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NIK ZAFRI BIN ABDUL MAJID,
CONSULTANT/TRAINER
Email: nikzafri@yahoo.com, nikzafri@gmail.com
https://nikzafri.wixsite.com/nikzafri

Kelantanese, Alumni of Sultan Ismail College Kelantan (SICA), IT Competency Cert, Certified Written English Professional US. Has participated in many seminars/conferences (local/ international) in the capacity of trainer/lecturer and participant.

Affiliations :- Network Member of Gerson Lehrman Group, Institute of Quality Malaysia, Auditor ISO 9000 IRCAUK, Auditor OHSMS (SIRIM and STS) /EMS ISO 14000 and Construction Quality Assessment System CONQUAS, CIDB (Now BCA) Singapore),

* Possesses almost 30 years of experience/hands-on in the multi-modern management & technical disciplines (systems & methodologies) such as Knowledge Management (Hi-Impact Management/ICT Solutions), Quality (TQM/ISO), Safety Health Environment, Civil & Building (Construction), Manufacturing, Motivation & Team Building, HR, Marketing/Branding, Business Process Reengineering, Economy/Stock Market, Contracts/Project Management, Finance & Banking, etc. He was employed to international bluechips involving in national/international megaprojects such as Balfour Beatty Construction/Knight Piesold & Partners UK, MMI Insurance Group Australia, Hazama Corporation (Hazamagumi) Japan (with Mitsubishi Corporation, JA Jones US, MMCE and Ho-Hup) and Sunway Construction Berhad (The Sunway Group of Companies). Among major projects undertaken : Pergau Hydro Electric Project, KLCC Petronas Twin Towers, LRT Tunnelling, KLIA, Petronas Refineries Melaka, Putrajaya Government Complex, Sistem Lingkaran Lebuhraya Kajang (SILK), Mex Highway, KLIA1, KLIA2 etc. Once serviced SMPD Management Consultants as Associate Consultant cum Lecturer for Diploma in Management, Institute of Supervisory Management UK/SMPD JV. Currently – Associate/Visiting Consultants/Facilitators, Advisors for leading consulting firms (local and international) including project management. To name a few – Noma SWO Consult, Amiosh Resources, Timur West Consultant Sdn. Bhd., TIJ Consultants Group (Malaysia and Singapore) and many others.

* Ex-Resident Weekly Columnist of Utusan Malaysia (1995-1998) and have produced more than 100 articles related to ISO-9000– Management System and Documentation Models, TQM Strategic Management, Occupational Safety and Health (now OHSAS 18000) and Environmental Management Systems ISO 14000. His write-ups/experience has assisted many students/researchers alike in module developments based on competency or academics and completion of many theses. Once commended by the then Chief Secretary to the Government of Malaysia for his diligence in promoting and training the civil services (government sector) based on “Total Quality Management and Quality Management System ISO-9000 in Malaysian Civil Service – Paradigm Shift Scalar for Assessment System”

Among Nik Zafri’s clients : Adabi Consumer Industries Sdn. Bhd, (MRP II, Accounts/Credit Control) The HQ of Royal Customs and Excise Malaysia (ISO 9000), Veterinary Services Dept. Negeri Sembilan (ISO 9000), The Institution of Engineers Malaysia (Aspects of Project Management – KLCC construction), Corporate HQ of RHB (Peter Drucker's MBO/KRA), NEC Semiconductor - Klang Selangor (Productivity Management), Prime Minister’s Department Malaysia (ISO 9000), State Secretarial Office Negeri Sembilan (ISO 9000), Hidrological Department KL (ISO 9000), Asahi Kluang Johor(System Audit, Management/Supervisory Development), Tunku Mahmood (2) Primary School Kluang Johor (ISO 9000), Consortium PANZANA (HSSE 3rd Party Audit), Lecturer for Information Technology Training Centre (ITTC) – Authorised Training Center (ATC) – University of Technology Malaysia (UTM) Kluang Branch Johor, Kluang General Hospital Johor (Management/Supervision Development, Office Technology/Administration, ISO 9000 & Construction Management), Kahang Timur Secondary School Johor (ISO 9000), Sultan Abdul Jalil Secondary School Kluang Johor (Islamic Motivation and Team Building), Guocera Tiles Industries Kluang Johor (EMS ISO 14000), MNE Construction (M) Sdn. Bhd. Kota Tinggi Johor (ISO 9000 – Construction), UITM Shah Alam Selangor (Knowledge Management/Knowledge Based Economy /TQM), Telesystem Electronics/Digico Cable(ODM/OEM for Astro – ISO 9000), Sungai Long Industries Sdn. Bhd. (Bina Puri Group) - ISO 9000 Construction), Secura Security Printing Sdn. Bhd,(ISO 9000 – Security Printing) ROTOL AMS Bumi Sdn. Bhd & ROTOL Architectural Services Sdn. Bhd. (ROTOL Group) – ISO 9000 –Architecture, Bond M & E (KL) Sdn. Bhd. (ISO 9000 – Construction/M & E), Skyline Telco (M) Sdn. Bhd. (Knowledge Management),Technochase Sdn. Bhd JB (ISO 9000 – Construction), Institut Kefahaman Islam Malaysia (IKIM – ISO 9000 & Internal Audit Refresher), Shinryo/Steamline Consortium (Petronas/OGP Power Co-Generation Plant Melaka – Construction Management and Safety, Health, Environment), Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (Negotiation Skills), Association for Retired Intelligence Operatives of Malaysia (Cyber Security – Arpa/NSFUsenet, Cobit, Till, ISO/IEC ISMS 27000 for Law/Enforcement/Military), T.Yamaichi Corp. (M) Sdn. Bhd. (EMS ISO 14000) LSB Manufacturing Solutions Sdn. Bhd., (Lean Scoreboard (including a full development of System-Software-Application - MSC Malaysia & Six Sigma) PJZ Marine Services Sdn. Bhd., (Safety Management Systems and Internal Audit based on International Marine Organization Standards) UNITAR/UNTEC (Degree in Accountacy – Career Path/Roadmap) Cobrain Holdings Sdn. Bhd.(Managing Construction Safety & Health), Speaker for International Finance & Management Strategy (Closed Conference), Pembinaan Jaya Zira Sdn. Bhd. (ISO 9001:2008-Internal Audit for Construction Industry & Overview of version 2015), Straits Consulting Engineers Sdn. Bhd. (Full Integrated Management System – ISO 9000, OHSAS 18000 (ISO 45000) and EMS ISO 14000 for Civil/Structural/Geotechnical Consulting), Malaysia Management & Science University (MSU – (Managing Business in an Organization), Innoseven Sdn. Bhd. (KVMRT Line 1 MSPR8 – Awareness and Internal Audit (Construction), ISO 9001:2008 and 2015 overview for the Construction Industry), Kemakmuran Sdn. Bhd. (KVMRT Line 1 - Signages/Wayfinding - Project Quality Plan and Construction Method Statement ), Lembaga Tabung Haji - Flood ERP, WNA Consultants - DID/JPS -Flood Risk Assessment and Management Plan - Prelim, Conceptual Design, Interim and Final Report etc., Tunnel Fire Safety - Fire Risk Assessment Report - Design Fire Scenario), Safety, Health and Environmental Management Plans leading construction/property companies/corporations in Malaysia, Timur West Consultant : Business Methodology and System, Information Security Management Systems (ISMS) ISO/IEC 27001:2013 for Majlis Bandaraya Petaling Jaya ISMS/Audit/Risk/ITP Technical Team, MPDT Capital Berhad - ISO 9001: 2015 - Consultancy, Construction, Project Rehabilitation, Desalination (first one in Malaysia to receive certification on trades such as Reverse Osmosis Seawater Desalination and Project Recovery/Rehabilitation)

