This book presents a game changing technology of lower energy-intensive urea production of urea which is used as fertilizer. The technology, from a resource to a knowledge-intensive based industry, investigates a new synthesis approach employing electromagnetic induction and nano-catalyst at lower energy consumption. This clean and green method for a sustainable future might change the landscape of future chemical processes. It is made possible due to the enhancement in nanotechnology where quantum mechanical understanding is called into play. New reactor designs are elaborated on and discussed explicitly. Hematite and nickel oxide nanocatalysts are proposed for the green urea synthesis process, in the presence of static and oscillating magnetic fields. Strategies to increase single to triplet conversion rate are given for better understanding of the improved urea rate. The focus is deliberately on scrutinizing the greenhouse gas effect on the urea yield, in this case CO2 flow rate.Coating techniques for slow release strategies are provided to reduce the volatilization of ammonia and leaching effect, hence offering a complete solution of Green Technology. Agriculture 4.0 that creates the new patterns and precision monitoring of crop rotation and livestock utilization will be able to pave the way for better crop yield. Development of advanced technology in agriculture is important for the implementation of Agriculture 4.0 and currently an inevitable trend of the socioeconomic development in the context of broader international integration for the sustainable future.
The author would like to acknowledge Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) for the grant worth RM 12 million to accomplish Green and Economical Urea project and to have full understanding on Green Technology in Urea. This book is a collaborative effort by her colleagues, Ku Zilati, Khanif, Shahrina, Zainovia, Azizah, Zakaria, and who have carried out the research over the past five years whichstarted in 2011. Their unconditional commitment had brought us together and we completed the project with success. I wish to also thank Dr Menaka Ganeson and all my PhD students, Dr. Saima, Dr. Bilal, Mr. Zia and Mr. Irfan for their commitment to assist me to complete the book. Last but not least, thank you very much to Professor Mike Payne (Cambridge University) and Professor Koziol (Cranfield University) for the comments.
Noorhana Yahya received her MSc. And P.hD in Physics from Universiti Putra Malaysia in 1998 and 2002, respectively. She is presently a Professor in Fundamental and Applied Science Department of Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS. She is a physicist specializing in electromagnetics and nanotechnology. She heads the Advanced Electromagnetics Laboratory in Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS.
She managed to boasts of research grants worth over RM 70 million. In 2012, Professor Noorhana leads a 12 million worth project funded by Long Term Research Grant Scheme (LRGS) secured from Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE). This project was done with esteem collaboration from different public universities in Malaysia: Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and Universiti Teknikal Malaysia (UeTM). The project was successfully completed in 2016, and to carry forward to the next level, strategic commercialization and integration with Internet of Things (IoT) elements are actively being conducted to ensure the project is line with 4th Industrial Revolution.
She has completed about 10 research projects, amassed 19 patents and authored over 250 publications for the past 16 years. Apart from that, Professor Noorhana also have been recognised within the nation and internationally. In 2010, due to her success in creating an electromagnetic transmitter in deep sea water has leads to a Gold Medal recognition in Science & Technology Competition held in Brussel, Belgium. She received the 'Best Inventor Award' by the International Federation Inventor Association (IFIA) through International Technology Exhibition (ITEX) which was held in Kuala Lumpur. This award is a recognition for her remarkable creativeness and innovation in fertilizer research and is considered as the most prestigious award throughout her career as an academician and researcher. Moreover, the Green Urea project also bag gold medals from Nuremberg, Germany as the 'Best Green Invention' under iENA the International Trade Fair Ideas-Inventions-New products and four more from national level research competitions.
Her most recently project is the RM 42.3 million "Game Changing Well Technology Using Electromagnetic'. This project deals with Nanotechnology and Electromagnetic for enhance oil recovery and it is collaborated with national as well as international University which is Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and Pembroke College, Cambridge UK.
