Advanced Materials Research Vol. 911

Abstract: River water quality degradation is one of the most significant environmental challenges. Over the years, many models have been used to investigate the current state of Malaysian rivers and its effects to the environment. River discharge is an important factor in water quality investigation. An integrative computational model, GIS coupled with SWAT model was being used to predict river discharge of this research. The simulation results in the period 1999 to 2010 represented fluctuation of discharge relatively well with both R² and NSI values were above 0.6. The results proved that the development of integrative GIS technology coupled with SWAT model is a good tool for environmental technology development in terms of investigating the current state of Langat river water quality as well as the capability of simulating the river discharge in the river basin. This shows that GIS-SWAT interface can be a reliable tool for water quality modeling in Malaysia in the future and further development on the software technology is a benefit for the water resources and environmental studies.

Abstract: The auto-rickshaw has become a predictable part of the everyday lives of Indian city-dwellers. Although this popular means of public transport provides relatively discounted and efficient transportation, the auto-rickshaw is a key source of soot that causes particulate air pollution. These soot emissions infringe the natural cycles of the atmosphere other than their more overt effects on human health. Consequently, their entrapment becomes vital. Though most particulate filters provide a rather good efficiency, once clogged an undesired back pressure may lead to engine and/ or filter failure. Through this study a method is proposed to overcome such impenetrability. Once the particles are confined to narrower streams, smaller filters may be used which even if clogged will allow the easy passage of the exhaust gases out of the exhaust pipe. The most immediate outcome of this research is that the CFD simulations suggest inexpensive design alterations in the diesel particulate filter which can be fabricated easily. With government subsidies this component can be mass manufactured for use in India and other Asian countries where auto-rickshaws are widely used.

Abstract: The application of stricter requirements on combustion devices is placing more pressure especially on the manufacturers of such devices. They can improve the emission parameters of their products e.g. by primary technical measures (modification of combustion air supply, modification of combustion chamber, introduction of a final combustion chamber, etc.) or by secondary technical measures, e.g. introduction of a catalyst into the exhaust route.

Abstract: This work aims to study soil physical and chemical properties in two forest types including dry dipterocarp forest (DDF) and mixed deciduous forest (MDF) located in Plant Genetic Protection Area under the Royal Initiative of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, Nampung dam EGAT, Sakon Nakhon province, Thailand. The samples were collected 3 times in December 2011, February and May 2012. The results showed that the average values of soil properties in MDF including, soil moisture, electical conductivity, organic matter, total nitrogen, avialable phosphorus and exchangeable potassium were higher than those in DDF. Only soil pH in MDF was less than that in DDF. It can be concluded that MDF have more fertility status of soil than DDF.

Abstract: Drinking water contamination is one of the most major environmental concerns that requires worldwide attention. It is now universally agreed that by supplying the community with safe water, the plague of waterborne diseases can be prevented. The increasing global concern about the environment is the utilization of agricultural waste transformation into wealth material for value-added products which should be given priority. Therefore, this study is using granular bed filtration as a vigorous, simple and economical method to prevent the physical contamination, by discovering an alternative filter media from local sources; namely the palm shell charcoal (PSC). Dual-media filtration PSC/sand ES 1.0/0.5 mm is operates at an optimum condition of removing 80.77% of turbidity, 76.23% of suspended solid and 59.45% of colour in 5 m/h flow rate.There was a statistically significant difference between types of media filter to the removal of physical variable at 0.05 levels as determined by one-way anova for the percentage removal of turbidity (p < 0.001), suspended solid (p < 0.001) and colour (p < 0.001).The PSC was identified as a potential filter media that will help in reducing the cost of water and wastewater treatment and enhancing environmental sustainability. The results from this study suggests that the PSC should be significantly used as a new biodegradable medium filter and for the removal of physical contaminants such turbidity, suspended solid and colour.

