Monday 3 December 2018
Sunday 25 November 2018
Critical Reflection 1
As I mention in my blogspot, my biggest weakness is with my writing and communication skill. For the past months, I have learnt to listen attentively to Professor during lessons and group members during discussion to observe their communications skills. I have also tried to engage in short talks with friend of different personalities so that I could built up my confidence when speaking with others. I have learnt from them how to contribute constructively during the conversation. As for written communication skills, I will make an extra effort to do a spell and grammar checks to make sure that my words are communicating the intended message. Reading periodical has also become part of my daily routine before bed. I have since make a little progress and is still working hard to improve myself.
As for project learning, I would think that working together in a multidisciplinary team is never easy as we have different strength and weakness. The initial challenge that we faced was we need to accommodate to each other’s schedule with a timeline. How to allocate who does which part of the project was tough as we are relatively new to each other, we do not know each other’s strength and weaknesses. This however is also a learning curb for us. We learnt to communicate, collaborate and compromised during each project meet up session. We have also learnt to solve disagreements amicably. Together we learnt from each other presentation skills. I learnt how to speak and articulate clearly so that the audience could hear and understand me. As for writing skills, my peers had been very helpful in correcting my sentences structure to keep my points clear. This assignment has inspired me to think critically and has brought me a level up from polytechnic years.
Our group presented on Clean Air Environment. My task in this assignment was to research and write about disadvantage of using the Electronics Precipitators and the counter solutions for the disadvantages. During the day on our presentation, I had to present this part of the assignment.
My strengths on doing this project is that I’m able to communicate clearly to the audience on my part which explains the Limitations and the Counter solutions of using the device. My voice projection was audible and the audience were able to understand my presentation.
My greatest weakness in the presentation was again my communication skill and phobia in public speaking. I have ideas but was unable to explain and express myself in front of public. My stage fright resulted in my stiff body language and social anxiety had limited my eye contacts with the audience. I am working very hard to overcome on these weaknesses and hope to improve by practicing with my peers so that I could do better in my other presentations.
Thursday 1 November 2018
TTeech
Jarod
Solar power is the alternative fuel source that Singapore can look towards to with the rest of the world shifting their focus of fuel to Liquid Natural Gas (LNG). However, with the lack of space around Singapore, the solar panels would not be able to generate enough to power the city. The solar panels will help to ease the amount of LNG used to power our cities. It can help to reduce the cost of electricity in the household as well.
Zaccheus
The future of clean electric vehicles is drawing near. Many countries such as America, Britain and Hong Kong promote the use of electric vehicles. Cars that run on rechargeable batteries are widely sold in those countries and electric car charging ports are seen in most places. Back here in Singapore, we see close to none electric vehicles and the government did not show much support on these vehicles. Electric cars are environmentally friendly and has improved over the years, but they are still not allowed in Singapore.
Nicholas
SMRT and LTA administrators should ensure the train maintenance should be check on a daily basis. Commuters’ confidence undermined due to the frequent breakdown of the MRT train system. Faulty tracks, glitch in signaling systems causing major service disruption. During the recent collision at Joo Koon station, the train has involved had a software protection feature which was being removed and yet it passed a faulty signalling circuit check. Thales, the firm supplying the signal system said they had never encountered such glitch before. Lapses in the maintenance system contributed to the key factors of the breakdown. SMRT have to improve the maintenance regimen and framework, including the incident management plan with a focus on passengers well being.
Munirah
In the older housing estates in Singapore, the lightings along the corridors and on the ceiling of the void decks are installed with incandescent lamp strips. The use of these lamps is to only emit light thus, the electricity usage and heat created are wasted. The cost of using these lamps will rise annually as it consumes a lot of power even though the cost of these lamps are cheap than other energy-efficient lamp strips.
Hou Yang
With the technology revolution, electric car has become a more energy and environmental efficient transportation in many countries. There are even share electric cars around nowadays. However, not many people appreciates them. The problem is that there are insufficient charging stations causing inconvenience for the public who wants to use them.
