My Turbular Furnace Is Not Working?
Thursday, June 02, 2011
So, what happen on Friday?
I connected my online data logger to my laptop. I heat up the heating tape gradually. I switched on the online graph monitoring in the data logger software to monitor the temperature profile of each thermocouples fixed in several locations in my experimental rig. I saw the temperature increase for the heating tape thermocouple. However, the thermocouple temperature in the reactor did not raise (after I switched on my turbular furnace heating). This was strange. All
this while, everything it's OK. So, it's trouble shooting time. I looked at the tubular furnace temperature display. To my surprise the temperature which I set to be 500oC is still maintained at 29oC. Oh my God... Is the tubular furnace spoil? I have just used it yesterday and it was just fine.Troubleshooting the tubular furnace.
I turn off the helium gas from entering my reactor. I conditioned the GC. I then checked what's wrong with my tubular furnace. I attempted switching it on and off as well as changed the power supply socket. With the help of Mahadhir (my Ph.D colleague), we tried to play around with the temperature control display and investigated the setting and/or timer. Who knows this might be the reason the tubular furnace cannot heat up. Mahadhir also searched for the manual of this Carbolite tubular furnace and gave it to me. I spent quite some time digesting the information in the manual and try to relate it to the problem. By this time I already know that my Friday allocation for experiment is over. Worse case scenario is I have to spend another whole day to transfer my furnace (if it is spoil) with a spare furnace. That will definitely take one days work to do. We tried many things which also include the possibility of heater or filament spoil. However, deep in my heart, I believe that there must be a simple problem and a simple solution. But then, I cannot yet figure it out.
Accidental trouble shooting discovery
I almost get fed up and nearly decided to call for Carbolite engineer to come to see what is the problem. I sat on my tiny work station in the lab room. I look at my experimental rig from a distance (actually it is not that far - only about 1 meter). I wanted to see the overview of the problem and see if there is some possible solution. Then I noticed something!!!
I found that my tubular furnace was not closed and double clipped on. Oh my God... Maybe this was the culprit. I did not even close the furnace and decided to heat it up. Immediately I close the tubular furnace and clip them. I turned on the furnace heating and off it goes. The temperature increased. So, that was the thing. It was a silly mistake and a very simple solution. I just did not close the tubular reactor.
Morale of the story
I learn my lesson that day. I need to be more careful when running the experiment. It was my first silly mistake after many times running similar experiment. I also don't know why that happen. It must slipped my mind. In addition, I can also know another that the furnace heating would not turn on if it is not properly close. It took me 1 whole day to experience this... Haha..what a day...
....................................................................................................................
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Labels: pH.D, Processing., Research, Safety, Study, Technology, Training
posted by Kipas Repair JB @ 9:05 AM,
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Good Luck for your Chemical Engineering Ph.D VIVA
Thursday, July 22, 2010
The day has finally come...
After few years of tense research, agony to write and compile the papers/thesis draft and pain of waiting for the VIVA (Ph.D examination) date, finally the moment has come. My wife is currently making her final preparation before the battle begins tomorrow morning. She will be defending her Ph.D research/thesis in front of few renowned Professors in the field of separation technology. From what we know, nobody in this country is doing progressive freeze concentration research, a subject that falls under crystallization technology. She's the only one in this country doing it right now. She can be the crystallization expert.
I have accompanied her to the examination room just now and tested the computer and checked the presentation slide. This is just to ensure everything is smooth tomorrow. The room is just nice to fit the chairperson, 3 examiners and 2 of her supervisors.
I hope and pray that she will present her Ph.D research smoothly and awarded the prestigious doctorate degree in Chemical Engineering. Good luck to you... Mazura...
As for me, I'm still in my 3rd semester (just entered my 2nd year) of my Ph.D study. I hope everything will be smooth for me as well.
Have you downloaded my free "Choosing Alternative Fuel" Ebook? If not, then please download it here. It's Free and on top of getting the free ebook, you'll get eCourse on Alternative Fuel. It's a good and easy way to add more valuable information to yourself.
Labels: Chemical Engineer, Chemical Engineering, pH.D, phd, Research, Study
posted by Kipas Repair JB @ 5:26 PM,
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Presenting my technical paper in ICPEAM2010 conference
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
As the conference was organized by Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP) and held in KLCC, it is expected to be a grand one. The facilities and organizers were very excellent. As a participant and presenter, I can say the conference was a successful one. On top of getting my paper presented, I was lucky to get my paper published in Journal of Applied Science (JAS) special edition in conjunction with ICPEAM2010. So, up to now, I have 3 conference papers and 1 journal in hand. I think that is not bad for me as I'm still in my second semester. I have 2 drafts of technical paper to be submitted to international journal with my supervisor now and I'm hoping that she can give it to me as soon as possible.
