New combined model of high impedance arcing fault in overhead transmission system

High impedance fault is a popular complex phenomenon that exhibits high nonlinear behavior. For most distinctive characteristics of high impedance fault, are asymmetry and nonlinearity, so, in order to obtain an accurate model of high impedance fault, it is necessary to develop a model that gives the most distinctive characteristics of high impedance fault. In this paper we propose a novel model of high impedance arcing fault in electrical power transmission system. Proposed model is based on the digital arc model incorporated with specially developed custom model which has been designed in PSCAD/EMTDC program. The results is clearly reveal that the proposed model gives the important characteristics of high impedance fault (HIF) which is essential for development of reliable detection algorithms

Preparation and characterization of magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles By Sol-Gel method

The magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles were successfully synthesized and annealed under vacuum at different temperature. The Fe3O4 nanoparticles prepared via sol-gel assisted method and annealed at 200-400ºC were characterized by Fourier Transformation Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction spectra (XRD), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). The XRD result indicate the presence of Fe3O4 nanoparticles, and the Scherer`s Formula calculated the mean particles size in range of 2-25 nm. The FESEM result shows that the morphologies of the particles annealed at 400ºC are more spherical and partially agglomerated, while the EDS result indicates the presence of Fe3O4 by showing Fe-O group of elements. AFM analyzed the 3D and roughness of the sample; the Fe3O4 nanoparticles have a minimum diameter of 79.04 nm, which is in agreement with FESEM result. In many cases, the synthesis of Fe3O4 nanoparticles using FeCl3 and FeCl2 has not been achieved, according to some literatures, but this research was able to obtained Fe3O4 nanoparticles base on the characterization results

Feasibility study on utilization of palm fibre waste into fired clay brick

Malaysia is the second largest of palm oil producer after Indonesia, which contribute to 50 % of palm oil production. With this demand, the increasing of palm oil plantation over the years has led to the large production of agricultural waste, for example palm fibre waste. This study investigates different percentages of palm fibre (0 %, 1 %, 5 % and 10 %) to be incorporated into fired clay brick. Manufactured bricks were fired at 1 °C/min heating rate up to 1050 °C. The effects of manufacture bricks on the physical and mechanical properties of manufactured brick were also determined. All brick samples were tested due to the physical and mechanical properties which include dry density, firing shrinkage, initial rate of suction (IRS), water absorption, porosity and compressive strength. Findings show that increasing palm fibre waste affected the properties of brick, which decreased their density, besides increased firing shrinkage, IRS, water absorption, porosity and compressive strength. However, all the manufactured brick still followed the requirement

Future Community-Based Ecotourism (CBET) development

Ecotourism is an alternative form of tourism and is usually confused with natural and cultural tourism.CBET is fast becoming a popular biodiversity conservation tool that develops and benefits the local community. Based on the context of conservation theory and practice, Community-Based Ecotourism (CBET) is a form of community-based natural resource management. However, a sustainable CBET development through Community Capacity Building (CCB)programs is not something that it easily achievable. Local community’s capacity varies from one culture to another. It takes a high level of community participation, in order for it to come to a level where the community members themselves are motivated to participate and contribute to the development of the program. This fully qualitative research involved 15 respondents from the community of Kg. Selai, Bekok in Johor, Malaysia. The result show there are five factors that sustained the ecotourism development based for Orang Asli Community in Kg. Selai, namely, existing CBET development, past CBET development, local community participation in planning stage of tourism, local participation in implementation stage of tourism and participation in nature conservation

Neural Network Based Prediction of Stable Equivalent Series Resistance in Voltage Regulator Characterization

High demand on voltage regulator (VR) currently requires VR manufacturers to improve their time-to-market, particularly for new product development. To fulfill the output stability requirement, VR manufacturers characterize the VR in terms of the equivalent series resistance (ESR) of the output capacitor because the ESR variation affects the VR output stability. The VR characterization outcome suggests a stable range of ESR, which is indicated in the ESR tunnel graph in the VR datasheet. However, current practice in industry manually characterizes VR, thereby increasing the manufacturing time and cost. Therefore, an efficient method based on multilayer neural network has been developed to obtain the ESR tunnel graph. The results show that this method able to reduce the VR characterization time by approximately 53% and achieved critical ESR prediction error less than 5%. This work demonstrated an efficient and effective approach for VR characterization in terms of ESR

