Mohamad Nazmi Zaidi bin Moni, Ph.D. is a Research Scientist in Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Malaysia, and is actively conducting research works in the field of sustainable and renewable energy. Dr. Nazmi has published several SCOPUS-indexed scientific papers focusing on biomass thermal conversions, particularly biomass gasification. Being affiliated with Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS for more than 10 years, Dr. Nazmi has contributed to the formation of the Biomass Energy Research Laboratory at the institution that stations equipment and instruments for research works involving biomass materials. Dr. Nazmi is also registered with the Board of Engineers Malaysia as a Graduate Engineer.
EDUCATION
Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, 2019
M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, 2012
B.Eng. (Hons) in Mechanical (Petroleum), Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, 2008
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Biomass thermal conversion, gasification, solar PV, pyrolysis, torrefaction, synthesis gas, renewable energy, alternative energy
Optimization of Slow Pyrolysis of Bamboo for Biochar Production using Taguchi's L9 Orthogonal Array MNZ Moni, Suzana Yusuf, ASA Manaf, Waqiuddin Rahman E3s Web of Conferences, 2021 This paper investigates the effects of three parameters (reaction temperature, feedstock particle size and nitrogen flow rate) towards the solid (char) yield from the pyrolysis of bamboo. Three-factor, three-level Taguchi’s L9 Orthogonal Array was used as the experimental design. The char yield at reaction temperatures of 300-500°C, feedstock particle size of 100-1000 μm, and nitrogen flow rate of 100-300 ml min−1 were investigated. The maximum solid yield was predicted based on signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio and was found to be at 300°C reaction temperature, 1000 μm feedstock particle size and 100 ml min−1 of nitrogen flow rate. Confirmation runs were conducted to validate the prediction at corresponding predicted conditions.
Effect of Input Power and Process Time on Conversion of Pure and Mixed Plastics into Fuels Through Microwave-Metal Interaction Pyrolysis H. Arshad, S. A. Sulaiman, Z. Hussain, M. Y. Naz, M. N. Z. Moni Waste and Biomass Valorization, 2021 This study investigated the effect of input power and process time on microwave-metal interaction pyrolysis of pure plastics (PS, PP, LDPE) and their blends into liquid and gaseous fuels. The microwave power and time were varied to pyrolyze 20 g of each sample in an iron coil. The pure PS underwent maximum conversion into fuels followed by PP and LDPE. Under optimized microwave power (2100–2500 W), PS produced 88.7% oil after 19 min of reaction time, PP produced 54.65% oil at 23 min of reaction time and LDPE produced 30.15% oil after 26 min of reaction time. Pure PS and PP showed high conversion efficiency of 95.40% and 95.10%, respectively, into liquid and gaseous fuels. Pure LDPE showed only 54.30% conversion into fuels by producing large quantity of waxy residue. In blended form, PS-PP blend revealed highest conversion of 65.67% into fuels followed by PS-PP-LDPE blend (57.23%), PS-LDPE blend (46.52%) and PP-LDPE blend (28.08%). Based on mass balance and percentage conversion, PS-PP blend showed maximum conversion of 96.25% whereas PP-LDPE showed minimum conversion of 74.99%. Higher microwave powers within optimal range produced better yield of liquid fuel in shorter time periods. The pyrolytic oils contained some useful aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons (C8–C16).
Effect of reaction time and microwave power on coil temperature during microwave-metal interaction pyrolysis of plastics H Arshad, S A Sulaiman, Z Hussain, M N Z Moni Iop Conference Series Materials Science and Engineering, 2020 Abstract Rapid rise in production of plastic waste has posed a threat to environment due to its nonbiodegradable nature. In recent years, microwave assisted pyrolysis of plastic waste has emerged as a promising solution toward reduction of waste and recovery of value-added products and fuels. Previous works on microwave-metal interaction pyrolysis estimated only the peak value of coil temperature at a constant microwave power without monitoring complete reaction. The current study was directed toward investigating the effect of reaction time and variable microwave power on the coil temperature during microwave-metal interaction pyrolysis of plastics. The experiment was performed on individual plastics PS (polystyrene), PP (polypropylene) and LDPE (low density polyethylene) for comparative analysis. Pyrolysis was carried out for a reaction time of 30 minutes at different values of microwave power in the range of 500-2500 W. Type K thermocouple was used to monitor temperature of metal coil. Fluctuation in temperature of coil was found to be a consequence of interaction of coil and thermocouple with the microwaves. Maximum heating rate was observed in the first 5 minutes of microwave exposure. The slopes of average temperature versus microwave power were found to be nearly equal estimated as: PS = 0.24 °C/W, PP = 0.20 °C/W, LDPE = 0.18 °C/W, which indicated consistency in heating process for each plastic, achieved by the current set-up. Further, it was inferred that nature of plastic pyrolyzed had insignificant influence on coil temperature due to absence of direct contact between plastic and the coil.