Well, I would like to share some photos from the conference. Thanks to Joseph, my wife's new research assistance who attended the conference with me.
That's me after my presentation session.
During the presentation. I prepared and rehearsed before the presentation. Somehow, I did not followed. I presented freely based on what comes out of my mind.
This is my wife's poster presentation. It's about progressive freeze concentration, in the area of separation engineering.
Me and Joseph, after lunch at the huge ball room. Joseph just graduated in chemical engineering from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.
Me and Nabeel, after lunch as well. Nabeel is finishing his Masters degree in Chemical Engineering from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. He is from Iraq and is an expert in Matlab. He maybe continuing his Ph.D soon.
The conference sitting, socializing and relaxing area.
Isn't that comfortable. Enough tables and chairs for participants to rest in between presentation sessions.
KLCC has a nice place to run not only a conference but also multiple exhibitions.-------------------------------------------------------------------
Have you downloaded my free "Choosing Alternative Fuel" Ebook? If not, then please download it here. It's Free and on top of getting the free ebook, you'll get eCourse on Alternative Fuel. It's a good and easy way to add more valuable information to yourself.
Labels: Chemical Engineer, Chemical Engineering, Exhibition, Learning Curve, Research, Seminar
posted by Kipas Repair JB @ 10:07 PM,
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Experiment #1 + Doing Some Work in Laptop
Saturday, June 12, 2010
FREE Recommended magazines to get you updated with current engineering news
Have you downloaded my free "Choosing Alternative Fuel" Ebook? If not, then please download it here. It's Free and on top of getting the free ebook, you'll get eCourse on Alternative Fuel. It's a good and easy way to add more valuable information to yourself.
Labels: Chemical Engineer, Chemical Engineering, pH.D, Research, Training
posted by Kipas Repair JB @ 4:19 AM,
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Professional Chemical Engineer - A story... Part 2
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
My mentor explained that my log book record looks the same each and every month and that is not good for my training. I need to get other projects and get more exposure. I can't rely just on my responsibility to ensure my plant is running smooth. That ain't enough.
Coincidentally, I have applied a position as a lecturer in 2 local public university in Malaysia. For the first one, I attended an interview in University Malaysia Pahang (UMP) at the end of 2007. Earlier, I was invited to join the faculty several times by the Chemical Engineering Faculty dean at that time within a space of 3 years (if I'm not mistaken). I only responded and submitted my application in the third quarter of 2007. I hesitated to join the academic force in that university several times mainly because I don't want to be away from my family who is already based in Johor Bahru. My wife is already working as a chemical engineering lecturer in Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Skudai, Johor. If I accept the job as lecturer in UMP, I'll be 300 km apart from my family. That's the main reason I hesitated to join UMP. However, since the dean offered me a senior lecturer position, I kept thinking and thinking...
After a while, I decided to apply for the senior lecturer position. The reasons were:
1. I cannot control my future and career if I keep my position as a process engineer. The most I'll be is senior engineer and later manager. I don't fancy lifestyle as a manager. It is not healthy for a family man like me. Most of the manager that I observed in my work place stay back and return home late. There are other manager level jobs who are not as hectic as the one in my workplace, but I just don't see myself being a manager. I may consider be a manager if I'm still single!!! If I become a lecturer, I can plan and work on my future/career. It is clearer and not unpredictable. If an academician perform, he/she can be promoted to associate professor and ultimately professor.
2. It is my ambition to further my study to Ph.D level. I can't just stop working and be a full time student. That is not wise. I may face the risk of not getting any job after getting my doctorate degree. It's a gamble if I do that. I will only do my Ph.D if I become a lecturer. That's why I decided to give it a try to apply at UMP. I hope I can further my studies immediately after I join UMP since I'm already 30 plus.
3. My IEM mentor highlighted that I need to add more projects and not just focus on my task as a process engineer taking care ONLY of the plant. This is another contributing factor made me decide to be a lecturer. I can be more diversified in my jobs if I become a lecturer. I can be a teacher, researcher, writer and consultant at the same time. That is what I want compared to just focusing on my limited scope as a process engineer.
