Mohamad Nazmi Zaidi bin Moni
@utp.edu.my
Research Scientist
Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS
Mohamad Nazmi Zaidi bin Moni, Ph.D. is a Research Scientist in Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Malaysia, and is actively conducting research works in the field of sustainable and renewable energy. Dr. Nazmi has published several SCOPUS-indexed scientific papers focusing on biomass thermal conversions, particularly biomass gasification. Being affiliated with Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS for more than 10 years, Dr. Nazmi has contributed to the formation of the Biomass Energy Research Laboratory at the institution that stations equipment and instruments for research works involving biomass materials. Dr. Nazmi is also registered with the Board of Engineers Malaysia as a Graduate Engineer.
EDUCATION
Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, 2019
M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, 2012
B.Eng. (Hons) in Mechanical (Petroleum), Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, 2008
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Biomass thermal conversion, gasification, solar PV, pyrolysis, torrefaction, synthesis gas, renewable energy, alternative energy
Scopus Publications
Scholar Citations
Scholar h-index
Scholar i10-index
Scopus Publications
Shaharin Anwar Sulaiman, Mohamad Nazmi Z. Moni, Rohani Salleh, and Haryanni Harun
Springer Nature Singapore
MNZ Moni, Suzana Yusuf, ASA Manaf, and Waqiuddin Rahman
EDP Sciences
This paper investigates the effects of three parameters (reaction temperature, feedstock particle size and nitrogen flow rate) towards the solid (char) yield from the pyrolysis of bamboo. Three-factor, three-level Taguchi’s L9 Orthogonal Array was used as the experimental design. The char yield at reaction temperatures of 300-500°C, feedstock particle size of 100-1000 μm, and nitrogen flow rate of 100-300 ml min−1 were investigated. The maximum solid yield was predicted based on signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio and was found to be at 300°C reaction temperature, 1000 μm feedstock particle size and 100 ml min−1 of nitrogen flow rate. Confirmation runs were conducted to validate the prediction at corresponding predicted conditions.
H. Arshad, S. A. Sulaiman, Z. Hussain, M. Y. Naz, and M. N. Z. Moni
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
This study investigated the effect of input power and process time on microwave-metal interaction pyrolysis of pure plastics (PS, PP, LDPE) and their blends into liquid and gaseous fuels. The microwave power and time were varied to pyrolyze 20 g of each sample in an iron coil. The pure PS underwent maximum conversion into fuels followed by PP and LDPE. Under optimized microwave power (2100–2500 W), PS produced 88.7% oil after 19 min of reaction time, PP produced 54.65% oil at 23 min of reaction time and LDPE produced 30.15% oil after 26 min of reaction time. Pure PS and PP showed high conversion efficiency of 95.40% and 95.10%, respectively, into liquid and gaseous fuels. Pure LDPE showed only 54.30% conversion into fuels by producing large quantity of waxy residue. In blended form, PS-PP blend revealed highest conversion of 65.67% into fuels followed by PS-PP-LDPE blend (57.23%), PS-LDPE blend (46.52%) and PP-LDPE blend (28.08%). Based on mass balance and percentage conversion, PS-PP blend showed maximum conversion of 96.25% whereas PP-LDPE showed minimum conversion of 74.99%. Higher microwave powers within optimal range produced better yield of liquid fuel in shorter time periods. The pyrolytic oils contained some useful aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons (C8–C16).
H Arshad, S A Sulaiman, Z Hussain, and M N Z Moni
IOP Publishing
Shaharin A. Sulaiman, Mohamad Nazmi Z. Moni, and Siti Norazilah Ahmad Tamili
EDP Sciences
The oil-in-water (O/W) and water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions are two common types of emulsions found in oil production industry. While stable O/W may be beneficial in transporting crude oil, stable W/O poses a flow assurance problem that leads to disruptions and losses in oil production line. This study examines the behaviour of both types of emulsion (40:60, 50:50 and 60:40 water-oil emulsion, vol. basis) subjected to 3/4D, 1/2D and 1/4D orifices within a pipeline. The study confirms that oil and water may form emulsion with only mechanical agitation and dynamic flow in the pipeline and without the presence of any emulsifying agent. The flow rate and the velocity of all emulsions were found to drop with the reduction of orifice diameter.