Group problem statement: Transportation is the 2nd largest carbon emission in Singapore. One way to reduce it is to replace fuel-based vehicles with electric vehicles. However, there is a lack of support from our government to use these vehicles. By slowly converting our cars and public transport to electric vehicles, it reduces air pollution and decreases the dependency that we currently have on fuel.
Background
Air pollution is a significant problem in Singapore. Although initiatives have been put in place, there are factors of air pollution which are beyond our control.
Ideal
An ideal innovative campus should adopt an advanced approach which can circulate clean indoor air and provide a conducive environment to study without being affected by the air quality.
Gap
Due to the location of the SIT@Dover, the air quality is affected by the carbon emission of cars along the highway and the industrial buildings near the coast. This results in a build-up of air pollution around the school which would be harmful to students.
Goal
Inserting electrostatic precipitators to the air cons, it will filter out PM2.5 particles from the indoor air and circulate back clean air around the room.
Purpose
The purpose of this report is to propose to the facility manager of SIT@Dover to install electrostatic precipitators into the current campus and, to emphasise to the facility manager that this advance approach can provide a conducive learning space for the students.
Reference articles
Electrostatic precipitators by NEA
SINGAPORE'S EMISSIONS PROFILE
https://www.nccs.gov.sg/climate-change-and-singapore/national-circumstances/singapore's-emissions-profile
Pm2.5 levels around Singapore
Data of singapores
Benefits of Electric Vehicles
Despite more charging points, obstacles abound to keep electric car sales from moving into fast lane
https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/despite-more-charging-points-obstacles-abound-keep-electric-car-sales-moving-fast-lane
Six Problems With Electric Cars That Nobody Talks About
Unpopularity of electric vehicles goes beyond cost: Christopher Tan's reply to Tesla's Elon Musk
4 Huge Reasons Why Electric Cars Are Still Not A Solution To Expensive Petrol Cars In Singapore
Electric Car Tesla slapped with $15,000 surcharge
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/electric-car-tesla-slapped-with-15000-tax-surcharge
Electric cars given small kick-start with LTA tax revision
Commentary: Electric vehicles have a long way to go, so don't write off oil yet
Read more at https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/commentary/electric-vehicles-a-long-way-to-go-so-don-t-write-off-oil-10170732
Electric Cars in Singapore - Pros & Cons
Latest release of all the air pollutions.
Industries and vehicles add to bad air-days
World Health Organization on air pollutions
Inexpensive filters aims to help people beat haze
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/new-relatively-inexpensive-fan-filter-aims-to-help-people-beat-the-haze
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/new-relatively-inexpensive-fan-filter-aims-to-help-people-beat-the-haze
Health PM2.5 particles
Electrostatic Precipitator
Advantages of having an electric car:
- Reduce Carbon Emission
- Save on petrol costs per year and less vulnerable to price spike and supply distributors
- Safer to drive
- Reduced noise pollution
PSI hits high record
-Forest fire from Indonesia
-cause schools to close
-PSI over 400 which is hazardous and life-threatening
-Indonesia struggled to contain the forest fire
SG Haze PM2.5 - Limiting outdoor activities and cause bad smell
SG carbon emission
https://www.nccs.gov.sg/climate-change-and-singapore/national-circumstances/singapore's-emissions-profile
Three years without haze, but Singapore should not celebrate just yet - 20 Jul 2018
-Must be ready for fighting the haze
-May not be as fortunate as these years
Advantage and Disadvantages of Electrostatic Precipitators
Executive Summary
Report on the solution to having cleaner indoor air using electrostatic precipitators to filter out PM2.5 particles from circulation indoors.
Background
Despite being a clean and green country, the carbon emissions in Singapore is relatively high in proportion to its size. This proposal is a response to the poor air quality that we breathe in due to the high carbon emissions.