4. Salary did not rank high in the factor deciding me to join UMP, but it somehow influenced my decision to quit my engineer job. The senior lecturer position offer seems to be irresistible and it can help my family economically.
5. My ultimate ambition since I was a kid is to be a lecturer. That's why I finally decided to join UMP as a lecturer after I was invited to be one.
At the same time of applying a chemical engineering lecturer position in UMP, I applied for the same position in UTM. It was my third attempt applying for the job in UTM in a space of 4 years. The spirit is still there. Despite failing in the interview two times, I was still encourage to apply again by my wife, parents and masters' supervisor.
UMP called first for the interview and the process is superbly efficient. The faculty based interview took place in the morning and those who passed the interview was invited to proceed with the university level interview in the afternoon. My interview when smooth and I just hope and pray to receive a happy result.
Want to know the continuation of the story? Wait for Part 3 (maybe tomorrow)...
Snapshot of the story from future post:
"Zaki, you made the right decision resigning from my process engineer job..."
FREE Recommended magazines to get you updated with current engineering news
Have you downloaded my free "Choosing Alternative Fuel" Ebook? If not, then please download it here. It's Free and on top of getting the free ebook, you'll get eCourse on Alternative Fuel. It's a good and easy way to add more valuable information to yourself.
Labels: Chemical Engineer, Chemical Engineering, Research
posted by Kipas Repair JB @ 7:15 PM,
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Technical Paper Writing - Becareful...
Friday, May 21, 2010
Recently, I submitted a draft technical paper to an international conference hosted by UTP. I have submitted the paper to the conference after improving it based on two reviewers comments. The paper was then chosen to be published in a journal. Normally, technical paper submitted to a journal will be evaluated by 2 to 3 referees related in similar research field as us, the author(s). I submitted the paper which I strongly feel is good enough.
Two weeks after that, I received comments from reviewers on my technical paper. Both of the reviewers stressed that I have to improve my English writing in the paper besides other minor comments! I was so surprised. All this while, I thought my English writing skill is OK. However, since 2 reviewers (and not one) said I have to improve my English, I went through my draft technical paper. I read line by line, paragraph by paragraph. Still, I thought my writing is OK.
Then, I seek my wife's assistance. She has better English command than me. She has been doing English proof reading and editing services. Since, she has completed and submitted her Ph.D thesis, she is more than happy to help me.
I printed the draft technical paper and gave it to her. Initially I thought my wife will be able to check my English in just a short period of time. Unexpectedly, she spent too much time on the first paragraph which is the "Introduction". She used a red colour pen and I observed there were too much red on the paper. It was like a major correction or huge overhaul of the 5 pages technical paper.
A job that both of us thought can be completed at least within 1 or 2 hours, were dragged to 7 hours. There were simply too much errors, poor message and content continuity, some spelling error etc. I was really shocked with how bad the English was in my paper. My wife, who proof read my technical paper did not expect to correct too much of it as well.
I became so stressed and tension!!! With some balance strength, finally, I managed to performed all corrections and email the technical draft paper to the publication committee of the journal. Thanks a lot to the publication committee for assisting and entertaining me despite of all the trouble and delay from my side.
Morale of the story
I would like to conclude some 2 morals from my story:
1. Don't be over confident with your work. There might be few errors in it. The errors can be technical or language. Hence, asked somebody to check the draft paper/thesis/article before you submit them.
2. When we are working on our thesis or paper, we will read it over and over again. As a result, we won't easily detect errors from our work as we have been looking at it too many times. This was what happen to me. I wrote the paper and edit it from time to time. When my wife checked, it contains numerous errors. Again, asked somebody to check our work.
That's it for now. This is really something I have wanted to share with my blog readers since 48 hours ago. Only now, I'm able to write it down. Now, I'm working on another technical paper to be submitted to a conference which is more related to engineering education. The due date is this Sunday. I'm handling the result and discussion analysis. I'm hoping to write more papers on chemical engineering education in future. What do you think of that?
FREE Recommended magazines to get you updated with current engineering news
Labels: Chemical Engineer, Chemical Engineering, Research, Study
posted by Kipas Repair JB @ 1:58 PM,
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Natural Memory Foam Versus Synthetic Memory Foam
Sunday, March 14, 2010
As a normal human being, we need to sleep few hours a day. That includes me and I never care where or on what I sleep on. The most important thing is I can sleep peacefully for few hours and revive my energy before facing a new fresh day for new life and work.
