The Research and Postgraduate Centre congratulates Loh Chee Yan, an undergraduate student from Department of New Energy Science and Engineering (NESE), School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, for being awarded the IChemE Palm Oil Processing Special Interest Group (POPSIG) Student Research Project Bursary 2023.
Loh Chee Yan receives the award from Mr. Chia Ing Chuk, Global Refining Technology Leader, Desmet Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.
Sponsored by Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) and Desmet Malaysia Sdn Bhd, POPSIG Research Project Bursary 2023 aims to promote a six-month palm oil-related original research among undergraduates and postgraduates.
Loh Chee Yan is the only awardee this year.
Chee Yan is stands out with her project “Biodiesel production from palm oil using barium oxide-reduced graphene oxide bifunctional catalyst”. The project is conducted under the supervision of Asst. Prof. Dr. Lai Sin Yuan from the School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, and in collaboration with Prof. Dato’ Ir. Dr. Abdul Rahman bin Mohamed from University Sains Malaysua, Asst. Prof. Dr. Foo Chuan Yi, Ms. Lee Xi Wen (NESE undergraduate), Ms. Rabiah Nizah binti Md Fahmy, Ms. Siti Najihah binti Md Hashim and Ms. Aqilah Fasihah binti Rusli from XMUM.
Team photo taken after the event. From left: Loh Chee Yan, Dr. Lai Sin Yuan, and Lee Xi Wen
Palm oil has been widely recognized because of its cost-effectiveness, abundance, and superior oil yield. It has been used as a feedstock for producing biodiesel, a sustainable fuel with high-energy content and minimal environmental impacts.
With the purposes of promoting circular economy, advocating environmental sustainability, advancing innovative technology, and new insights in academics, this study explores a dual functionality catalyst in the transformation of palm oil into biodiesel. It focuses on catalyst engineering with physio-chemical properties, and optimizing biodiesel reaction conditions.
