Process system engineering in biodiesel production: a review

Biodiesel is fast becoming a popular alternative to fossil fuels, as it is natural, renewable and has low toxic emissions. Strategies that have been adopted to ensure continued growth of the biodiesel industry are policy development, reduction of biodiesel tax, offset funding for incremental fuel cost from CO2 emission fuel and support for research and development of potential biodiesel feedstocks. Recent innovations of biodiesel processes are focused on the development of more efficient catalysts and in the utilization of novel reaction media such as supercritical fluids as well as on a variety of oil feedstocks such as virgin and waste oils. Biodiesel production involves complex processes which require systematic process design and optimization. The main aim of designing biodiesel plants is to maxime conversion of ethyl or methyl esters at the lowest capital cost of the plant. The design should also consider safety and environmental concerns. Process system engineering (PSE) is a systematic approach to design and analyze complex processes by using a variety of PSE tools for the optimization of biodiesel production. This paper reviews the latest PSE tools used in development of novel biodiesel processes. It describes the main PSE elements such as process model development and product design, simulation of biodiesel processes, optimization of biodiesel synthesis, and integration of reactor and separation systems. This review also highlights the sustainability of biodiesel production

Process system engineering in biodiesel production: a review

Biodiesel is fast becoming a popular alternative to fossil fuels, as it is natural, renewable and has low toxic emissions. Strategies that have been adopted to ensure continued growth of the biodiesel industry are policy development, reduction of biodiesel tax, offset funding for incremental fuel cost from CO2 emission fuel and support for research and development of potential biodiesel feedstocks. Recent innovations of biodiesel processes are focused on the development of more efficient catalysts and in the utilization of novel reaction media such as supercritical fluids as well as on a variety of oil feedstocks such as virgin and waste oils. Biodiesel production involves complex processes which require systematic process design and optimization. The main aim of designing biodiesel plants is to maxime conversion of ethyl or methyl esters at the lowest capital cost of the plant. The design should also consider safety and environmental concerns. Process system engineering (PSE) is a systematic approach to design and analyze complex processes by using a variety of PSE tools for the optimization of biodiesel production. This paper reviews the latest PSE tools used in development of novel biodiesel processes. It describes the main PSE elements such as process model development and product design, simulation of biodiesel processes, optimization of biodiesel synthesis, and integration of reactor and separation systems. This review also highlights the sustainability of biodiesel production

Methyl esters selectivity of transesterification reaction with homogenous alkaline catalyst to produce biodiesel in batch, plug flow, and continuous stirred tank reactors

Selectivity concept is essential in establishing the best operating conditions for attaining maximum production of the desired product. For complex reaction such as biodiesel fuel synthesis, kinetic studies of transesterification reaction have revealed the mechanism of the reaction and rate constants. The objectives of this research are to develop the kinetic parameters for determination of methyl esters and glycerol selectivity, evaluate the significance of the reverse reaction in transesterification reaction, and examine the influence of reaction characteristics (reaction temperature, methanol to oil molar ratio, and the amount of catalyst) on selectivity. For this study, published reaction rate constants of transesterification reaction were used to develop mathematical expressions for selectivities. In order to examine the base case and reversible transesterification, two calculation schemes (Case 1 and Case 2) were established. An enhanced selectivity was found in the base case of transesterification reaction. The selectivity was greatly improved at optimum reaction temperature (60 C), molar ratio (9 : 1), catalyst concentration (1.5 wt.%), and low free fatty acid feedstock. Further research might explore the application of selectivity for specifying reactor configurations

Methyl esters selectivity of transesterification reaction with homogenous alkaline catalyst to produce biodiesel in batch, plug flow, and continuous stirred tank reactors

Selectivity concept is essential in establishing the best operating conditions for attaining maximum production of the desired product. For complex reaction such as biodiesel fuel synthesis, kinetic studies of transesterification reaction have revealed the mechanism of the reaction and rate constants. The objectives of this research are to develop the kinetic parameters for determination of methyl esters and glycerol selectivity, evaluate the significance of the reverse reaction in transesterification reaction, and examine the influence of reaction characteristics (reaction temperature, methanol to oil molar ratio, and the amount of catalyst) on selectivity. For this study, published reaction rate constants of transesterification reaction were used to develop mathematical expressions for selectivities. In order to examine the base case and reversible transesterification, two calculation schemes (Case 1 and Case 2) were established. An enhanced selectivity was found in the base case of transesterification reaction. The selectivity was greatly improved at optimum reaction temperature (60 C), molar ratio (9 : 1), catalyst concentration (1.5 wt.%), and low free fatty acid feedstock. Further research might explore the application of selectivity for specifying reactor configurations

