Dr. Mohd Fadhzir Ahmad Kamaroddin, P.Tech

Senior Research Engineer | Hydrogen Energy Researcher | Biofuel Process Engineer | New Energy Enthusiast | Water-Splitting Technology Innovator

Dr. Mohd Fadhzir Ahmad Kamaroddin, P.Tech

Category Archives: Research

Fukushima powers up one of the world’s biggest hydrogen plants

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TOKYO — One of the world’s largest facilities for producing clean-burning hydrogen marked its opening on Saturday, in a demonstration of northeastern Japan’s revival from the devastating 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

Located in the town of Namie, just north of the ruined Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, the solar-powered hydrogen station can produce enough gas to fill 560 fuel cell vehicles a day.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the opening ceremony for the government-backed project, which involves Toshiba, Tohoku Electric Power and natural gas distributor Iwatani.

For Abe’s government, the effort’s tie-in with the Olympic Games offers a high-profile chance to counter criticism of foot-dragging in the fight against climate change. Japan has taken heat for its reliance on coal-fired plants and its funding of them overseas.

#hydrogenenergy
#greenhydrogen

Source: Nikkei Asia

For details, please click the link below.

https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Energy/Fukushima-powers-up-one-of-world-s-biggest-hydrogen-plants?fbclid=IwAR1CGjVxZZ10m9QUP9o0CtPyT3c6hEG_C4UwZx-VA8ntHcLwRgjyOMbXn3U

Giant Leap Towards a Hydrogen Society

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“Achieving a hydrogen society requires promoting the total integration of the making, storing, and using hydrogen. A particularly critical issue is responding to fluctuations in electrical power when the hydrogen is made from renewable energy sources that vary according to the weather and other factors. FH2R uses information from a hydrogen demand-and-supply forecasting system for predicting the market demand for hydrogen, and additional data from a power grid control system, so as to maximize the use of electricity from renewable sources. The goal is to develop the most efficient hydrogen energy management system.


Source: https://www.japan.go.jp/…/2020/earlysummer2020/hydrogen.html

Green Ammonia as a fossil fuel replacement?

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Source: https://energypost.eu/green-ammonia-can-replace-fossil-fuel-storage-at-scale/

Main points;

  1. Pure hydrogen is an energy dense alternative, but the gas takes up a lot of space. Liquid ammonia doesn’t, yet it contains the hydrogen and therefore the energy.
  2. While, the current energy system has a vast amount of storage built into it, the vast majority is in the form of hydrocarbon fuels such as natural gas, petrol, diesel or kerosene– also referred to as chemical energy vectors.
  3. Ideally, then, the search is on for a chemical energy vector that does not contain any carbon. Here, hydrogen is a great option as it has got the highest energy density by weight of any chemical fuel. The problem with hydrogen is that its volumetric energy density is low: it is difficult to get a lot of hydrogen in a small space. Fuel cell electric vehicles have a typical hydrogen inventory of 4 – 5 kg to give them a range of 300 miles, but need to compress this hydrogen to high pressure – typically 700 bars – to make the fuel tank small enough to fit in the car.
  4. One promising candidate for this role is ammonia; an ammonia molecule comprises one nitrogen atom and three hydrogen atoms (for comparison, a methane molecule has one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms). Ammonia can be synthesised from raw materials that we have in abundance, namely water and air, using renewable energy.
  5. The Earth’s atmosphere is roughly 78 per cent nitrogen and this can readily be separated out from air. Hydrogen can be obtained from water, via a process called electrolysis. Once the hydrogen and nitrogen are produced, they can be combined in an industry-standard reaction called the Haber-Bosch process to produce ammonia. If renewable energy is used to power these processes, then that energy becomes locked up in the ammonia molecule, without any direct carbon emissions.
  6. For storing large quantities of energy, chemical fuels provide an energy-dense and convenient medium – it’s why they are ubiquitous today. The challenge with the fuels we use now is the carbon emissions that result from burning them. One way of thinking about ammonia is that it solves the conundrum of replacing hydrocarbon fuels with something that doesn’t contain any carbon, while also overcoming the challenges of storing and distributing hydrogen in bulk.

Research Projects & Consultancies (2007 – 2017)

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RESEARCH PROJECTS (2007-2017)