Norazilah Tamili, Lee Kean Chuan, Shaharin A. Sulaiman, Mohamad Nazmi Z. Moni, Muddasser Inayat, and Michael Yin Kai Lo
EDP Sciences
Biomass is a potential energy source since it is renewable, efficient and cost effective. Biomass can be converted in useful fuel gas via gasification method, which is an effective method to produce energy from biomass. Reliance on a single biomass to generate electrical power can cause disruption due to the inconsistencies in the supply of biomass feedstock. Co-gasification of biomass can mitigate the problem. This paper is aimed to investigate the synergetic effect on the syngas produce from co-gasification of biomass. Co-gasification of grass (G) and coconut shell (CS) was carried out to study the syngas performance. The characterization was carried out in order to understand the physical properties of biomass in relation to thermochemical conversion. The characterization results shows that both G and CS have an acceptable range of proximate and ultimate analysis. Both biomass materials were co-gasified at varied ratios of 50:50, 40:60 and 20:80 using an externally heated gasifier. The blend of G and CS at 20:80 ratio has positive synergetic effect as evident by increase in the gas composition for CO, CH4 and H2. It is concluded that co-gasification results of G and CS is possible.
Norazilah Tamili, Lee Kean Chuan, Shaharin A. Sulaiman, Mohamad Nazmi Z. Moni, Muddasser Inayat, and Michael Yin Kai Lo
EDP Sciences
Reliance on a single biomass to generate electrical power can cause disruption due to the inconsistencies in the supply of biomass feedstock. Co-gasification of different biomass can mitigate the problem of inconsistence biomass supply. The aim of this study to investigate thermochemical properties of corn residues (CR) and coconut shells (CS) and syngas performance produced from co-gasification of CR and CS. Biomass materials were characterized in order to understand their physical properties in relation to thermochemical conversion. Co-gasification of CR and CS was carried out in externally heated downdraft gasifier at CR:CS ratio of 50:50, 40:60 and 20: 80. CO composition obtained from blended feedstock is higher as compared to the without blended feedstock. The CO2 and CH4 concentration were increased as CS proportion increased in blend. Biomass with higher moisture content plays important role in the H2 production due to the supercritical water gasification. The blending ratio of CR and CS at 20:80 had a positive synergetic effect as evident by increase in the gas composition for CO, CH4 and H2. It is concluded that co-gasification results of CR and CS is practical and can be considered to complement each other.
M.N.Z. Moni, S.A. Sulaiman, and A.T. Baheta
EDP Sciences
As the largest amount of biomass residues produced from the palm oil industry, the oil palm frond (OPF) is a promising solid fuel resource for gasification. However, the difficulty in processing OPF into solid fuel may affect the solid fuel production rate and consequently the gasifier operation. To ensure a continuous gasifier operation unaffected by the shortage of OPF fuel, empty fruit bunch (EFB), palm mesocarp fiber (PMF) and palm kernel shell (PKS) were introduced as a pairing fuel with OPF for co-gasification. The potentials of the fuel mixes and the effects of the fuel blending ratio on syngas higher heating value, specific syngas yield, carbon conversion efficiency and cold gas efficiency were studied. The experiments concluded that all fuel mixes of all blending ratios satisfied all the syngas quality indicator requirements and that all the tested fuel mixes can be utilized for downdraft co-gasification to produce results similar to the downdraft gasification of 100% OPF.
