1st ever Concert with Avril Lagvine

The monorail station at Bukit Bintang was so crowded. Most of the office people just "Ban Gang". On the Highway, thing was even worse, the cars were barely moving. Wouldn't it be torturing to survive in KL if this is the daily routine?
I was particularly fussed about congestion, because need to wait. I perspired whole my shirt and we missed few trains as there's no more vacancy at all. Anyway, there are 6 of us, going for the concert: ST, Kah Yee, Lai Yee, Dody, KH, me plus ZP who caught up with us in the stadium.

While walking our way to Stadium Merdeka, there were Hotlink booths distributing Avril's merchandise, provided we filled in a form. We managed to get Avril's posters and the "boom boom" sticks. Arh..so nice!

Having gone through all the uncomforts, we finally got into the Stadium 7.30pm. The weather had gotta be kidding us. The lighting stroke and thounders blasted! I thought it would be a downpour and started to get worried. Arh...I didn't pay RM100 over for my FIRST concert in Rain. Most of the strategic seats were occupied. Therefore we could only settle ourselves at some distance from the stage. Luckily, the strong wind blew away the dark cloud though it drizzled for a short while before the concert started.

I like Avril's poster.

Mess as a resulf of drizzling! We got free rain coat

We got bored and sicked of waiting for Avril to be on stage before she appeared. It's almost 9pm. The concert was kicked off by an unknown artist singing "This Love" by Maroon Five. After that, Avril emerged. Everyone stayed no more chilled. Our zone was supposed to be free seating, but then everyone was standing.

Her dressing was rather simple and casual like any other of her concerts, which is T-shirt and Jeans. What in the heaven's name the bodoh said "she is too sexy"! Nonsense fellow, simply made issue!

Yea right, this is too sexy har! What do you think?

I was so amazed by the stage's effect. The lighting could actually project the scenes 100% similar to those in the video clips. It's really Dejavu, led me to my fantasy. Arh, the backdrop (human skull) was fantastic also. The primary color is striking pink. Topping up by Avril performance, I was almost melted, particularly when it came to my favorites like My happy ending, Complicated, Hot, When you're gone, Sk8er boy, Girlfriend, Innocent, Things I'll never say...etc. What else she did besides singing? Actually lots more, such as Avril's style's dancing and jumping, even kicking which were so entertaining to watch. Well, she is very gifted in instruments. She played guitar, piano, and even high level drum. She just blew my mind off. Furthermore, she was kinda playful commanding the audience. She wanted us to switch cheers and silence following her signals. Haha..naughty girl, so much adorable though! Overall, the concert was fabulous.

Avril was instructing the audiences to play along.
Her expression was so funny.
Her gesture was rock, She bent her legs and back.
After that, she sang "Sk8ter boy"

BUT THEN, the finishing part of the concert was kinda screwed up! First, we hadn't listened enough yet. It ended too fast l. Out of a sudden, I heard she said good night, I thought I was wrong, but then she ran off the stage. When it came to "We want more" session, the stadium spotlight was instantly switched on. Everyone got awakened from their deep fantasy. That's it. I was kinda keberated to leave...sigh...

The nonsense guy really screwed up things. If he were to shut up, the concert would be lots of rewarding! We, the audiences for sure can get more from Avril!

Chemical Process Engineer

This post is rather on the basic of Chemical Engineering.

An adjunct lecture was held this morning during the Process Plant Design lecture session. The topic is Practical Process Design and Refinery Revamp. So, I would like to extract some information from it and share with those laymen.

2 external figures came, namely Tom Kers, Netherland handsome and Aderline Ler, Sg hottie. They are from KBC, a sound refinery consultancy firm! It's very interesting, interactive and informative lecture.

Find out more about KBC, click here.

The lecture nevertheless covered more on the roles played by a process engineer.
I used to understand that process engineers have all to do with process control, process optimization, perform troubleshooting, and perhaps taking care of some chemical plant safety issues. But then it's actually much beyond these.

An important note, Chemical engineering is concerned with the chemical process and things beyond that. Chemist on the other hand is the one sits in the lab mixing reactant to reactant and produces new products.

More importantly, process engineer will have to do a process design, which is inclusive of:

1. Performing material and energy balance for each and every column and overall process as well as the utility which principally means the additional heating and cooling requirement.

2. Cost and benefit analysis which is characterized by (Product value - Feedstock costs - Energy costs - other operating costs - loss)

3. Come out with process flow diagram (PFD) and P&ID.

4. Provide specifications for each and every column (such as vessels, tanks , pumps, compressors, separators, drying systems, refrigeration systems...etc) in terms of duties, temperature, pressure, materials of construction ...etc.

5. Provide the specifications for relief valves and rupture disks such as the size, which is within the scope of Process Safe and Loss Prevention course.

All these constitute the Final Year Process Plant Design (FYDP). Get some ideas how tough it is.

So, basically process engineer is the one who leads the planning of building up a plant. In other words, they are in the supervisory role.They are the initiator. They give all the necessary information, specifications and advices for the mechanical engineers and fabricators to construct the equipments and get them fixed properly to the ground.

What would happen if one reactor were to fall down?

1. Casualties due to fire, toxic gas released...etc. Perhaps it's another Bhopal incident.

2. Capital loss (the equipments are extremely expensive)

3. Operational loss--plant shutdown (The operation can give multi-mullion dollar per day)

If that happens, someone is gonna get hurt real bad!

Being fooled as class rep

Class rep, sounds good right? Actually not!

I supposed it's class "Little Man" as that within the computer space who will do the sending and transferring of data from location to location. It's a mere pathetic name. Why?