  1. Physico-chemical Properties Studies of AgO/CuO Incorporated on Wrinkled Titania Nanoparticles for Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity (2015 – 2017), sponsored Under Fundamental Research Scheme Grant (FRGS), Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia – Researcher
  2. Pyrolysis of Empty Fruit Bunch over Malaysia’s Minerals in a Batch Reactor for the Synthesis of Bio-Oil (2015-2016), sponsored under Research University Grant (Encouragement Grant), UTM – Project Leader
  3. Cheaper and More Durable Proton Exchange Membrane (2013 – 2016), sponsored under Long Term Research Grant, Ministry of Higher Education – Researcher
  4. Development of a High Temperature Aqueous CuCl/HCl and Solar PV Based Electrolyser for Hydrogen Production (2015-2016), sponsored under Research University Grant (Flagship), UTM – Researcher
  5. Carbon Dioxide Conversion to Fuels using Catalytic Micro channel Photoreactor(2014-2015), sponsored under Research University Grant, UTM – Researcher
  6. Flash Pyrolysis of Malaysian Switchgrass Imperata Cylindrica for the Production of Bio-Oil (2011-2013), sponsored under Research University Grant, UTM – Researcher
  7. Synthesis and Characterization of Catalyst for Crude Glycerol Conversion to Methanol (2010-2012), sponsored under Fundamental Research Scheme Grant (FRGS), Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia – Researcher
  8. Feasibility Study of Plasma Reaction in Converting Flare Gas to Synthesis Gas and C2+Hydrocarbons (2008-2009), Exxon Mobil Grant – Researcher
  9. Product Characterization from Catalytic Liquefaction of Empty Palm Fruit Bunch (EPFB) in Near and Supercritical Water (2007-2009), sponsored under Fundamental Research Scheme (FRGS), Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia – Researcher
  10. Low Temperature Catalytic Plasma Reactor for Conversion of Methane to Fuels (2007-2009), sponsored under e-science scheme (Esciencefund) by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), Malaysia – Research Officer
  11. Development of Integrated Catalytic Process for the Production of Biofuels (2007- 2009), sponsored under e-science scheme (Esciencefund) by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), Malaysia – Research Officer

CONSULTANCIES

  1. Research on Integrity Management and Deterioration Control on Ageing Plant in Oil & Gas, Chemical Processing & Electricity Generation Plant worth RM 1 million from Department of Occupational, Safety & Health, Ministry of Human Resources, Putrajaya (2016-2017)

PERMOHONAN DANA R&D MOSTI SEHINGGA RM3 JUTA

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Permohonan Dana R&D MOSTI sehingga RM3 Juta

Permohonan Dana R&D MOSTI sehingga RM3 Juta

Permohonan Dana R&D MOSTI adalah dibuka kepada Perusahaaan Kecil dan Sederhana (PKS) dengan kerjasama Institusi Pengajian Tinggi (IPT) termasuklah universiti awam atau swasta serta institut penyelidikan kerajaan melalui pautan http://edana.mosti.gov.my

Dana R&D MOSTI ini adalah inisiatif kerajaan yang dibuka kepada perniaga dan penyelidik yang berminat mendapatkan dana untuk menjalankan projek bagi pembangunan ekonomi dan sumbangan kepada masyarakat setempat.

Projek yang dicadangkan mestilah berada pada tahap ‘Proof of Concept’ (POC), direkabentuk dengan baik, disahkan benar secara saintifik ,dan kompetitif dengan perkembangan teknologi dan penyelidikan semasa. Hasil akhir daripada projek ini perlulah dalam bentuk produk baru, proses atau sistem yang dapat memberikan nilai kepada pelanggan, perniagaan serta masyarakat setempat.

Pemohon daripada PKS perlulah mengemukakan permohonan dengan mendapatkan kerjasama daripada IPT untuk berpeluang mendapatkan dana sehingga RM 3 juta daripada pihak MOSTI. Permohanan tersebut juga perlulah disokong oleh komitmen PKS sebanyak 10 peratus daripada nilai keseluruhan projek.

Bidang keutamaan yang telah ditetapkan oleh MOSTI mestilah meliputi empat (4) bidang seperti berikut;

  1. Persekitaran Lestari & Biodiversiti / ‘Sustainable Environment & Biodiversity’
  2. Keselamatan Air & Makanan / ‘Water & Food Security’
  3. Penjagaan Kesihatan / ‘Healthcare’
  4. Pembuatan Termaju / ‘Advanced Manufacturing’

Maklumat lanjut termasuk syarat-syarat permohonan Dana R&D MOSTI (dimuat naik pada 23 Julai 2020) ini boleh dimuat turun di sini Garis Panduan Permohonan Dana R&D MOSTI

Sumber: Postal Rasmi MOSTI https://www.mosti.gov.my/web/dana-geran/dana-rnd/

THE CEO OF MALAYSIAN GREEN TECHNOLOGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE CENTRE VISITED INSTITUTE OF FUTURE ENERGY UTM

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The CEO of Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Centre Visited Institute of Future Energy UTM

The Institute of Future Energy (IFE), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) Johor Bahru was honored to receive a visit from a special guest, the CEO of Malaysian Green Technology & Climate Change Centre (MGTC) Mr. Shamsul Bahar Mohd Nor on 9th August 2020.

During the visit, Mr. Shamsul Bahar was accompanied by other MGTC delegates comprising Mr. Huzaimi (Director of Sustainable Mobility),  Ms. Wan Nadia Kamarudin (Lead Analyst), and Mr. Hammad (Senior Analyst).

The official visit by MGTC was a continuation from the first meeting with UTM on 20th July 2020 where MGTC delegates visited the research facilities in the Centre of Hydrogen Energy at UTM Kuala Lumpur.