Effect of boric acid mixture as solid lubricant towards machining processes

Milling is widely used metal removal process in manufacturing industry that involves generation of high cutting forces and temperature. Lubricants become important to reduce the cutting force and temperature for better machining processes and performances. Conventional cutting fluid has some limitations. The applications of conventional cutting fluid create some techno-environmental problems like environmental pollution, biological problems to operators and water pollution. Application of solid lubricant in milling has proved to be a feasible alternative to the conventional cutting fluids. The present work investigates the effect of boric acid as solid lubricant towards machining performances such as tool wear and surface roughness. The results indicate that boric acid can improve the cutting processes and performance compared to conventional cutting fluid

Construction Firm Readiness towards Implementing Integrated Project Delivery (IPD)

The Malaysian government has taken the initiative of implementing Industrialised Building System (IBS) in which components are manufactured in mass production under a controlled environment (on or off site), transported, positioned and assembled into a structure with minimal additional site works. It is hope that IBS can improve the performance of construction industry. However, one of the main barriers in Malaysian IBS implementation is lack of integration among stakeholder involved during the project delivery stage. In order to overcome this barrier, a new collaborative procurement or project delivery namely as Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) which is using a multi-party contract (more than two parties selected) has been introduced. Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) is defined as a project delivery approach that integrates people, systems, business structures and practices into a process that collaboratively harnesses the talents and insights of all project participants to optimise the results, increase value to the owner, reduce waste, and maximize efficiency through all phases of design, fabrication and construction. Although, many researchers have argue the importance of IPD in project delivery process, but the readiness of construction industries must be established. This research has used a quantitative research process that involved a few phases including literature review stage, data collection stage, framework development stage, validation and recommendation stage. This research is to obtain data based on multidisciplinary IBS stakeholders perspectives, respondent include project managers, resident engineers, architects and contractors are among the potential candidates. Respondents that directly involved in the construction industry mentioned that their firms are willing to change and implement IPD. The firms readiness recorded at the moderate mean value. It can be noted that each firm involved as respondents are ready to implement

Landscape preference and human well-being

Humans have always been fascinated by the landscape. Aspects of the landscape that are intriguing play an important role in people’s preferences for landscapes. Since classical times philosophers such as Plato and Socrates, have made inquiries about aesthetics; and numerous theories have emerged. These theories can be categorized into two paradigms. Even though both paradigms focus on the role of landscape in determining landscape preferences one group believes that the aesthetic qualities of a landscape are inherent in the landscape, the other argues that landscape aesthetics lies in people’s cognition or mental understanding of the landscape. However, beginning with the seminal work of Kevin Lynch’s The Image of the City (1960) and his classification of landscape elements that are important to the imageability of urban landscapes, attention has been given to the later paradigm that emphasizes the role of human evolution and cognition in shaping landscape preferences and thus aesthetics. However, this paper argues that, after several decades, no central theory related to landscape preference or aesthetics has emerged, even though many researchers who subscribe to the later paradigm based their theory on the same assumption; human well-being. Therefore, the recognition of the relationship between landscape preference and human well-being should be redeveloped and strengthened by bringing in new evidence

A battery-less power supply using supercapacitor as energy storage powered by solar

This paper presents a battery-less power supply using supercapacitor as energy storage powered by solar. In this study the supercapacitor as energy storage, as opposed to batteries, has widely researched in recent years. Supercapacitors act like other capacitors, but their advantage is having enormous power storage capabilities. Maximum charging voltage and capacitance are two variables of storage in the supercapacitor. The supercapacitor is used as energy storage to charge a low power device wirelessly and act as a power supply. The solar energy is used as a backup power supply if there is no electricity in the remote or isolated area to charge the supercapacitor. The time taken to charge the supercapacitor depend on the amount of current rating of the solar panel. The higher the current, the shorter the time taken to charges the supercapacitor. Power supply using supercapacitor can store up to 30 Vdc using a DC-DC boost converter