Month: February 2020

Malaysia produces 15.9 million tonnes of palm oil, of which 90% is fully refi ned. Palm oil is refi ned by a physical process in three stages – degumming, bleaching and deodorization. There are a variety of clays suitable for bleaching, with montmorillonites the most commonly used. Palm oil, as other vegetable oils, contains many minor … Read more

The pesticides used in oil palm plantations are mainly herbicides and insecticides. As herbicides are relatively cheap, they have become the most cost-effective mode of weed control. Herbicides are regularly applied to immature oil palm especially palms less than eight years old when the canopy is less dense. Fluroxypyr is one of the commonly used … Read more

Glufosinate ammonium is the common name for ammonium-2-amino –4-(hydroxymethylphosphinyl)-butanoate C5 H15NO4 P, sold commercially as Basta. The structure is shown in Figure 1. The crystals are colourless with a melting point of 216°C. The molecular weight is 198.16 and solubility 1370 mg litre-1 and 0.16 mg litre-1 at 20°C in water and acetone, respectively. Main … Read more

Based on ASTM D 4052. A small volume of the biodiesel sample is introduced into an oscillating sample tube and the change in oscillating frequency caused by the change in the mass of the tube is used in conjunction with the calibration data to determine the density of the sample. Main Research: Yung Chee Liang 

Based on ASTM D 445. The kinematic viscosity is the time taken by a volume of sample (liquid form) to flow under gravity through a calibrated glass capillary viscometer. The unit is in mm2 s-1. Main Research: Yung Chee Liang 

Based on ASTM D 93 and using a PenskyMartens closed cup tester. The flash point is the lowest temperature at which an ignition source ignites the vapours from the sample under the specified conditions of the test. Main Research: Yung Chee Liang

Based on ISO 10370. EN 14214 requires the test to be carried out on a 10% distillation residue of the sample while ASTM D 6751 requires 100% sample without prior distillation. The carbon residue value approximates the tendency of biodiesel to form deposits. The carbon residue is the residual material after evaporation and pyrolysis of … Read more

Based on EN 14112 and using a 743 Rancimat instrument. It is an accelerated oxidation test with the oxidative stability expressed in hours. Main Research: Yung Chee Liang 

Based on ASTM D 1796 (1997) and using a centrifuge. This result is important because high water and sediment contents can corrode and block the fuel filters and injectors. Main Research: Harrison Lau Lik Nang

Based on ASTM E 203. The determination is carried out using the Karl-Fischer Titrator. The result is important as biodiesel is hygroscopic. Main Research: Harrison Lau Lik Nang