Singapore is one of the most well-established countries in the world. We have many vehicles roaming our streets along with industrial building constantly releasing harmful particles into the air daily. A research done by the National Climate Change Secretariat of Singapore (2018) stated that “Singapore contributes to 0.11% of the global emissions”. The percentage may seem small, but considering the size of our country, it is a rather large contribution. The article further shows that Singapore ranks 123rd place in terms of CO2 per dollar GDP, ahead of countries like the United Kingdom and France which are many times larger than our country. This shows that Singapore does have an issue with air pollution.
Air is essential to every human being, however, the air that we are breathing in could be affecting our health in the long run. Such harmful particles are known as ‘particulate matter 2.5’, PM2.5. It refers to tiny particles that are 2.5 micrometers (µm) or less in diameter, often called fine PM. PM2.5 causes by men are more severe than natural sources, the particles are directly emitted into the air from motor vehicles, forest burnings, and industrial gases. As they are so small and light, they stay longer in the air causing the air to be polluted and increases the chances of people inhaling it. Due to their tiny size, the particles can enter our lungs and circulatory system. This could cause health hazards both in the short and long run. An article published on the US National Library of Medicine National Institute of Health (NCBI, 2002) stated that “Long-term exposure to combustion-related fine particulate air pollution is an important environmental risk factor for cardiopulmonary and lung cancer mortality.” Based on a guideline by the World Health Organisation (WHO, 2018), the PM2.5 levels should be at 10µgc annual mean and 25µgc for 24 hours mean. According to the psi index by The National Environment Agency (2018), the psi levels in Singapore currently falls within the range of 50μg/m3 to 60μg/m3 daily, which are beyond the levels listed by WHO.
The factors which have contributed to PM 2.5 in Singapore are mainly from vehicles and industrial factories. These PM 2.5 can also be the product formed by chemical reactions in the atmosphere. An article by The Straits Times stated that “due to the concentration of particle vapour and local emissions - from cars and factories”. These small-sized particles are not entirely from the neighbouring country that carries out deforestation which in the later part of the article stated, “experts point to culprits closer to home: factories and cars”.
During the haze period, one of the strategies that Singaporeans use to counter haze problem is to stay indoors and use air-conditioners, as is it advisable to limit outdoor activities when the PSI level is high. While all doors and windows are closed, it can limit the particles in the haze from entering the houses. However, conventional air-conditioners are unable to filter the tiny particles like PM2.5, so there are still chances of breathing them in.
When indoors, the air condition will always be on. A building grade air conditioning uses Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning system, known as HVAC. The main purpose of a HVAC system is to provide thermal comfort and acceptable indoor air quality. The most common HVAC system used in buildings are called packaged rooftop units. Unlike the split system which is used in residential air conditioning units, it has everything stored in one unit, therefore the name packaged. The packaged rooftop units include an evaporator coil, fan, compressor, condenser and are situated on the roof.
Problem Statement
An ideal innovative campus should adopt an advanced approach which can circulate clean indoor air and provide a conducive environment to study without being affected by the air quality. Due to the location of the SIT@Dover, the air quality is affected by the carbon emission of cars along the highway and the industrial buildings near the coast, resulting in a build-up of air pollution around the school which would be harmful to students. Inserting electrostatic precipitators to the air cons, it will filter out PM2.5 particles from the indoor air and circulate back clean air around the room.
Purpose Statement
The purpose of this report is to propose to the facility manager of SIT@Dover to install electrostatic precipitators into the current campus and, to emphasise to the facility manager that this advance approach can provide a clean and conducive learning space for the students and staff alike.
Proposed Solution
Our proposed solution to removing PM2.5 particles from circulation is to introduce electrostatic precipitators in our air conditioning filters. Electrostatic Precipitator is a highly effective device that removes suspended dust particles that are smaller than PM 10 by applying a high-voltage electrostatic charge and collecting the particles on charged plates. Clean air would then be distributed back out for circulation.