However, I learn something important two days ago which imperatively associates with our health and sleeping activity. I came across a new terminology which is called memory foam. I have not heard about it before, so as a chemical engineer, it really caught my interest to learn and research more about it. Do you know what memory foam is? Basically, memory foam is polyurethane with additional chemicals increasing its viscosity and density. It is also often referred to as visco-elastic polyurethane foam.
I believe a lot of the mattresses that we use nowadays are made of memory foams. To be specific, they are made of synthetic memory foams. Do we care? Honestly I did not bother about it. Do we know the risk and danger of it? Since, I did not care, I was not aware of any treat it has. However, I was very surprised after learning the potential risk from synthetic memory foams or shall I call it mattress chemical?!It is a fact that toxins can now be found in nearly all common household products; from carpets to microwaves, paints, couches, mattresses and baby cribs to children's clothing. Many of these toxins accumulate in the body and are never expelled. Unfortunately, normal synthetic memory foam, yes the one we use to sleep on, also contains some level of toxic and may contribute to the level of toxic in our body.
When you sleep, your body regenerates and recharges itself. At this time, prolonged exposure to poisonous volatile organic compounds and toxic chemicals when your body is in this vulnerable state should not be taken lightly. Now, you really need to pay special attention on this matter.
New Mattress / Bed Illness Report PageThough, this information is not widely exposed, it has appeared in a TV news. Check out the following video which shares how serious and how much of chemicals do we have in our blood.
Reports of health problems linked to chemicals in new mattresses.
Unlike mattresses of 40+ years ago, mattresses today are manufactured with increased amounts of petroleum based compounds in the form of foams, plastics, and a variety of volatile chemicals (including controversial flame retardants). Research and personal accounts suggest people can become ill by the repeated and continuous exposure to these low level chemicals during the sleep process. This is especially true for people who have lower levels of liver detoxification enzymes known as cytochrome P-450 (thereby allowing chemicals to build up in their blood to higher than normal levels). Since research now shows these chemicals are in fact evaporating from the materials used to make modern day beds and that some are carcinogenic and mutagenic compounds, the next important step is to publicize any personal accounts of illnesses people develop immediately following a new bed/mattress purchase. Health effects caused by petroleum chemical exposure can weaken or damage the immune and nervous system. Interestingly, autoimmune disorders have also been linked with exposure to petroleum-based chemicals and have been found to be the underlying etiology of many common health problems today (soft tissue damage, arthritis, etc).
Source: http://www.chem-tox.com/beds/reports/index.htm
So, how bad, how much chemicals and what chemicals are there inside synthetic memory foam? I can’t answer how much chemicals are there inside synthetic memory foams, but typical synthetic memory foam contains the following chemicals:
• 1,1,1, 2-Tetrachloroethane
• Acetone
• Dimethylformamide
• Methyl benzene (toluene)
• Methylene dianiline
• toluene–neoprene
• Vinilideine chloride
Those chemicals are readily exposed to us and we cannot afford them to penetrate our body in anyway. If synthetic memory foam is that bad, what should you do?
Simply switch to natural memory foam. Natural memory foam contains zero toxic chemicals. It only contains natural ingredients such as:
• Cone essence
• Emulsion of Hevea brasiliensis milk in water
• Fats
• Hevea brasiliensis milk
• Hydrolyzed corn
• water
To view complete list of chemicals in various type of synthetic memory foams and natural memory foams, you can refer to myessentia.com/research/glues-toxic-components.
This information, I hope has exposed the real thing and it is now totally up to you to decide on the best for you and your family. The best option for mattresses is those made from natural memory foam.
Labels: Chemical, Chemistry, Learning Curve, renewable, Research, Technology
posted by Kipas Repair JB @ 7:00 PM,
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February Career Progress
Saturday, February 20, 2010
I realize that it is not easy to write a technical review paper for my Ph.D. I've been working on this paper since September last year, on and off. But lately, I'm struggling to complete it as soon as possible. By hook or by crook, I need to hand the technical review paper to my supervisor for her to check before submitting it to a renowned journal that I'm not going to reveal now. I intend to prepare 3 technical papers this year. It's not easy. It's really tough. But I need to double my efforts and boost up my motivation.