* Has appeared for 10 consecutive series in “Good Morning Malaysia RTM TV1’ Corporate Talk Segment discussing on ISO 9000/14000 in various industries. For ICT, his inputs garnered from his expertise have successfully led to development of work-process e-enabling systems in the environments of intranet, portal and interactive web design especially for the construction and manufacturing. Some of the end products have won various competitions of innovativeness, quality, continual-improvements and construction industry award at national level. He has also in advisory capacity – involved in development and moderation of websites, portals and e-profiles for mainly corporate and private sectors, public figures etc. He is also one of the recipients for MOSTE Innovation for RFID use in Electronic Toll Collection in Malaysia.

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Tuesday, August 27, 2013

PROPER WATER TREATMENT - Rewritten by Nik Zafri


Rewritten for Research Purposes by Nik Zafri bin Abdul Majid

Introduction

Water is the essential medium for steam generation. Conditioning it properly can increase the efficiency of the boiler as well as extend the boiler’s life. Treating boiler water also insures safe and reliable operation; without proper treatment, severe problems can develop, some so severe that the boiler itself can be destroyed. 

This article will describe some of the more common and severe water-related problems that occur in industrial boilers and follows with a dis­cussion on proper boiler water treatment. Each boiler and its water supply represents a unique situation. The information given here is a generalized discussion; it is important to enlist the help of experts, such as water service compa­nies or consultants, to select the proper water treatment equipment and chemicals or to modify an existing program to increase boiler efficiency and reduce corrosion. 

Boiler Water Problems 

Boiler water problems generally fall into two classes: deposit-related and corrosion-related. Because the two often interact, it is very common to find a boiler experiencing both simultane­ously. There are many instances where deposits cause corrosion and corrosion causes deposits. It is important to avoid both problems. 

Deposit-Related Problems 

Boiler Scale 

One of the most common deposit problems is boiler scale. This happens when calcium, magne­sium and silica, common in most water supplies, react with tube metal found in boilers to form a hard scale on the interior of the boiler tubes, re­ducing heat transfer and lowering the boiler’s ef­ficiency. If allowed to accumulate, boiler scale can eventually cause the tubes to overheat and rupture. Scaling is one of the leading causes of boiler tube failures. Scale is equivalent to having a thin film of insulation between the furnace gases and boiler water. 




It can drop a boiler’s effi­ciency by as much as 10-12%. Scale forms as the solubilities of the scaleforming salts in water decreases and the tem­perature and concentrations of the salts increases. When feedwater is elevated to boiler water temperature, the solubility of the scaleforming salts is decreased, and solid scale begins to form on the boiler systems. 

Removing calcium and magnesium or other deposit-forming materials from the feedwater before they enter the boiler system is the best way to prevent scaling. Small amounts of hardness (cal­cium plus magnesium) can be effectively treated in the boiler and related system components by using boiler water treatment products such as chelates, polymers, and/or phosphates. Scale formation also occurs in economizers, feedwater pumps and re­lated service lines. It also forms in low-pressure boil­ers where no pre-treatment or poorly maintained treatment chemicals, boiler water treatment prod­ucts or pretreatment chemicals such as sodium zeo­lite are used. It is not normally found in boiler systems where demineralization is used or in high pressure, high purity systems.



