• Energy Research

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify critical sustainability factors for improved implementation of industrialised building systems (IBS). It also aims to highlight the importance of decision support, through the establishment of decision‐making guidelines, for sustainability deliverables in IBS development.Design/methodology/approach – A broad range of sustainability factors, as perceived by researchers and practitioners, is identified through a comprehensive literature study. A study of the survey and statistical data analysis is conducted to examine the criticality of these sustainability factors in IBS implementation.Findings – In total, 18 sustainability factors are identified as critical to IBS implementation. Their interrelationships and driving forces are explored, which leads to the development of a conceptual model to map these factors for actions or potential solutions. The work provides a sound basis towards a set of decision‐making guidelines for sustainable IBS implementation.O...

AbstractAs the sustainability awareness rises globally, the construction industry is under increasing pressure to improve efficiency and project delivery. The implementation of Industrialised Building Systems (IBS), for which utility components are built offsite, has the potential of promoting sustainability deliverables. This can be achieved by better control of production environment, minimising construction waste, using efficient building material energy, and stabilising work conditions. As a unique building technology, IBS has not been effectively implemented in Malaysia. Possible reasons may include limited understanding among stakeholders on the IBS potential and its relevance to sustainability. This warrants studies on the sustainability issues of IBS design, construction, operation and maintenance, A framework is being developed through research to assess performance criteria related to sustainability, which should be considered during IBS design and application in the most consistent and systematic way. This paper discusses how these sustainability performance criteria are examined in a continuing research project and the processes conducive to implementing sustainable IBS in Malaysia. Existing tools, indicators and guidelines are reviewed, analysed and grouped according to characteristics and application. The research also hopes to produce guidelines for stakeholders to incorporate sustainability issues and concepts into IBS applications.

For construction stakeholders to fully embrace sustainability, its long-term benefits and associated risks need to be identified through holistic approaches. Consensus among key stakeholders is very important to the improvement of the ecological performance of industrialized building systems (IBS), a building construction method gaining momentum in Malaysia. A questionnaire survey examines the relative significance of 16 potentially important sustainability factors for IBS applications. To present possible solutions, semi-structured interviews solicit views from experienced IBS practitioners, representing the professions involved. Three most critical factors agreed by key stakeholders are material consumption, waste generation and waste disposal. Using SWOT analysis, the positive and negative aspects of these factors are investigated, with action plans formulated for IBS design practitioners. The SWOT analysis based guidelines have the potential to become part of IBS design briefing documents against whic...

