Problem Based Training Program on Industrial Ecology and Environment for the Sustainability Management of Industry
S. Charmondusit, Kampanad Bhaktikul, Chumlong Arunlertaree, Worachart Wisawapipat, Cheerawit Rattanapan, Kitikorn Charmondusit
Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences · 2012
The training program on industrial ecology and environment hosted by Mahidol University is designed to provide an understanding of the principles concept and practice of industrial ecology, which had a benefits directly to the sustainable development of industrial sectors in Asia. In 2011, the problem based training was firstly applied as a main idea for designing the course structure of the 3rd international training course on industrial ecology. Three modules, which are in class learning, field study (learning by doing), and group discussion (analysis and synthesize idea), were offered as a framework for this course. There are 14 participants from 9 participating countries in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East that joined this training program. Sustainability management of the Northern Region Industrial Estate (NRIE) and community area were delivered as a project study, which referred to the three main issues of the focused area including water quality of the Kuang river, soil contaminated problem, and community feedback to the NRIE. The results from the training program revealed that industrial activities in the NRIE did not affect the water quality of Kuang river and soil quality around NRIE area. In addition, the local people who live within or near that area have positive attitude towards the NRIE. This training approach was a challenge for the majority of participants who had not previously been exposed to it. Participant feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Participant satisfaction with the training program had a mean score of 4.92 (out of 5) with all participants agreeing or strongly agreeing with using the problem based training methodology, which can delivered the transdisciplinarity between academics and practitioners, self-regulated learning, and collaboration.
Preliminary Study on the Community-Based-Eco-Industrial Estate Development of Northern Region Industrial Estate, Thailand
Verawat Panyathanakun, Supawan Tantayanon, Charit Tingsabadh, Kitikorn Charmondusit
Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences · 2012
Imitating the natural eco-system, the eco-industrial estates emerged as one of effective ways to manage industrial systems. Aiming to create a sustainable industrial ecosystem required balancing of demand and supply of materials, energy, and wastes. Eco-industrial estate development strategies initiated by the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) were announced to industrial estates and public, which consisted of 5 aspects and 22 areas and claimed as business model initiatives. At the present, industrial estates throughout the country are being transformed to eco-industrial estate and network. Preliminary study on the Community-Based-Eco-Industrial Estate (CBEIE) development of Northern Region Industrial Estate (NRIE), Thailand was focused. Findings from the survey, suggestions and improvement needs were recommended by respondents in order to build stakeholders’ trust and to balance their mutual benefits for further CBEIE development of NRIE.
A Study of Biodiesel (Ethyl Ester) Production from Grease/Oil Rich Sludge through Acid-Catalytic Ethanol Transesterification and It’s Fuel Specifications
Kappaput Thong-Innatra, Gritsanaruk Theeraraj, Chumporn Yuwaree, Kitikorn Charmondusit, Rungjarat Hutacharoen
Environment and Natural Resources Journal · 2010
The objective of this study is to produce biodiesel from grease/oil rich sludge which was trapped from the canteen of Mahidol University’s Salaya campus. The biodiesel was produced through the process of transesterification reaction in the presence of an acidic catalyst of concentrated sulfuric acid. 100% excess ethanol was used to accomplish the reaction at the molecular ratio of 30:1 (ethanol to grease) at 90C for 90 minutes. The finished product contained 95.17% biodiesel by volume with an API gravity value of 0.90 g/cm3 at 15C, a viscosity value of 8.69 mm2/s at 40C, a flash point value of 184C, and a heat value of 9,685.35 cal/g. The blending with petroleum based diesel or baseline diesel (commercial diesel) at the proportions of 5, 10, 15, and 20 percent showed no statistical significant difference at the 0.05 level. In addition, the engine performance of the blends had slightly higher engine torque and engine power than baseline diesel. In conclusion, this study found that the conversion of the canteen’s trap grease into ethyl ester had the potential to be a diesel substitute, particularly at the blending ration of 15%.
Poly(Methyl Methacrylate-co-Styrene) Modified with Hydrogenated Natural Rubber
Sirina Thawornwisit, Kitikorn Charmondusit, Garry L. Rempel, Napida Hinchiranan, Pattarapan Prasassarakich
Journal of Elastomers & Plastics · 2009
The mechanical properties of brittle polymers are improved by blending with rubbers. Due to C=C in the rubber structure, polymer/rubber blends have poor thermal and oxidative resistance. In this research, the mechanical and physical properties including the morphology of poly(methyl methacrylate-co-styrene) sheet modified by blending with hydrogenated natural rubber were investigated. The optimum styrene content in copolymer sheets for improving the mechanical properties was 20% (w/w) and inclusion of hydrogenated natural rubber at 1% (w/w) exhibited a higher thermal resistance. This implies that hydrogenated natural rubber can be used as an impact modifier and thermal resistance improver for acrylic plastics
Impact modification of styrene-methyl methacrylate copolymer cast sheet by using natural rubber
Kitikorn Charmondusit, Panuwat Prasertpong
Environment and Natural Resources Journal · 2008
Natural rubber (NR) is an economical plant of Thailand, which has an excellent property, especially flexible property. This research presents the study and preparation of high impact transparent styrene-methyl methacrylate copolymer cast sheet by using NR as an impact modifier. The copolymer cast sheets were prepared by bulk polymerization via casting process. The influence factors, such as monomer ratio and NR concentration were studied. The physical and mechanical properties of the modified copolymer cast sheet were investigated. It was found that the appropriate conditions were 90 and 80 % by weight of methyl methacrylate, 10 and 20 % by weight of styrene, 0.1 % by weight of peroxide initiator, and 0.03 % by weight of azo compound initiator. The highest impact strength of copolymer cast sheet was shown at the 20 % by weight of the natural rubber. The results show the possibility using of NR as an impact modifier for styrene-methyl methacrylate copolymer cast sheet. The using of NR, which is a natural polymer and economical plant of Thailand, instead of synthetic polymers could be useful for further development in both of economical and environmental dimensions.
Evaluating the Eco-Efficiency of 3R Waste from the Petroleum and Petrochemical Group in the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate, Thailand with the Environmental Improvement Productivity Indicator
Umaporn Khwankue, Kitikorn Charmondusit
2008
The concept of eco-efficiency has become increasingly popular in the environmental debate of product systems, processes, and/or companies in resent year. Eco-efficiency is generally described as a ratio between environmental impact and value of production. This paper presents the eco-efficiency indicator, called environmental improvement productivity (EIP), for assessing the environmental improvement from 3R waste of the petroleum and petrochemical (PP) group in the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate (MTPIE), Thailand. The EIP is defined as the ratio of total 3R waste, as a value of production, to the total amount of CO2 reduction by the 3R activities, as an environmental impact value or environmental improvement of 3R waste, which was evaluated by the CO2 emission calculated from the basis of 3R waste incineration. The total amount of waste and 3R waste generated from the PP group in fiscal year 2007, which was separated into 4 quarters, were collected and used to create the waste flow diagram of the PP group. The results show that more than 60 % of the total waste generated from the PP group in the MTPIE was classified to be as a 3R waste. The evaluation of eco-efficiency shows the decrease of EIP values from quarter 1 to quarter 4, which refers to the increase of environmental improvement. The research can demonstrate the environmental benefits from the 3R waste, which will feed into strategic development and would enable to encourage the 3R activities for industrial sector in Thailand. 1.