It's kind of funny... when I'm working with my laptop to do some work, I'm fine and my eyes are OK. But when I'm working on my technical review paper, my eyes starts to soar and my head begin to spin, an early sign of a terrible and miserable head ace of the day.First Stage Examination
Earlier today I receive a phone call informing about my first stage Ph.D examination schedule. I purposely decided to present my first stage examination in my second semester to speed up everything, besides the encouragement from my supervisor to present early. Normally, a Ph.D student will have to present the first stage on the 3rd semester. Luckily, I have just completed the presentation slide yesterday with 51 pages in the slide. I wonder how can I present that much in 30 minutes. Yes, they allocate ONLY 30 minutes only for the presentation and after that some other students will be presenting their first stage. I don't really understand the format of first stage presentation adopted nowadays. The faculty used to have dedicated first stage examination allocated for a student for about maximum (and typically) half a day and that can entice discussion that will led to a better Ph.D or masters degree scope. Well, it's ok. Whatever it is, I'll try and do my very best. I also hope to receive good feedbacks and comments from the examiners to improve my scope.
ICPEAM201 Conference paper I just completed a technical paper to be presented in ICPEAM2010/SOMChE 2010 last week. The submission process is interesting. To submit a paper, we now have to register with EDAS. EDAS is used to manage a large number of conferences and journal special issues. After registering with EDAS, you can upload your paper and edit your particulars. If you want to amend your paper, you can re-upload the improved version of the paper. I'm still very new to EDAS, but I think more and more conferences will adopt it mainly due to managing technical paper selection for journal special issues.
Visit to National Instrument Seminar
Last month, four of us (me, Dr. Tuan, Tun & Huda) traveled up north to PJ, Selangor to National Instrument office attending a seminar on control system. This is for us to fully comprehend the techniques and equipment available to connect our experimental hardware and software for better control, monitoring and analysis. Honestly, I'm still very blur on the whole concept but I need to really understand it so that I can apply them for my rigs. However, I'm not sure whether we can really buy and apply the technology because of the financial constraint that we are facing now. We have little money, not lots of money. I think I should write something about this module, digital input, analog input, signal, GUI, programing etc later...when I understand this better.
The training took place in room in National Instrument office in PJ. They provided us laptops that were shared with other participants. A module and casing come with a analog input signal and digital input signal connected to the laptop via a USB cable was also supplied.
This is the casing and module which can store up to 8
The AI Universal input signal and digital module are slotted in the casing.
That's us, attempting a simple programing using the Labview software.
After the training, something to be remembered.
Setting up an alarm indicator using. The LED is the simulated alarm...Labels: Chemical Engineer, Chemical Engineering, Research, Training
posted by Kipas Repair JB @ 1:03 AM,
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Renewable Energy Project Videos
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Ever thought of a renewable energy projects? My research is involving a renewable energy reaction, but I'm not revealing it right now until I complete my Ph.D. haha.... But, here are some videos of some student projects that are quite interesting...maybe it can give you some ideas and inspiration...Check it out...
Student Project
Students at the J.B. Speed School of Engineering develop renewable energy projects for a summer course. The course, directed by Dr. Mahendra Sunkara, is the first project for the Conn Center for Renewable Energy Research and Environmental Stewardship. Students were asked to develop systems using a variety of different backgrounds, from chemical engineering to physics.
Solar Tower - renewable energy green global warming
EnviroMission Limited (www.enviromission.com.au) produced this 5 minute video on the pilot plant in Spain. It is an older video (2000) but gives a decent understanding of the solar tower concept.
EnviroMission, Ltd. (US Market: EVOMY, Australian Exchange: EVM) is a renewable energy developer of sustainable "green" energy solutions for the energy market. EnviroMission aims to be one of Australia's leading producers of clean renewable energy. EnviroMission holds the proprietary rights to Solar Tower technology, a large-scale renewable energy technology based on simple fundamentals of physics -- hot air rises. Solar Tower technology has the potential to offer competitive renewable energy with equal reliability to fossil fuel generators.
A single 200MW Solar Tower power station will provide enough electricity to power around 400,000 households. The energy output will represent an annual saving of more than 1,960,000 tonnes of greenhouse CO2 gases from entering the environment when compared to brown coal emissions in Victoria. The greenhouse savings equate to the removal of approximately 500,000 cars from the road. The Australian Solar Tower project consists of six distinct phases, the first two of which (project optimization and pre-feasibility commercialization) have already been completed. The third phase (final feasibility), paving the way for the implementation of the next three phases (final design, construction, and commercial operation).
