Universiti Teknologi Petronas

About: Universiti Teknologi Petronas is a education organization based out in Ipoh, Malaysia. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Adsorption & Ionic liquid. The organization has 6127 authors who have published 11284 publications receiving 119400 citations.

Dextran from Leuconostoc mesenteroides-doped ammonium salt-based green polymer electrolyte

Abstract: Biopolymer electrolytes based on dextran from Leuconostoc mesenteroides doped with ammonium nitrate $$(\hbox {NH}_{4}\hbox {NO}_{3})$$ are synthesized via a solution cast method. Fourier transform infrared analysis is used to determine the complexation between cation from the salt with functional groups of dextran. The ionic conductivity of undoped dextran film at room temperature is identified as $$(8.24\,\pm \,0.31)\times 10^{-11}\hbox { S }\hbox {cm}^{-1}$$ . A conductivity of $$(3.00\,\pm \,1.60)\times 10^{-5}\hbox { S }\hbox {cm}^{-1}$$ is achieved with the inclusion of 20 wt% $$\hbox {NH}_{4}\hbox {NO}_{3}$$ to the pure dextran film. The conductivity at a high temperature of the electrolyte obeys Arrhenius theory. Field emission scanning electron microscopy results show that the highest conducting sample has a porous surface. Results from the dielectric study show a non-Debye characteristic.

Qualitative Assessment for Inherently Safer Design (QAISD) at preliminary design stage

Abstract: Conventional hazard evaluation techniques such as what-if checklist and hazard and operability (HAZOP) studies are often used to recognise potential hazards and recommend possible solutions. They are used to reduce any potential incidents in the process plant to as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP) level. Nevertheless, the suggested risk reduction alternatives merely focus on added passive and active safety systems rather than preventing or minimising the inherent hazards at source through application of inherently safer design (ISD) concept. One of the attributed reasons could be the shortage of techniques or tools to support implementation of the concept. Thus, this paper proposes a qualitative methodology that integrates ISD concept with hazard review technique to identify inherent hazards and generate ISD options at early stage of design as proactive measures to produce inherently safer plant. A modified theory of inventive problem solving (TRIZ) hazard review method is used in this work to identify inherent hazards, whereby an extended inherent safety heuristics tool is developed based on established ISD principles to create potential ISD options. The developed method namely Qualitative Assessment for Inherently Safer Design (QAISD) could be applied during preliminary design stage and the information required to apply the method would be based on common process and safety database of the studied process. However, user experiences and understanding of inherent safety concept are crucial for effective utilisation of the QAISD. This qualitative methodology is applied to a typical batch reactor of toluene nitration as a case study. The results show several ISD strategies that could be considered at early stage of design in order to prevent and minimise the potential of thermal runaway in the nitration process.

Significance level of image enhancement techniques for underwater images

Abstract: Underwater imaging is quite a challenging in the area of photography especially for low resolution and ordinary digital camera. There are a few problems occur in underwater images such as limited range visibility, low contrast, non uniform lighting, blurring, bright artefacts, color diminished and noise. This paper concentrates on color diminished. Significant application of standard computer vision techniques to underwater imaging is required in dealing with the said problems. Both manual and auto level techniques are used to record the mean values of the stretched histogram. The objective of the paper is to identify which technique is more significant in terms of color correction. It is hoped that the finding will benefit to non divers to visualize the underwater as the real underwater world.