Proceeding Of Mechanical Engineering Research Day 2016 (MERD’16)

This Open Access e-Proceeding contains a compilation of 105 selected papers from the Mechanical Engineering Research Day 2016 (MERD’16) event, which is held in Kampus Teknologi, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) - Melaka, Malaysia, on 31 March 2016. The theme chosen for this event is ‘IDEA. INSPIRE. INNOVATE’. It was gratifying to all of us when the response for MERD’16 is overwhelming as the technical committees received more than 200 submissions from various areas of mechanical engineering. After a peer-review process, the editors have accepted 105 papers for the e-proceeding that cover 7 main themes. This open access e-Proceeding can be viewed or downloaded at www3.utem.edu.my/care/proceedings. We hope that these proceeding will serve as a valuable reference for researchers. With the large number of submissions from the researchers in other faculties, the event has achieved its main objective which is to bring together educators, researchers and practitioners to share their findings and perhaps sustaining the research culture in the university. The topics of MERD’16 are based on a combination of fundamental researches, advanced research methodologies and application technologies. As the editor-in-chief, we would like to express our gratitude to the editorial board and fellow review members for their tireless effort in compiling and reviewing the selected papers for this proceeding. We would also like to extend our great appreciation to the members of the Publication Committee and Secretariat for their excellent cooperation in preparing the proceeding of MERD’16

Application of variable speed drive to overcome air conditioning oversizing issue

This paper was aimed at studying the impact of a variable speed drive in tackling the issue caused by an oversized air conditioning system. In this study, oversizing was determined by calculating the actual load demand in an operating air handling unit (AHU), and the formation of mould growth as an indicator of the failure of the AHU to dehumidify the air. A comparison was made between the performance of an actual operating AHU, the performance of the AHU after the installation of a variable speed drive (VSD), and an appropriately sized simulated model of a building using building energy simulation software. The study found that the installed AHU was oversized by 60% and that the installation of VSD is effective in reducing the effective total capacity to meet actual cooling load demand. This study also shows that VSD installation successfully eliminates favourable condition of mould growth by simultaneously reducing AHU capacity and room relative humidity. However, VSD installation should not be standard practice in lieu of proper calculations to determine the appropriate size for an air conditioning system. The simulation result shows that correctly sized air conditioning system will be able to maintain ideal room condition without incurring energy penalties associated with oversizing

Thermal performance of carbon-based microencapsulated phase change materials

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of carbon-based materials for the thermal performance of microencapsulated phase change material (µPCM). The sample was prepared separately by mixing 5 wt.% of Multiwall Carbon Nanotube (MWCNT) and 5 wt.% Expanded Graphite (EG) with µPCM using a powder metallurgy technique. The mixed powder was then compacted into a disc with a diameter of 45 mm and thickness of 5 mm using a hot compaction technique. The thermal performance was tested according to the ASTM standard. It was found that the addition of MWCNT into µPCM can absorb heat effectively as compared to pure µPCM and µPCM/EG composite

Emission Inventory For Area Source: Case Study In Majlis Bandaraya Melaka Bersejarah (MBMB) Region

The aim of this study is to investigate the air pollution emission and develop an emission inventory from area source in Majlis Bandaraya Melaka Bersejarah – Historical Melaka City Council (MBMB) region. The area source covers sources that are small in nature but releases air pollutants over a relatively limit area. In this case study, the area sources are residential cooking facilities, school canteens, petrol stations, car repair/garages, restaurants, open burning areas, and construction sites. The required data are obtained through questionnaire, interviews, and direct observation at sites in the region. Other related information was also obtained from validated and published data by government official publication such as Department of Statistics and Department of Environment (DoE). The calculation procedures and identification of emission factors in developing the emission inventory are based on CORINAIR Air Emission Guidebook 2013. The detailed emission data is then being plotted on the city map. The results show that fuel burning equipment from households and restaurants emitted higher air pollutants than other source categories. Overall, annual emission of Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) was about 100.22 tons/year, Carbon Monoxide (CO) was 748.63 tons/year, Sulphur Oxides (SOx) was 3.35 tons/year, Non-Methane Volatile Organic Compounds (NMVOC) was 197.10 tons/year and Particulate Matters (PM10) was 100.49 tons/year. The results from the emission inventory identified key sources of air pollution for the city will be the basis for the future Melaka City Clean Air Plan (CAP) development