Mauritius Heading towards Renewable Energy
Labels: Biotechnology, Chemical Engineer, Chemical Engineering, Chemical Plant, Experience, Learning Curve, Research, Technology, Video
posted by Kipas Repair JB @ 2:07 AM,
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International Conference on Process Engineering and Advanced Materials 2010 (ICPEAM2010)
For those researchers who are hunger to present, publish and show case their work, here is a fantastic conference where you can submit them to - The International Conference on Process Engineering and Advanced Materials 2010 (ICPEAM2010). For me, yes, I'm thinking of submitting a paper to this conference and I'm working on it. I have also discuss this matter with my supervisor... :)
The ICPEAM2010 under the World Engineering, Science & Technology Congress (ESTCON2010) will be held on 15th to 17th June , 2010 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. In conjunction with this conference, we are also announcing the 24th Symposium of Malaysian Chemical Engineers (SOMChE 2010). ICPEAM2010/SOMChE 2010 is organized by the Chemical Engineering Department, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP).
Objectives
The objective of this conference is to provide an international forum to present and discuss recent progress in both fundamentals and applications for a wide range of interdisciplinary domains which include material science and engineering, nanotechnology, environmental technologies, process system engineering, reaction and separation engineering, etc.Materials and Processes in Harmony: Recipe for Sustainable Development
The papers contributed to this conference will cover experimental works, theoretical modeling/simulations, novel approaches in materials synthesis, characterization techniques and applications.
Authors are invited to contribute papers that include but not limited to the following scope:
• Ionic Liquids
• Bio-fuels
• Environment
• Catalysis and Reaction Engineering
• Reactor Technology
• Advanced Material Development
• Advanced Process Control
• Process System Engineering
• Process Safety
• Separation
• Biotechnology
All papers will be peer-reviewed and selected for publication in Journal of Applied Sciences, Asia-Pacific Journal of Chemical Engineering (on Resource Planning and Conservation) and International Journal of Environmental Engineering.
Authors are invited to submit full papers of maximum six (6) pages describing original, 
previously unpublished and complete work, addressing state-of-the-art research and development in the above areas. Guidelines for online submission and other information are available at the conference website http://www.utp.edu.my/icpeam2010.
I'm trying to prepare a paper to be submitted for this conference. The due date to submit your paper is 31st January 2010. Yes, I know, it's just around the corner...it maybe too late but just work on your paper and try to send it to the organizers as soon as you can. Who knows maybe they can still accept your paper?
FREE Recommended magazines to get you updated with current engineering news
Labels: Chemical Engineer, Chemical Engineering, Conference, Research, Review
posted by Kipas Repair JB @ 1:49 AM,
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My Career Progress...
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
The new year 2010 just arrived but then suddenly January is almost going to end. I'm now in my early second semester for my Ph.D studies and things are heating up. I've just prepared my Ph.D proposal and submitted it to my supervisor. It's now with her for checking.
Ph.D Proposal + Journal Review Paper
At the time, I'm also working on a review paper for my first journal paper. It's very tough. It's not easy reading a lot of technical papers relating to my own research. But, I need to do it. This review paper will be my first international indexed journal paper and I hope it will further boost my spirit and motivation to complete my Ph.D as soon as humanly possible.
Experimental Rig Set-Up
At the same time, I'm also preparing my experimental rig. According to a colleague, it's better for me if I can set up a centralize control system to control all electrical and instrumentation in my experimental rig. Yeah...why not...that's cool... And for that reason, we are going to KL tomorrow to attend a seminar from National Instrument to learn more detail on the control equipment hardware and software. I hope something beneficial and conclusive will be obtained tomorrow. I need to set up my experimental rig as fast as possible.
Quartz Tube Issue
I ordered a set of quartz tube from a local supplier who is importing the quartz tube from London. Unfortunately the quartz tube have not yet arrived. This is not good... At the same time, a company I dealth with from Singapore is offering me quartz tube according to my specification. The bad thing is they quote me such an expansive price. I'm in huge dillema whether to buy or not the quartz tube. My budget is really tiny and I need to spend well, other wise I will run out of money to carry out my research.
Matlab training for Post Graduate Society
Thanks to my fellow friend Nabeel from Iraq who is currently doing his masters in his 3rd semester. He volunteered to conduct a matlab training for us. I'll be confirming few details on the training possibly tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. If God wills, we'll be having the training next week. Only 15 students will be accepted to participate in this 3 days matlab training. I'm definitely attending this training. It is imperative for my thermodynamic analysis study for my reaction, which is going to be projected to fulfil my second journal paper.