Hussain Sadig, Shaharin Anwar Sulaiman, Mohamad Nazmi Zaidi Moni, and Lanisha Devi Anbealagan
EDP Sciences
Date palm fronds (DPF) have similar physical appearances to those of oil palm fronds and coconut palm fronds, which have been reported as having good potential as a source of energy through thermochemical conversion of biomass. However, nearly no report has been found pertaining to thermochemical properties of DPF. Hence, it has remained unclear whether DPF can become suitable feedstock for power generation. This study investigated the characteristics of DPF as a potential solid fuel for heat and power generation through various thermal conversion processes. DPF samples from selected sites in Sudan and Saudi Arabia were tested. The ultimate and proximate analyses and the calorific value of DPF were measured, and the results were compared with low to medium-rank coals and other common biomass materials. The calorific value range for DPF samples was found to be between 16.2 to 16.9 MJ/kg. The ultimate analysis of DPF samples revealed that more than 75% of their mass was composed of volatile materials, while the ash content in all samples was found to be less than 15%. The range of elementary carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulfur and oxygen in DPF samples was found to be typical to that in biomass. The thermal decomposition trends the samples indicated the high reactivity of DPF with rising temperatures due to high holocellulose content. No distinctive differences in test results were observed between samples from Saudi Arabia and Northern Sudan. Overall, it was found that all DPF samples used in this study fulfilled the typical requirements for development and utilization as a solid fuel.
Nur Hazwani Mat Razali, Shaharin Anwar Sulaiman, Mohamad Nazmi Zaidi Moni, and Mohamad Firdaus Basrawi
EDP Sciences
Oil palm frond has been utilized as a solid biomass fuel for gasification to produce synthesis gas or syngas to be used for heat and power generation. A fuel pre-treatment method by means of extensively-drying OPF blocks at 150°C and 200°C for 4 hours was implemented to investigate the effects of the fuel in terms of drying efficiency and gasification performances. Tar, pyrolysis oil and condensates were found to be squeezed out by heat during drying, signifying volatilization of fuel at temperatures between water boiling point at 100°C and fuel pyrolysis point at 280°C. Syngas produced from the updraft gasification of extensively-dried OPF blocks was analyzed and tested for sustainable gas flares. The syngas was found to be composed of 16.5% CO, 10% CO 2 , 4% H 2 and 0.9% CH 4 and was produced at gasification temperatures lower than that exhibited by normal OPF blocks.
Shaharin Anwar Sulaiman, Nor Hazwani Mat Razali, Mohamad Nazmi Zaidi Bin Moni, and Muddasser Inayat
EDP Sciences
Oil Palm Fronds (OPF) has been proven as one of the potential types of biomass feedstock for power generation. The low ash content and high calorific value are making OPF an attractive source for gasification. The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of pre-treatments of OPF residual on gasification. The pre-treatments included the briquetting process and extensive drying of OPF which are studied separately. In briquetting process, the OPF were mixed with some portions of paper as an additives, leaflets, and water, to form a soupy slurry. The extensive drying of OPF needs to cut down OPF in 4–6 cm particle size and left to dry in the oven at 150°C for 24 hours. Gasification process was carried out at the end of each of the pre-treated processes. It was found that the average gas composition obtained from briquetting process was 8.07%, 2.06%, 0.54%,and 11.02% for CO, H 2 , CH 4 , and CO 2 respectively. A good composition of syngas was produced from extensive dried OPF, as 16.48%, 4.03%, 0.91%,and 11.15% for CO, H 2 , CH 4 , and CO 2 contents respectively. It can be concluded that pre-treatments improved the physical characteristics of biomass. The bulk density of biomass can be increased by briquetting but the stability of the structure is depending on the composition of briquette formulation. Furthermore, the stability of gasification process also depended on briquette density, mechanical strength, and formulation.
