Analysis of phosphorus removal and anaerobic selector performance in a full-scale activated sludge process in Singapore.

This paper analyses the performance of the anaerobic selector (A/O process) in a full-scale activated sludge process receiving mostly industrial sewage discharge (> 60%) in Singapore. In addition to the sludge settleability, enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) was studied. The sludge volume index (SVI) reduced from 200 to 80 ml g(-1) and foaming was suppressed significantly, indicating the effectiveness of the anaerobic selector in improving sludge settleability. The phosphorus removal efficiency was 66%, and 7.5 mg HAc-COD was consumed per mg PO4(3-) -P removed. In the anaerobic compartment, 31% of the SCOD and 73% of the acetic acid in the settled sewage were removed with PO4(3-) -P release of 14.1 mg PO4(3-)-P l(-1). The linear correlation between PO4(3-) -P release in the anaerobic compartment and PO4(3-) -P uptake in the aerobic compartment indicates that there is about 0.8 mg PO4(3-) -P release in the anaerobic compartment per mg PO34(3-) -P uptake in the aerobic compartment. The fates of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) and its short chain acids (SCAs) in the process were studied and discussed.     

Synthesis and physicochemical investigation of chitosan-built hydrogel with induced glucose sensitivity

There is an urgent need to treat diabetes, and therefore, this work reports on a chitosan-built hydrogel functionalized by a glucose sensing moiety, which simulates pancreatic activity. The effect of external stimuli on various internal properties was investigated to establish the action of the hydrogel. The model drugs, fluorescein (D1) and rhodamine (D2), with a diol architecture, were investigated spectroscopically with 75.94% loading and 65.63% release. Consequently, a ligand to glucose ratio of 2:1 in comparison with a ligand to model drug ratio of 1:1 was addressed. The system was expected to lead to findings on applications for the self-controlled release of insulin in response to blood glucose levels.     

Crashworthiness characteristics of natural ramie/bio-epoxy composite tubes for energy absorption application

Using metallic materials in automotive structures increases weight, fuel consumption and cost, therefore, certain trends have begun to use lightweight and cheaper materials. Fibre composites are used in automotive applications because they are stiff, lightweight and stronger than bulk material, as well as they have a comparable energy-absorbing capacity to that of metallic materials. The aim of this study is to investigate the potentials in natural ramie/bio-epoxy composite in crash energy absorption applications. Cubic specimens consisted of 12, 24 and 30 plies of ramie/bio-epoxy laminates with 50, 80 and 120 mm long which were prepared by hand layup method. Static axial compression load was then applied and the energy-absorbing capability of the ramie/epoxy composite was evaluated. The crashworthiness characteristics of the composite tubes were evaluated by measuring the average and peak crushing load, specific energy absorption, total absorbed energy and crush force efficiency in quasi-static axial compression. The failure mode and behaviour of the tubes were investigated by taking photographs and recording the load–displacement curves during the test accomplishment. The test results indicated that natural ramie/bio-epoxy composite tube has the great potential to be used as an effective energy-absorbing device.     

A review on fuel economy standard for motor vehicles with the implementation possibilities in Malaysia

This paper focused on a review of international experiences on fuel economy standard based on technologies available. It also attempts to identify savings possibilities and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions. It is known that road transport, particularly private cars are responsible for large, and increasing share of transport fuel use and emissions. With the implementation of fuel economy standard and label for motor vehicles, it will reduce the risks of increasing dependency on petroleum-based fuel and will increase the profit to consumers. The GHG emissions, which causing global warming, air pollution, diseases, etc. can be reduced as well. In this regard, advanced technologies such as, engine, transmission, and vehicle technologies may brought significant consumers and social benefits. Studies in developed countries have shown that fuel economy standard is beneficial for the society, government as well as the environment.     