Comparison of the frying performance of refined, bleached and deodorized palm olein and coconut oil

The frying performance of refined, bleached and deodorized palm olein (RBDPO) and refined, bleached and deodorized coconut oil (RBDCO) was compared in this study. The oils were studied during intermittent frying of potato chips at 180C for 5 h/day for 5 consecutive days. The indices used for assessment of frying performance of the oils were fatty acid composition (FAC), peroxide value (PV), anisidine value (AnV), % free fatty acid (FFA), iodine value (IV), % polar component, polymer content, color, viscosity, smoke point and foaming tendency. The results showed that RBDPO was superior to RBDCO in frying performance in terms of % FFA, iodine value, foaming tendency and smoke point. However, RBDCO performed better than RBDPO with respect to % polar component, polymer content, resistance to oxidation, color and viscosity. Flavor evaluation showed that potato chips fried in RBDPO were preferred by the panelists

Harmonic reduction of a single-phase multilevel inverter using genetic algorithm and particle swarm optimization

Inverter play important role in power system especially with it capability on reducing system size and increase efficient. Recent research trend of power electronics system are focusing on multilevel inverter topic in optimization on voltage output, reduce total harmonics distortion, modulation technique and switching configuration. Standalone application multilevel inverter is high focused due to the rise of renewable energy policy all around the world. Hence, this research emphasis on identify best topology of multilevel inverter and optimize it among the diode-clamped, capacitor clamped and cascaded H-bridge multilevel inverter to be used for standalone application in term of total harmonics distortion and voltage boosting capability. The first part of research that is identify best topology multilevel inverter is applying sinusoidal pulse width modulation technique. The result shown cascade H-bridge give the best output in both total harmonics distortion (9.27%) and fundamental component voltage (240 Vrms). The research proceed with optimization with fundamental switching frequency method that is optimized harmonic stepped waveform modulation method. The selective harmonics elimination calculation have adapt with genetic algorithm and particle swarm optimization in order to speed up the calculation. Both bio-inspired algorithm is compared in term of total harmonic distortion and selected harmonics elimination for both equal and unequal sources. In overall result shown both algorithm have high accuracy in solving the non-linear equation. However, genetic algorithm shown better output quality in term of selected harmonics elimination where overall no exceeding 0.4%. Particle swarm optimization shows strength in finding best total harmonics distortion where in 7-level cascaded H-bridge multilevel inverter (m=0.8) show 6.8% only as compared to genetic algorithm. Simulation for 3-level, 5-level and 7-level for each multilevel inverter at different circumferences had been done in this research. The result draw out a conclusion where the possibility of having a filterless high efficient invert can be achieve

Adsorption isotherm studies of palm carotene extraction by synthetic polymer adsorbent

The use of different synthetic polymer resin adsorbents, including HP 20, Exa 31, Exa 32 and Exa 50 for the removal of carotenes from crude palm oil was investigated. The adsorption of carotene was determined using several adsorption isotherm models such as Langmuir and Scatchard plots. The Langmuir adsorption model was found to be sufficient to describe the adsorption of carotenes by using these four types of resins, suggesting that the process was favorable, saturable and an equilibrated mechanism. A curve of Scatchard transformation plot showed that the adsorption involves multiple binding sites. The maximum uptake capacity of all resins used in isopropanol (IPA) was about 5 fold higher than the maximum uptake capacity obtained in n-hexane. The adsorbent found to be most efficient for carotene was HP 20 for experiment carried out in IPA. The carotenes concentration obtained by HP 20 in IPA was 31.44 mg/L compared to 7.12 mg/L obtained in n-hexane

