Development of Fruit-Based Waste Material as Bioflocculant for Water Clarification / Peck Loo Kiew and Kian Hen Chong

Access to clean water is the major priority in all countries in the world in which millions of humans and living organisms die due to contaminated water-related diseases every year. Flora and fauna particularly urban rivers are losing attraction due to the problem of high turbidity in the water resources. Sedimentation and filtration had been regarded as efficient approaches in tackling turbidity of wastewater. The primary objective of this research is to investigate the possibility of converting Malaysian natural resource wastes (fruit-based) into bioflocculants for the potential application in turbidity removal in wastewater treatment process. The coagulation-flocculation potential in treating turbid water of four different fruit wastes which were inclusive of banana peels, jackfruit peels, pomelo peels and papaya seeds were investigated. The results revealed that banana peels demonstrated the most effective turbidity removal at 70.78 % in relative to other fruit wastes, without optimization processes. Interestingly, after the bioflocculation treatment using banana peels, residual pH of the treated water was 6.73, which was very close to neutral pH at 7.0 and fall within the WHO recommended pH value for drinking water quality (6.5 – 8.5). This implies that with further optimization study to enhance the turbidity removal and appropriate disinfection, if need be, the treated water using banana peel is suitable for human consumption. The exploitation of naturally available resources or waste materials into bioflocculants in this research had shed some lights in the discovery of efficient, biodegradable and green flocculants as potential replacement to conventional synthetic chemical coagulants in reducing water turbidity

Selection of renewable energy in rural area via life cycle assessment-analytical hierarchy process (LCA-AHP): a case study of Tatau, Sarawak

With a growing global population and energy demand, there is increasing concern about the world’s reliance on fossil fuels, which have a negative impact on the climate, necessitating the immediate transition to a cleaner energy resource. This effort can be initiated in the rural areas of developing countries for a sustainable, efficient and affordable energy source. This study evaluated four types of renewable energy (solar, wind, biomass, and mini-hydro energy) using the integrated Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) approaches to select the best renewable energy source in Tatau, Sarawak. The criteria under consideration in this study included the environment, engineering and economics. The AHP results showed that solar energy received the highest score of 0.299 in terms of the evaluated criteria, followed by mini-hydro, biomass and wind energy, which received scores of 0.271, 0.230 and 0.200, respectively. These findings can be used to develop a systematic procedure for determining the best form of renewable energy for rural areas. This approach could be vital for the authorities that are responsible for breaking down multi-perspective criteria for future decision making in the transition into renewable energy

The impact of using recycled culture medium to grow Chlorella vulgaris in a sequential flow system: Evaluation on growth, carbon removal, and biochemical compositions

Excessive of carbon dioxide (CO2) emission and water pollution have been identified as the two primary challenges to humans and environment. Hence, biological carbon sequestration by microalgae is recommended as an environmentally friendly approach to capture and convert this CO2 into value-added products. However, research related to the development of efficient system to concurrently overcome low CO2 solubility in water and reduction of water footprint in microalgae cultivation is still limited in the literature. In this study, the CO2 capture by Chlorella vulgaris in a recycled cultivation medium was exploited using a sequential flow photobioreactor system. The study revealed that nutrient replenished recycled medium did not significantly affect the growth performance and lipid content of C. vulgaris. It was also observed that the CO2 capture efficiency and protein content were gradually increased from the first (SFB-RWN1) to the third (SFB-RWN3) cycle of cultivation due to the increment of carbon and nitrogen content in the microalgae cell. Besides, the lipid profile of C. vulgaris cultivated in the recycled medium comprised of high concentration of saturated (up to 32.41%) and polyunsaturated (up to 43.21%) fatty acid methyl ester (FAME). The present study suggested that growing C. vulgaris in a recycled medium is a feasible solution to fix CO2 from the atmosphere and help to reduce water footprint in the microalgae cultivation system

Chicken eggshell as biosorbent: Artificial intelligence as promising approach in optimizing study

Response Surface Methodology (RSM) is the most popular approach for optimization study in various biochemical processes nowadays. Artificial Neural Network (ANN) has emerged as one of the most efficient methods in empirical modeling and optimization, particularly for non-linear systems. In this study, the estimation capability of RSM and ANN models was compared in copper removal from aqueous solution. The experiments were carried out based on a 3-level and 4-variable Central Composite Design (CCD). The RSM results revealed that the relationship between the response and independent variable could be represented by the quadratic polynomial model. In the development of ANN model, the optimal configuration of the model was found to be 4-10-1. Estimated responses from both models were compared with the experimentally determined responses to determine predictive capabilities of both techniques. Comparison of two methodologies showed that the ANN model was more accurate and exhibited better generalization capability than RSM, thus indicated a clear superiority than the latter in capturing the non-linear behaviour of the adsorption process using chicken eggshell as biosorbent

Chicken eggshell as biosorbent: Artificial intelligence as promising approach in optimizing study

Response Surface Methodology (RSM) is the most popular approach for optimization study in various biochemical processes nowadays. Artificial Neural Network (ANN) has emerged as one of the most efficient methods in empirical modeling and optimization, particularly for non-linear systems. In this study, the estimation capability of RSM and ANN models was compared in copper removal from aqueous solution. The experiments were carried out based on a 3-level and 4-variable Central Composite Design (CCD). The RSM results revealed that the relationship between the response and independent variable could be represented by the quadratic polynomial model. In the development of ANN model, the optimal configuration of the model was found to be 4-10-1. Estimated responses from both models were compared with the experimentally determined responses to determine predictive capabilities of both techniques. Comparison of two methodologies showed that the ANN model was more accurate and exhibited better generalization capability than RSM, thus indicated a clear superiority than the latter in capturing the non-linear behaviour of the adsorption process using chicken eggshell as biosorbent

