Keynote Speakers

Prof. Hui-Mi Hsu

National Dong-Hwa University

Research area: Sustainable Development

Title: Study on Permeability and Micro-structures of Non-cement Blended Composites

Abstarct: 

This study aimed to conduct in the mixture of non-cement blended materials using the combination of CFB co-fired fly ash and ground-granulated blast furnace slag without alkali activator. The effect of water/binder ratio, fly ash content and slag content on mechanical properties and microstructures has investigated. Test methods include flowability, compressive strength, absorption, non-steady-state chloride migration test, x-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and scanning electron microscope observation were performed and analyzed. The results indicated that the compressive strength of non-cement fly ash/slag blended mortar is similar to that of ordinary Portland mortar. The specimens using 50% co-fired fly ash combined with 50% slag reflected completely hydration and had highest compressive strength up to 38 MPa as well as lower coefficient of chloride diffusion. XRD results expected that Ca(OH)2 reacted with SiO2 or Al2O3 to form C–S–H or C–A–S–H colloids, which was a major source of strength development in the non-cement blended materials. Being able to utilize industrial by-products in production of non-cement blended materials is significant in giving alternatives in the conservation of construction raw materials

Prof. Henry Hu

University of Windsor

Research area: Environmentally friendly Lightweight Automotive Materials 

Title: Coming soon...

Assoc. Prof. Zawawi Bin Daud

University Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia

Research area: Water and wastewater treatment, biological and physico-chemical treatment processes, sludge management, industrial and hazardous waste management and water quality management

Title: Municipal Solid Waste Management in Malaysia

Abstarct: 

Increasing industrialization and consumption of non-reusable products had given rise to the rapid increase in the generation of municipal solid waste around the world. The increase in population has been one of the factors which translate to higher generation of waste. In most developing countries the impact is more profound due to the rapid economic growth. Waste generated needs to be disposed of safely. Landfilling is the primary solid waste disposal process and generally adopted worldwide due to its applicability in different environmental conditions, landscape restoring effect on holes or depressions on the ground among others and as such has apparently been used by the populace in different parts of the world. Sanitary landfills are constructed waste management systems involving a high technology application and applied to process the waste material generated from domestic and industrial activities. In developed countries, waste management does not depend only on disposal at landfills but have encouraged the concept of waste reduction before discharge to landfills, such that the waste that arrives the landfill is eventually less in volume. Sanitary landfills in developing countries are faced with the problem of technology as well as financial limitations. The problem of municipal solid waste disposal is getting worse day by day in line with the modernity of human civilization. The improper management of solid waste is becoming more serious especially for developing countries due to management factors associated with cost.  Reduction of solid waste such as recycling is poorly implemented due to cost factors. Almost all of the waste generated ends up disposing of it at landfills. Most landfills are not well designed where there is no leachate and gas control. Serious problems can occur if the landfill is located upstream which is the source of water supply. This practice needs to be stopped because it will cause various problems such as fires caused by gas emissions, rat breeding, foul odor and leachate pollution. Leachate generation is a major problem for municipal solid waste landfills and causes significant threat to surface water and groundwater. Leachate contains very high concentrations of non-biodegradable and biodegradable by-products, which contain ammonia nitrogen, organic matter, sulphide, phenols, phosphate and heavy metals, and as well as a dark color and strong odor which if not properly treated may affect receiving water bodies and pose a long term environmental hazard. Leachate quality and quantity are influenced by landfill age, precipitation, weather variation, waste type and composition. Landfill site is always built with a leachate treatment facility to remove hazardous pollutants in the leachate. Therefore, finding a sustainable method for leachate treatment has always been a priority for landfill managers in order to safely discharge treated leachate into the water bodies without endangering the environment.