I had Chemical Process Control and Dynamic (CPDC) class just now. It was the first time the coordinator officially took over the class. It is a 4 credit hours course, yet I am 4 chapters behind the lecturer. Well, at least she gives me a little hope so that I am gonna be under Consequence Management (CM) for CGPA below 2.5. Btw, Kenneth was suggested BM (bonus management) for CGPA above 3.5. haha...

Anyway, the class was asked to fill in the evaluation form for the past lecturer, Dr Yiao Min from Myanmar, by whom I was so deeply impressed! It would be "beyond words" to comment on him!

The coordinator was looking for class rep. Expectedly, Melvin was mentioned. I looked around. For heaven's sake, he wasn't in. Conveniently, the gang called out "Pangkor!" The coordinator didn't catch it well at first. She said: "Mangkuk?". What in heaven's name that Pangkor becomes Mangkuk! Such a goddamn listening! I raised white flag! Anyway, I just buat bodoh, as I know it well that it will take lots of trouble which I scare most! Ngah Di, they all pointed their fingers to me! I was after that screwed and became the official class rep! Guess what I gotta do? I was asked to collect the filled evaluation forms and send them to ACS, as expected. I particularly hate to run errands for things like this. Honestly, I was very pissed, but of course I was not gonna show it. Instead, I smiled! Deep inside my heart, don't know how many times of Ngah Di I have repeated!

So, after class, I was kinda set up. I talked to someone: "I'm so sucked by that until I bleed out!". The coordinator was so happened to appear in front of me. Siu lol...


After that, I walked all the way from Pocket D to ACS and then walked all the way to bank. Luckily I bumped into KK and had a ride back to room. Or else, I would have to walk all the way from bank to room.

Fellow friends, please lar, this is the last time you call out my name for matter like this!
I can smile to you face, piss you in the heart.Although I am forgetful, this will implant in my subconscious! I don't wish to make you being fooled like this. Bu then, if you are seriously so interested to fool me, bring it on provided be more creative please!
Note: Joking tone, but get my message pls.

Melvin, pls lar, be more punctual, Don't ever practice "Be in Rome, do as Roman", Malaysian clock is Ngah Di lar...Be more self discipline, or else I'll receive bad consequence! haha..

Anwar Ibrahim won the by election at Permatang Pauh

Winner's face!

Reformation of Malaysian Government is most probably underway with his triumph.
Check out: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601080&sid=aoHkJv20YXK4&refer=asia

He has been addressing around seeking for support based on 3 invincible points:

1. Lower the petrol price
2. Free Eduction
3. Equity among races.

He certainly is excellent at public speaking, joking around, yet able to pass the messages across effectively without even referring to any script. Looking it at the other angle, he may be distracting focus, or any sort of thinking about the logic behind his points. However, I am buying his stories, hoping that he will reform the corrupted government!

Talker's face

Malaysia is truly blessed with resources like petroleum & natural gas, plantation like palm oil and rubbers. In addition, it is located strategically, strategically to be developed as the hub of international business and tourism, strategically to be natural disaster free (but then currently climate is deteriorating). It has almost everything it take to promote as developed country and being recognized.The key of the key is what we are lacking of, a man who will carry out reformation. We need to move along with the international pace, not to stay static as Malaysia was once pretty famous in the history, long ago during Kegemilangan Kesultanan Melaka. We should be proud over it but not to dream on over it. Economic is dynamic, never ever preserve it! It's the law of jungle, either being strong and take the lead or slowly being gutted.

The world economic is going down, so is Malaysia economic which has been declining for an appreciable percentage. The national inflation hit its new peak! However, I can't understand one thing. Malaysia's economic is rather diversified. We are not just oil and gas oriented, but we do generate money from plantation, tourism, electronic stuffs, corporate sector...list goes on.
Don't you think that this diversification should be able to make the economic more sustainable, instead of being so vulnerable to external factors? kind of like how terrible is people, how terrible are we.

So, do we seriously need reformation?

Anwar Ibrahim has set 16th September to form his government. If so happen, what will Malaysia and its people be like post-16th September?
From bad to good or from bad to worse? People may say one thing and do otherwise. Well, I hope he keeps his promise as a man. At least, we are not gonna be very pathetic.

GTL (Gas to Liquid Technology)

A piece of fact that is gonna amaze you terribly: Click here.
(...if captured and converted, it's like finding another Saudi Arabia)

Stranded natural gas is being flared, releasing tonnes of CO2.

What is Gas To Liquid (GTL) technology?

In General, it is a technology that converts natural gas to liquid fuel. It is totally different from LNG (liquefied Natural Gas).

Scientifically, it's a catalyzed chemical reaction in which the synthesis gas (syngas) is converted into longer chain hydrocarbon, which is in liquid form.

(Syngas is a gas mixture essentially comprises of Hydrogen and Carbon Monoxide. Syngas is produced via gasification of carboneous compounds such as methane, CH4. It can either be burnt and used a fuel source or being used as an intermediate in the industrial synthesis of hydrogen and ammonia.)

GTL technology review:


Activation energy is energy barrier or the minimum energy that must be overcome so that the reaction can take place.

Direct conversion is not economically attractive. Thus it is not practiced in industry. Indirect conversion, on the other hand, is commonly used in the industry, whereby the F-T process is a more specific term of GTL that converts natural gas to liquid fuel.

The figure shows the process flow of F-T process. There are 2 principal processes involved: the gasification of methane to produce syngas and the other one is the F-T process to produce GTL fuel or products.


GTL fuel:

1. Higher Cetane Number, thus permitting a superior performance of engine design.

Cetane Number indicates how quickly the fuel wil auto-ignite, and how evely it will combust. A higher Cetane Number implies a lower flame temperature providing a reduction in the formation of Nitrogen Oxide. Typical fuel has a miminum Cetane Number of around 45-50 while GTL diesel has Cetane Number in excess of 70, allowing more complete combustion.