Large amounts of hardness that cannot be successfully treated using boiler water treatment products must be treated by some other process.  

Silica Scale 

Silica scale is another kind of scale that affects boilers, much in the same manner as calcium and magnesium scale. Silica is found in most water supplies and it is not as easily removed as calcium and magnesium. 

Silica can form several types of deposits, such as amorphous silica and magnesium silicate. Amorphous silica appears on boiler surfaces as a smooth, glass-like deposit that is very difficult to remove. A hydrofluoric acid-based cleaner is used to clean such affected surfaces. Magnesium silicate has a rough-textured tan to off-white appearance, and, while easier to remove than amorphous silica, is still difficult to remove. 

Silica scale is found primarily in lower pressure systems where the pretreatment system uses sodium zeolite for softening and is not designed for silica removal. Silica-based deposits can also be found in high pressure systems where silica leakage through the anion unit(s) has occurred. Deposits form more readily as silica levels in-crease and hydrate alkalinities decrease. Silica deposits have high insulating properties which limit heat transfer and thus boiler efficiency and may also cause the failure. Silica can also distill from the boiler as silicic acid. Any silica carryover can promote deposits on steam turbine blades. Silica carryover at pressures about 600 psig (40 bar), becomes more serious as pressure increases. 

Silica control can be done through pretreatment and proper boiler blowdown, and in low pressure boilers by maintaining at least a 3:1 ratio of hydrate alkalinity to silica in the boiler water. 

Effects of Boiler Scale 

The chemical structure of the scale, it’s porosity and the design and operational method of the boiler all influence the amount of heat lost. For example, 1/8-inch (3mm) of scale can cause a 2.0-3.0% loss in fire-tube boilers and water tube boilers. 

A second but more serious effect from scale is the overheating of boiler tube metal, causing eventual tube failure. In modern boilers with high heat-transfer rates, even extremely thin layers of scale will cause a serious elevation in the temperature of tube material. 

A third serious effect of scale formation is localized corrosion. Boilers with high heat transfer rates above 75,000 Btu/sqft/hr Effective Projected Radiant Surface (EPRS) are subject to localized corrosion, a situation where the deposits are actually causing the corrosion. This is a good ex-ample of the interaction between deposit-related and corrosion-related boiler water problems. Secondary corrosion is particularly present in systems with iron oxide deposits. The net effect is that the stack gas temperature may increase as the boiler absorbs less heat from the furnace gases, leading to increased pollution and more fuel consumption through inefficient operation. 

Iron Deposits 

Iron oxide is another compound which will accumulate on boiler surfaces. Iron enters the boiler in the feed-water or it can form in the boiler from corrosion. Iron oxides can be present in both soft and hard-scale deposits. Both types are frequently found at the same location, with the hard deposit existing as a layer next to the boiler tube and the soft layer on top of it. 

Iron oxides are porous deposits, which will allow boiler water to seep through and “flash” to steam, leaving behind the dissolved solids. These dissolved solids in the boiler water, such as caustic and chelates, can concentrate in these localized areas to thousand of parts per million even though the water contains the normally recommended levels of these compounds. These excessive concentrations can result in rapid and severe metal dissolution and tube failure. 

Minimizing Iron Deposit-Related Problems

The most obvious and effective way to minimize iron-related problems is to keep as muchiron out of the boiler as possible. The supply water should be subject to pretreatment techniquessuch as filtration, clarification, etc. Likewise, if steam condensate is returned to the boiler, actionshould be taken to minimize the corrosivity ofthe condensate through proper chemical treatment. chelates, polymers and phosphates (residual withand without polymer) can minimize iron deposits.Other areas that should receive attention include hot and cold lime softeners, filters, sodiumzeolite glands on feedwater pumps because they cancontribute iron to the system. These system components must be operating properly beforechemical treatment can be effectively applied.

Corrosion-Related Problems 

Oxygen Attack

Dissolved oxygen interacts with boiler component surfaces, forming “pits” on the metal surface. These pits may eventually grow large enough to penetrate the metal, forcing a boiler shutdown.Oxygen present in boiler feedwater becomes very aggressive when heated, causing corrosive damage to preheaters and economizers. Oxygenwhich enters the boiler itself can also cause further damage to steam drums, mud drums, boiler tubes and headers. Damage can also occur to condensers and condensate piping from oxygenstill present in the steam.Controlling the oxygen content in the feedwater is done through deaeration and chemicaltreatment. Deaerators in steam generating systems use steam to strip oxygen from the feedwater. deaerator can effectively remove almost all the oxygen from the feedwater typically to less than 15ug/lppb (parts per billion) without the need to add an additional oxygen scavenger.



The most common scavenger is sodium sulfite,although other organic materials also work well.Some of these materials also form a protectiveoxide on large preheater and economizer surfaces. Scavengers cannot effectively substitutefor the function of the deaerator; if the oxygen content of the feedwater is greater than 50ug/1(ppb) then oxygen corrosion can occur evenwhen oxygen scavengers are used.Two of the most common causes of corrosionare the presence of carbon dioxide and oxygenin the condensate. 

Carbon dioxide will form carbolic acid and reduce the pH of the condensateand cause acid attack while oxygen can directlyattack metal. The source of carbon dioxide incondensate is usually carbonate found in boilerwater carried over in the steam. Boilers using softened water are more prone to this than those using demineralized water. The presence of oxygenin condensate can be caused by poorly operating deaerators, leakage of air into vacuum condensers, leakage of cooling water and other factors.Treatment of condensate is done with neutralizing amines. Carbon dioxide reacts with water to form carbonic acid, a highly corrosive material that can attack equipment. 