Flow of Water-Oil Emulsion through an Orifice Shaharin A. Sulaiman, Mohamad Nazmi Z. Moni, Siti Norazilah Ahmad Tamili Matec Web of Conferences, 2018 The oil-in-water (O/W) and water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions are two common types of emulsions found in oil production industry. While stable O/W may be beneficial in transporting crude oil, stable W/O poses a flow assurance problem that leads to disruptions and losses in oil production line. This study examines the behaviour of both types of emulsion (40:60, 50:50 and 60:40 water-oil emulsion, vol. basis) subjected to 3/4D, 1/2D and 1/4D orifices within a pipeline. The study confirms that oil and water may form emulsion with only mechanical agitation and dynamic flow in the pipeline and without the presence of any emulsifying agent. The flow rate and the velocity of all emulsions were found to drop with the reduction of orifice diameter.
Downdraft Co-gasification of Oil Palm Frond with Other Oil Palm Residues: Effects of Blending Ratio M.N.Z. Moni, S.A. Sulaiman, A.T. Baheta Matec Web of Conferences, 2018 As the largest amount of biomass residues produced from the palm oil industry, the oil palm frond (OPF) is a promising solid fuel resource for gasification. However, the difficulty in processing OPF into solid fuel may affect the solid fuel production rate and consequently the gasifier operation. To ensure a continuous gasifier operation unaffected by the shortage of OPF fuel, empty fruit bunch (EFB), palm mesocarp fiber (PMF) and palm kernel shell (PKS) were introduced as a pairing fuel with OPF for co-gasification. The potentials of the fuel mixes and the effects of the fuel blending ratio on syngas higher heating value, specific syngas yield, carbon conversion efficiency and cold gas efficiency were studied. The experiments concluded that all fuel mixes of all blending ratios satisfied all the syngas quality indicator requirements and that all the tested fuel mixes can be utilized for downdraft co-gasification to produce results similar to the downdraft gasification of 100% OPF.
Co-Gasification of Corn and Coconut Residues in Downdraft Gasifier Norazilah Tamili, Lee Kean Chuan, Shaharin A. Sulaiman, Mohamad Nazmi Z. Moni, Muddasser Inayat, Michael Yin Kai Lo Matec Web of Conferences, 2018 Reliance on a single biomass to generate electrical power can cause disruption due to the inconsistencies in the supply of biomass feedstock. Co-gasification of different biomass can mitigate the problem of inconsistence biomass supply. The aim of this study to investigate thermochemical properties of corn residues (CR) and coconut shells (CS) and syngas performance produced from co-gasification of CR and CS. Biomass materials were characterized in order to understand their physical properties in relation to thermochemical conversion. Co-gasification of CR and CS was carried out in externally heated downdraft gasifier at CR:CS ratio of 50:50, 40:60 and 20: 80. CO composition obtained from blended feedstock is higher as compared to the without blended feedstock. The CO2 and CH4 concentration were increased as CS proportion increased in blend. Biomass with higher moisture content plays important role in the H2 production due to the supercritical water gasification. The blending ratio of CR and CS at 20:80 had a positive synergetic effect as evident by increase in the gas composition for CO, CH4 and H2. It is concluded that co-gasification results of CR and CS is practical and can be considered to complement each other.