2. Cleaner fuel--> low sulfur content

GTL releases less particulate matter, which is composed of unburnt carbon and aromatics, and compounds of sulfur. Fine particulates can cause respiratory problems while some aromatics are carcinogenic.

Low sulfur content reduces the particulate generation significantly, whereas the low aromatic content reduces the toxicity of particulate matter.

GTL is thought to be able to effective curb acid rain which is principally caused by presence of NOx and SOx in excess.


GTL products:

3 major products of F-T process are Naptha, Paraffin and Lubricant based oil.

GTL Naptha-->highly paraffinic, ideal for being the feedstock for ethylene and propylene manufacture, results in higher yield compared to petroleum-based naptha feedstock.

Paraffin-->it's thought to be the future LAB feedstock of choice, which can significantly save cost for LAB producers.

Lubricant based oil--> Advances in engine design and the need to improve emission and fuel economy lead to significant increase in demand for it. GTL Base Oils will bring a step change in the ability to meet the future lubricant requirement.

In a nutshell

GTL has made the natural gas much more valuable than ever. It surpass way ahead the LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas). It can converts natural gas into liquid fuel with energy density better than the conventional diesel. It can also be blended with crude oil and results in unproportional output.

Having added so much value to natural gas, by all means, GTL unlocks the its natural gas potential. In fact, natural gas is the cleanest fossil fuel and it is so abundant that it can last until 22nd century.

Shell is one of the pioneers in GTL as it has improvised the F-T process by the name Shell Middle Distillate Synthesis (SMDS). Shell has even operated the first ever commercial scale GTL plant in Bintulu, Malaysia, with a capacity of 14,700bbl/day.

The GTL technology is still evolving! So, it's inevitable that the days of GTL will most certainly come!

More on GTL, click here

Technology breakthrough as of August 2008, click here

Problem posting entry

For the past 30 min, I have been trying to post an entry. But then it always shows up "html error".
I am so set up! Feel like strangling the laptop!

Weekend In Ipoh

Yea...another Ipoh trip on Saturday night.

UTP 11th convocation is underway. 2 of my Intern friends, Zhan Peng & Shea Teng paid a visit again. I cracked my head trying to find a sound reason why they wanna come back to this merryland, but I couldn't get the answer. They told me that internship is way worse and boring than UTP's life. Paradoxically, they told me as well there are lot of beauties and cuties out there. But then, they like to come back. Perhaps they are lacking of companion at work. I, personally am so looking forward for my internship which is gonna be this December. Well, I wish later on I won't tell you that it sucks!

So, 7pm we set off to Ipoh. I was so exhausted. Last night I slept at 4am. Then I barely had nap this afternoon rushing my ETP progress report and I went for badminton in the evening. We went to a pretty fancy restaurant, Citrous, Ipoh Timur I guess. The interior design of the restaurant is good. The lighting projects sense of romance. But then the furniture (tables & chairs) just spoils the atmosphere. I mean they should have opted for better ones, something that suits better. Also, I think they should session the dining place for privacy lar... Talking about the menu, there isn't really a wide variety of choices. The pricing apparently amazed me. I asked for Chicken grill "something" costing me RM19. It tasted Ok. But Shea Teng's one, Chicken Grill Lemon Grass tasted more delicious. Arh...I asked for a superb dessert with a name which I barely recall but the price I hardly forget, which RM 18, almost the price of a Baskin Robin. Perhaps I was a bit impulsive. Zhan Peng asked for Banana Split at RM 9.00. Brutal honest, mine worth better because it's something special, rather than just ice cream and banana, right?

Citrous Ipoh is not a Hei Dian (Dark Shop), but then the environment is so dim. The following pics were taken with flashlight on. So, imagine how dim the place is!

The dessert that enabled me to crap much!
What's it actually?
Got hot wafer within which got chocolate sauce. This one tastes the best.
The yellow cake which looks like yard is a Cheese Cake.
A Vanilla Ice cream on top of an unknown cake, which tastes nothing special!

It's the decoration costs me RM18, NOT the dessert.
After that, me and Shea Teng destroyed everything to the ground.

We hanged around at the restaurant until 10pm. Supposedly, Ang Khian and some other fellows be be arriving in Ipoh that we are gonna "play". However, they FFK--Fong Fei Kei, giving the excuse of heavy downpour. Omg, kinda wet blanket. Alright, fine! I was moodless alr. Between movie and Sincero Club, we chose the latter.

Sincero was so freaking crowded. Chinese were all around! We sat at a place so close to the speaker that my hearts virtually got blasted off by it.

Frankly speaking, I seldom go clubbing though my appearance suggests otherwise. I used to talk to people that I rarely go to a club, they won't buy me, not at all. Crescentia & Jia Lin, they said no way! Anyway, it's my first time in Sincero.

Plus point-->crowded, happening, of course eye cleansing, (you know what i am supposed to mean). Minus Point--> the flow was kinda messy, messier than Rums and also too smoky that I almost flushed my eyes, and the musics played weren't of my favorite. Erm...I would say Rums is nicer than Sincero.

An unexpected drop-by at Sincero! See how we dressed, then you know!!

Spotted.Chong Kian was in!!
Interns can really change people har...

We set back UTP at 1am. Another weekend is gone without books! Stressful!!

Arh..comment a little bit how terribly my room was exploited last night!

