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.

SAHPPA: a novel power pinch analysis approach for the design of off-grid hybrid energy systems

Abstract: This work proposes a novel approach called stand-alone hybrid system power pinch analysis (SAHPPA), which is particularly applicable for the design of off-grid distributed energy generation systems. The enhanced graphical tool employs new ways of utilising the recently introduced demand composite curve and supply composite curve while honouring and adapting fundamental energy systems engineering concepts. The SAHPPA method is capable of optimising the capacity of both the power generators and energy storage for biomass (i.e. non-intermittent) and solar photovoltaic (i.e. intermittent) energy technologies, which is a contribution to the emerging area of power pinch analysis. In addition, the procedure considers all possible efficiency losses in the overall system encompassing the charging–discharging and current inversion processes.

Carbon nanofiber-based copper/zirconia catalyst for hydrogenation of CO2 to methanol

Abstract: This article describes the synthesis of methanol by the direct hydrogenation of CO2 over Cu/ZrO2 catalyst at different ZrO2 concentrations (5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 wt.%) in a three-phase phase reactor. The techniques of N2 adsorption/desorption, x-ray diffraction, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, temperature-programmed desorption by CO2, N2O chemisorption and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry were employed for catalyst characterization. At a reaction temperature of 180 °C, pressure of 3.0 MP and 0.020 g/mL of the catalyst, the conversion of CO2 and the yield of methanol were 10% and 25 g/kg.h, respectively. Surface area of the metallic copper was increased from 8.1 to 9.5 m2/g with the presence of ZrO2 from 5 to 15 wt.%. The methanol turnover frequency exhibited a linear relationship with ZrO2 concentration. Methanol synthesis rate was progressively increased with increasing fraction of dispersed copper. A comparative study with the literature revealed better activity of this novel catalyst at relatively low reaction conditions.

Stability of Nanofluids

Abstract: Nanofluids are the dilute suspensions of nanomaterials with distinctive and enhanced features. Nanofluids can be used in a variety of industrial applications because of improved thermophysical properties. Stability of nanofluids is the only quandary factor which decreases the efficiency of such smart fluids in engineering applications. The information and studies on interaction of nanomaterials with the liquid have significant importance toward their usage in industrial applications. Agglomeration among particles is a common issue due to interactive forces, which effects the dispersion, rheology, and overall performance of nanosuspensions. Characterization of nanofluids plays an important role to evaluate the stability of nanofluids. The effect of agglomeration on the stability of nanofluids can be reduced by introducing different mechanical and chemical techniques to prolong dispersion of suspended particles in liquids. Complete understanding on the stability of nanofluids can lead to the preparation of different combinations of stable nanofluids with enhanced properties for variety of applications.