Professor Stow is a leading sedimentologist, geologist and oceanographer of international standing with an extensive record of scientific publications, including over 200 scientific papers and reports, numerous books and edited volumes. He specialises in the deep sea and on deep-sea deposits now thrown up onto land. In pursuing this scientific quest he has sailed on all the world's major oceans, visited or worked in more than 50 countries and lectured extensively throughout the world. He has worked in and with the oil industry, particularly in their ongoing quest for deep-sea oil and gas and on new and tight reservoir targets; led a major international mission for scientific drilling into the deep Indian Ocean seafloor; and is currently co-chief scientist for IODP Leg 339 on Mediterranean Outflow research. He also maintains strong interest in the field of geoscience and development, with recent visits to Indian Kashmir, Assam and Sri Lanka, concerning hazard mitigation, geoscience education and marine management. His enthusiasm for the popularisation of ocean and earth sciences is expressed through lectures, writing and broadcast, including his recent books Oceans: An Illustrated Reference (2004) and Vanished Ocean (OUP, 2010). He is currently Director of Research and Professor of Petroleum Geoscience at the Institute of Petroleum Engineering, Heriot Watt University, and Director of the Edinburgh Collaborative of Subsurface Science and Engineering (ECOSSE). Employment 2008-present: ECOSSE Chair & Professor, Heriot-Watt University; Director of Research, Institute of Petroleum Engineering 1989-2008: Professor Ocean & Earth Science (from 2000), previously Reader, and Head of Academic Studies, School of Ocean and Earth Science, National Oceanography Centre, Southampton University 2006: Visiting Professor, Instituto Espanol de Oceanografia, Malaga, Spain; Spanish Misitry of Education and Science, Mobility Award. 1998-2000: Royal Society Industrial Research Fellow, BP, Sunbury; working within the Deepwater Research team 1984-1989: Lecturer then Reader, Nottingham University 1984: Associate Professor, Bordeaux University, France 1980-1984: Royal Society of Edinburgh Research Fellow (1982-84); NERC Research Fellow (1980-82), Edinburgh University 1977-1980: Exploration Geologist then Senior Sedimentologist, British National Oil Corporation (Britoil), Glasgow Education and awards 1977: PhD Marine Geology, Dalhousie University, Canada 1976: MA Cambridge University, UK 1974: BA Natural Science Tripos, Cambridge University, UK Royal Society Industrial Research Fellowship National Teaching Fellowship Geological Society William Smith Award Royal Society of Edinburgh Research Fellowship Natural Environmental Research Council Research Fellowship Royal Society John Murray Travelling Fellowship Dalhousie Postgraduate Fellowship Commonwealth Scholarship Exhibition, Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge Royal Institution Australian Science Scholarship.
Professor Dr Ahmad Zuhairi Abdullah is currently the Deputy Dean (Research, Postgraduate & Network) at School of Chemical Engineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia. He received his PhD from Universiti Sains Malaysia in PhD (2004) in the field of chemical engineering. His research works mostly encompass the use of novel functionalized nanoporous materials as catalysts in oleochemical conversions, waste treatment, green technology and production of renewable energy sources. He is among the pioneer researchers in the world to focus on the use of ultrasound to accelerate heterogeneous catalytic processes. He is the recipient of several innovation and publication awards based on his research works. His research expertise is often sought after for the assessment of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports on proposed strategic commercial projects such as oil refinery, petrochemical complex, sanitary landfill, smelting plant, used acid lead battery, paper mill etc. Various industrial problems have been successfully solved through his consultancy projects. He has been involved in the propagation of science and technology through more than 200 refereed publications in journals and book chapters mainly as the main author, and also involves as a technical committee member to nearly 100 international scientific conferences held across the globe. Many invitations on various roles have also been received to share his research experience with government officers, research scientists, junior researchers and school children. The objectives of the events vary from the latest development in nanoporous materials research, critical research skills, understanding science, promotion of sustainability, community awareness, carrier development to the understanding of policy and regulatory aspects. He is an academic external assessor to UniMAP and UniKL-MICET for their undergraduate and doctoral program, respectively. He also acts as an article reviewer to more than 100 different leading international journals in his area of expertise. In addition, he is an evaluator to research proposals received from the university, local ministries as well as international scientific associations in the USA, Oman, Qatar and Chile. He is one of the recipients of the Top Research Scientist Malaysia 2014 award. His h-index (Scopus) currently stands at 39..
Speech Title:
Malaysian Perspective on Biodiesel Blends as
Renewable Fuel Sources for the Future:
Challenges Towards Sustainability of the
Industry
Abstract:Biodiesel is the most
potential substitute for fossil fuel so far for
its renewability, production rate and
fulfillment of required fuel specifications.
There are some technical issues with regards to
the green features of the biodiesel production
process especially the quality of feedstock,
huge amount of wastewater and overproduction of
glycerol. Biodiesel often require special
additives or fuel heating systems to operate in
colder climates. It may also cause some rubber
seals and gaskets to fail. It also degrades some
hoses, glues and plastics with prolonged
exposure. Biodiesel can dissolve sediments in
diesel fuel tanks and clog fuel filters. Fully
converted monoalkyl esters are the major
requirement in quality biodiesel. Unconverted
triglicerides could polymerize and eventually
build up in the fuel lines. Diesel engine
normally has a higher oxide of nitrogen (NOx)
emission profile. Producing biodiesel which
consistently meets ASTM D6751-19 or EN
14214:2008 is not easily achieved. Biodiesel
should not be stored longer than 6 months. If it
is necessary, the acid value should be monitored
and additive should be considered. The condensed
water in the fuel tank can also support the
growth of bacteria and mold. In terms of
implementation of biodiesel programs, weak
domestic demand and uncompetitive export tax
structure are among the factors that can hold
back the success of the biodiesel programs.
Despite several biodiesel programs introduced on
B5, B7, B10 and more recently B20, the success
of its implementation is rather limited due to
engine technical compatibility, its relatively
high price and unfavorable international policy.
Besides, the surplus of glycerol as a by-product
of biodiesel industry in the market is a
challenging situation as it is not considered a
waste material.