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Utilization of BLOSSOMS Thermodynamics Energy Conversion video to properly incorporate active learning techniques had been shown to increase the students’ performance in learning introductory Thermodynamics topics. In this study, the effectiveness of using BLOSSOMS Thermodynamics Energy Conver-sion video towards students’ learning in a classroom when adopted by lecturers who is not trained in active learning is investigated. Two groups of undergraduate engineering students from a control class and a treatment class were involved in this study. The students from the treatment class were taught by a lecturer using the BLOSSOMS Thermodynamics Energy Conversion video, while the students from control class underwent conventional lecture style. The students were given pre and post inventory tests and their results were analysed using SPSS. It was found that BLOSSOMS Thermodynamics Energy Conversion video without the proper implementation of active learning technique does not have a significant ef-fect on the individual learning gain of the inventory test among students. The uti-lization of the video could be more effective if the instructor is well-trained in ac-tive learning techniques.

This paper describes field experience of designing a successful scale squeeze program for an oil well. This was done utilizing an adsorption isotherm derived from a core flood data from other reservoir. Correlation and reliability of the adsorption isotherm with actual field flow back data after squeeze treatment for a period of 18-month are given. Moreover, utilizing the knowledge generated, a bespoke multilayer adsorption isotherm was optimized for a treated well for more efficient squeeze design for next treatment. In order to achieve our objective, an adsorption isotherm from other reservoir core flood was first generated. With the knowledge not limited to current candidate well production rates, well properties, perforation height, number of zones and other essential parameters, a 18-month squeeze treatment program was designed. Water chemistry 18-month data was utilized to validate the scale squeeze design. An improved multilayer adsorption isotherm bespoke for this well was generated. In conjunction with flow-back production data, a scheduled sampling program and water analysis utilizing Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) for post treatment Scale Inhibitor (SI) residuals data was collected to validate the adsorption isotherm derived from other reservoir. As predicted by the model for post treatment monitoring, the SI residual concentration; back calculated from SI chemistry utilized for the treatment are found to have an excellent correlation with the adsorption isotherm derived from a different reservoir. Hence, the 18-month squeeze design derived from a different reservoir was a great success. The slight difference between real flow back data and the adsorption isotherm generated from other reservoir become a benchmark to derive an improved adsorption isotherm to optimize the scale inhibition protection than the current treatment. In summary, parameters such as mineralogy study, porosity, permeability, crude properties and dynamic scale loop (DSL) study are the utmost important information to be analyzed prior using other reservoir core flood data as reference. As results shown, these are the best way to generate squeeze design with limited information had in hand.

Fifteen years since the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, which caused massive destruction around the Andaman Sea, people have participated in efforts to reduce tsunami risks in Indonesia. However, the most important question continues to be on whether such efforts are sufficient in dealing with tsunami risks. Among the most striking challenges here is bridging the gap in tsunami risk reduction between the Sumatra mainland and among communities in several small islands. Thus, this research aims to investigate the recent conditions of selected towns/cities in tsunami-prone small islands and identify the impediments to their tsunami hazard preparedness. It focuses on comparing efforts in terms of available facilities for tsunami evacuation plans and the tsunami estimated time of arrival (ETA), which is computed based on deterministic tsunami propagation models. In this regard, five of the observed locations are classified as being in a critical tsunami preparedness condition, namely Balai island, Lahewa of Nias Island, Sabeugunggung of North pagai Island, Surat Aban of South Pagai island, and Enggano Island. Most of them have limited space for tsunami evacuation and a short tsunami ETA, which constitutes an extreme condition requiring immediate tsunami mitigation measures. One possible approach is to construct a vertical tsunami evacuation building or modify existing buildings that can be used for tsunami evacuation on the islands. This article also highlights societal aspects related to tsunami preparedness.

Thermodynamics is one of the most challenging courses for engineering students as it contains many physical concepts and abstract scientific principle. To aid the learning of first law of Thermodynamics in classroom, a Blended Learning Open Source Science or Math Studies (BLOSSOMS) Thermodynamics Energy Conversion Video was developed as a teaching and learning tool, established by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). A study has been done on the impact of the video towards students learning, where two groups of engineering students taking Thermodynamics course were investigated; namely treatment group who used BLOSSOMS Thermodynamics Energy Conversion video in the Thermodynamics class, and control group who used conventional lecture style. The groups were observed to study how the students engage in the learning process. Selected students from the treatment group were interviewed to acquire the students' perceptions during the blended learning process. The results were analysed using thematic analysis based on the four lenses of the How People Learn (HPL) framework. Findings had shown that the video gives good impact towards students learning, in terms of students' engagement in the learning process and their perception.

Construction waste is generated throughout the construction process such as during site clearance, material use, material damage, material non-use, excess procurement and human error. The exact quantity and composition of construction waste generated throughout the projects are difficult to be identified as they are keep on changing due to the dynamic nature of the construction activities. Different stages of construction generates different types and composition of waste. Therefore the trend of waste generated throughout the construction stages need to be identified. This paper will critically review literature on construction waste in order to understand the nature of waste generation from construction activities. Based on the literature studied, this paper propose a method to quantify waste for conventional construction. The proposed method comprises four steps. First is identification of construction stages and expected waste generated. Second is selection of construction sites with similar characteristics for uniform investigation. Third is sorting and weighing of mixed waste collected in a dumpster. The last step is summation of the recorded quantity. It is expected that the proposed method should be practical and suits current situation of Malaysian construction projects and support the agenda of National Strategic Plan for Solid Waste Management.

