Development of industrial air pollution monitoring system for safety and health enhancement and sustainable work environment in small and medium industries (SMI's)

The study is focused on the development of Industrial Air Pollution Monitoring System (IAPMOS) for small and medium industries application. The objectives of the study are to develop a system with special configuration on wireless data communications and able to analyze hazard and risk especially in welding process. The Quality Function Deployment (QFD) was used as a tool in the design the system. Questionnaires were distributed to the relevant personnel in manufacturing industries. Case study was carried out in two manufacturing companies located in Shah Alam, Selangor. Another case study on wireless data communication was conducted in the Walk-in Stability Chamber (WiSC) at Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM). The system analyzed the data after save file and it is used the Hazard Risk Index (HRI) approach and the result on risk level were used Risk Classification Matrix (RCM) approach. The system features has warning sign (by colour) and buzzer to ensure the safety and health personnel gives attention to the outcome toxic gas data collection. The system can reach 150m length for accurate wireless data transfer. The IAPMOS can be used by the industries to create safe, healthy and sustainable work environment and reduce occupational diseases

Governance strategies in sustainable campus using Rasch model

In moving towards sustainability, university needs to establish a good governance strategy which practices to transform a positive sustainable culture toward successful green campus. Howe ver, due to constraint of knowledge and commitment regarding sustainability integration has caused weakness in the implementation of green concept in majority of Malaysian universities. This paper is presents one of the five dimensions of a developed hypot hetical integrated sustainable campus model which is university governance. The university governance dimension consists of 5 constructs and 23 items which are strategies for the university to be complied. These strategies were uncovered using questionnair e survey with 35 selected experts who are currently active in sustainable campus activities and researches. Collected data from this survey was analysed using Rasch method in Winstep software to measure items reliability, separation index, items polarity, item fit and item person map. Results from the analysis indicated that 19 strategies were significant to be implemented. Thus, it provides good information for universities to adopt these sustainable campus strategies in making their campus as a role mode l for a sustainable and conducive living environment

An overview of biodiesel energy

Over the last ten years’ attention to biofuels production has increased dramatically and become crucial. One of the main factors is the rise in world oil prices, coupled with the abatement of greenhouse gas emissions and concerns about energy security. Biodiesel is diesel fuel extracted and made out of animal fats, vegetable oils, or recycled restaurant greases. It is harmless, biodegradable, and generate fewer air pollutants than conventional-based diesel. This paper will be summarized the overview of biodiesel including. competitiveness of biodiesel, ii. biodiesel production and iii. engine performance using biodiesel

Effects of intake temperature and equivalence ratio on HCCI ignition timing and emissions of a 2-stroke engine

Homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) combustion, when applied to a gasoline engine, offers the potential for a noticeable improvement in fuel economy and dramatic reductions in NOx emissions. In this study, Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) is used coupled with detailed chemical mechanism (38 species and 69 reactions) for simulation of HCCI combustion of iso-octane and transitional flow inside the combustion chamber of a 2-stroke engine. Results show that increasing the overall gas temperature significantly advances the HCCI combustion timing. Concerning the equivalence ratio, by increasing it the ignition timing has been advanced and the maximum cylinder pressure has been increased. When equivalence ratio increases to more than 0.5 , NOx emissions significantly increases and go beyond 1000 [ppm]

Effect of Poor Indoor Air Quality (IAQ): A Review

Indoor air quality (IAQ) is defined as the quality of indoor air in the buildings and structures that influence to the building’s occupants’ health. Human exposure to indoor air pollutants is difficult to quantify as it is largely determined by micro-environmental characteristics. Pollution levels in one home may be quite different from those in another, depending on the occurrence and usage of sources of pollutants and on the ventilation habits. The presence chapter discussed about major effect of poor indoor air quality consequences of high pollution levels. Effects of indoor air pollution can be life threatening. Kids and old age people are more prone to the after effects of indoor air pollution