Shaharin Anwar Sulaiman, Ahmad Faridzuan Zakeria, Muhammad Fahmi Ramely, Mohamad Nazmi Zaidi Moni, and Mohamad Firdaus Basrawi
EDP Sciences
After sunset, the indoor of buildings would be relatively warmer as compared to that of the outdoor due to thermal was associated with the heat stored in the building structures and furniture. In tropical countries, doors and windows are usually shut after sunset in order to avoid mosquitoes. Thus, the condition of the indoor air is worsened as the hot air is trapped inside the bedroom and takes long time to be fully dissipated to the surrounding. This causes discomfort to the occupants as bedrooms where they are expecting to have a good rest to rejuvenate from hard day works. The objective of this study was to analyze the nature of air temperature profile in bedrooms of a hostel at night and the effect of ventilation systems in reducing the indoor air temperature. The study was conducted by measuring temperature of air in the bedrooms throughout a night. It was found that the exhaust fan gave the best results by reducing the air temperature by 1.5°C to 2.5°C.
Shaharin Anwar Sulaiman, Fiseha Mekonnen Guangul, Ramzy E. Konda, Samson M. Atnaw, and Mohamad Nazmi Moni
BioResources
In the gasification process, one prominent factor that affects the quality of the resulting syngas is the moisture content of the biomass feedstock. Determining the moisture content of a feedstock is considered to be one of the challenges of the process. The information about moisture content of a feedstock is required to decide the need for further drying prior to the gasification process. In this study, a novel method was developed for the evaluation of the moisture content from density of oil palm fronds (OPF) in a sufficiently accurate manner for gasification process. A total of 147 samples from different sections of freshly pruned fronds were prepared. The density of each of the samples was determined from its weight and volume. A fine sand displacement method, using fine sand and a graduated cylinder, determined the volume of OPF. The moisture content of the OPF was determined from the weight difference of the samples before and after the drying process. The experiment implied a good correlation between moisture content and density of the biomass, in which the square of the correlation coefficient (R2) value was found to be satisfactory.
S.A. Sulaiman, , S. Balamohan, M.N.Z. Moni, S.M. Atnaw, A.O. Mohamed, , , , and
Universiti Malaysia Pahang Publishing
Considering the large and consistent supply, oil palm fronds could be a promising source of biomass energy through gasification. There is very scarce information on the characteristics of oil palm fronds, which is vital in deciding if such biomass is technically suitable for gasification. In the present work, the feasibility of oil palm fronds for biomass gasification is studied. The study is conducted experimentally via standard tests to determine their thermochemical characteristics. Ultimate analysis is conducted to determine the contents of carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen and sulphide in oil palm fronds. Proximate analysis is performed to identify the burning characteristics of the biomass. The energy content in the fronds is determined by using a bomb calorie meter and is
around 18 MJ/kg. The ignitability of the fronds is also studied experimentally to assess the ease to start-up combustion of the fronds. The characteristics of the flame of the resulting syngas from gasification of oil palm fronds are qualitatively studied. Simulated syngas composition study reveals potentials of 22% CO, 1.3% H2, 18.5% CO2 and traces of CH4. The study is extended to computer simulation to predict composition of the syngas. It is found from this work that oil palm fronds are feasible for gasification and has a good potential as a renewable energy source.
Shaharin A. Sulaiman, Nor Hazwani Mat Razali, Ramzy E. Konda, Samson M. Atnaw, and Mohd Nazmi Z. Moni
Universiti Malaysia Pahang Publishing
Co-gasification of biomass can be beneficial since relying on only one type of biomass can interrupt operations if the supply of feedstock is disrupted for any reason. Despite this a gasifier system is usually designed for operation with only one specific feedstock. The gasifying of different biomasses can lead to failure or inefficiency. In this work the gasification of different forms of feedstock derived from oil palm frond was tested in an updraft gasifier that was specially designed for oil palm fronds. The feedstocks considered were dried frond blocks, briquetted fronds and overdried (at 150°C) frond blocks. The air flow rate was maintained to the value set for dried fronds in order to investigate the robustness of such configurations. The resulting syngas from the gasification was analyzed in terms of the composition of combustible gases and higher heating value (HHV). Overall, it was found that the altered forms of feedstock caused degradation in the syngas quality, which resulted in a decrease in the HHV of up to 65%.