Consultation
My headache is not yet over when it comes to the consultancy project i'm currently handling now. I thought everything was almost completed but then suddenly some issue arises, and some modification needs to be done. Yep, it's delayed again. Nevermine, we'll settle it once and for all.
IEM Training Log Book
Last week I received my log book which was checked by IEM representative from Chemical Engineering Division. Luckily the report was ok. Why? I said this because the envelop where the report was in has already torn and was really in bad shape. I can't imagine if something bad happen to my report, then 2 years of my recent engineering experiences are thrown away. Morale: Prepare a back-up of the report incase the report when missing somewhere somehow.
However, the one thing that is nice to see in my report is the comment made by the checker engineer... He recommended me to submit the report for my 3rd year in mid 2010. Why...this is because i've been sending back dated report for my log book. In other words, last year (2009) I submitted my report for 2008. In 2008, I submitted report for 2007. How come this happen...? Basically, the information conveyed was not clear when I enrolled as an IEM member. They say that after registering, I can back date my training experiences. Yes, I can, but the checker engineer at the end of the year will only check for 1 year training experiences only. That's when everything mess up. I did not know about this. Maybe I did not check properly. Haha....It's ok...
IEM project paper
Anyhow anyway, my mentor advised me to use my phd project as the main component to be reported in my final project paper for my professional interview assessment later. I must say that I totallt agree with him. That means, I need to work very hard and efficient for my phd studies. You know what is this...? It's simply killing 2 birds with one stone...Fuhhh....
How about you? Anything interesting you wanna share...? I would love to read you experiences as well...
Before that, check out this video from national instrument Labview...
Labels: Chemical Engineer, Chemical Engineering, Equipments, Experience, Learning Curve, Process Parameters, Research, Seminar
posted by Kipas Repair JB @ 9:06 PM,
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How I back up my data
Sunday, January 03, 2010
In my previous entry, yesterday, I already listed down several of my targets for 2010. Most of them need full commitment from me especially for the preparation of my final project paper report for my professional engineer assessment next year as well as my PhD studies. These reports and study really meant to me and that is why I need to have reliable back up for all the collectable data in my computer.
I recalled 8 years ago, when I did my masters degree; I used 1 laptop and another personal computer at my lab to back up my thesis. I wasn’t that IT savvy and that was the only method I adopted to back up my precious softcopy information. I cannot afford to repeat or practice that again now as my work load is increasing and I don’t regard that method as a professional way to back up my files.
For that purpose and to be more efficient, there are two options for me, either save a copy to my pendrive/flash drive/external hard disc or burn it into CD/DVD. Between these two, I prefer to choose the second option. Normally, without doubt, I use Verbatim products because this brand is well known as top quality blank DVD R or CD R media manufacturer. You can find many good responses from users, regarding Verbatim CD-R at numerous review sites on the internet. Though it's a quality brand, but the price is not really expensive as you can have it as low as $0.19 per disk. Just compare this with a price of pendrive/flash drive or external hard disc. When it matters, I will buy Verbatim DVD-R if need huge capacity. Maybe the other reasons why I prefer Verbatim brand because they are subsidiary of Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation which is a recognized world leader in chemical and computer industries. Chemical people will always look after anything relate to chemical right. Heh!
Actually, I just want to share with you the importance of having a back up for whatever work we’ve done on the computer. We don’t know and can’t expect anything bad that may happen in the future that may affect our valuable soft copy documents. At least we won’t get the headache and pressure if our computer/laptop suddenly down due to virus infection or stolen. Four years ago, a friend of mine nearly got insane when his three years PhD work including his draft thesis inside his laptop vanished as his house was robbed. He almost had to start all over again but luckily he has back-up some of his work in some CD. Hence, it is better to prepare cheap, efficient and effective way to back up our data.
How about you guys? Anything you want to share how you back up your data?
Labels: Chemical Engineer, Chemical Engineering, Journal, pH.D, Research, Technology
posted by Kipas Repair JB @ 2:50 AM,
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My Ph.D Updates
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
This is just to share with you my Ph.D updates. It has been already137 days since I registered as a Ph.D student.
1. Quartz reactor
I'm going to used quartz tube as a reactor for my experimental research. The funny thing is I'm having difficulties in getting them. I don't understand all these manufacturers/suppliers. I have contacted 4 quartz tube manufacturer around the world. They responded, but after I gave them my design, none of them return back to me. Are they genuinely quartz manufacturer? If you know any reliable quartz tube manufacturer, please help me. Thanks. That's it, I only need new quartz tube with my own design to begin my experiments.