It cannot be emphasized strongly enough that the deaerator is the one piece of equipment in the water treatment process that should receive careful maintenance attention. 

Caustic Attack 

Caustic attack on boilers can take two forms: caustic gouging or caustic cracking, also called caustic embrittlement. 

Caustic gouging causes deep elliptical depressions in metal boiler surfaces, which occur in areas of high heat flux or under heavy porous deposits, such as iron oxide deposits. This is another clear case of an interrelated deposit and corrosion problem. Underneath these deposits, boiler water can concentrate to the point where high caustic concentration accumulates, causing a localized corrosion. This very rapid action can take place and even cause a failure within a few days or even a few hours. Careful control of boiler water chemistry can prevent caustic gouging; if the “free hydroxide alkalinity” is set too high or uncontrolled, then caustic gouging may result. Prevention of porous deposit formation (such as iron oxide) eliminates a place for caustic gouging to occur. 

Caustic cracking is a form of stress corrosion cracking that happens when a high concentration of caustic is present at a heated and stressed steel surface. These cracks can occur quickly and cannot be readily seen, sometimes causing a violent failure. All parts of the boiler are subject to this type of corrosion, including boiler tubes, headers, steam drums, mud drums, bolts, etc. Avoiding heated, stressed surfaces in boilers is not feasible, so care should be taken to prevent high concentrations of caustic from forming. However, maintaining an excessive “free hydroxide alkalinity” while using caustic to regenerate anion exchange resins and control the pH of the boiler water can cause high caustic concentrations. 

Acid Attack 

A third corrosion-related problem is caused when the boiler water pH drops below about 8.5. Known as acid attack, the effect exhibits rough pitted surfaces, with some of the pits being quite deep. Again, the presence of iron oxide deposits on boiler surfaces can encourage this kind of corrosion. A low boilerwater pH is usually caused by contamination of the boiler feedwater, from sources such as hydrochloric or sulfuric acid from leaks in demineralizers and condenser leaks of cooling tower water. Contamination can also occur from process leaks of acid or acid-forming materials into the return condensate system. Boiler feedwater pH should be continuously monitored. 



Boiler Water Treatment 

Boiler water treatment is grouped into three main areas: 

  • External treatment 
  • Internal treatment 
  • Condensate treatment 


Quality requirements for boiler feed water and boiler water vary from system to system. Generally speaking, the higher the steam pressure, the higher the quality of water that is required. The table below shows generally good parameters for boiler operations but should not be applied to all situations. As stated before, a specific water treatment should be recommended by someone who has knowledge of both boiler water treatment practice and the conditions of the boiler to be treated. 

External Treatment 

This type of treatment involves the removal of impurities which from the boiler feedwater. Treatment falls into three categories, depending on what needs to be removed: 

  • Removal of suspended solids
  • Removal of hardness and other soluble impurities
  • Oxygen removal
  • Removal of Suspended Solids 


Untreated boiler feedwater frequently contains suspended matter such as mud, silt and bacteria. Left in the water, this material can cause problems, such as foaming or deposits in the boiler. 

The process of clarification or filtration removes most suspended matter. One common method involves both processes; the water is first passed through a clarifier which removes most of the suspended matter, then a filter, which removes the rest. 

To perform the clarification function, a flocculent aid is mixed with the raw water in either the raw water feed line or in the “rapid mix zone” of the clarifier. Primary clarification occurs in the “rapid mix zone”, where small solids are formed. The solids grow in size in the “slow mixing zone” and settle in the “settling zone”. The resulting sludge is removed from the bottom of the unit while the clarified water is drawn from the top by overflowing into a launder ( a device that functions much like a pool skimmer). A rake at the bottom of the clarifier moves slowly through the settled sludge to keep it from “setting up”, or solidifying. 

Filtration can be done several different ways. The most common filters are granular media filters, made from sand, anthracite (hard coal) and garnet. Other types of filters, such as cartridge filters, sock filters and strainers are used in some installations. Filter media choice, filter bed depth and other design parameters are determined by the quality of the water and boiler requirements. 

Removal of Hardness and Other Soluble Impurities 

The second type of boiler water treatment involves the removal of impurities, such as calcium, magnesium and silica which, as discussed earlier, can cause scale. Common treatment methods to remove these impurities include lime softening, sodium cycle cation exchange (often called sodium zeolite softening), reverse osmosis, electrodialysis, and ion ex-change demineralization. Which treatment is most appropriate again depends on the water supply quality and the purity requirements of the boiler. 

Quick or slaked lime added to hard water, reacts with the calcium, magnesium and, to some extent, the silica in the water to form a solid precipitate. The process typically takes place in a clarifier. The lime is added to the “rapid mix zone”, where it reacts with some of the calcium, magnesium and silica. The combined precipitate is removed from the bottom of the clarifier and the treated water is now softer than the untreated inlet water but still unsuitable for the boiler. 



Lime softening treatment is followed by either sodium cycle cation exchange or ion exchange demineralization. Cation exchange is usually picked for lower pressure boilers (450 psig) and demineralization for higher pressure boilers (above 600 psig). 

Ion exchange is just what it implies: a process that exchanges one type of ion (charged particle) for another. Many troublesome impurities in supply water are ions, making this process extremely important in boiler water treatment. Ion exchange takes place in a closed vessel which is partially filled with an ion exchange resin. The resin is an insoluble, plastic-like material capable of exchanging one ion for another. There are two types: cation and anion resins. Each is capable of exchanging one or the other types of ions. 

