IChemE-SC listed Top 5 in the final of Plant Design in NACES 2024 ...
For the first time since 2020, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) has made a remarkable comeback in the prestigious National Chemical Engineering Symposium (NACES) 2024, hosted by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). Competing in the Plant Design Competition category, UTM’s team proudly secured a spot in the top 5 out of 10 participating teams, showcasing innovative solutions that left a lasting impression.
This year’s competition centered around sustainable solutions for chemical industry challenges, including wastewater treatment and renewable energy production. UTM’s team stood out by incorporating Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies into their designs, bringing a fresh perspective to engineering solutions. Their cutting-edge submissions included two AI-driven systems.
The first AI that is the Artificial Neural Network (ANN) operates as the algorithm behind the optimization of the operations of the e-methanol production plant. It serves to improve process efficiency and refine resource management. Nextly, there is the Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) model, utilized as the magical crystal ball to see into future BOD parameters of the wastewater treatment plant. It is indeed a revolutionary tool in water quality monitoring.
These innovations emphasized UTM’s commitment to addressing environmental sustainability and operational efficiency, aligning with global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The team’s success was made possible through the generous sponsorship from Kuala Lumpur Kepong (KLK) Berhad, which covered registration and participation fees. KLK Berhad’s support reflects its dedication to advancing education and fostering innovation in sustainable chemical engineering practices.
The competition’s tasks required participants to address complex industrial challenges, including wastewater minimization, environmental compliance, energy balances, cost estimation, and integrating AI into plant operations. UTM’s team excelled, presenting a holistic and sustainable approach that balanced technical excellence with practical application.
Dr. Muhammad Afiq Zubir and Dr. Mohamad Sukri Mohamad Yusof, who supervised the team, shared, “This achievement marks a significant milestone for UTM, demonstrating our students’ ability to harness advanced technologies like AI to solve pressing industrial and environmental challenges. We are grateful to KLK Berhad for their support, which enabled our students to showcase their capabilities on a national stage.”
NACES 2024 not only celebrated innovative engineering solutions but also fostered collaboration and knowledge-sharing among Malaysia’s brightest chemical engineering students. UTM’s achievement at the event sets a strong foundation for future participation and cements its position as a leader in engineering education and innovation.
About KLK Berhad: Kuala Lumpur Kepong (KLK) Berhad is a leading company in plantation, manufacturing, and property development. With a strong focus on sustainability, KLK Berhad supports initiatives that drive innovation and environmental stewardship in line with its commitment to creating a better future.
UTM team showcasing their plant design project for e-methanol synthesis during the judging session Final year students: Goh, Kam Man, Akmal and Iskandar as a UTM representative in NACES’24