My room has been kinda chaos. Even our shoes we bring in because there's a hidden shoes robber here! (I used to loss two pairs of slippers, while Kee Hui lost his Addidas sport shoes)
In order to clear some space, I need to dumped everything into the wardrobe. What's a maximization technique!
ZP slept with me. Sweat...single bed but 2 guys! Pathetic, isn't it? But what to do! Kee Hui slept with his legs wide open on his bed. An unexpected guest, Chong Kian was sleeping on the floor. Fyi, ZP was sleeping on the floor the other way also...So, I would make it a rule that anyone who wanna come and stay overnight in my room, for the very first time, on the floor!! ...

Avril's Concert is back on

Well.well.well.I'm not sure how accurate am I, but things I mentioned is happening!!


Let's check this out!!
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles21/lavigne_avril.jhtml
(I was updated by Shea Teng)/1593264/200808

Which means as well the society is virtually corrupted! Good for us isn't it? At minimum rate, I got to see Avril on 29th.

So, let's preach Avril! "When you're gone, pieces of my heart is missing you..."

Wondering how many bales of gold that smartie has gained!
Sigh...sinful earning...Be generous in donation for good cause for cleansing!

Uh...my hand phone is broken! Not only that, my bike is dead as well, may be is out of battery!

Why am I receiving bad luck?... :)

Anyway, I'm chilled!

Btw, next's up is the by-election on 26th Aug. I dun wanna be the "Wu Ya Zui" la.

Shall Malaysian Government Reformat?

xo.xo.

Believe it or not?

Well, about the ban on someone's best damned concert, I had a new thought.

This is my professional speculations.

So this fellow proposed to ban concert. His proposal based upon nationalism, social morality & Islamic view.

But then observe carefully:

1. He has actually created local commotion. Well, the issue to me it's unnecessary! So he got the free publication and publicity. Everyone knows him by now. Freaking smart in fact.

2. The concert organizer has already put in so much money to promote the concert. To top that,
do you think the operational cost is little? What about the contracts, stage arrangements,
booking fees? Apparently, the amount is huge. More importantly, the money spent is
irretrievable. So, regardless what it takes, the organizer will make sure the show is up!

So, isn't there is a great opportunity when someone can actually take a huge bung (bribe) and then shut up.

There's a pretty nice movie [Definite.Maybe]....That's what I am speculating? Don't rule out any possibility!

Whao...What a smart sss on earth! Freaking opportunist!

Would you buy me? Or you wanna get bloody conned? Perhaps also this fellow is out of sincerity and truthfulness.

So the proverb suggests->"There's a prawn behind a stone".

May as well, there's a conspiracy going on:
The ministry decided that they'd like to give Anwar the upper hand by frustrating many youngsters' hopes of seeing Avril, whom in return will direct their anger towards the federal government, hence creating a lot of emo votes for Anwar. For all you know Anwar brokered a deal with Shafie a couple nights before to cancel Avril's concert just to get votes.

Say no to Avril's Best Damned Concert ?

Arh...another pathetic case hit!
Well, this time I'm directly related, terribly!
I've got myself a ticket to her concert
and it's just less than 10 days away
Honestly, I'm so looking forward to her!!

Kindly check this out.

http://www.chanlilian.net/2008/08/20/but-whats-wrong-with-avril-lavigne/#comment-97683

She somehow reflects my view on this issue!
And I have had my say-->Check through the comment session (by jeff)

Evolution!!

Well, i guess this title isn't best describing the content here.

It's actually evolution of the Gtalk caption:

First:
Ngai Di...Nid to walk all the way to V3 to get Drinking water...RO is down...This is the time when my ETP come in to place!!! But it's still pending ... what lar....

A respected v3 fellow counter attacked:
Ngai Di, ppl from V5 coming to steal water from v3 again.

(Well...I have a Q to ask. Is it that people from V5 are not free to dine-in or take-away food from V3 cafe or vice versa?)

Anyway...moving on

Second:
Some words are copyrighted: 1. Kah Wan Xiao Meh; 2. Ngai Di; 3.Diao; 4. Ying Liao Lol... Ngai Di...Nid to walk all the way to V3 to get Drinking water...RO is down...This is the time when my ETP come in to place!!! But it's still pending ... what lar....

Third:
The respected V3 fella--> stop being stone-headed!! there you go...Have a starving night....Some words are copyrighted: 1. Kah Wan Xiao Meh; 2. Ngai Di; 3.Diao; 4. Ying Liao Lol... Ngai Di...Nid to walk all the way to V3 to get Drinking water...RO is down...This is the time when my ETP come in to place!!! But it's still pending ... In fact, it's on its way from INDIA .... Khai Wan Xiao meh...Seriously, it's true


Well...Gtalk fight is sheer fun ... One of the best publication channel in UTP ... Whatever gossips, emos, complains, glories...This is the place!! Use it...as though you are speaking to the whole community here!!!

Just another let-down

It comes to me so much appalling.

Check this out!!

This was he in the past!

Along with basketball player Yao Ming, Liu is China's favourite sportsman.
There was a huge weight of expectation on him to repeat his triumph of Athens in 2004,
when he became his country's first male Olympic champion on the track.


Presently, Man, it's hurt!


The defending champion, Liu Xiang dropped out of the 110m hurdles in Beijing Olympics 2008.

China's world champion, the host nation's best hope of an athletics gold medal at the Beijing Olympics, pulled up after a false start. As he came up to the first hurdle, Liu winced then hobbled down the tunnel to leave the Bird's Nest stadium in stunned silence.

Liu had suffered a hamstring injury in May,
causing him to withdraw from the New York grand prix.
It was a new injury that troubled him today though,
a combination of damage to the Achilles tendon of his right leg and a bone spur on his ankle.
Liu's right foot is his take-off foot, meaning the ankle joint comes under enormous pressure.