Polymer nanocomposites have been attracting attention among researchers as electrical insulating application from energy storage to power delivery. However, partial discharge has always been a predecessor to major faults and problems in this field. In addition, there are a lot more to explore as the characteristic of partial discharge in nanocomposites is not clearly understood as well as the electrical properties of the nanocomposites. By adding a few amount of weight percentage (wt%) of the nano fillers, the physical, mechanical and electrical properties of polymers can be greatly enhanced. This is due to its amazing characteristic of having large specific area as a consequential from its nano sized particle that could enhance the electrical properties of the insulator. For instance, nano fillers in nanocomposites such as silica (SiO2), alumina (Al2O3) and titania (TiO2), play big role in providing good approach to increase dielectric breakdown strength and partial discharge resistance of nanocomposites. Such polymer nanocomposites will be reviewed thoroughly in this paper based on previous experimental works and studies. This paper provides reviews from related publications from year 1997 to 2011 including the results of experimental works which have been conducted by the authors with main focus on partial discharge characteristics in polymer nanocomposites, which demonstrates that research and utilization of polymer nanocomposites has well developed from past decades and will possess a high demand in future as electrical insulating material.

Polymeric materials are widely used in power apparatus as electrical insulation especially as high voltage cable insulation. Meanwhile, partial discharge (PD) has always been a predecessor to major faults and problem in this field. Recent works showed that combination of natural rubber and polyethylene produces a good match of composite for electrical insulation. In this paper, blends of natural rubber, polymeric-based material of linear-low density polyethylene (LLDPE), nano-sized fillers of silica (SiO2) and titania (TiO2) were prepared by extrusion machine and moulding process. PD tests were carried out on each sample based on CIGRE Method II technique for 3 hours of ageing time. DAQ software was used as a tool to analyse the PD data, which measures PD pulse magnitude and number of PD occurrence. In addition, SEM images and percentage of element from EDX of the samples were taken before and after experiencing high voltage stress. The results revealed that there is a correlation between amount of filler and discharge activities.

Surface discharge is a common electrical discharge that normally occurs on the surface of outdoor insulators and also causes the failure in the electrical insulation system. One of the causes of surface discharge is the presence of high voltage stress. Experimental works had been carried out to examine the surface discharge characteristics on polymeric samples as insulation material. The IEC (b) electrode configuration had been used to investigate the surface discharges phenomena of different types of polymeric materials with controlled of air relative humidity (RH). In these experimental works, three types of polymeric sample were selected, namely high-density polyethylene (HDPE), ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), and polystyrene (PS), respectively. The characteristics of the discharge are critically depending on the types of polymer. Surface discharges intensity, number of discharge occurrence, and surface morphology of each polymeric material were also investigated. Comparisons of these electrical characteristics were conducted among the samples. Results from the experiment showed that the EVA samples experienced severe degradation as compared to HDPE and PS samples.

Power generation is a business that ought to satisfy industrial and consumer electrical power needs. Power generation technology has emerged from conventional power plants, which are mostly steam power plants, evolving into more complicated nuclear power plants. While the mechanical arrangements in the power plants are usually unique and distinct from one another, their electrical assemblies are almost the same; the major factor considered is sizing of the electrical equipments. The electrical generator is therefore one of the fundamental equipment that every power plant must have. In principle, the generator is crucial equipment that needs proper maintenance in order to produce steady output supply. The objective of this study is to is to conduct on-site partial discharge monitoring system of 3 unit generators stator winding at Tanjung Bin Power Plant, Johor, Malaysia as condition based monitoring (CBM) system. Partial discharge characteristics of unit 10, 20 and 30 generators stator winding were compared respectively. Software designed by Iris LP was used throughout these processes. The software-PDView demonstrates graphical view of the partial discharge occurrence in the generator stator winding. Compiled data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel in order to establish an evaluation of the generator stator winding. The analyzed results showed that all generators were in good condition.

Electrical equipments mainly use polymeric material as insulation due to its characteristic of having high resistance to repel/retard electrical discharge attack, thermal conductivity, tree growth, and chemical cavities. Recently, polymer composite has been modified with addition of nano-sized filler instead of the conventional micro-sized filler. It was found that addition of nano-sized filler in polymer composite provides better characteristic if they are prepared and fabricated properly. The interfaces of the filler plays role in determining the behaviour of the polymeric insulation. Addition of different types of filler i.e. silica (SiO 2 ), titania (TiO 2 ), alumina (Al 2 O 3 ), zinc oxide (ZnO), magnesium oxide (MgO), clay, etc. also gives different dielectric behaviour to polymeric insulation. This paper provides a review on the effect of particle size and types of filler on polymeric material insulation. In attempt to identify the characteristic of these fillers on polymeric insulation, partial discharge (PD) amplitude, erosion depth, breakdown strength, glass transition temperature, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of polymer composite samples are studied. The role of interfaces is also explained.

Polymers are widely used as insulation material because of their good insulation, physical and chemical properties. Nevertheless, electrification and degradation process due to partial discharge such as surface discharge usually occur and affects the life time of the insulation. The surface discharge can occur due to presence of high voltage stress which can lead to permanent insulation failure after many years if appropriate actions are not taken. One of the factors which cause this phenomenon is humidity. This paper investigates the effect of air relative humidity (RH) on surface discharge characteristics of polymeric material using IEC (b) electrode configuration. Result shows that the sample with higher RH revealed less surface discharge compared to other samples with lower RH. However, the sample with higher RH experiences more surface degradation compared to other samples with lower RH.