Abstract: The stiffness of aged binder is highly contributed to the workability problem. Rejuvenating agent such as waste engine oil (WEO) is one of the sustainable modifiers that can be used to improve and attain the desired performance of the aged binder. However, concern arises on the consistency of the engine oil properties due to its unknown history usage. This study focused on the rutting properties evaluation of the partial aged binder integrating with engine oil (new and waste sources) using Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR). The findings showed that, the addition of WEO affects the rutting performance under ageing condition. From the isochronal curve, the complex modulus, G* of the rejuvenated binder was found lower than the aged binder at un-aged condition. However, after ageing process, the stiffness of the rejuvenated binder was increased and the phase angle, δ decreased obviously compared to virgin binder. The critical temperature of the binder was not differing substantially particularly under ageing. Meanwhile, the ageing index rutting factor (AIRF) clearly summarised that the rejuvenated binder with WEO with higher mass loss more susceptible to ageing.

Abstract: CO₂ is the major anthropogenic greenhouse gas which contributes to the increasing atmospheric CO₂ concentration, leading to serious global warming and climate change. Thus, the present paper investigates the CO₂-capture performance of synthesized calcium hydroxides, Ca (OH)₂nanosorbent at intermediate-high temperatures which are 350, 450, 550 and 650oC. CO₂ adsorption performance was analysed by thermo-gravimetricanalyser (TGA).The CO₂ adsorption temperature strongly influenced the capture performance of the sorbent.Facile wet chemical technique was utilized to synthesize Ca (OH)₂ nanorod sorbent structures using calcium nitrate tetrahydrate, Ca (NO₃)₂.4H₂O as the calcium precursor, and precipitated with sodium hydroxides (NaOH) in N,N-Dimethylformamide (DMF) mixed deionized (DI) water media at 55 oC. X-ray diffraction (XRD) result exhibitedCa (OH)₂hexagonal crystal structures. The Ca (OH)₂ particle size and morphological properties before and after CO₂ adsorption are studied by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM). The FESEM image indeed showed the rod like shape of Ca (OH)₂nanosorbent with rod length approximately700 nm while the diameter 140nm. When CO₂ molecules were adsorbed by Ca (OH)₂nanosorbent, the nanorodstructures are changed to rigid interconnected each other like a lump shaped. Ca (OH)₂nanosorbentseems to be a potentially good absorbent for capturing CO₂when increased temperatures. However, at intermediate temperature 350 and 450oC, the synthesized Ca (OH)₂nanosorbent demonstrated higher CO₂ adsorption (141 to 220 mg/g CO₂) than others intermediate temperature CO₂ sorbent such as layer double hydroxides (LDH), lithium zirconates (LiZrO₃) and hydrotalcite.

Abstract: In this paper, one dimensional nanorod CaCO₃ adsorbents were synthesized via hydrothermal method by varying the amount of polyacrylamide (PAM). The XRD results indicated that all of the characteristic peaks of synthesized adsorbents were matched well with the aragonite CaCO₃ phase. FE-SEM analysis showed one dimensional nanorod structures with diameter of 40 - 70 nm and lengths up to micrometer. TG results exhibited CaCO₃ adsorbents synthesized with 0.4 and 0.6 g of polyacrylamide possessed high CO₂ adsorption capacities for first carbonation/calcination cycle (0.86 and 0.79 g-CO₂/g-sorbent) which were higher than the theoretical CO₂ adsorption capacity (0.78 g-CO₂/g-sorbent) of calcium oxide based adsorbents.

Abstract: A novel poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) based copolymer was synthesized by bulk copolymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and a phosphorus-containing monomer, acryloxyethyl phenoxy phosphorodiethyl amidate (AEPPA). The chemical structure of AEPPA was confirmed by FTIR, ¹H NMR and ³¹P NMR. The structure of copolymers was characterized using FTIR. TGA results indicate that the thermal stability of copolymers was remarkably enhanced with the addition of APEEA. LOI and MCC results suggest that the flame retardancy of copolymers was also improved. Detailed flame-retardant mechanism is proposed. The char formation during degradation caused by APEEA plays a key role in the property improvements.

Abstract: This paper reports an experimental study of influence of finely ground-granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS) used as partial replacement of Portland cement (PC) on the mechanical properties and durability of high performance concretes. The analysis of the experimental results on concrete at 17.5% content of blast furnace slag with a fineness modulus of 8500 cm²/g, in a chloride environment, showed that it contributes positively to the perfection of its mechanical characteristics, its durability with respect to water absorption and migration of chloride ions. On the basis of the experiments performed, it can be concluded that the GGBS is suitable for formulation of high performance concretes (HPC) and their properties are significantly better compared to the reference concrete (RC).