Effect of Grass and Coconut Shell Blending Ratio on the Performance of Syngas Norazilah Tamili, Lee Kean Chuan, Shaharin A. Sulaiman, Mohamad Nazmi Z. Moni, Muddasser Inayat, Michael Yin Kai Lo Matec Web of Conferences, 2018 Biomass is a potential energy source since it is renewable, efficient and cost effective. Biomass can be converted in useful fuel gas via gasification method, which is an effective method to produce energy from biomass. Reliance on a single biomass to generate electrical power can cause disruption due to the inconsistencies in the supply of biomass feedstock. Co-gasification of biomass can mitigate the problem. This paper is aimed to investigate the synergetic effect on the syngas produce from co-gasification of biomass. Co-gasification of grass (G) and coconut shell (CS) was carried out to study the syngas performance. The characterization was carried out in order to understand the physical properties of biomass in relation to thermochemical conversion. The characterization results shows that both G and CS have an acceptable range of proximate and ultimate analysis. Both biomass materials were co-gasified at varied ratios of 50:50, 40:60 and 20:80 using an externally heated gasifier. The blend of G and CS at 20:80 ratio has positive synergetic effect as evident by increase in the gas composition for CO, CH4 and H2. It is concluded that co-gasification results of G and CS is possible.
Pre-treatment of oil palm frond biomass via extensive high temperature drying for gasification process Nur Hazwani Mat Razali, Shaharin Anwar Sulaiman, Mohamad Nazmi Zaidi Moni, Mohamad Firdaus Basrawi Matec Web of Conferences, 2017 Oil palm frond has been utilized as a solid biomass fuel for gasification to produce synthesis gas or syngas to be used for heat and power generation. A fuel pre-treatment method by means of extensively-drying OPF blocks at 150°C and 200°C for 4 hours was implemented to investigate the effects of the fuel in terms of drying efficiency and gasification performances. Tar, pyrolysis oil and condensates were found to be squeezed out by heat during drying, signifying volatilization of fuel at temperatures between water boiling point at 100°C and fuel pyrolysis point at 280°C. Syngas produced from the updraft gasification of extensively-dried OPF blocks was analyzed and tested for sustainable gas flares. The syngas was found to be composed of 16.5% CO, 10% CO 2 , 4% H 2 and 0.9% CH 4 and was produced at gasification temperatures lower than that exhibited by normal OPF blocks.
Characterization of date palm frond as a fuel for thermal conversion processes Hussain Sadig, Shaharin Anwar Sulaiman, Mohamad Nazmi Zaidi Moni, Lanisha Devi Anbealagan Matec Web of Conferences, 2017 Date palm fronds (DPF) have similar physical appearances to those of oil palm fronds and coconut palm fronds, which have been reported as having good potential as a source of energy through thermochemical conversion of biomass. However, nearly no report has been found pertaining to thermochemical properties of DPF. Hence, it has remained unclear whether DPF can become suitable feedstock for power generation. This study investigated the characteristics of DPF as a potential solid fuel for heat and power generation through various thermal conversion processes. DPF samples from selected sites in Sudan and Saudi Arabia were tested. The ultimate and proximate analyses and the calorific value of DPF were measured, and the results were compared with low to medium-rank coals and other common biomass materials. The calorific value range for DPF samples was found to be between 16.2 to 16.9 MJ/kg. The ultimate analysis of DPF samples revealed that more than 75% of their mass was composed of volatile materials, while the ash content in all samples was found to be less than 15%. The range of elementary carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulfur and oxygen in DPF samples was found to be typical to that in biomass. The thermal decomposition trends the samples indicated the high reactivity of DPF with rising temperatures due to high holocellulose content. No distinctive differences in test results were observed between samples from Saudi Arabia and Northern Sudan. Overall, it was found that all DPF samples used in this study fulfilled the typical requirements for development and utilization as a solid fuel.