Well, being a Chinese, he has my pride.
His withdrawal is definitely a big disappointment for me!!!
Sigh...

Fuel Cell

The Invention of the Fuel Cell Sir William Grove invented the first fuel cell in 1839. Grove knew that water could be split into hydrogen and oxygen by sending an electric current through it (a process called electrolysis). He hypothesized that by reversing the procedure you could produce electricity and water. He created a primitive fuel cell and called it a gas voltaic battery. After experimenting with his new invention, Grove proved his hypothesis. Fifty years later, scientists Ludwig Mond and Charles Langer coined the term fuel cell while attempting to build a practical model to produce electricity.

Fuel cells have emerged as one of the most promising technologies for the power source of the future. The fuel cell is an electrochemical device that converts energy into electricity and heat without combustion. In principle, a fuel cell operates like a battery. Unlike a battery, a fuel cell does not run down or require recharging. It will produce energy in the form of electricity and heat as long as fuel is supplied.

Fuel cells can promote energy diversity and a transition to renewable energy sources. Hydrogen, the most abundant element on Earth, can be used directly. Fuel cells can also utilise fuel containing hydrogen, including methanol, ethanol, natural gas and even gasoline or diesel fuel, but requires a "fuel reformer" that extracts the hydrogen.

In 2003, President Bush announced a pr­ogram called the Hydrogen Fuel Initiative (HFI) during his State of the Union Address. This initiative, supported by legislation in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT 2005) and the Advanced Energy Initiative of 2006, aims to develop hydrogen, fuel cell and infrastructure technologies to make fuel-cell vehicles practical and cost-effective by 2020. The United States has dedicated more than one billion dollars to fuel cell research and development so far.

Applications for Fuel Cells

Residential
Fule cells are ideal for power generation, either connected to the elctric grid to provide supplemental power and backup assurance for critical areas, or installed as a grid-independant generator for on-site service on areas that are inaccessable by power lines. Since fuel cells operate silently, they reduce noise pollution as well as air pollution and the waste heat from a fuel cell can be used to provide hot water for a home.

Transport
All major automotive manufacturers have fuel cell vehicle either in development or in testing stage - Honda, Toyota, GM, Ford, Hyundai, Volkswagen etc. It is estimated that fuel call vehicles will be commercialized in very near future .However there are significant technical barriers such as hydrogen storage, fuel structure, cost/affordability, reliability/durability and air/water/thermal management.

Portable Power
Fuel cell will chage the telecommuting world, powering cellular phones, laptops for hours longer than batteries. Other applications for micro fuel cells include pagers, video recorders, portable power tools and low power remote devices such as hearing aids, smoke detectors, burglars alarms, and meter readers.

Landfills/Wastewater Treatment
Fuel cells currently operate at landfills and wastewater treatment plants across the world proving themselves as valid technology for reducing emissions and generating power from the methane gas they produce. Toshiba has installed fuel cells that run on waste gases and plans to expand efforts to sell fuel cell systems that run on gas sewage sludge. Using fuel cells to recover energy from landfill and other waste gases is proving to be a viable method and is potentially one of the cleanest and most cost-effective energy conversion technologies.

Advantages of Fuel Cells

Environmental Benefits
Fuel cells are considered an excellent alternative energy resource from the environmental point of view. fuel cells are quiet and produce negligible emissions of pollutants.

Efficiency
Different types of fuel cells have varied effeciencies, ranging from 40% to 60%. Alkaline fuel cells can even achieve power generating efficiencies of up to 70%.

Fuel Availability
The primary fuel source for the fuel cell is hydrogen which can be obtained from natural gas, coal gas, methanol and other fuels containing hydrocarbons. More importantly, electrolysis (splitting of water molecules) can produce pure hydrogen.

In short, why Fuel Cell?

Fuel cells generate electrical power quietly and efficiently, without pollution. Dissimilar to power sources that derived from fossil fuels, the by-products from an operating fuel cell are heat and water.

Fuel Cell Vehicle Efficiency:

If the fuel cell is powered with pure hydrogen, it has the potential to be up to 80-percent efficient. That is, it converts 80 percent of the energy content of the hydrogen into electrical energy. However, we still need to convert the electrical energy into mechanical work. This is accomplished by the electric motor and inverter. A reasonable efficiency of the motor/inverter is about 80 percent.
Therefore we have 80-percent efficiency in generating electricity, and 80-percent efficiency converting it to mechanical power.
That gives an overall efficiency of about 64 percent.

Honda’s FCX concept vehicle reportedly has 60-percent energy efficiency.

If the fuel source isn’t pure hydrogen, then the vehicle will also need a reformer to turn hydrocarbon or alcohol fuels into hydrogen. They generate heat and produce other gases besides hydrogen. They use various devices to try to clean up the hydrogen, but even so, the hydrogen that comes out of them is not pure, and this lowers the efficiency of the fuel cell.

Because reformers impact fuel cell efficiency, DOE researches have decided to concentrate on pure hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles, despite challenges associated with hydrogen production and storage.

Note: Gasoline-Battery powered vehicles have an overall efficiency of 26-30%.
Calculation: The whole cycle: the efficiency of an electric car is 72% for the car, 40% for the power plant (that's 40 percent of the fuel required by the power plant was converted into electricity) and 90 percent for charging the car. That gives an overall efficiency of 26 percent.

Fuel Cell Problems

Cost

In the economy perspective, many of the component pieces of a fuel cell are costly. For PEMFC (Proton Exchange Membranes Fuel Cell), precious metal catalysts (usually platinum), gas diffusion layers, and bipolar plates make up 70 percent of a system's cost
[Source: Basic Research Needs for a Hydrogen Economy].
In order to be competitively priced (compared to gasoline-powered vehicles), fuel cell systems must cost $35 per kilowatt. Currently, the projected high-volume production price is $110 per kilowatt [Source: Testimony of David Garman].

