-limited settings renders the rapid withdrawal of quinine for uncomplicated malaria cases risky. The best approach would be to identify solutions to ACT stock-outs, maintain quinine in case of ACT stock-outs, and evaluate strategies for improving quinine treatment outcomes by combining it with antibiotics. In HIV and TB infected populations, concerns about potential interactions between quinine and antiretroviral and anti-tuberculosis drugs exist, and these will need further research and pharmacovigilance