Emissions and Nuisance by Idling Vehicles in Public Places SA Sulaiman, MNZ Moni, R Salleh, H Harun Energy and Environment in the Tropics, 39-60 , 2022 2022
Effect of input power and process time on conversion of pure and mixed plastics into fuels through microwave-metal interaction pyrolysis H Arshad, SA Sulaiman, Z Hussain, MY Naz, MNZ Moni Waste and Biomass Valorization 12 (6), 3443-3457 , 2021 2021 Citations: 32
Optimization of slow pyrolysis of bamboo for biochar production using Taguchi’s L9 orthogonal array MNZ Moni, S Yusuf, ASA Manaf, W Rahman E3S Web of Conferences 287, 02004 , 2021 2021 Citations: 3
Effect of reaction time and microwave power on coil temperature during microwave-metal interaction pyrolysis of plastics H Arshad, SA Sulaiman, Z Hussain, MNZ Moni IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering 863 (1), 012007 , 2020 2020 Citations: 9
DOWNDRAFT CO-GASIFICATION OF OIL PALM BIOMASS FOR PRODUCTION OF SYNTHESIS GAS MNZ MONI Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS , 2019 2019 Citations: 1
Flow of Water-Oil Emulsion through an Orifice SA Sulaiman, MNZ Moni, SNA Tamili MATEC Web of Conferences 225, 03002 , 2018 2018 Citations: 1
Co-gasification of corn and coconut residues in downdraft gasifier N Tamili, LK Chuan, SA Sulaiman, MNZ Moni, M Inayat, MYK Lo MATEC Web of Conferences 225, 04001 , 2018 2018 Citations: 8
Effect of grass and coconut shell blending ratio on the performance of syngas N Tamili, LK Chuan, SA Sulaiman, MNZ Moni, M Inayat, MYK Lo MATEC web of conferences 225, 02001 , 2018 2018 Citations: 8
Downdraft Co-gasification of Oil Palm Frond with Other Oil Palm Residues: Effects of Blending Ratio MNZ Moni, SA Sulaiman, AT Baheta MATEC Web of Conferences 225, 06018 , 2018 2018 Citations: 5
Pre-treatment of oil palm fronds biomass for gasification S Anwar, N Hazwani, M Nazmi MATEC Web of Conferences 131, 03016 , 2017 2017 Citations: 1
Characterization of date palm frond as a fuel for thermal conversion processes H Sadig, SA Sulaiman, MN Zaidi Moni, LD Anbealagan MATEC web of conferences 131, 01002 , 2017 2017 Citations: 10
Pre-treatment of oil palm frond biomass via extensive high temperature drying for gasification process NH Mat Razali, SA Sulaiman, MN Zaidi Moni, MF Basrawi MATEC Web of Conferences 131, 01007 , 2017 2017 Citations: 1
Effect of ventilation on thermal comfort in campus hostel bedrooms after sunset SA Sulaiman, AF Zakeria, MF Ramely, MN Zaidi Moni, MF Basrawi MATEC Web of Conferences 131, 03005 , 2017 2017 Citations: 1
Investigation of the relationship between moisture content and density of selected Malaysian biomass MNZ Moni, SA Sulaiman, YS Raja, K Karunamurthy, M Inayat, ... Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Sciences 10 (2), 2111-2125 , 2016 2016 Citations: 13
Estimation of moisture content of oil palm fronds through correlation with density for the process of gasification SA Sulaiman, FM Guangul, RE Konda, SM Atnaw, MN Moni BioResources 11 (4), 8941-8952 , 2016 2016 Citations: 13
Feasibility study of gasification of oil palm fronds SA Sulaiman, S Balamohan, MNZ Moni, SM Atnaw, AO Mohamed Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Sciences 9, 1744-1757 , 2015 2015 Citations: 23
Preliminary study of oil palm frond briquette as biomass fuel for gasification MN Zaidi Moni, SA Sulaiman Applied Mechanics and Materials 699, 480-485 , 2015 2015 Citations: 5
On the diversification of feedstock in gasification of oil palm fronds SA Sulaiman, NHM Razali, RE Konda, SM Atnaw, MNZ Moni Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Sciences 6, 907-915 , 2014 2014 Citations: 9
Potentials of selected Malaysian biomasses as co-gasification fuels with oil palm fronds in a fixed-bed downdraft gasifier MNZ Moni, SA Sulaiman, S Hassan MATEC Web of Conferences 13, 06004 , 2014 2014 Citations: 4