Mohamad Nazmi Zaidi Moni, Shaharin Anwar Sulaiman, and Suhaimi Hassan
EDP Sciences
Oil palm frond (OPF) has been successfully gasified to produce syngas and has since deemed as a potential source of biomass fuel in Malaysia. However, if OPF is to be utilized as a main fuel for industrial-scale firing/gasification plant, interruption in fuel supply may occur due to numerous reasons, for instance inefficient fuel processing and ineffective transportation. A secondary supporting solid fuel is therefore necessary as a partial component to the main fuel in such cases, where the secondary fuel is combusted with the main fuel to adhere to main fuel shortage. Gasification of two fuels together, known as co-gasification, is practiced worldwide, some in industrial scale. However, current practice utilizes biomass fuel as the secondary fuel to coal in co-gasification. This investigation explores into the feasibility of co-gasifying two biomass fuels together to produce syngas. OPF was chosen as the primary fuel and a selection of Malaysian biomasses were studied to discover their compatibility with OPF in co-gasification. Biomass selection was made using score-and-rank method and their selection criteria are concisely discussed.
F.M. Guangul, S.A. Sulaiman, M.N. Moni, S.M. Atnaw, and R.E. Konda
Science Alert
M.N.Z. Moni and Shaharin A. Sulaiman
Science Alert
Samson M. Atnaw, Shaharin A. Sulaiman, and M. Nazmi Z. Moni
AIP
Currently the world's second largest palm oil producer Malaysia produces large amount of oil palm biomass each year. The abundance of the biomass introduces a challenge to utilize them as main feedstock for heat and energy generation. Although some oil palm parts and derivatives like empty fruit bunch and fibre have been commercialized as fuel, less attention has been given to oil palm fronds (OPF). Initial feasibility and characterization studies of OPF showed that it is highly feasible as fuel for gasification to produce high value gaseous fuel or syngas. This paper discusses the experimental gasification attempt carried out on OPF using a 50 kW lab scale downdraft gasifier and its results. The conducted study focused on the temperature distributions within the reactor and the characteristics of the dynamic temperature profile for each temperature zones during operation. OPF feedstock of one cubic inch in individual size with 15% average moisture content was utilized. An average pyrolysis zone temperatu...
M.N.Z. Moni and Shaharin A. Sulaima
Science Alert
The last years saw a sharp increment in the interest laid on the renewable and the alternative energy sector, mainly due to the depletion of fossil fuel throughout the world for industrial and commercial use. Malaysia is the second largest producer of palm oil, currently holding up to 4.5 million hectares of palm oil plantation in its land. Currently produced at more than 40 million tons a year, only a small portion of Oil Palm Frond (OPF) is used as domestic animals forage and as raw material in small-scale furniture industry, while the rest is left at the plantation floor to naturally decompose. This study introduces OPF as a solid biomass fuel for gasification to produce synthesis gas that can be utilized for heat and energy generation in a cleaner and more efficient manner than direct combustion. OPF was gasified in the downdraft gasifier at 700-1000°C reactor temperature with a controlled air supply of 180 to 200 L min-1. The effects of reactor temperature and operation time to the quality of syngas produced from OPF downdraft gasification were investigated. At a calorific value at around 18 MJ kg-1, OPF was found to produce synthesis gas that sustainably burnt in air with a higher heating value of around 5 MJ Nm-3. OPF was found to be optimally producing syngas with desired energy content at a reactor temperature range of 700-900°C and within the first 45 min of gasifier operation.
Shaharin A. Sulaiman, Samson M. Atnaw, and Mohamad N.Z. Moni
ACTAPRESS