Durability

Researchers must develop PEMFC membranes that are durable and can operate at temperatures greater than 100 degrees Celsius and still function at sub-zero ambient temperatures. A 100 degrees Celsius temperature target is required in order for a fuel cell to have a higher tolerance to impurities in fuel. Because you start and stop a car relatively frequently, it is important for the membrane to remain stable under cycling conditions. Currently membranes tend to degrade while fuel cells cycle on and off, particularly as operating temperatures rise.

Hydration

Because PEMFC membranes must by hydrated in order to transfer hydrogen protons (electrolyte), researches must find a way to develop fuel cell systems that can continue to operate in sub-zero temperatures, low humidity environments and high operating temperatures. At around 80 degrees Celsius, hydration is lost without a high-pressure hydration system.

The SOFC (Solid oxide fuel cell) has a related problem with durability. Solid oxide systems have issues with material corrosion. Seal integrity is also a major concern. The cost goal for SOFC is less restrictive than for PEMFC systems at $400 per kilowatt, but there are no obvious means of achieving that goal due to high material costs. SOFC durability suffers after the cell repeatedly heats up to operating temperature and then cools down to room temperature.

Infrastructure

In order for PEMFC vehicles to become a viable alternative for consumers, there must be a hydrogen generation and delivery infrastructure. This infrastructure might include pipelines, truck transport, fueling stations and hydrogen generation plants. It is hoped that the development of a marketable vehicle model will drive the development of an infrastructure to support it.

Storage, Delivery & Safety

The development is highly limited by the hurdles pertaining hydrogen storage due to its low energy density and safety issue about the hydrogen as its very combustible!

Also, PEMFC systems have become lighter and smaller as improvements are made, they still are too large and heavy for use in standard vehicles.

Wrap-up:

Fuel Cell will make its significant contribution in future phasing out the Fossil fuel Economy!!

Reporting the Olympics 2008

When the world # 2 (Lee Chong Wei) vs the world # 1 (Ling Dan):

Despite the ranking which differs by only 1, the game points: (1st set 21-12 ; 2nd set 21 - 9)

The only hope for Malaysian to grab an Olympic gold medal is entirely gone.

Well, I'm totally not happy over it. However, I would have to say how unbelievable was Ling Dan.
(freaking fast, sharp to the corners, horribly powerful jumping smash and excellent control of the game)


More Remarkably: The man of the game --> Michael Phelp, who won 8 gold medals in the aquarium by setting new Olympic records in 7 of them!

There the list goes:
1) 100-meter butterfly; 2) 400 freestyle relay; 3) 400 individual medley; 4) 200 butterfly;
5) 200 freestyle; 6) 200 individual medley; 7) 800 freestyle relay; 8) 400 medley relay

Another exciting event to me personally: 100m
When it comes to Olympic sprints, nobody does it better than the Jamaicans.
(Jamaica's Usain Bolt won when he hot-dogged to the finish in 9.69 seconds, thereby overwrote the past record of 9.81 seconds)

Well, my record was just 13.02 seconds. I can't help imagine how furious is he!!!

Hoop-ers yeah!!

Hoop-ers Yeah Yeah Yeah...

It's about UTP Basketball League.
Just finished our final match!!

There were only 5 Hoop-ers turned up.
Which means that no one could have a break during the 28min match!
Honestly, we were all physically exhausted, not even when the match finished.
My leg was at the edge of spasm.
Can't really make a damned bounce!

One good remark is that I learned to play with brain.
Instead of just going with the flow which I used to do.

The matches made me grow!!
haha...Bangga-nye!!

Hoop-ers of the day:
Kha Loon, Chin, Chee Seng, Charles & Me

Regret:
I didn't actually score a point!! Just pushed the game all time...Anyway, I love doing so!

Happy Ending:
"won by 3 point margin"

Well...We lost in the past three matches.
but from there, we get evolved!

So, he's actually cool

I had Transport Phenomena tutorial this morning.

It's 8am-10am.
I woke up at 8.15am, intentionally.

I reached there at 8.40am.
Yet, I arrived before the tutor.
Technically I wasn't late.

The tutor is an Egyptian.
We barely get to know him.
He started by writing down the answers on the white board.
And he kept on writing.

Whilst copying down the answer, I was chatting around.
Out of the blue, he burst out getting onto his nerves.
Well, I was laughing.
Well, my laughter was kinda ridiculous but it's very soft.
He looked at me in particular, said:
This is a tutorial class. I can give you space to discuss but you don't have to chat nor laugh...
Well, somehow I was wrong. I took it.

So, that's the onset of his anger.

Soon afterward, he asked all of us to stop writing
as he wanted to do some speech and valuable advices regarding the course.
Perhaps he was a bit cool alr.
But then my dear bro, Mr B just kept on writing & didn't bother about him.

So, he was set up further.

He left the talking, and continued writing down the answer.
He was having a terrible running nose,
as we could hear he was blowing little trumpet.

Out of the blue again, my phone rang up for message.
He was over reacting that he asked me to switch off my phone.
Come on man, this is not finals..."chilled"
Well, I was obedient to him about this.

Soon later, it's 9.10am. Mr B was having class at 9am.
So he left the class, without even asking for permission nor informing Mr tutor.

So, he got pissed for the third time.
He took the attendance list and canceled Mr B's name.