Interpenetrating polymer network structured thermosets prepared from epoxidized soybean oil/diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A

Epoxidized soybean oil (ESO)/diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) in various blend ratios (i.e. 100/0, 90/10, 80/20, 70/30, 60/40, 50/50) was thermally cured using methylhexahydrophthalic anhydride in the presence of 2‐ethyl‐4‐methylimidazole catalyst. The tensile properties and fracture toughness of the ESO/DGEBA thermoset blends were determined. Thermal properties of the blends were characterized using dynamic mechanical analysis, differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. Blending of ESO and DGEBA gave synergistic effects on the modulus, strength, glass transition temperature and thermal stability. However, the fracture toughness and elongation at break of ESO/DGEBA blends are lower than those of ESO, as expected. The enhancement in certain mechanical and thermal properties of ESO/DGEBA can be associated with the crosslink density, gel content and possible interpenetrating network of the resulting thermoset blends. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry     

Investigation on the feasibility of eliminating harmonic excitation signal en-route to performing experimental modal analysis (EMA) under operational condition

This study focuses on introducing a criteria for conducting harmonic excitation signal elimination as well as investigating its effectiveness towards achieving complete isolation of harmonic disturbance in performing EMA under operational condition. By modulating the ratio between harmonic excitation and impact knocking frequencies, it was revealed that the harmonic signal was efficiently attenuated with sufficient number of averaging blocks. The results highlighted close agreement between simulation and experimental approaches with maximum deviation of 2 %, under specific design criteria. It was determined that a non-periodic triggering frequency significantly affect the elimination performance in terms of trend and amplitude reduction. This work underlines the importance of controlling the triggering frequency to yield the desired design criteria for achieving rapid and highly efficient elimination of harmonic excitation signal. The results have proven that the proposed technique can be further adapted to isolate the harmonic in conventional EMA conducted under operational condition.     

Effects of different pH medium on swelling properties of 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylic-chitosan-filled chitosan bio-composites

Investigating the swelling properties of chitosan (Cs) film was deemed meaningful, as it plays an important role in predicting the life span of the film. Due to the limits in stability properties, the insertion of reinforcement agent is expected to increase the properties of Cs film. To this purpose, 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylic-chitosan (BTC) filler was inserted into the Cs matrix. The effect on the degree of swelling (Q _t ) and the rate of swelling (Q _r ) of the composite film at varying compositions of BTC filler (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 wt/v%) was investigated. The Q _r and Q _t both decrease with an increasing BTC content, which may be attributed to the looser packaging structure, and the improvement of the hydrophobic character of the composites film. Thus, the addition of BTC filler, up to 10 wt/v%, makes the Cs film more stable with a prolonged swelling time. Meanwhile, electrostatic interaction and hydrogen bonding between the swelling medium and neutral groups, of the polymeric chains of the composites, contributed to the obtained values of Q _t and Q _r . The FTIR results support the argument for the Q _t and Q _r values of different compositions of BTC filler in the Cs matrix, in the different swelling medium (pH 2–14).     

Modeling of vial and ball motions for an effective mechanical milling process

Mechanical milling (MM) is referred to a solid state size reduction process where work materials in the form of coarse particulates are broken into the ultimate fineness by means of mechanical impact created by collisions of the work materials and the milling media which are placed inside a reciprocating vial. Many milling techniques have been so far developed to improve the process. However, the efficiency of MM process is still below satisfactory in terms of energy balance, where the energy consumed by the process of reduction is still very low compared to the energy supplied to perform the milling process itself. This contributes to high energy losses and proportionally to the span of processing time. Other major problems inherent in the process are contamination by the balls and the vial materials into the work materials, and process temperature that could influence the properties of milled materials. Since MM process utilizes the energy generated by impact upon the collisions of the balls against the work materials, it is important to understand the motions of the balls, the work materials, and the vial, which are the sources of the generation of impact energy. To obtain an optimized processing condition, the motions of vial and ball in relationship with the work materials should be designed in such a way to ensure the optimum impact energy is consumed by the work materials for the size reduction purposes. This paper presents a physical model for work materials, balls, and vial collisions based on different ways of motions. Using this model, higher impact could be achieved. These would lead to the reduction of milling time, contamination, as well as milling temperature.     

A computing capability test for a switched system control design using the Haris-Rogers method

The problem of finding stabilizing controllers for switched systems is an area of much research interest as conventional concepts from continuous time and discrete event dynamics do not hold true for t...