Another method of ion exchange involves a sodium exchange softener, where hard water enters the unit and the calcium and magnesium are exchanged for sodium. The treated water will normally have most of the hardness removed, but will still contain other impurities. This method is suitable only for low pressure boilers. 

If very pure water is required, for high pressure boilers for example, then demineralization is required. A demineralizer contains one or more cation exchange beds, followed by one or more anion exchange beds. 

In the demineralizer, water is treated in two steps. First, it is passed through the cation exchange bed, where the cations (calcium, magnesium and sodium) are exchanged for hydrogen ions. The treated water is now free of cations but is too acidic and cannot yet be used in the boiler. 



In the second step the water passes through the anion exchange bed where the anions (sulfate, chloride, carbonate and silica) are exchanged for hydroxide ions. The hydrogen and hydroxide ions react to form water, now suitable for use in the boiler. 

For higher purity water, more elaborate systems are employed than the one shown here, but the basic principle remains the same. 

Ion exchange resins have a limited capacity and will eventually become exhausted. They can be regenerated however; sodium cycle cation exchange beds are regenerated with brine, cation exchange beds are regenerated with hydrochloric or sulfuric acid and the anion exchange beds become regenerated with caustic soda. 

Other technology is sometimes employed to remove undesirable impurities from the water supply, including reverse osmosis, electrodialysis, and electrodialysis with current reversal. These are all known as membrane processes. Reverse osmosis uses semipermeable membranes that let water through but block the passage of salts. In the case of electrodialysis, the salts dissolved in the water are forced to move through cation-selective and anion-selective membranes, removing the ion concentration. 

Oxygen Removal with a Deaerator 

The third type of boiler water treatment involves the removal of dissolved oxygen in the water. 

A deaerator (sometimes called a dearating heater) takes advantage of the fact that the solubility of oxygen in water decreases as the water gets hotter. The oxygen is removed by spraying the untreated boiler water onto trays in the deaerator, where it makes inti-mate contact with steam rising through the tray. The steam heats the water while stripping the oxygen. Proper functioning of the deaerator requires that the two non-condensable gases, oxygen and nitrogen be vented away from the water being treated. Deaerated water should have an oxygen concentration of less than 15ppb (ug/l). 

Maintenance Suggestions with a Deaerator 

Here are some things to remember to keep the deaerator operating properly: 

1. Steam should be vented from the deaerator. The deaerator vent should always be open to remove scrubbed gases. Steam is carried along with the gases. The plume should form about six inches from the top of the vent and be visibly steam for only two feet. This is enough to remove gases; more than two feet is a waste of steam. 

2. Check the oxygen concentration of the deaerated feedwater to be sure it is functioning properly. This can be done using simple calorimetric tests. Be sure to turn the oxygen scavenger off before taking any measurements. 

Internal Treatment 

Internal boiler water treatment continues the process of purifying the water begun using external treatment methods. All treatment additives discussed here are designed to assist with managing corrosion or deposits. A good internal treatment program can protect boilers which use a proper quality of feedwater but it cannot protect boilers with grossly contaminated boiler feedwater. It is essential to have both external and internal treatment procedures that are effective, well-maintained and closely monitored. 

Boilers are typically protected from corrosive attack by a thin film of magnetite (a black magnetic iron oxide) which forms on the surface of the boiler metal. Water treatment programs should be designed that encourage and maintain this protective film by maintaining the proper pH, assuring the absence of oxygen through a deaerator, the use of an oxygen scavenger, and the employment of other chemical additives. 

Oxygen Scavengers 

Most of the oxygen in boiler feedwater is removed by the deaerator but trace amounts are still present which can, over time, cause boiler corrosion. To prevent this, oxygen scavengers are added to the boiler water, preferably in the storage tank of the deaerator so the scavenger will have the maximum time to react with the residual oxygen. Under certain conditions, such as when boiler feedwater is used for attemperation to lower steam temperature, other locations are preferable. 

The most commonly used oxygen scavenger is sodium sulfite. It is inexpensive, very effective and rapidly reacts with the trace amounts of oxygen. It is also easily measured in boiler water. 

In most cases it i the oxygen scavenger of choice. There are instances in some higher pressure boilers (generally above 900 psig), that some of the sulfite may decompose and enter the steam, causing problems in the condensate systems and condensing steam turbines. In these cases, substitute (usually organic-based) oxygen scavengers can be used. 

New oxygen scavengers have been introduced in recent years. The decision to use them or rely on sodium sulfite should only be made by those qualified to make boiler water treatment decisions. In all cases the new product should be carefully added and its effectiveness evaluated in accordance with operating procedures. 

Other Chemical Additives 

Phosphate 

Used almost as often as oxygen scavengers, phosphate plays several important roles in boiler water treatment: 

It buffers the boiler water pH to minimizethe potential for boiler corrosion.It precipitates small amounts of calcium ormagnesium into a soft deposit which canthen accumulate in mud drums or steamdrums rather than as hard scale.It helps to promote the protective oxide filmon boiler metal surfaces.

Common phosphate compounds added to treat boiler water include sodium phosphate (monosodium phosphate, disodium phosphate or trisodium phosphate) or sodium polyphosphate. They all function approximately the same; the choice of which to use depends on the quality of the boiler water and the handling requirements of the user. 

As phosphate functions as a precipitating boiler water treatment, creating a sludge as it reacts with hardness, a procedure should be established to remove the sludge during a routine boiler shutdown. The rate of sludge accumulation varies according to the hardness of the water entering the boiler and the operating conditions of the boiler. Although boilers treated using phosphates (without chelates or polymers) tend to require more frequent cleaning, they also tend to show very low corrosion rates. 

