Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

About: Universiti Teknologi Malaysia is a education organization based out in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Membrane & Adsorption. The organization has 21644 authors who have published 39500 publications receiving 520635 citations.

Renewable energy resources for distributed power generation in Nigeria: A review of the potential

Abstract: Fossil fuels-based conventional grid extension in developing countries from centralized power systems in urban centres to rural areas is usually capital intensive and in most cases not economically realistic. From a global perspective, more than a quarter of the human population experiences an energy crisis, especially those living in the rural areas of developing countries. Among these numerous victims of global energy shortage are the majority of people in sub-Saharan Africa, like Nigeria. More than 80% of Nigerians consistently rely on combustible biomass especially from forest wood and its charcoal derivatives for primary energy consumption amidst a serious shortage of access to modern energy sources. Nigeria has abundant renewable and non-renewable energy resources. While most attention is concentrated on tapping only the traditional bioenergy resources, other renewable energy resources are underexploited. This article reviews comprehensively the potential of four major kinds of renewable energy sources (biomass, solar, wind and hydro) in Nigeria. A total energy potential of 697.15 TJ is estimated from crop residue, 455.80 PJ from animal waste and 442 MW from municipal solid waste in Lagos metropolis alone. The solar radiation in the country ranges from 4 kW h/m 2 in the south to 7 kW h/m 2 in the north, which is sufficiently above the threshold average value of 2.3 kW h/m 2 required for the operation of simple domestic load especially in rural communities. Wind speed in the country varies from 1 m/s in the southern plain to 7.96 m/s far northwest in Katsina State between June and September. Unexploitable hydropower potential of 12,954.2 MW also exists as against the backdrop of 10,000 MW required to raise the socio-economic growth level and alleviate poverty in the country.

Precursor Selection and Process Conditions in the Preparation of Carbon Membrane for Gas Separation: A Review

Abstract: Carbon membranes prepared by pyrolysis/carbonization of polymeric precursors have been studied in the last few years as a promising candidate for gas separation process. As the aim of this paper, a review on polymer precursor selection and effect of pyrolysis conditions on carbon membrane characteristics and performances were discussed in detail. A number of different polymer precursors have been surveyed for their utility as materials in carbon membrane fabrication. The gas transport properties of various types of carbon membrane that produced by different researchers was summarized. Furthermore, the potential applications and future directions of carbon membrane in gas separation processes were also briefly identified.

The diverse applications of water hyacinth with main focus on sustainable energy and production for new era: an overview.

Abstract: Water hyacinth was introduced as an ornamental crop in many countries more than a century ago, due to its attractive appearance and aesthetical value in the environment. Unfortunately, the flowers developed into invasive species due to their adaptability for a wide range of fresh water ecosystems and their interference with human activities. In the 21st century, they were considered as an alternative to fossil fuels, as many researchers found them capable of converting their content into fuel energy at less cost and recognized as an eco-friendly product. As water hyacinth is among the group of fastest growing plants, its biomass has the potential to become a potential renewable energy source and replace conventional fossil fuels, perhaps during the next decade. This is an essential mission to overcome the depletion of energy sources and also to fulfill the increasing demand of world energy. Instead of fuel energy, the dried biomass can also be fabricated as briquettes, which is suitable as co-firing agent in coal power plant. Thus, in future compacted biomass residues produced in the form of briquettes may decrease the dependence of coal to provide more energy The other application of water hyacinth into a co-compost material such as soil amendment to the sandy soil, can improve hydro-physical, chemical parameters of soil and will supply the growing crops with several nutrients. Water hyacinth has also drawn attention due to its bioremediation ability, capable of removing pollutants from domestic and industrial waste water effluents. Thus, the issue of water hyacinth should be evaluated from energy, engineering as well as environmental perspectives. In this review, the potential uses of water hyacinth are being classified and discussed.