USM develops air filter system

PENANG: Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) has developed a practical and cost-effective method of tackling air pollution.

Local researchers have developed a workable system, known as Rice Husk Ash-Based Sorbent/Catalyst As A Novel Industrial Gas Cleaning Technology, to this end.

The innovation won USM the most distinguished Higher Education Minister Award during the recent International Exposition of Research and Inventions of Institutions of Higher Learning (Pecipta) 2007, held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.


Pollutant remover: Dr Lee and USM School of Chemical Engineering lecturer associate professor Dr Azlina Harun showing a model of the air filter at their campus Monday.
USM School of Chemical Engineering lecturer Prof Dr Abdul Rahman Mohamed initiated the research work seven years ago.

Project leader and department lecturer Dr Lee Keat Teong said the system was ready for commercialisation.

“We are even prepared to market this system in the United States,” he said.

The technology requires a custom-built model that channels the gas or waste from any agricultural factory to a filter bag, flowing through an absorber made from the ash of rice husks.

“It can remove 100% of the air pollutant,” Dr Lee said after a press conference to announce the outcome of the Pecipta event held in Kuala Lumpur from Aug 10 to 12.

Dr Lee said the rice-husk ash method could be used to remove pollutants, such as sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide from the burning of industrial fuels, which caused acid rain and global warming.