On gasification of different tropical plant-based biomass materials. SA Sulaiman, MF Karim, M Nazmi, Z Moni, SM Atnaw 2013 Citations: 24
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Effect of input power and process time on conversion of pure and mixed plastics into fuels through microwave-metal interaction pyrolysis H Arshad, SA Sulaiman, Z Hussain, MY Naz, MNZ Moni Waste and Biomass Valorization 12 (6), 3443-3457 , 2021 2021 Citations: 32
On gasification of different tropical plant-based biomass materials. SA Sulaiman, MF Karim, M Nazmi, Z Moni, SM Atnaw 2013 Citations: 24
Feasibility study of gasification of oil palm fronds SA Sulaiman, S Balamohan, MNZ Moni, SM Atnaw, AO Mohamed Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Sciences 9, 1744-1757 , 2015 2015 Citations: 23
Downdraft gasification of oil palm frond: effects of temperature and operation time. MNZ Moni, SA Sulaiman 2013 Citations: 22
Experimental study on temperature profile of fixed–bed gasification of oil-palm fronds SM Atnaw, SA Sulaiman, MNZ Moni AIP Conference Proceedings 1440 (1), 233-241 , 2012 2012 Citations: 21
Determination of the equilibrium moisture content of oil palm fronds feedstock for gasification process M Moni Asian Journal of Scientific Research , 2013 2013 Citations: 15
Investigation of the relationship between moisture content and density of selected Malaysian biomass MNZ Moni, SA Sulaiman, YS Raja, K Karunamurthy, M Inayat, ... Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Sciences 10 (2), 2111-2125 , 2016 2016 Citations: 13
Estimation of moisture content of oil palm fronds through correlation with density for the process of gasification SA Sulaiman, FM Guangul, RE Konda, SM Atnaw, MN Moni BioResources 11 (4), 8941-8952 , 2016 2016 Citations: 13
Study on the feasibility of oil palm-fronds for biomass gasification SA Sulaiman, S Balamohan, MNZ Moni, S Mekbib, AO Mohamed 2010 Citations: 11
Characterization of date palm frond as a fuel for thermal conversion processes H Sadig, SA Sulaiman, MN Zaidi Moni, LD Anbealagan MATEC web of conferences 131, 01002 , 2017 2017 Citations: 10
Effect of reaction time and microwave power on coil temperature during microwave-metal interaction pyrolysis of plastics H Arshad, SA Sulaiman, Z Hussain, MNZ Moni IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering 863 (1), 012007 , 2020 2020 Citations: 9
On the diversification of feedstock in gasification of oil palm fronds SA Sulaiman, NHM Razali, RE Konda, SM Atnaw, MNZ Moni Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Sciences 6, 907-915 , 2014 2014 Citations: 9
Co-gasification of corn and coconut residues in downdraft gasifier N Tamili, LK Chuan, SA Sulaiman, MNZ Moni, M Inayat, MYK Lo MATEC Web of Conferences 225, 04001 , 2018 2018 Citations: 8
Effect of grass and coconut shell blending ratio on the performance of syngas N Tamili, LK Chuan, SA Sulaiman, MNZ Moni, M Inayat, MYK Lo MATEC web of conferences 225, 02001 , 2018 2018 Citations: 8
Development of a biomass downdraft gasifier for oil palm fronds MNZ Moni, SA Sulaiman 2009 Citations: 7
A preliminary study of oil palm fronds for gasification process SA Sulaiman, SM Atnaw, MNZ Moni Proceedings of the IASTED International Conference on Power and Energy … , 2011 2011 Citations: 6
Downdraft Co-gasification of Oil Palm Frond with Other Oil Palm Residues: Effects of Blending Ratio MNZ Moni, SA Sulaiman, AT Baheta MATEC Web of Conferences 225, 06018 , 2018 2018 Citations: 5
Preliminary study of oil palm frond briquette as biomass fuel for gasification MN Zaidi Moni, SA Sulaiman Applied Mechanics and Materials 699, 480-485 , 2015 2015 Citations: 5
Downdraft gasification of oil palm frond MNZ Moni, SA Sulaiman Lambert Academic Publishing , 2012 2012 Citations: 5
A preliminary study on synthesis gas produced by gasification of oil palm fronds MNZ Moni, SA Sulaiman 2010 Citations: 5