Chelates and Polymers 

Rather than precipitate with hardness compounds, chelates and polymers “solubilize” or combine with hardness (calcium and magnesium and to some extent iron) to form a stable chemical compound. Sometimes they are used in conjunction with phosphate. 

The resulting compounds can be eliminated by blowdown. 

The two most commonly used chelates are nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) and ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA). Either product can be used in low pressure (up to 150psig), while EDTA is preferred for higher pressure boilers. They have been successfully used for many years; how-ever, since many water treaters base the chelate dosage on the amount of hardness encountered in the boiler feedwater, other water treatment programs are often chosen when large swings in feedwater hardness occur on a frequent basis. A well-operating deaerator is important when using chelates. 

Most polymers used in boiler water treatment are synthetic in composition. Some act like chelates but none are as strong as EDTA. Polymers disperse suspended solids; thus they are referred to as “dispersents”. A wide variety of different polymers are available; some are effective in controlling hardness deposits, while others in controlling iron deposits. 

In some cases the most effective treatment program uses a combination of chelates and polymers. Again, the decision to use one or the other or a combination of both should be made by those who understand the functions of various polymers and the needs of the boiler. The uses of steam might also be considered. Steam used in food processing has specific chemical addition restrictions. Lastly, these treatment measures are only effective when boiler feedwater pretreatment is effective. 

Blowdown 

Blowdown is a very important part of any water treatment program. Its purpose is to limit the concentration of impurities in the boiler water. The right amount of blowdown is critical: too much results in energy loss and excessive chemical treatment cost; too little and excessive concentrations of impurities build up. There are no hard and fast rules as to the amount of blowdown because of the variation in water quality varies from place to place. It can range from 1% (based on feedwater flow) to as much as 25%. 

Location varies; it can be from beneath the water surface in the steam drum, from the mud drum or bottom header, or it can be from the bottom of the boiler. Blowdown can be continuous or intermittent. Here are some principles to help establish an effective blowdown program: 

1. In drum-type boilers, the concentration of the water should be controlled by blowdown from the steam drum. Continuous blowdown is preferred. 

2. Also in drum boilers, blowing from the mud drum or bottom headers removes suspended solids from the boiler. Trying to control the concentration of impurities by blowdown from this location can cause a severe disruption of circulation in the boiler, causing damage to the boiler. Bottom blowdown should be of short duration, on a regular basis. These are determined by boiler design, operating conditions and the accumulation rate of suspended solids. 

3. Fire tube boiler blowdown can be either continuous or intermittent. It can be blown down from below the surface or from the bottom. Type, frequency and duration depend on boiler design, operating conditions and the type of water treatment program. 

A way to reduce the energy loss is to install a continuous blowdown heat recovery device. These are now economical for blowdowns as low as 500 lb/hr. 

Other Internal Treatment Materials 

Caustic, in the form of sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide or a combination of the two, can be used to control the pH of boiler water. Sometimes caustic is used in conjunction with polyphosphate. 

Other chemicals used in boiler water treatment are ammonia and hydrazine. Since both materials are nonprecipitating and will volatize into the steam, they are commonly referred to as “all volatile treatment” (AVT). Used frequently in large electrical power generating plants, they are less common in other industries because hydrazine must be treated as an extremely hazardous substance and AVT treatment is ineffective for harder water. 

Condensate Treatment 

Corrosion of condensers, steam traps and condensate piping is common. Adding a basic material, such as amines to the steam will neutralize the acid as the steam condenses, keeping the pH of the condensate high. Neutralizing amines can only protect the system from acid attack from carbon dioxide. 

The most commonly used amines are morpholine, cyclohexylamine and diethylaminoethanol (DEAE). A mixture of amines is usually required, since most steam/condensate systems are quite large and contain numerous condensers. Using a mixture assures protection through-out the system because some amines condense faster and the slower condensing ones will be able to protect equipment that is farther down the system. Someone who is very familiar with the steam/condensate system and knows the chemical and physical properties of amines should be employed to assist in the selection of the best mix of amines. 

Protection from oxygen attack can be achieved using film amines. These compounds form a very thin film of organic material on metal surfaces which acts as a barrier to oxygen but has little effect on the pH of the condensate. There is minimal effect on heat transfer because the film is thin. Like neutralizing amines, they are added to the boiler water or they can be added directly to the steam. Two commonly used amines are dodecylalamine and octadeccylamine. 

Benefits From a Proper Water Treatment Program 

Emphasis has been made in several instances of the importance of using knowledgeable people to ensure proper evaluation of water treatment needs. It is always best to use someone familiar with the boiler system operation as well. 

As an example, an Arizona manufacturer saved almost $100,000 a year after contracting with an outside water treatment firm who had run a computerized analyses on the efficiency of the firm’s six chillers. The company was spending over $50,000 on water treatment chemicals, an amount they considered excessive. 

The consultants found one of the six units operating at only 56% of its maximum efficiency. The problems identified included scale, which was treated with an inhibited acid. A second analysis was performed and the efficiency of the unit rose dramatically to 99.5%. Based on this improvement, the manufacturer ordered a complete cleanup program on the entire system. 

Another problem that was discovered was that the facility’s five cooling towers had accumulated a significant amount of dirt an biological growth. This was removed by scraping and washing with pressure hoses. 

