Applied Mechanics and Materials Vols. 773-774

Abstract: Removed due to wrong research data

Abstract: The aim of this paper is to investigate the effects of voltage flow (V) in the alkaline electrolyser system and the pH value (pH) of the electrolyte used in the electrolyser. The output measurement of both investigated factors in in the flow rate of the hydrogen gas produced by the system per minute (ml/min). The voltage flow was altered in the system by altering the voltage supply from the workbench power supply ranging from 11V to 14V. The pH value of the electrolyte solution in the electrolyser was altered by the addition of Potassium Hydroxide (KOH) in the distilled water. The pH value samples of the tested solution ranging from 13.0 to 14.0 pH value due to the limitation of the electrolyser used in this experiment. The results found that, the hydrogen gas produced per minute increases with voltage flow in the system. The flow rate of the hydrogen gas produced however only increases when the solution’s pH value reaches at 14 pH level and unreactive below the value.

Abstract: In addition to the good electrochemical performance criteria in solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) applications, cathode material must match thermal expansion with other SOFC components. Thus, effects of Ag on thermal mismatch, chemical reactions, and microstructure are investigated. Ag (1 wt% to 5 wt. %) was mixed with La₀.₆Sr₀.₄Co₀.₂Fe₀.₈O_3-δ (LSCF6428) and Sm-doped ceria carbonate (SDCC) composite cathode powder. LSCF6428-SDCC-Ag samples were sintered at 600 °C for 2 h. The thermal expansion coefficients (TECs), which were determined using a dilatometer, indicated relatively less TEC mismatch between LSCF-SDCC-Ag cathodes composite and SDCC electrolyte. The average TEC value obtained from 20 °C to 600 °C implied that LSCF-SDCC-A5 (5 wt. % Ag) showed better thermal matching (13.18×10⁻⁶ K⁻¹) with SDCC electrolyte (12.84×10⁻⁶ K⁻¹) and achieved better compatibility. The X-ray diffraction patterns indicated that the LSCF6428-SDCC-Ag peak increased with the increase in the amount of Ag. Scanning electron microscopy analysis showed that Ag was capable of maintaining the porosity that is required for cathodes (20%–40%). Results showed that Ag exhibited desirable thermal and chemical compatibility with LSCF-SDCC. Thus, LSCF6428-SDCC-Ag can be used as a composite cathode for low-temperature SOFCs.

Abstract: The burner system is a patented, unique, higher-efficiency and fuel-injector system that works with a specially designed oil burner to create ultra-efficient combustion that reduces oil use, greenhouse gases and other harmful emissions. This research shows the injector nozzle geometries play a significant role in spray characteristics, atomization and formation of fuel-air mixture in order to improve combustion performance, and decrease some pollutant products from burner system. The aim of this research is to determine the effects of nozzle hole shape on spray characteristics of the premix injector by using CFD. Multiphase of volume of fluid (VOF) cavitating flow inside nozzles are determined by means of steady simulations and Eulerian-Eulerian two-fluid approach is used for performing mixing of Jatropha oil and air. Nozzle flow simulations resulted that cavitation area is strongly dependent on the nozzle hole shape. Conical hole with k-factor of 2 provides higher flow velocity and turbulent kinetic energy compared with conical hole with k-factor of 1.3 and cylindrical hole. The results show that the premix injector nozzle hole shape gives impact to the spray characteristics and indirectly affects the emission of the system.

Abstract: In this paper, storage effect on biodiesel properties for high blending ratio and the emission are evaluated. The blend level of biodiesel is denoted as B, followed by the percentages of pure biodiesel. The samples used are conventional diesel (STD), B80, B90 and B100 were stored at ambient temperature (24 °C) for nine week. The properties of biodiesel, acid value, flash point, viscosity, density and water content were measured according to ASTM D6751 biodiesel fuel standard. Results show there are no significant effects on it properties while stored in long duration at ambient temperature. Meanwhile, increasing biodiesel ratio is found to enhance the combustion process, resulting in decreased the HC for emissions.

