• Journal of Electrical Engineering and Technology
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.184-191
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• 2016

In recent years, there are a number of studies that have been carried out to explore the alternative for Mineral Oil (MO) as dielectric insulating fluid in transformers due to the increasing tight regulation on safety and environment. Vegetable oils have been identified as suitable candidate since it is biodegradable, non-toxic and high flash/fire points which ensure more in-service safety. Among the types of vegetable oils considered for transformers application are Palm Oil (PO) and Coconut Oil (CO). This paper presents an experimental study on the lightning breakdown voltages of PO and CO under non-uniform electric field based on needle-sphere electrodes configuration at 3 small gap distances. The type of PO used in this study is Refined Bleached and Deodorized Palm Oil (RBDPO) Olein. The main focus of this study is to examine the lightning breakdown performance of RBDPO and CO under different test conditions and assess its suitability as dielectric insulating fluid in transformers. The effect of voltage polarities (positive and negative) and testing methods (rising-voltage, up-and-down and multiple-voltage) were investigated. The data obtained from all tests were analysed by Weibull distribution in order to determine the withstand voltages for each type of oils. It was found that the breakdown voltages of RBDPO and CO are comparable with MO under positive lightning impulse. Under negative lightning impulse, the breakdown voltage of MO is slightly higher than RBDPO and CO. There is no significant effect of testing methods and voltage polarities on lightning breakdown voltages of RBDPO and CO. Based on the statistical analysis, it is found that the breakdown voltages of RBDPO and CO at 1% probability are slightly lower than MO.

• Journal of Electrical Engineering and Technology
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.2105-2119
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• 2015

This paper reported the experimental result of dielectric properties of Refined, Bleached and Deodorized Palm Oil (RBDPO) combined with 0-50% of Refined, Bleached and Deodorized Soybean Oil (RBDSO). The dielectric strength and relative permittivity of RBDPO/RBDSO was higher compared to mineral oil at all ranges of ratios and temperatures which indicated a positive sign for its possible use as insulating liquid in a transformer. All ratios of the RBDPO/RBDSO mixture also demonstrated lower dissipation factor compared to mineral oil at 40℃, 70℃ and 90℃. Apart from that, the kinematic viscosity for the oil mixtures shown exceeded the IEC 60296 as well as the mineral oil results. 70%RBDPO/30%RBDSO mixture ratio was chosen as the best mixing percentage after comparison was made with the mineral oil and IEC 60296 standard where the mixture accumulated the most satisfactory of dielectric properties hence making it as the potential candidate for palm and soybean-based transformer oil.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.10
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• pp.1407-1413
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• 2000

Oil palm frond (OPF) is a new non-conventional fibrous feed for ruminants. Evaluation on the nutritive values and digestibility of OPF was carried out using goats. In a completely randomised design, 20 local male goats were assigned to evaluate fresh and different types of processed OPF. A 60 day feeding trial was done to determine the digestible nutrient intake of fresh, ensiled and pelleted OPF and its response on live weight gain of goat. The pelleting of OPF increased (p<0.05) intake compared to fresh or ensiled OPF. The OPF based mixed pellet (50% OPF with 15% palm kernel cake, 6% rice bran, 6% soybean hull, 15% molasses, 2% fishmeal, 4% urea, 1.5% mineral mixture and 0.5% common salt) increased (p<0.05) nutrient intake, digestibility and reduced feed refusals. The mixed pellet also increased digestible dry matter intake (DDMI) and digestible organic matter intake (DOMI) at 80% and 63% level respectively than the fresh OPF. The increased digestible nutrient intake on the OPF based mixed pellet, resulted in increased live weight gain of goats. Furthermore, OPF has a good potential as a roughage source when it is used with concentrate supplement. OPF based formulated feed in a pelleted form could be used as a complete feed for intensive production of goat and other ruminants.