Review of engineering programme outcome assessment models

The programme outcomes or synonymously known as graduate attributes stipulated in the International Engineering Alliance’s graduate attributes and professional competencies serve as a benchmark of standards for engineering education to higher learning institutions in Malaysia as well as other signatory countries under the educational accords. However, with regard to assessing the programme outcomes, the Engineering Accreditation Council Malaysia, similar to most accreditation bodies in the Washington Accord, does not prescribe any specific model to inspire innovation and creativity in assessment. As a result, higher learning institutions often experience challenges in implementing a model that can reflect students’ real performances in these programme outcomes. In essence, a few assessment models have been adopted, namely the accumulating, culminating and comprehensive culminating. This review paper unveiled the advantages and disadvantages of these models and revealed why the comprehensive culminating model is a better approach in the Malaysian experience. From the literature review, and document analysis of accreditation visit reports and records from some accreditation bodies and higher learning institutions, a systematic approach to implement the comprehensive culminating assessment model is proposed. This approach will be useful for higher learning institutions and faculty members in the Washington Accord signatory countries in sustaining assessment efforts

Sustainable Assessment Practices for Engineering Programme Outcomes: Challenges and Recommendations in Malaysian Higher Learning Institutions

A new paradigm in the implementation of engineering programme outcomes assessment has emerged throughout Malaysia since the introduction of Outcomes-based Education (OBE) by the Engineering Accreditation Council of Malaysia in 2005. Despite the fact that OBE has been in place for over seventeen years, Malaysian Higher Learning Institutions (HLIs) continue to face challenges in effectively assessing programme outcomes. This research aimed to explore the challenges faced by academic staff when assessing programme outcomes at HLIs. The research was guided by the theory of sustainable assessment, as well as the key barriers identified by previous researchers that hinder academic staff from changing assessment practices. A qualitative methodology was employed, involving interviews with 18 participants to gain a comprehensive understanding of programme outcomes assessment in HLIs. The data was analysed using a constant comparative method, and themes were systematically examined and reported using Strauss and Corbin’s coding analytical framework. The research revealed various emerging themes, including the need to change academic staff’s mindset and increase their exposure to assessment, implementing effective HLI initiatives to enhance outcomes assessment, securing support from accreditation bodies to reduce assessment workload, establishing a robust outcomesbased support system, and working with dedicated and enthusiastic leaders. Based on the findings, sustainable practices for assessing engineering programme outcomes were proposed. These practices aim to address the challenges faced by HLIs and academic staff in engineering and other Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education settings, foster the exchange of best practices, and improve the overall quality of STEM education globally

The potential of waste chicken feather protein hydrolysate as microalgae biostimulant using organic fertilizer as nutrients source

High costs associated with chemical triggers to promote microalgae productivity when waste-based sources are used as nutrients source has diverted the attention of microalgae growers to seek for sustainable substitute for synthetic triggers. On the other note, vast disposal of chicken feather waste cause severe environmental pollution due to its low decomposition characteristics. Following the call for rigid regulations on its disposal and in attempt to valorize this waste, chicken feathers were subjected to hydrolysis process using 1M sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and precipitated by 1M hydrochloric acid (HCL) to produce chicken feather protein hydrolysate (CFPH). The prepared CFPH was further tested for its feasibility as biostimulant for Chlorella vulgaris grown in organic fertilizer as nutrients source. From the data obtained via elemental analysis, the protein content of CFPH was determined as 73.56%. The biomass and lipid productivities of C. vulgaris cultures were significantly improved by 30.4 and 34.3 to 44.6%, respectively compared to control cultures. This research work indicated that CFPH may serve as a potential low-cost biostimulant for simultaneous augmentation of microalgae biomass and lipid. Characterization of physicochemical properties of the produced CFPH is an essential step in identifying possible avenues for its application in microalgae cultivation

Assessing the effects of operating parameters on flocculation of

Harvesting of microalgae is one of the main challenges in the production of biodiesel due to the small cell size of microalgae cells. Chemical flocculants have been generally used in the harvesting of microalgae, but they are harmful to the environment and relatively costly. Therefore, the utilization of waste biomass in producing bioflocculants is the current research niche to introduce environmental-friendly harvesting method and to minimize the cost of biodiesel production. Thus, in the current work, flocculation Chlorella vulgaris using mild acid-extracted bioflocculants from miscellaneous waste biomass (cockle shell, peanut shell and banana peel) were conducted by varying the pH values, the dosage of bioflocculants and temperatures. Cockle shell bioflocculant demonstrated the best flocculation performance, with highest flocculation efficiency of 85.2% compared to the peanut shell bioflocculant with flocculation efficiency of 37% and banana peel bioflocculant with flocculation efficiency of 16.3%. The optimum flocculation conditions for cockle shell bioflocculant were determined as follow: pH 9, bioflocculant dosage of 140mg/L and temperature of 30oC. The findings herein presented practical applicability of bioflocculants extracted from cockle shell for safe, rapid and inexpensive microalgae harvesting