COMPROMISING FOREST ENVIRONMENT IN PENINSULAR MALAYSIA: THE RIGHTS OF PUBLIC TO ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION

oai:ojs.pkp.sfu.ca:article/1Well managed forests that ensure the conservation of resources are not only significant for the communities’ dependant on forests but also for ecological service for the benefit of wider society. Nevertheless, in recent years the riches of nature particularly forest seems to be abandoned as a result of rapid and mixed development. This paper highlights the importance of the rights of public in Peninsular Malaysia to be involved with forest environmental information in any stages of environmental issues up to decision-making processes where the principle 10 of the Rio Declaration comes into discussion. With growing recognition of the rights of the indigenous peoples to land and forest resources, issues regarding the Orang Asli communities as an important stakeholder in forests are also discussed. Supported by contemporary issues and cases, even though public participation seems to be properly stated in the relevant legal content, regrettably in term of public participation in forest environment, this concept is seemed not favoured by those in authority because it is seen as a factor which may impede progress of the development project. This paper infers that the concept of public participation indeed seeks involvement of those potentially affected by or interested in a decision. Furthermore, it is now emerged as a concept which is considered as vital part of democratic governance to enhance accountability. Thus, as a matter of fact, environmental information is a mere report rather than to be disclosed to public

Novel Anode Catalyst for Direct Methanol Fuel Cells

PtRu catalyst is a promising anodic catalyst for direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) but the slow reaction kinetics reduce the performance of DMFCs. Therefore, this study attempts to improve the performance of PtRu catalysts by adding nickel (Ni) and iron (Fe). Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are used to increase the active area of the catalyst and to improve the catalyst performance. Electrochemical analysis techniques, such as energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), are used to characterize the kinetic parameters of the hybrid catalyst. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) is used to investigate the effects of adding Fe and Ni to the catalyst on the reaction kinetics. Additionally, chronoamperometry (CA) tests were conducted to study the long-term performance of the catalyst for catalyzing the methanol oxidation reaction (MOR). The binding energies of the reactants and products are compared to determine the kinetics and potential surface energy for methanol oxidation. The FESEM analysis results indicate that well-dispersed nanoscale (2–5 nm) PtRu particles are formed on the MWCNTs. Finally, PtRuFeNi/MWCNT improves the reaction kinetics of anode catalysts for DMFCs and obtains a mass current of 31 A g−1 catalyst

Study of postnatal depression in Kota Bharu, Kelantan and validation of postnatal depression scale

Validation of the Malay version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale to determined the prevalence of postnatal depression,its risk factors and a survey of socio-cultural practices post delivery among women in District of Kota Bharu,Kelantan delivering between February to September 2000.Initially,a validation study was done involving 52 mothers who were at 4-12 week post delivery.The women completed the Malay version of EPDS and the Malay 30-item General Health Questionnaire (GHO).The were they assessed with the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) and Clinical Interview Schedule (CIS).Psychiatric diagnoses were made based on ICD-10 criteria.The validity of EPDS was tested against tested clinical diagnosis and the concurrent validity against the Malay version 30-item OHQ and HDRS scores was also was evaluated.Then a longitudinal study involving four hundred and seventeen pregnant women attending primary health care facilities in Kota Bharu between February and September 2000 were screened for depression at 36-42 week of pregnancy,I week and 4-6 week postpartum using EPDS.The women were also requested to complete questionnaires on socio-demography,psychosocial support and traditional postnatal care.The best cut-ofT score of the Malay version of EPDS was 11.5 with the sensitivity of 72.7% and specificity of 92.6%. In Longitudinal study, three hundred and seventy seven women successfully completed the questionnaires and EDPS (response rate = 90.4%).The prevalence of postnatal depression at 4-6 week postpartum, based on EDPS score of 12 and above, was 20.7%. Depressive symptoms at the end of pregnancy (p<O.OS) and one week postpartum (p<O.OS), worried about the baby (p<0.05) using traditional medication (p<O.OS) and traditional massage(p<O.OS) were significantly associated with postnatal depression.The Malay version of EDPS is valid and reliable screening tool for Postnatal Depression. Postnatal depression among women in Kota Bharu was more common compared to previously reported series in Malaysia. Onset of depressive symptoms towards the end of pregnancy and early postpartum period, worried about the baby and using traditional medicine independently predicted postnatal depression.However, ing traditional massage seems to have a protective effect