• Journal of Electrical Engineering and Technology
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.2333-2341
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• 2017

Mineral oils are commonly used as transformer insulation oils but these oils are obtained from non-renewable and non-sustainable sources, which is highly undesirable. For this reason, natural ester oils are now being used in replacement of mineral oils because of their good biodegradability, high cooling stability, good oxidation stability and excellent insulation performance. Nanotechnology has gained prominence in both academic and industrial fields over the years and it has been shown in previous studies that nanoscale materials are useful for transformers due to their favourable dielectric properties. The objective of this study is to compare the AC breakdown voltage and viscosity of natural ester oil with three types of nanofluids. The natural ester oil-based nanofluids are prepared by mixing palm fatty acid ester (PFAE) oil with three types of nanoparticles at a concentration of 0.01 g/l: (1) $Fe_3O_4$ conductive nanoparticles, (2) $TiO_2$ semi-conductive nanoparticles and (3) $Al_2O_3$ insulating nanoparticles. The AC breakdown voltage of the oil samples is analysed using Weibull statistical analysis and the results reveal that the PFAE oil-based $Fe_3O_4$ nanofluid gives exceptional dielectric performance compared to other oil samples, whereby the AC breakdown voltage increases by 43%. It can be concluded that the PFAE oil-based $Fe_3O_4$ nanofluid is a promising dielectric liquid to substitute mineral oils.

• Carbon letters
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• v.18
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• pp.80-83
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• 2016

• Journal of Korea Technical Association of The Pulp and Paper Industry
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.42-51
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• 2013

In this study, oil palm biomass such as empty fruit bunch (EFB) and palm kernel shell (PKS) was used as raw materials for making pellets. Hardwood sawdusts were also mixed with EFB and PKS for making pellets. For improving a bad forming behavior in a pelletizer, 1 to 3 per cent of corn starch based on oven-dried weight biomass was added. The starch contributed to the decrease of dust generation in addition to the improvement of forming capability during pellet forming. Heating values of every pellets made of EFB and PKS were higher than 4,300 kcal/kg for the first grade pellet, irrespective of addition of sawdusts. However, the pellets made of EFB and PKS had ash contents over 3 per cent, which made it impossible to be applied for home use. Instead, they could be applied for industrial use. For studying their combustion characteristics, the pellets from the mixtures of EFB, PKS and sawdusts were analyzed using thermal gravimetric analyzer (TGA). From the TGA results, thermal decomposition of EFB and PKS occurred following three including endothermic reaction and dehydration, devolatilization of the major chemical components, and finally combustion of residual lignin and char.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.671-681
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• 2017

Oil palm trunk (OPT) is a potential source of biomass for the production of biopellet. In the present research, biopellet were prepared from the meristem part of 25 years old OPT with various percentages of its bark (0, 10, and 30%). The highest biopellet durability was found for biopellet produced at $130^{\circ}C$ of pelletizing temperature with 30% bark content. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of biopellet showed the weak of particle bonding due to the low pelletizing pressure. The moisture content, unit density, ash content, and caloric value of OPT-based pellets were 3.55-5.35%, $525.56-855.23kg/m^3$, 2.76-3.44%, and 17.89-19.14 MJ/kg, respectively. The combustion profiles obtained by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) seemed to be unaffected by the bark content on. Differential thermal analysis of TGA curve indicated different pyrolysis characteristic of hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.587-602
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• 2011