Abstract: The wave energy is one of promising resource for generating electricity in this country. A wave energy conversion system was designed and fabricated; the prototype was tested and its performance was analyzed. The invention herein proposed a system operated by wave resource. This configuration allows the wave resource working to generate electricity. Wave power device operated by the movement of floaters with varying speed connected to the mechanical racks. These mechanical racks move gears and pulleys, which giving forces to the pulley’s belts to rotate. This pulley’s belts connected to the electric generator that produces the electricity. The final system was tested in the coastal area near to Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) campus. The measurement results clearly show that the available wave resource could be harness into useful work for electric power generation.

Abstract: The use of biopetrol fuel as alternative fuels in gasoline engine has been around for many years and Ethanol-petrol has the potential to be used as alternative fuel that can reduce the total CO₂ emission from internal petrol engine. However, the changes of bio-petrol is a very complex and need further understanding for researchers due to the relevance of the increase in the petroleum price and the future environmental regulation. This review paper focuses to ascertain a new approach in potential on ethanol-petrol blends operating with a petrol engine especially the effects of ethanol gas petrol blending ratio and variant types of ethanol on performance and emissions of petrol engine. It is shown that the variant in biopetrol blending ratio and engine operational condition are reduced engine-out emissions and increased efficiency. This paper presents on a review on three different types of ethanol like sugar cane, wheat and corn with various blended rates. Investigation framework study on how to complete the research is also included in this paper.Keywords: biopetrol, petrol engine, performance, emissions, biopetrol fuel properties

Abstract: Ammonium perchlorate (AP) based solid propellant is a modern solid rocket propellant used in various applications. The combustion characteristics of AP based composite propellants were extensively studied by many research scholars to gain higher thrust. The amount of thrust and the thrust profile, which may be obtained from a specific grain design, is mainly determined by the propellant composition and the manufacturing process that produces the solid propellant. This article is intended to review and discuss several aspects of the composition and preparation of the solid rocket propellant. The analysis covers the main ingredients of AP based propellants such as the binder, oxidizer, metal fuel, and plasticizers. The main conclusions are derived from each of its components with specific methods of good manufacturing practices. In conclusion, the AP based solid propellant, like other composite propellants is highly influenced by its composition. However, the quality of the finished grain is mainly due to the manufacturing process.

Abstract: The global trend in electricity market has put pressure for Malaysia to restructure industry to be more reliable, transparent, efficient and sustainable. Besides, centralized power purchasing units that exist within a vertically-integrated entity have been criticized for failure to provide a truly playing field for the player in the generation sector competing to sell power to the single buyer. The Malaysian Electricity Supply Industry (MESI) has gone through various stages of reform and has evolved from predominantly single entity to a multiplayer industry particularly in the generation sector. This literature review covers the evolution of MESI from the introducing of the Independent Power Producers (IPPs), issues surrounding and implementation of single buyer which had continued until now. The MESI reformed a single buyer functional structure and framework is also included. However, this model does not offer transparent competition. Thus, other alternative electricity market model, pool/hybrid market model could be applied in order to carry on the MESI previous plan towards restructuring. The significance and relevance of the pool market model and its advantages in the Malaysian context is also discussed.

Abstract: Restructuring of electricity supply industry had begun in early 20^th centuries. Malaysia Electricity Supply Industry (MESI) has aimed to change its structure to a wholesale market model in 2005. Started in 1992, Independent Power Producers (IPPs) were introduced and since then MESI had applied the Single Buyer Model until today. Even though, the Single Buyer Model had passed several process of evolution, it still a form of imperfect competition in which there is only one buyer and many sellers of a product. Therefore, other alternatives of electricity market model for MESI have been proposed, in order to carry on the MESI previous plan towards restructuring. This paper discusses three electricity market models; Single Buyer Market Model, Pool Market Model and Hybrid Market Model. The case study is carried out to compare the three market models in term of generation revenue. Data from 14 IPP and load profiles in MESI is used for the case study and the result will be discussed.