Journal Issue:
EnNRJ Vol. 9 No. 1

Journal Volume

Journal Volume
EnNRJ Volume 9
(2011)

Articles

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PublicationOpen Access
Models for higher heating value evaluation of refuse-derived fuel from On-nut composting plant, Bangkok
(2011-04) Rattaporn Teerawattana; Usanee Uyasatian; Winai Nutmagul; Wimon Sonchaem; Usanee Uyasatian; Mahidol University. Faculty of Environment and Natural Resource Studies
Refuse-derived fuel (RDF) in this research was municipal solid waste composting residue from On-nut Composting Plant in Bangkok, Thailand. The purpose of the research was to study the relationships between the RDF heating value and its physical and chemical characteristics in order to develop a mathematical model for predicting a higher heating value (HHV). Regression analysis was performed on fourteen RDF data samples collected from June 2009 to November 2009. The results revealed that the developed model, based on physical composition, gave a HHV of 5,383.541 + 0.457 (plastic)2 with a coefficient of determination (r2) value of 0.726 and a mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) value of 3.41%. For proximate analysis, none of the independent variables correlated with the HHV at a significance level of 0.05. The developed model, based on ultimate analysis, gave a HHV of 135.505 (carbon) with r2 of 0.716 and MAPE of 9.22 %. In conclusion, the model based on physical composition gave a more accurate prediction of RDF HHV than the model based on ultimate analysis.
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PublicationOpen Access
Ambient TSP and PM10 concentrations in public parks of Bangkok, Thailand
(2011-04) Annop Tantadprasert; Winai Nutmagul; Usanee Uyasatian; Decha Pimpisut; Luepol Punnakanta; Winai Nutmagul; Mahidol University. Faculty of Environment and Natural Resource Studies
The objective of this research is to study the concentration of ambient TSP and PM10 at aerobic exercise sites in public parks of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, Thailand. TSP and PM10 samples were collected during the rainy season, from September 2009 to October 2009 and during the winter season, from January 2010 to February 2010 using high volume air samplers. The samples were collected from five sites in four public parks: Lumphini (two sampling sites), Suan Luang Rama 9, Benchasiri, and Saranrom. The results showed that all 162 samples of 24-hour average TSP and PM10 concentrations were lower than Thailand’s ambient air quality standards. Concentration levels of TSP at Lumphini 1, Lumphini 2, Suan Luang Rama 9, Benchasiri, and Saranrom in the rainy season varied from 34.1–55.6, 26.6–42.9, 33.7–78.2, 42.0–83.6, and 43.9–73.7 μg/m3 respectively, and in the winter season from81.8–124.2, 75.2– 118.9, 36.9–113.0, 47.6–125.0, and 56.4–139.9 μg/m3 respectively. Levels of PM10 in the rainy season varied from 17.5–28.1, 10.4–20.5, 23.4–55.2, 22.2–49.0, and 31.0–60.0 μg/m3 respectively, and in the winter season from 51.1–82.7, 42.0–71.2, 20.8–74.9, 27.3–90.6, and 37.0–110.2 μg/m3 respectively. Furthermore, there was a statistical significant correlation between TSP and PM10 concentrations at four of the five sampling sites during both the rainy and winter seasons (p < 0.05), except for at Saranrom which showed no statistical significant correlation during the rainy season. In addition, levels of particulate matter at the two Lumphini sites in the winter season were significantly higher than in the rainy season; whereas at the other three parks, levels of particulate matter were not statistically significantly different between
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PublicationOpen Access
Accumulation and distribution of some heavy metals in water, soil and rice fields along the Pradu and Phi Lok Canals, Samut Songkhram Province, Thailand
(2011-04) Roongrawee Kingsawat; Raywadee Roachanakanan; Raywadee Roachanakanan; Mahidol University. Faculty of Environment and Natural Resource Studies
This study aims to determine concentrations of heavy metals (Cd, Cu, and Zn) in the water, soil, and rice in paddy fields, and to compare heavy metal concentrations in the water, soil, and four parts of the rice plant (root, shoot, grain, and husk) between organic paddy fields and conventional paddy fields. The study area was the Pradu Canal (sites A and C) and the Phi Lok Canal (site B) in Phraek Nam Daeng Sub-district, Samut Songkhram Province, Thailand. Data was collected from August 2007 to December 2007. The water, soil, and rice samples were prepared for heavy metal analysis using a microwave digestion system and heavy metal concentrations were determine d using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Physicochemical parameters of the water and soil were also study. The results showed the accumulation of heavy metals in the water, paddy soil, and four parts of the rice plant to be as follows (in descending order of frequency): Zn > Cu >Cd. The concentration of heavy metals in samples was also found to be as follows(greatest first): paddy soil > rice root > rice shoot > rice grain > rice husk > water. Nosignificant difference was observed between Cd and Zn in paddy soil before ploughingand after rice harvesting at sites A, B, and C. However, Cu showed a significantdifference at the level of 0.05 at site A and no significant difference at sites B and C. It can be concluded therefore that Cd, Cu, and Zn concentrations in paddy soil and water were lower than the values permitted by the Surface Water Quality Standard and Soil Quality Standard of Thailand. Furthermore, Cd concentrations in rice seeds were lower than the values permitted by international health organizations and thus acceptable for human consumption.
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PublicationOpen Access
A practice model for sustainable agriculture assessment: A case study of the sustainable cultivation of Thai Hom Mali (Jasmine) Rice in Thailand
(2011-12) Kitipong Chaimanuskul; Luepol Punnakanta; Wimon Sonchaem; Pisit Sukreeyapongse; Rungjarat Hutacharoen; Rungjarat Hutacharoen; Mahidol University. Faculty of Environment and Natural Resource Studies
The purpose of this study was to indicate the sustainability of Thai Hom Mali Rice (Jasmine rice) cultivation in Thailand. Which the study had statistical samples from the most intensive cultivation provinces, as Phayao (Northern region), Sisaket (Northeastern), Chachoengsao (Central region) and Nakhonsithammarat (Southern region). Two indicators had were assigned to assess the sustainable cultivation of Thai’s farmers, namely as Sustainability in Cultivation Practices (SCP), and the Composite Sustainability Indicators (CSI). Indicators of each region had performed by this study. The findings revealed that where the northeastern region had the highest values of SCP and level of CSI level in the country. than other regions of Thailand. Besides, the independent variables of SCP, in particularly production costs, chemical and fertilizer utilization, the risk of weeds and pest, were found to be the significantly common variables in the most of regions of THMR cultivation.
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PublicationOpen Access
Aquatic ecology and biodiversity around Khao Pra Wiharn National Park, Thailand
(2011-12) Suchart Nawagawong; Nukul Sangpun; Mahidol University. Faculty of Environment and Natural Resource Studies
The area 4.6 km2 in the Pra Wiharn National Park is the area along the border line between Thailand and Cambodia. This area is still maintaining the problem in overlaps claming between this two countries. If the Pra Wiharn Temple, in which is locating in the area 4.6 km2, was nominated as the world heritage site then the area 4.6 km2 will be basically sensitively in the ecology system. The ecology system of Sra Trao pond ,in which only one water source above the Pa Mo I Daeng Cliff and the other running water sources, on the open area near the Temple, as the temporary pools should be studied and collected data for planning as the sustainable ecological area.

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