2. Preparing my First Stage Proposal
I'm in the midst of preparing my Ph.D proposal . I wish I can complete them as soon as possible and present them in my second semester.
3. Learning Matlab
I've just started working on the thermodynamic studies of my reaction. It is not a simple task learning and doing all this. I need to study the reaction kinetics of the reactions. Calculate the heat enthalphy and Gibbs Free energy. Then use Matlab software to simulate the reactions. My supervisor insist me to use Matlab. Now, I need help in Matlab.
4. Paper presentation
I'll be presenting 2 papers this coming December, both in a national level conference. One is ESTEC'09 which is hosted by Universiti Malaysia Trengganu (UMT) and the other one will is RCSSST'09 hosted by Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UNIMAP).
5. Journals ???
I'm also preparing my first paper to be submitted to a journal I haven't decide yet. Need to get them ready fast.
Labels: pH.D, Quality, Research, Technology
posted by Kipas Repair JB @ 5:24 PM,
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1st German-Singaporean Symposium on Catalysis
I participated in the 1st German-Singaporean Symposium on Catalysis on the 2nd of November 2009. My supervisor brought me along after being invited to the symposium. It was my first visit and outing after registering as a Ph.D student last July.
From this symposium, I was hoping to learn as much as possible from the experts, scientists and researchers from both German and Singapore. The event took place at Biopolis Matrix, Singapore. The hall was full with students (whom I presumed are all researchers in the field of catalysis engineering sciences).
There were several topics that caught my interest while some did not. Those were the one related to Oxidative Coupling of Methane (OCM) which I did for my masters research 8 years ago. Unfortunately, nothing was related to my current Ph.D topic, but that's fine. I'm glad that exposed to the research atmosphere in Singapore and I really think they are working very hard to establish themselves (in the field of research and development).2nd Day - Technical Visit
The second day was really exciting and I was looking forward for it. It was the technical visit session. We gathered at Atrium Hotel and with the entire German professors, we were brought to Institute of Chemical Engineering Sciences (ICES), Jurong Island, Singapore.
One of the professor from German delivering his presentation (1st day)
Biopolis Matrix from the side (1st day)
Hanging some memories on the wall... :)
Check out the name of the meeting rooms in ICES - famous scientist names
Scenery from the meeting room in ICES. The meeting room view is spectacular.
Another view from the meeting room. Jurong Island is indeed a powerful force as heavy industry is concerned. Lots of ships, offshore rigs/platform, plants etc.
This was taken in the meeting room after we got lost during the lab facilities tour.
Undergraduate students at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) very tentative at their work. It's very impressive that NTU has hundreds of fume cupboards for their students. This is the best lab I've seen so far. Very neat, clean, well organized and beautiful. Every students have their own dedicated fume cupboard to perform their experiments and they are exposed to research in their early undergraduate years. Very impressive.
The labs are huge and complete with advance equipments. What can a researcher like me as for more if I do research here? They also have 5 units of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and will add another 3 units. I cannot help myself counting the number of Gas Chromatography (GC) they have in their lab. Not to mention, other analytical equipments...
The digital mass balance are also ready to be used by the students...
The German delegates at the Biology Department foyer after meeting up/briefing.The symposium was superb. I learned a lot from it. I get to know some key researchers. The technical visits were splendid and meaningful. I loved it. I get to see a very advance research center - that's ICES. On top of that I also managed to learned a lot from the visit to NTU's chemistry lab. The labs are excellent and is destined for quality research. Any researchers from any part of the world will want to work with either of this 2 wonderful and well equipped labs. This clearly shows the investment by the government of Singapore to establish their research and development to a world class standard. The commitment and seriousness are there and I won't be surprised if Singapore becomes a research center for this region.
I managed to do some networking and also learned about Singapore Catalysis Society. This, I hope will help me strengthened my research motivation.
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Labels: Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Conference, Learning Curve, Research, Seminar, Technology
posted by Kipas Repair JB @ 1:06 AM,
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The Author
I’m Zaki. I used to be a project, process and chemical engineer. Few years ago I successfully became a Chartered Engineer (IChemE) and Professional Engineer (BEM). I'm now employed as a chemical engineering educator/researcher/consultant. Hope you like reading my blog. I welcome any feedback from you. My email: zaki.yz[alias]gmail.com. TQ!