Having tested the "chili", we behaved cool
which reminded me of my school age.
I got scolded pretty often as:
I talk too much, left my seat and roomed around,
buat kacua & bully, a little of vandalism.
( Haha..that's what I used to be.
You may say that I was piece of crap but I had so much fun. )

So, we copied the answers quietly.
For heaven sake, out of the blue, he got cheered up.
He made his talking and explain the importance of the course & where to focus.
which to me, it means big.

My impression for him changed.
Previously, I thought he was just a mad something (cow)...
but then he is actually pretty cool.
So, he is making better sense to me.

At the end, we even went to him, consulting about the
Chemical Process Dynamic & Control (CPDC) report on Pressure Control.
I have to say that he is very knowledgeable.
At least he solved my headache on doing the discussion for the result,
which I need to comment about Proportional Control, Proportional & Integral Control,
Proportional, Integral & Derivative Control
I am suck about these.

So, he does gain my respect in the end.

SPE

It's Annual General Meeting
Society Of Petroleum Engineers UTP Student Chapter
(SPEUTPSC)

There's a nomination for forming of new "Runners" for the Club.
So, it's been quite some time to settle this nomination
Undeniably, "Stars Search" can be pretty time consuming,
Need to put the right person in the right post...
Honestly speaking, it did take into little sense of bias of any form.

But then, it can actually be prompted fast
provided we all are actually concerned
(Kinda give a damn)
This is vital so that early plans can be drawn

Anyhow, it's got a little bit lagging
Perhaps it don't a matter (Akon) either

"Bias at the edge of Professionalism"
Which means that the nomination is still pretty much performance-oriented
Well, We need assurance on the efficiency and competence of club is kept shooting up

Some words from my ETP sv:
"Some people who are quiet but they are the ones who get things done"
"Some just empty vessel who makes most noise"

So, Tay, you're eventually confirmed....
[Kai Wan Xiao Meh]*[infinite time]
Congrats Mr President...

Have faith in you that you're gonna do it better...
You know the ways...Just a matter of execution...

All the best!!

Unseen Plague

Another Environmental Problem, the Acid Rain, known as well "The Unseen Plague".

The Culprits: Nitrogen Oxides and Sulphur Dioxide.


pH scale:
This scale goes from 0 ( most Acidic) to 14 (most Alkaline). A pH value of 7 is neutral, which means that it is neither acidic nor alkaline.

Rain is always slightly acidic because it mixes with naturally occurring oxides in the air. Unpolluted rain would have a pH value of between 5 and 6. When the air becomes more polluted with nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxide the acidity can increase to a pH value of 4. Some rain has even been recorded as being pH2.

Primary sources of emission:
1. Natural Phenomena: Volcanic eruption & Biological processes producing
Methyl Sulfide
2. Human Activity: Burning of Fossil Fuel, COAL in particular.


Adverse Effects of Acid Rain on Forest & Trees:

• Dissolve and wash away the nutrients and minerals in the soil which help the trees to grow.
• Cause the release of harmful substances such as aluminum into the soil.
• wear away the waxy protective coating of leaves, damaging them and preventing them from being able to photosynthesize properly.
• A combination of these effects weakens the trees which means that they can be more easily attacked by diseases and insects or injured by bad weather.
  

Adverse Effects of Acid Rain on Aquatic Life:

• Acid rain runs off the land and ends up in streams, lakes and marshes.
• The acidity of the water can cause deformity in young fish and can prevent eggs from hatching properly.
• The acidity of the water causes toxic substances like aluminum to be released into the water from the soil, harming fish and other aquatic animals.
• Whole aquatic ecosystem can be disrupted. Many different species of plants and animals all are depending on one another to survive. If a species of fish disappears, the animals which feed on it will gradually disappear too. If the extinct fish used to feed on a particular species of large insect, that insect population will start to grow, this in turn will affect the smaller insects or plankton on which the larger insect feeds.
  

Adverse Effect on Building or Structure:

• Acid Rain is corrosive.
• Statues, buildings, vehicles, pipes and cables can all suffer. The worst affected are things made from limestone or sandstone as these types of rock are particularly susceptible and can be affected by air pollution in gaseous form as well as by acid rain.

Technical Solutions:

1. Flue Gas Desulphurization (FGD)

Sulphur can be 'washed' out of smoke by spraying a mixture of water and powdered limestone into the smokestack.

As a result of stringent environmental protection regulations regarding SO₂ emissions that have been enacted in a great many countries, SO₂ is now being removed from flue gases by a variety of methods:

• Wet Scrubbing using a slurry sorbent, usually limestone or lime, to scrub the gases.
• Spray-dry scrubbing using similar sorbent slurries.
  
• Dry sorbent injection systems.

For a typical coal-fired power station, FGD will remove 95 percent or more of the SO₂ in the flue gases.


2. Automobile Emission Control

Tailpipe emissions control can be categorised into three parts:

1. Increasing engine efficiency
2. Increasing vehicle efficiency
3. Cleaning up the emissions-->the Catalytic Converter.
   

General Techniques:

1. Promote alternative sources of energy, Hydroelectric, Solar, Wind...etc.
   
2. Conserve energy--Car Pooling, Public Transportation, Efficient Energy Strategics,
   

Experts say that if energy was used more carefully, we could cut the amount of fuel burned in half! When less energy is used, less coal is burnt, and as a result, there is less acid rain.

A Journey To West

Last Saturday, The "Final Shot" went for Treasure Hunt by Convofair 08. It's made up of 4 legends: Shea Teng, Zhan Peng, Kee Hui & Me.

Thousand miles starts with a single step. But, don't keep us waiting too long...Ruin our mood

We were very close to RM1300, which is 10 times our participation fee, but we got back empty-handed. Probably we were the 11th as the top 10 would at least get a hamper.