Assessment of the renewable energy generation towards net-zero energy buildings: a review

Decarbonizing the building sector is extremely important to mitigating climate change as the sector contributes 40% of the overall energy consumption and 36% of the total greenhouse gas emissions in the world. Net-zero energy buildings are one of the promising decarbonization attempts due to their potential of decreasing the use of energy and increasing the total share of renewable energy. To achieve a net-zero energy building, it is necessary to decrease the energy demand by applying efficiency enhancement measures and using renewable energy sources. Net-zero energy buildings can be classified into four models (Net-Zero Site Energy buildings, Net-Zero Emissions buildings, Net-Zero Source Energy buildings, and Net-Zero Cost Energy buildings). A variety of technical, financial, and environmental factors should be considered during the decision-making process of net-zero energy building development, justifying the use of multi-criteria decision analysis methods for the design of net-zero energy buildings. This paper also discussed the contributions of renewable energy generation (hydropower, wind energy, solar, heat pumps, and bioenergy) to the development of net-zero energy buildings and reviewed its role in tackling the decarbonization challenge. Cost-benefit analysis and life cycle assessment of building designs were reviewed to shape the priorities of future development. It is important to develop a universal decision instrument for optimum design and operation of net-zero energy buildings

Flame and emission characteristics of a premixed swirl-stabilised burner

The flame and emission characteristics of a premixed gaseous flame swirl burner are investigated under various equivalence ratio. The swirl flame is established using propane/air mixture at atmospheric condition. Flame imaging was performed to compare the global flame shape and intensity over a range of equivalence ratios and flow rates. Fuel-rich flame shows increased intensity due to the presence of soot formation. The lean blowout test was performed to determine the operating limit of the burner. Emissions of the propane swirl flame were measured at the exit of the burner outlet. Results show that NOx emissions peak at stoichiometric condition, f =1 as compared to the lean- and rich-burning regions. Carbon monoxide (CO) and unburned hydrocarbons (UHC) emissions were found to be low (< 10 ppm) under premixed, continuous swirl burning conditions for the equivalence ratio range of f = 0.7-1.1

Effect of nitrogen dilution on the lean blowout limit and emissions of premixed propane/air swirl flame

The effects of nitrogen dilution on propane/air flame and emissions was investigated using a model gas turbine type swirl flame burner. The burner consists of a six-vane axial swirler and a combustor wall made from quartz tube. Nitrogen was diluted at 5%, 10% and 15% by volume of the total main air flow rate with propane/air mixture at the burner plenum prior to combustion at atmospheric condition. Direct flame imaging was performed using a digital camera to observe the flame shape, intensity and lean blowout phenomenon of premixed nitrogen-diluted propane/air flames. The result shows that nitrogen addition to propane/air flame reduces flame intensity and lean blowout limit, making the nitrogen-diluted flames more susceptible to blowout. Emissions results show that NOx reduce with the increase of nitrogen dilution rate, while the effect on carbon monoxides and unburned hydrocarbons are insignifican

A Study Of Double-Layered Wall And Prism Deflector To Improve Natural Ventilation In A Confined Space

Natural ventilating and cooling strategies need to be considered as a substitute to the present air conditioning system. However, the effectiveness of the natural air ventilation in providing cooler environment still needs further investigation. This study proposed a new method, using a double-layered wall and a prism deflector to improve air ventilation in a confined space. Experimental and simulation approaches were used in this study. The results yielded that the double-layered wall and prism deflector configuration can be used to improve air ventilation in the confined space. The significant effect of the prism deflector was dependent on the combination of parameters used. The use of a 45 hole angle inner wall, and a higher prism deflector ratio were able to enhance the air ventilation more effectively