Improved efficiency in the use of natural resources, pragmatic production systems and environmental sustainability, justified by the need for improved land use systems and increased productivity, are discussed in the context of Asian integrated systems, diversification, and issues of sustainability. The importance of these are reflected by serious inadequate animal protein production throughout Asia, where available supplies cannot match current and projected human requirements up to 2050. Among the ruminant production systems, integrated tree crops-ruminant production systems are grossly underestimated and merit emphasis and expansion. As an example, integrated oil palm- based system is an important pathway for integration with ruminants (buffaloes, cattle, goats and sheep), and provides the entry point for development. The importance and benefits of integrated systems are discussed, involving animals with annual and perennial tree crops, integration with aquaculture, the significance of crop-animal interactions, stratification of the systems, production options, improved use of forages and legumes, potential for enhanced productivity, implications for improved livelihoods of the rural poor and the stability of farm households. The advances in research and development in South East Asia highlight demonstrable increased productivity from animals and meat offtakes, value addition to the oil palm crop, sustainable development, and distinct economic impacts. The results from 12 out of a total of 24 case studies concerning oil palm over the past three decades showed increased yield of 0.49-3.52 mt of fresh fruit bunches (FFB)/ha/yr; increased income by about 30%; savings in weeding costs by 47- 60% equivalent to 21-62 RM/ha/yr; and an internal rate of return of 19% based on actual field data. The results provide important socio-economic benefits for resource-poor small farmers. Potential increased offtakes and additional income exist with the integration of goats. Additionally, the potential for carbon sequestration with tree crops is an advantage. The reasons for low adoption of the syatems are poor awareness of the potential of integrated systems, resistance by the crop- oriented plantation sector, and inadequate technology application. Promoting wider expansion and adoption of the systems in the future is linked directly with coherent policy, institutional commitment, increased investments, private sector involvement, and a stimulus package of incentives.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.22 no.8
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• pp.1084-1091
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• 2012

Xylooligosaccharides are functional foods mainly produced during the hydrolysis of xylan by physical, chemical, or enzymatic methods. In this study, production of xylobiose was investigated using oil palm empty fruit bunch fiber (OPEFB) as a source material, by chemical and enzymatic methods. Xylanase-specific xylan hydrolysis followed by xylobiose production was observed. Among different xylanases, xylanase from FXY-1 released maximum xylobiose from pretreated OPEFB fiber, and this fungal strain was identified as Aspergillus terreus and subsequently deposited under the accession Number MTCC- 8661. The imperative role of lignin on xylooligosaccharides enzymatic synthesis was exemplified with the notice of xylobiose production only with delignified material. A maximum 262 mg of xylobiose was produced from 1.0 g of pretreated OPEFB fiber using FXY-1 xylanase (6,200 U/ml) at pH 6.0 and $45^{\circ}C$. At optimized environment, the yield of xylobiose was improved to 78.67 g/100 g (based on xylan in the pretreated OPEFB fiber).

• Clean Technology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.69-78
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• 2021

Vegetable oils, such as palm oil and cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL), are used as major raw materials for bio-diesel in transportation and bio-heavy oil in power generation in South Korea. However, due to the high unsaturation degree caused by hydrocarbon double bonds and a high content of oxygen originating from the presence of carboxylic acid, the range of applications as fuel oil is limited. In this study, hydrotreating to saturate unsaturated hydrocarbons and remove oxygen in mixed bio-oil containing 1/1 v/v% palm oil and CNSL on monometallic catalysts (Ni and Cu) and bimetallic catalysts (Ni-Zn, Ni-Fe, Ni-Cu Ni-Co, Ni-Pd, and Ni-Pt) was perform under mild conditions (T = 250 ~ 400 ℃, P = 5 ~ 80 bar and LHSV = 1 h-1). The addition of noble metals and transition metals to Ni showed synergistic effects to improve both hydrogenation (HYD) and hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) activities. The most promising catalyst was Ni-Cu/��-Al2O3, and in the wide range of the Ni/Cu atomic ratio of 9/1~1/4, the conversion for HYD and HDO reactions of the catalysts were 90-93% and 95-99%, respectively. The tendency to exhibit almost constant reaction activity in these catalysts of different Ni/Cu atomic ratios implies a typical structure-insensitive reaction. The refined bio-oil produced by hydrotreating (HDY and HDO) had significantly lower iodine value, acid value, and kinetic viscosity than the raw bio-oil and the higher heating value (HHV) was increased by about 10%.