As a result of this cleaning and new water treatment program, this manufacturer will save about $26,000 on water treatment chemicals and a projected $70,000 in energy costs because of cleaner heat transfer surfaces in the condenser tubes. Not included in the savings figure is the 2.5 million gallons of water that is also saved, resulting from increased cycles of concentration within the cooling towers. 

Operator’s Checklist for Water Treatment Systems Maintenance 

As has been stressed, water treatment is a highly specialized, highly individual process and, as such, should only be undertaken with the advice and help of outside water service companies or consultants. Such organizations are in a position to analyze the water used in a boiler at several different stages, make recommendations for additives or treatment and, in many cases, provide a monitoring service to be sure the proper chemical balance is maintained. 

Reference :

CIBO - ENERGY EFFICIENCY HANDBOOK (Chapter 2)
COUNCIL OF INDUSTRIAL BOILER OWNERS (CIBO), 
6035 BURKE CENTRE PARKWAY, SUITE 360BURKE, VA 22015, 
Edited BY RONALD A. ZEITZ

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

UNIVERSITI PERTAHANAN "DI RAJA MALAYSIA"? - OLEH NIK ZAFRI


Petikan :

Rasanya agak janggal apabila sebuah Universiti yang sememangnya berlatarkan suasana ketenteraan tidak ada gelaran 'Di Raja' untuknya.

Gelaran "Di Raja" menunjukkan ianya dinaungi oleh KDYMM Seri Paduka Baginda Yang Di Pertuan Agong atau Raja-Raja Melayu. Jika dilihat, IPTA yang bertaraf awam dan tidak berlatarbelakangkan ketenteraan pun dinaungi oleh 'Tuanku Canselor' Kenapa tidak UPNM?

Saya sememangnya kurang mengerti prosedur untuk mendapat gelaran 'Di Raja' dan bukanlah saya menulis artikel ini mewakili UPNM (malah inisiatif saya sendiri)

Rasa saya sebagai rakyat biasa - sudah tiba masanya UPNM mendapat ampuni perkenan DYMM Seri Paduka Baginda Yang Di Pertuan Agong atau KDYMM Al-Sultan Kelantan (Timbalan Yang Di Pertuan Agong) atau mana-mana Raja-Raja Melayu untuk menganugerahi 'gelaran 'Di Raja' kepada "Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia" dan ditukar kepada "Universiti Pertahanan Di Raja Malaysia"

(Duli Yang Maha Mulia Seri Paduka Baginda Yang Di Pertuan Agong Membalas Tabik Hormat semasa Pertabalan Baginda)

(KDYMM Al-Sultan Kelantan Sultan Muhammad V segak berpakaian tentera bersama adinda DYTM Tengku Mahkota Kelantan)


Dan DYMM SPB YDP Agong sendiri selayaknya menjadi 'Tuanku Canselor' untuk Universiti ni.

Gelaran ini sangat sesuai diberikan kepada UPNM selaras dengan cara pendekatannya, suasana dan lokasi universiti berkenaan (yang juga menempatkan Maktab Tentera Di Raja (MTD-RMC)

--------------------------------



Nota : Tulisan ini bukan mewakili mana-mana pihak dari Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM) tetapi atas inisiatif pengarangnya.

Sebenarnya, saya telah lama ingin menulis mengenai perkara ini iaitu semenjak UPNM mula dibuka.

Saya bukanlah seorang yang mempunyai latarbelakang ketenteraan, polis, mahupun menyertai mana-mana anggota keselamatan. Namun, tahu jugalah serba sedikit mengenai etika dan protokol ketenteraan kerana saya dan isteri saya, adalah dari keluarga anggota tentera.

Semasa menghantar anak saya baru-baru ini, Nik Muhammad Hussainy ke UPNM, saya teringat kembali akan perkara ini.


(Pengarang bersama anak kedua, Nik Muhammad Hussainy bergambar kenangan dengan Timbalan Naib Canselor UPNM bersama antara barisan ibubapa yang menghantar anak masing-masing untuk pendaftaran dan MOSIS)


Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia berada dalam lokasi yang sangat strategik iaitu Kem Sungai Besi)

Dalam kem yang sama, berdiri megah pintu masuk ke Maktab Tentera Di Raja (RMC) di mana saya sempat bergambar di hadapan pintu gerbangnya setelah 27 tahun tidak ke sana.


Saya tergelak kecil melihat beberapa orang awam yang merungut-rungut tentang ketegasan Polis Tentera yang mengawal pintu masuk utama ke Kem Sungai Besi. Ada yang tidak mahu mengambil pas keselamatan (pelawat awam), ada yang mendakwa 'mereka kenal orang itu dan ini' dan ada pula yang mendakwa 'dia ni pegawai besar angkatan tentera'..Entahlah. Sekali imbas, saya lihat, mereka tidak tahu pun 'isyarat tertentu' yang membuktikan mereka ini tahu etika dan protokol atau benar-benar 'orang berpangkat' dalam tentera.


(Pintu Masuk Utama Ke Kem Sungai Besi)

Saya sentiasa mengikut prosedur untuk memasuki Kem Sungai Besi walaupun untuk ke UPNM (semasa mengambil dan menghantar anak saya). Saya mengisi borang dengan penuh teliti serta memberikan maklumat yang lengkap. Tujuan diadakan pas masuk itu pun adalah berdasarkan undang-undang serta objektifnya adalah 'soal keselamatan'.

Orang awam perlu faham, jika berlaku apa-apa akses ke dalam Kem yang berpotensi mengancam keselamatan, sudah tentunya MP akan bertanggungjawab, silap-silap haribulan kena naik 'court marshall' (mahkamah tentera) yang mungkin menyebabkan MP boleh kehilangan kerja.

