UniMAP - KACST developed High Temperature Geopolymer Pipe
Surabaya, Indonesia, Oct. 26 – Researchers from Center of Excellence Geopolymer & Green Technology (CEGeoGTech) Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) together with King Abdul Aziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) have successfully developed pipeline using geopolymer materials. The invention was meant to be use in the oil and gas sector as it has high temperature and pressure resistant.
CEGeoGTech manager, Prof. Dr. Mohd. Mustafa al-Bakri Abdullah said, the pipe is produced entirely using green materials and environmentally friendly technology, and it also has good compressive strength.
"This newly developed geopolymer pipe also comes with good bending strength, has low porosity and has high heat resistance; thus, making it the best alternative to be use in the oil and gas sector, as compared to regular pipe," he said.
He said this in a statement after a discussion with KACST researchers, which was attended by the Director of the National Center for Building Systems KACST, Saudi Arabia, Prof. Mohamed Bin Hussin in conjunction with Malaysia-Indonesia Geopolymer Symposium (MIGS) 2015, held at Swiss Belinn Hotel, Surabaya.
MIGS 2015 is organized by ‘Konsortium Riset Geopolimer Indonesia’ (KORIGI) ‘Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember’, Surabaya, Universiti Negeri Makassar, Universiti Kristian Petra with collaboration from Malaysia Geopolimer Association (MyGeopolimer) dan UniMAP.
UniMAP CEGeoGTech is led by the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Brig-Gen. Datuk Prof. Emeritus Dr. Kamarudin Hussin, who previously received funding for research purposes totaling over RM2.2 million from KACST to explore and conduct researches in the area of green technology and geopolymer; focusing on the oil and gas industry.
According to Dr. Mohd. Mustafa, CEGeoGTech UniMAP has now stepped into a new phase of research in the field of commercialization where they welcome support and cooperation from the industry.
He added that various researches conducted have benefited the construction sector, for example, an instant or ready-mix of geopolymer concrete (E-crete) has been commercialized in Australia through collaboration with The University of Melbourne.
"The product has been commercialized by Zeoband Patty. Ltd. which indirectly proves the product does meet the requirements of the industrial sector. Therefore, I call upon the industrial sector in Malaysia to provide support to CEGeoGTech research products as it will bring benefits to the building sector”. Prof. Dr. Mohd. Mustafa also has delivered a keynote address to the participants of MIGS 2015 through the presentation of the latest research in the field of geopolymer and green technology.
By organizing MIGS 2015, the researchers from these two countries have also reached an agreement to develop a good standard that can be applied in geopolymer system.
The conference lasted for two days and managed to gather 100 researchers in the field of green technology and geopolymer which comprise of lecturers, postgraduate students and also industry around Indonesia.