Résumé L'industrie de la construction, qui accorde de plus en plus la priorité à la durabilité, nécessite une exploration de la technologie et du rôle de la direction dans l'atténuation des déchets matériels sur les chantiers de construction. Cette étude examine l'impact de 3R, IBS, BIM et MMA sur l'amélioration de la performance du chantier de construction (CSP) dans le secteur de la construction en Malaisie. Sept hypothèses ont été formulées pour évaluer la relation entre l'adoption de la technologie, les pratiques de gestion du matériel et l'influence modératrice de l'adoption de la gestion du matériel (MMA) sur la CSP. Les données ont été collectées par le biais d'une enquête en ligne auprès de 295 réponses valides dans le secteur de la construction en Malaisie, en se concentrant sur les professionnels impliqués dans la gestion des déchets solides. Utilisant les moindres carrés partiels - Modélisation d'équations structurelles (PLS-SEM) et le paquet statistique pour les sciences sociales (SPSS), les résultats soulignent l'importance de l'intégration technologique, de la gestion efficace des matériaux et des stratégies compétitives pour une atténuation efficace des déchets matériels. En outre, l'aspect qualitatif de l'étude, menée auprès de 6 organisations de gestion des déchets solides en Malaisie, enrichit les résultats en fournissant des informations nuancées sur les pratiques et les défis locaux. Soulignant l'importance des informations contextuelles, l'étude s'adresse aux professionnels impliqués dans la gestion des déchets solides dans l'industrie malaisienne de la construction. La spécificité géographique ajoute de la profondeur à l'analyse, offrant une compréhension complète des dynamiques régionales. Bien qu'elle reconnaisse les limites de la technologie et de l'utilisation des matériaux, l'étude propose des recommandations pour raffiner l'atténuation des déchets et améliorer les performances du chantier de construction. Ce modèle de recherche offre des informations exploitables aux parties prenantes du chantier de construction, en mettant l'accent sur la criticité de l'atténuation des déchets et de la CSP. Les résultats, à la fois quantitatifs et qualitatifs, soulignent le potentiel de ces pratiques au sein de l'industrie malaisienne de la construction pour favoriser l'innovation et conduire des changements positifs. Resumen La industria de la construcción, que prioriza cada vez más la sostenibilidad, requiere una exploración del papel de la tecnología y la gestión en la mitigación del desperdicio de materiales en las obras de construcción. Este estudio examina el impacto de 3R, IBS, BIM y MMA en la mejora del rendimiento del sitio de construcción (CSP) en el sector de la construcción de Malasia. Se formularon siete hipótesis para evaluar la relación entre la adopción de tecnología, las prácticas de gestión de materiales y la influencia moderadora de la Adopción de Gestión de Materiales (MMA) en la CSP. Los datos se recopilaron a través de una encuesta en línea de 295 respuestas válidas en el sector de la construcción de Malasia, centrándose en los profesionales involucrados en la gestión de residuos sólidos. Utilizando Mínimos Cuadrados Parciales - Modelado de Ecuaciones Estructurales (PLS-SEM) y Paquete Estadístico para las Ciencias Sociales (SPSS), los hallazgos resaltan la importancia de la integración tecnológica, la gestión eficiente de materiales y las estrategias competitivas en la mitigación efectiva de residuos de materiales. Además, el aspecto cualitativo del estudio, realizado entre 6 organizaciones de residuos sólidos en Malasia, enriquece los hallazgos al proporcionar información matizada sobre las prácticas y los desafíos locales. Haciendo hincapié en la importancia de los conocimientos contextuales, el estudio se dirige a los profesionales involucrados en la gestión de residuos sólidos dentro de la industria de la construcción de Malasia. La especificidad geográfica añade profundidad al análisis, ofreciendo una comprensión integral de la dinámica regional. A pesar de reconocer las limitaciones en el uso de tecnología y materiales, el estudio ofrece recomendaciones para refinar la mitigación de desechos y mejorar el rendimiento del sitio de construcción. Este modelo de investigación ofrece información procesable para las partes interesadas en el sitio de construcción, enfatizando la importancia de la mitigación de residuos y la CSP. Los resultados, tanto cuantitativos como cualitativos, subrayan el potencial de estas prácticas dentro de la industria de la construcción de Malasia para fomentar la innovación e impulsar un cambio positivo. Abstract The construction industry, increasingly prioritizing sustainability, necessitates an exploration of technology and management's role in mitigating material waste at construction sites. This study examines the impact of 3R, IBS, BIM, and MMA in enhancing Construction Site Performance (CSP) in the Malaysian construction sector. Seven hypotheses were formulated to assess the relationship between technology adoption, material management practices, and the moderating influence of Material Management Adoption (MMA) on CSP. Data were collected through an online survey from 295 valid responses in the Malaysian construction sector, focusing on professionals involved in solid waste management. Utilizing Partial Least Squares - Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) and Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), the findings highlight the importance of technological integration, efficient material management, and competitive strategies in effective material waste mitigation. Furthermore, the qualitative aspect of the study, conducted among 6 solid waste organizations in Malaysia, enriches the findings by providing nuanced insights into local practices and challenges. Emphasizing the importance of contextual insights, the study addresses professionals involved in solid waste management within the Malaysian construction industry. The geographical specificity adds depth to the analysis, offering a comprehensive understanding of regional dynamics. Despite acknowledging limitations in technology and material usage, the study offers recommendations for refining waste mitigation and improving construction site performance. This research model offers actionable insights for construction site stakeholders, emphasizing the criticality of waste mitigation and CSP. The results, both quantitative and qualitative, underscore the potential of these practices within the Malaysian construction industry to foster innovation and drive positive change. الملخص تتطلب صناعة البناء، التي تعطي الأولوية للاستدامة بشكل متزايد، استكشاف دور التكنولوجيا والإدارة في التخفيف من نفايات المواد في مواقع البناء. تبحث هذه الدراسة في تأثير 3R و IBS و BIM و MMA في تعزيز أداء موقع البناء (CSP) في قطاع البناء الماليزي. تمت صياغة سبع فرضيات لتقييم العلاقة بين اعتماد التكنولوجيا وممارسات إدارة المواد والتأثير المعتدل لاعتماد إدارة المواد (MMA) على الطاقة الشمسية المركزة. تم جمع البيانات من خلال استطلاع عبر الإنترنت من 295 ردًا صالحًا في قطاع البناء الماليزي، مع التركيز على المهنيين المشاركين في إدارة النفايات الصلبة. باستخدام المربعات الصغرى الجزئية - نمذجة المعادلة الهيكلية (PLS - SEM) والحزمة الإحصائية للعلوم الاجتماعية (SPSS)، تسلط النتائج الضوء على أهمية التكامل التكنولوجي والإدارة الفعالة للمواد والاستراتيجيات التنافسية في التخفيف الفعال لنفايات المواد. علاوة على ذلك، فإن الجانب النوعي للدراسة، التي أجريت بين 6 منظمات للنفايات الصلبة في ماليزيا، يثري النتائج من خلال تقديم رؤى دقيقة حول الممارسات والتحديات المحلية. مع التأكيد على أهمية الرؤى السياقية، تتناول الدراسة المهنيين المشاركين في إدارة النفايات الصلبة في صناعة البناء الماليزية. تضيف الخصوصية الجغرافية عمقًا إلى التحليل، مما يوفر فهمًا شاملاً للديناميكيات الإقليمية. على الرغم من الاعتراف بالقيود في التكنولوجيا واستخدام المواد، تقدم الدراسة توصيات لتحسين تخفيف النفايات وتحسين أداء موقع البناء. يقدم نموذج البحث هذا رؤى قابلة للتنفيذ لأصحاب المصلحة في موقع البناء، مع التأكيد على أهمية التخفيف من النفايات والطاقة الشمسية المركزة. تؤكد النتائج، الكمية والنوعية على حد سواء، على إمكانات هذه الممارسات داخل صناعة البناء الماليزية لتعزيز الابتكار ودفع التغيير الإيجابي.