Anyway, we had to travel approximately 200km hunting the treasures. Here is the route:

UTP -->Kellie's Castle --> Taman Herba, Simpang Pulai -->Kampar --> Gua Tempurung -->Tapah Recreation Area --> Kampung Gajah, Teluk Intan --> Kompleks Tuntung, Bota --> UTP.

It's a sheer fun! We performed some stunts.

We dropped by Kellie's Castle, a haunted place, but we tak jumpa any weird stuff pun. We went to the top roof of the building. It's as tall as 4-5 storeys. The area is unfenced. Our legs were shaking up there. We can bird view a dull scene, just plantation. Then we played some snapshots.

Haunted Castle.

Height fright..."Kah Niu"

Look of a tomorrow engineer!

Claim to own the whole sky! Own the whole world!

Rear site of the castle


Berlagak like Nicolas Cage, (the Main Actor for National Treasure)...Please la!

Done tracking down the treasure! Blah...

At Gua Tempurung, I swallowed a raw egg yolk, so much nauseating! ZP was eating something which made him almost crying out his eye. KH shot down a can with rubber bend & paper (bullet) thus scoring 10 points.

Plenty of fun when doing activity at Tapah Recreation Area. We had to cross a river which freaking refreshing. I accidentally slipped over, wet my lower part of body. We contained water with plastic bags and played a "blindfold throw and catch".

Partial of the journey, KH was so deeply fallen into his sleep. Despite Knocking at the window for several times, he get unawakened. What a bugger!! I did sleep "a little bit" also, Beh Tahan!!

Talking about the "treasures" which were actually some puzzles which we need to guess and buy them.
1. Ultraman's arch enemy whose headquarter is at an island in Malaysia: Mummy Monster
2. Dua orang kembar sedang memancing dari atas kapal dengan memberi makan udang sebagi tambahan makan malam: Double Decker Bus Prawn snack
3. Emas panggil Tulang: Marigold Milk
4. Polar bear * ... :Fresh & white toothpaste.

2 more treasures, unfortunately we hit 4/6. Each costs us 20 points. Rugi Teruk!!!

After all, we did lost but we had fun....Quote by Terminator III: Sure be Back!!

Go Green

Just did my PCS poster presentation. It's a group presentation.
We did get pretty good mark, but I just wish could do better.
Will give concerted effort in the next presentation,
more importantly (Be More Relax)

The poster, costs RM25 for printing!!!

I'm a GREEN fellow. So we went with this topic.
It's for solving the climate change and energy security issues.

I truly hope that the technology of renewable energy like solar, wind, tidal...etc can breakthrough as soon as possible.
Thus wipe out the fossil fuel energy economy,
particularly in power generation & transportation sectors.
I can't stand any further with the sudden outbreak of heatwave.

People get perspired like hell without working out.
Get dehydrated and get sicked.
It's not deadly, but it's indeed pathetic and it's intolerable.

Apparently global warming is a hot topic...
Everyone is very well informed
Do your part...cool the globe.
"Reduce burning of hydrocarbon" & "make more trees"

Few days ago, i attended a talk by an incredible guest,
(a Professor from Princeton University)
He presented a proposal for controlling the global warming
"using carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) essentially at coal power plants"
in addition to geological storage (depleted reservoirs)

Hoops is alive!!

By accident, I formed Hoops
to complete in UTP Basketball League

"Hoops" is actually the ex-team's name!!

I've ceased B for quite sometimes
We've never practiced as a team
I don't even know some of my team mates yet

Done with the Self Analysis

Even worse, I totally have no idea about the opponents...

So, what do we have to fight??? I doubt that!!!
Instead of 300, we got 7 fellows!!!

Any suggestion for me to camouflage??

I don't want to get "Well-Known"!!!
Save my sssssssssssssss

hehehe...

"PRESS" Release

"Press" release-->It's not breaking news as what i meant.

Well,the pressure is getting overwhelmed.
Man, this is third week.
And there're 7 commitments on the list.

Woes:
ETP (Engineering Team Project)
(need to buy a LifeStraw oversea & Fabrication of prototype)

Professional Communication Skill
(Poster presentation on next Monday)

Assignment & Chemical Process Dynamic & Control Lab Report
(doing discusion--I'm dead for it)

Internship Application

Quiz should be around...yet, I haven't look into notes or any equivalence!!!
What's a Big joke!!!

Fun
Basketball league: This and next weekend
Convofair Treasure Hunt: This Saturday
Avril Lagvine's best damned concert 29th August
Merdeka Countdown

(But then, I gotta bleed so much for little fun-->So it's another woe)


Huh...This is even more Killing to me.
Cell phone is broken.
Need to get a new one.

I like something Cheap, Good Looking, Functional.
Sony Errison will be preferable.
Any suggestion???


Well, full capacity this week.
Seriously gotta contemplate about time management.
Next week Must Kick Start Catching Up with Lectures...

Move on man!! As well, Dream On...

$10

Having handed in my ETP proposal, I was walking back from Blok 14.
I was alone. So, I walked pretty fast.
Initially, I was behind lots people but managed to be no 1 soon.
At the sheltered pathway connecting Pocket C to girls' bloks, I found 2 GREEN NOTEs. Huh...what's a lucky day for me.

It has been so long ago since I last found money.
I heard that it's not good to keep the money found.
So I bought myself a Vanilla Chocolate Ice-cream at Kopetro.
The balan ce was spent on buying energy for my bike.
Erm...hope can find more $$ again..hahaha...
It's fun!!

Erm, this is the biggest amount I ever found. Well I know it's kinda pathetic.

What is the most you ever found?
Or
What is the most valueble you ever found?