The meeting during the visit was chaired by the Director of the Institute of Future Energy, Prof. Dr. Arshad Ahmad by welcoming the presence of the MGTC delegates, followed by the brief research presentations from Assoc. Prof. Adnan Ripin (Centre of Hydrogen Energy (CHE) Director), Assoc. Prof. Ir. Dr. Md Pauzi Abdullah (Centre of Electrical Energy Systems (CEES) Director), Ir. Dr. Mohd Azman Abas (Automotive Development Centre (ADC) Director), and  Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nik Rumzi Nik Idris (Head of UTM-PROTON Future Drives (UPFD) Lab).

Group photo from the MGTC Official Visit to UTM

From the left; Assoc. Prof. Ir. Dr. Md Pauzi Abdullah (CEES Director), Mr. Hammad (MGTC Senior Analyst), Ts. Mohd Fadhzir (IFE Senior Research Officer), Assoc. Prof. Adnan Ripin (CHE Director), Prof. Dr. Arshad Ahmad (IFE Director), Ms. Wan Nadia (MGTC Lead Analyst), Mr. Shamsul Bahar (MGTC CEO), Mr. Huzaimi (MGTC Director of Sustainable Mobility), Dr. Zulkarnain (ADC Research Fellow) and Ir. Dr. Mohd Azman Abas (ADC Director).

After the meeting, the visit was continued with a site visit to Electrochemistry Lab that headed by Prof. Dr. Aishah Jalil where all their researchers were focusing on the new synthesis and improved catalysts.

Then, the MGTC delegates visited the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Lab, headed by Dr. Tuan Amran Tuan Abdullah where all the hydrogen and fuel cell research teams were conducting experiments there.

There was also a brief presentation by Ts. Mohd Fadhzir about the High-Temperature of Copper Chloride Electrolysis using Proton Exchange Membrane for Hydrogen Production to MGTC delegates.

MGTC delegates were also brought to the aquaponics projects where they can see and experience the integration of lobster farming, tilapia rearing and vegetable farming with the potential of using renewable and sustainable energy from solar modules. The aquaponics project was headed by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Anwar Johari from the Centre of Hydrogen Energy (CHE).

Prof. Dr. Aishah A. Jalil was explaining about the available facilities and the research that conducted in her Electrochemistry Lab to Mr. Shamsul Bahar (MGTC CEO)

Dr. Tuan Amran was elaborating the demo fuel cell set up in the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Laboratory

Ts. Mohd Fadhzir was explaining the Operation of a High-Temperature Copper Chloride Electrolysis using Proton Exchange Membrane for Hydrogen Production to Mr. Shamsul Bahar, MGTC CEO

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Anwar Johari was showing the integrated aquaponic facilities to the MGTC CEO and delegates.

At UTM-PROTON Future Drives lab, MGTC delegates were presented with the latest development on electric vehicle car that involves a lot of research and hard work to develop an EV car prototype that can run 100% using the energy from battery storage.

The visit continued to the Automotive Development Centre (ADC) where the Research and Development (R&D) was focusing on the chassis, driving control dynamics, materials and cooling requirements developments.

The CEO and delegates of MGTC were very keen on the latest development in mobility and sustainable energy researches by our researchers and offered to have an extended Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) since there is already an MoU between Greentech Malaysia and UTM that focusing on human capital development signed previously.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nik Rumzi was showing and explaining the works done for the conversion of ICE engine to full EV car.

Dr. Zulkarnain was a very well versed and passionate about his research in automotive refrigeration and engine optimization

There will be something big coming out from the collaboration between the Malaysian Green Technology & Climate Change Centre (MGTC) and the Institute of Future Energy (IFE) in the near future especially towards the hydrogen fuel cell and sustainable energy research.

Effect of Temperature and Current Density on PBI/ZrP in Copper Chloride Electrolysis for Hydrogen Production

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Effect of Temperature and Current Density on Polybenzimidazole Zirconium Phosphate Hybrid Membrane in Copper Chloride Electrolysis for Hydrogen Production                                                                                               Corresponding author: mohdfadhzir@utm.my, nordin_sab@upm.edu.my2019 UTHM Publisher.All right reserved.penerbit.uthm.edu.my/ojs/index.php/ijie

Composite Membrane for Hydrogen Production in High-Temperature Copper Chloride Electrolysis

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Phosphoric Acid Doped Polybenzimidazole and Sulfonated Polyether Ether Ketone Composite Membrane for Hydrogen Production in High-Temperature Copper Chloride Electrolysis (over 250 downloads on IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science)

Hydrogen Production by Membrane Water Splitting Technologies (over 1,500 reads on ResearchGate and 850 downloads on IntechOpen)

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Hydrogen Production by Membrane Water Splitting Technologies (over 850 downloads & 1,500 reads) https://www.intechopen.com/books/advances-in-hydrogen-generation-technologies/hydrogen-production-by-membrane-water-splitting-technologies 10.5772/intechopen.76727