The global demand for energy is expected to rise up to 59% by the year 2035. This is due to the increasing technology developments and contemporary industrialization. Continues trends of these simultaneously will affects the crude fossil oil reserves progressively. Therefore, biofuels that are predominantly produced from the biomass based feedstocks such as plant, algae material and animal waste. Liquid or gaseous biofuels are the most simple to ship, deliver, and burn since they are easier to transport, deliver, and burn cleanly. The key contributor to the elevated green house gaseous concentration is carbon dioxide (CO2). Two-thirds of global anthropogenic CO2 emissions are due to fossil fuel combustion, with the remaining third attributed to land-use changes. Interestingly, recent literature has announced that the utilization of liquid biofuels capable of reducing the CO and CO2 emissions. Other positive impacts of the liquid biofuels are; (1) reduce the external energy dependence, (2) promote the regional engineering, (3) increase the Research & Development activities, (4) reduce the environmental effects of electricity generation and transformation, (5) improve the quality of services for rural residents and (6) provide job opportunities.

AbstractMicrowave-assisted synthesis is known to accelerate the transesterification process and address the issues associated with the conventional thermal process, such as the processing time and the energy input requirement. Herein, the effect of microwave irradiation on the transesterification of palm oil methyl ester (PME) with trimethylolpropane (TMP) was evaluated. The reaction system was investigated through five process parameters, which were reaction temperature, catalyst, time, molar ratio of TMP to PME and vacuum pressure. The yield of TMP triester at 66.9 wt.% and undesirable fatty soap at 17.4% were obtained at 130 °C, 10 mbar, sodium methoxide solution at 0.6 wt.%, 10 min reaction time and molar ratio of TMP to PME at 1:4. The transesterification of palm oil-based methyl ester to trimethylolpropane ester was 3.1 folds faster in the presence of microwave irradiation. The total energy requirement was markedly reduced as compared to the conventional heating method. The findings indicate that microwave-assisted transesterification could probably be an answer to the quest for a cheaper biodegradable biolubricant.