Figure 1. PowerClean™ Electrostatic Precipitator with Automatic Cleaning
Benefits of Electrostatic Precipitator The are many benefits that Electrostatic Precipitator provides which are: able to remove tiny dust particles which are as small as PM 0.01 and ease of operation. This shows that this precipitator is definitely a great investment which SIT@Dover can consider as the location of the school is situated beside the expressway. Thus, it is beneficial for the students as the students are able to study comfortably without any difficulties in concentrating due to the dust. ...
Summary of benefits of using electrostatic precipitator filter.
Clean air
The electrostatic precipitator would be able to circulate clean air around the room by removing small dust particles from the air. It would improve the respiratory health of students and staff.
Low operating costs
With the installation of electrostatic precipitators, it has a long service life and requires little maintenance as well as low operating costs unless used at high efficiencies. This would prove to be a good investment in the long run with its low operating costs.
Evaluation
Electrostatic Precipitators have a high capital cost which is a big factor to consider before installing it on the campus. This will most likely be the biggest factor as campuses are funded by the government and may not have the budget to install these filters on a large scale. On top of that, the electrostatic precipitators are not flexible. Once installed, it is hard to move it.
However, with all this limitation in place, the advantages outweigh them all. As most HVAC systems are located on the roof, the space that an electrostatic precipitator needs is not a big issue. The installation of these precipitators will most likely be permanent which means that flexibility will not be an issue either.
Limitations of Electrostatic Precipitator
However, nothing is perfect. There are also some disadvantages of Electrostatic Precipitators, for example, the system is difficult to change working conditions once it is installed for the air-conditioner and it is bulky.
The electrostatic precipitator can only be used to collect dry and wet pollutants. It cannot collect gaseous pollutants.
In addition, it requires a high initial cost to install, not practical for small industry or household use.
Moreover, the equipment itself is quite expensive and periodically maintenance cost is high and taking extra space.
References
Ambient (Outdoor) Air Quality and Health. (2018). Retrieved October 31, 2018, http://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ambient-(outdoor)-air-quality-and-health
Pope CA 3rd, Burnett RT, Thun MJ, Calle EE, Krewski D, Ito K, Thurston GD. (2002). Lung cancer, cardiopulmonary mortality, and long-term exposure to fine particulate air pollution. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11879110
PowerClean™ Electrostatic Precipitator with Automatic Cleaning [Image]. Retrieved from http://www.airscrubbersinc.com/products/kitchen-exhaust-electrostatic-powerclean.htm
Singapore’s Emissions Profile. (2018). Retrieved October 31, 2018, https://www.nccs.gov.sg/climate-change-and-singapore/national-circumstances/singapore's-emissions-profile
Aggarwal, N. (2013). Working of electrostatic precipitators with its advantages and disadvantages. Retrieved from https://www.indiastudychannel.com/resources/140937-Working-of-electrostatic-precipitators-with-its-advantages-and-disadvantages.aspx
Counter Solutions for Limitation
A portable version of electrostatic precipitator
While the Electrostatic Precipitators is
By TMR : Problem solution + Benefits + Evaluation + Limitations
Methods of collecting Research
Conclusion
References
Singapore’s Emissions Profile. (2018). Retrieved October 31, 2018, https://www.nccs.gov.sg/climate-change-and-singapore/national-circumstances/singapore's-emissions-profile
Pope CA 3rd, Burnett RT, Thun MJ, Calle EE, Krewski D, Ito K, Thurston GD. (2002). Lung cancer, cardiopulmonary mortality, and long-term exposure to fine particulate air pollution. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11879110
Ambient (Outdoor) Air Quality and Health. (2018). Retrieved October 31, 2018, http://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ambient-(outdoor)-air-quality-and-health
PowerClean™ Electrostatic Precipitator with Automatic Cleaning [Image]. Retrieved from http://www.airscrubbersinc.com/products/kitchen-exhaust-electrostatic-powerclean.htmt81
Aggarwal, N. (2013). Working of electrostatic precipitators with its advantages and disadvantages. Retrieved from https://www.indiastudychannel.com/resources/140937-Working-of-electrostatic-precipitators-with-its-advantages-and-disadvantages.aspx
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