The School of Chemical Engineering ventures into Industrial-Based Final Year Research Project

16 Jan 2019; The School of Chemical Engineering today welcomed the Director of HPL Technology Sdn. Bhd., Mr. Tan Chor Oon in his visit to discuss and at the same time monitor a research progress presented by a Chemical Engineering undergraduate student, Mr. Low Ying Kai.

HPL Technology Sdn. Bhd. is a local company based in Bandar Teknologi, Kajang, which specializes in designing and manufacturing of several unit operations equipment such as condenser, evaporator and chilled-water coil and hot water for Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) equipment system.

Ying Kai took up the challenge beginning October last year to work on the particular industrial-based “assignment” for his Final Year Research Project, FYP under the supervision of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Suzylawati Ismail. The project is conducted with the particular aim, which to provide a conceptual solution to HPL Technology Sdn. Bhd. in order to achieve an effective superhydrophobic coating on metal fins used in the HVAC system. The system is installed to circulate and filter air, especially in a closed environment (indoor) by removing pollutants and allergens such as dust and pollen from the air inside a closed room.

However, the system might create problems to people with allergies and asthma if it is not properly cleaned and maintained. The system will end up circulating pollutants rather than removing them. Therefore, in order to find solutions for the particular problem, the superhydrophobic coating is targeted to function as a self-cleaning agent as well as a protective coating to the system.

It is hoped that such a collaboration would be a catalyst to the School in spearheading other industrial-based FYP research works in years to come.

Text : A.P. Dr. Suzylawati Ismail