A Study of Indoor Air Quality in Refurbished Museum Building

Problem related with indoor air quality (IAQ), is rapidly becoming a major health issue as people spend almost 90% of their time indoors. Museums were established in Malaysia more than hundred years ago. Since the year 2005, Malaysia has been moving away from constructing new buildings in favour of refurbishing historic and old ones. A healthy environment at the museum building has been identified as one of the important element that must been considered, but it is not sure either IAQ in the museum building provide a good air quality or not. The purpose of this study is to determine the actual indoor environment of the museum building in Melaka. In this study, the IAQ measurement were conduct for six days at the Melaka Sultanate Palace Museum and at the History and Ethnography Museum. During the measurement, IAQ parameters of gaseous pollutant of nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide, and particulate matter of fine particles were recorded by using specific IAQ equipment. The finding of this study indicates that the distance of buildings from roadways appears to have an impact on indoor environmental levels, especially for nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide and particulate matter. Based on the results, only gaseous pollutant of sulfur dioxide had not exceeding the acceptable TLV compared to the other IAQ pollutants

Energy from organic sources

Elevated environmental awareness and exhaustion of resources are leading to develop substitute fuel from renewable resources that can be environmentally friendly. Bio-diesel fuel is a substitute to petrol base fuels currently being obtained from vegetable oils, animal fat, utilized oils from restaurants etc. Pet animal fats represent large wastes in tanneries. With a high energetically worth, animal fats may make up an energetical source with significant capital opportunities as raw substance (used with high precautionary measure) or also as oils acquired from ester interchange with alcohol (biodiesel) with higher facets being used as fuel at diesel engines

A study on awareness of household waste separation in Parit Raja, Batu Pahat, Johor: rural areas

Malaysia is embarking on green initiatives which have been expressly stipulated in the Eleventh Malaysia Plan (2016-2020). In order to transform ideas into reality, the government has identified six strategic thrusts and six game changers that will help Malaysia to stay ahead of global challenges and opportunities in the next five years. In one of the strategic thrusts, the government has planned a greener trajectory for sustainability and resilience [1]. As a result, governmental agencies such as the Department of Environment (DOE) has been given the mandate to conserve and protect the environment and its natural resources for present and future generations. Among the ways applied by the government for solving environmental problems, especially waste generation, include waste minimization, compost and incineration. The Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 (SWPCM Act 2007) came into force on 1 September 2011. It was administered by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government. The main objective of the act is to regulate the management of controlled solid waste and to ensure high-quality services in solid waste management [2]. Apart from the government, the community should also play its role in minimizing waste generation at household level

Chemical contaminants of indoor air quality (IAQ): a review

Chemical contaminants are mostly not easy to determine in terms of their source and effect. However, the chemical contaminants in indoor air were identified as gases and vapors (inorganic and organic), and particulates matter [1]. In the indoor air environment, the chemical contaminants access from outdoor or develop within the building. In addition, chemical contaminants can originate anywhere in a facility in excess of recommended amounts [2]. Nowadays all building has some collection of chemical around with potential to become a contaminant in the air. According to DOSH, 2010 [3] stated that the main factor chemical pollutants usually found in the indoor air are carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, respirable particulates, total volatile organic compounds (TVOC). This chapter also presents the basic knowledge of organic and inorganic pollutant as chemical contaminants of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)

Data Comparison on Fumes Local Exhaust Ventilation: Examination and Testing Compliance to USECHH Regulation 2000

The paper focused on the examination and testing of local exhaust ventilation (LEV) systems at one of Electrical Company to check the transport velocity whether it meet the recommended American Governmental Industrial Hygienist (ACGIH) Standard. The industrial hygiene approaches, AREC (Anticipating, Recognize, Evaluate and Control) were adopted in this study. This is to ensure that the LEV system installed has the optimum efficiency to extract out the contaminants from the workstation. Objective of this study is to make comparison with previous and current monitoring data. The efficiency and the other parameter measured will be the main source to analyze for the particular applications. The differential of data was discussed and several recommendations are proposed to make sure the LEV system performance is excellent