Saya sudah lama melihat 'kehebatan' UPNM yang mempunyai cara dan pendekatan yang tersendiri. Ibaratnya jika 100 orang pelajar yang memasuki UPNM, maka 100 juga yang akan keluar dengan masadepan, karier dan gaji yang agak lumayan. Apatah lagi jika pelajar berkenaan adalah anggota kadet.

Begitu juga pelajar awam, walaupun tidak menerima elaun bulanan seperti kadet, tetapi Kementerian Pengajian Tinggi dan MARA (mengambil dua contoh dari banyak contoh-contoh lain), ada memberikan elaun dan wang saku.

Pelajar awam juga amat digalakkan untuk menyertai PALAPES/ROTU dan mendapat elaun ROTU pula. Cuma mungkin pelajar awam terpaksa membeli sendiri makanan dan minuman (yang harganya sangat berpatutan) dan pelajar Kadet diberikan makanan dan minuman percuma (di samping elaun/gaji bulanan yang agak lumayan)

Apakah rahsia UPNM?

Boleh dikatakan rata-rata saya melihat unsur-unsur integrasi yang padu dalam modul-modul pengajarannya iaitu kemahiran (ala-MLVK malah ada yang diakreditasikan oleh MLVK) dan akademik (yang diakreditasikan oleh MQA)

Di sini saya tidaklah bermaksud bahawa IPTA-IPTA dan IPTS-IPTS lain tidak ada unsur kemahiran atau MLVK tetapi UPNM serta suasana ketenteraan di sekelilingnya yang banyak memerlukan sejumlah anggotanya yang bertugas di bengkel-bengkel samada Udara, Laut atau Darat perlu cerdas di bidang teknikal serta kejuruteraan, maka inilah antaranya yang mempengaruhi modul-modul UPNM. (suasana sekitar dan sejarahnya)

Mungkin inilah penyebab utama saya berminat untuk menghantar anak saya melanjutkan pelajaran di UPNM. Kriteria pengambilan juga amat teliti. Antara lain, bukan semata-mata semuanya 'A' dalam SPM tetapi juga dilihat dari segi ko-kurrikulum. Anak saya bertuah kerana telah menyertai Kadet Remaja Sekolah (selain memenangi pelbagai anugerah peringkat sekolah, zon, negeri dan negara) dan seminggu sebelum menyertai UPNM, dia juga baru sahaja menamatkan latihan di Pusat Latihan Khidmat Negara (PLKN) di Ulu Benom, Pahang.

Sebelum itu, sempat saya berborak-borak mesra menerusi Facebook dengan seorang 'senior' saya (berbangsa Cina) - sama-sama menjadi Alumni Maktab Sultan Ismail Kelantan (SICA), izinkan saya memetiknya :

KHL/Russell : This bright young man has good heart, he has involved in national defense at this young age. Wishing your son all the best.Hopefully in 25 years time, we will see a general coming from our Kelantan family!!

Nik Zafri : Thanks Russ. I'm sure in your own capacity, you do have some success stories of your own children to be shared and as parents very proud of it

KHL/Russell : Nik Zafri, one thing good about Malay parents as compared to Chinese, Malay parents are more prepared to send their children to join RMC, Military Colleges and joining military forces. Generally Chinese parents will not allow or encourage for their children to join army or involved in national defence . There is an ancient saying that " good metal don't turn it into nail, good son don't make him a soldier!!". Probably , that old saying has its ancient origins thousands years ago when soldiers were recruited among the rough and touch illiterate classes.

Nik Zafri : I'm surprised, did you know that offlate, even Malay parents are not really prepared to send their kids to UPNM. There are still thoughts that everyone in UPNM has to go to war or they are simply contented with the good monthly 'allowance' being paid to cadets without knowing what their kids have to go through.

What can I say? But again, I saw many Chinese parents during the registration in UPNM even spoken to one of facilitators who is actually a Chinese (apart from Chinese in the marching cadets proudly walking in front of us and also during the Interview in the Terendak Camp Melaka)

What are the odds? I was told that some of the Malay students (after half-way) couldn't bear the army based training in UPNM even asked to be transferred to a normal IPTA.

I told my kids not to discard the old values while making a choice which at first may appear 'controversial to the tradition' but co-exist with it. Old values are not simply cultures (like cultural dance or shows) but they go beyond that, it's about your way of life here on earth. You don't remember practicing it, but when you speak politely to your parents, it means that you are a practitioner without even realizing it.

What is being said (I think)

"Good metal don't turn into nail, good son don't make him a soldier' is actually meant for everyone to not only narrow down to becoming a soldier alone or even a teacher but also businessman, educators, academicians, scientists etc. It all comes together - I'm sure any country do not need soldiers alone but they also need other people of different careers as well. This is evident if you review the history of ancient China even any history of the world.

KHL/Russell : Nik Zafri, I salute you for your positive thinking, and in fact, no easy to have Malays writing good English nowadays. Maybe there are plenty of Malays in your generation write good English, but my children English are also not up to the par.

(di sini beliau menceritakan kesukaran beliau untuk menyertai tentera darat, udara dan laut pada awal 70-an)

Years later, i joined PALAPES (Pasukan Latihan Pegawai Simpanan -Tentera Darat) in UM in the year 1981 and was commissioned as Second Lieutenant in 1984. I stayed on with the Wataniah till 2001, a good 21 years in uniform. No regret, i enjoyed my posting to Regiment 512 in Terengganu, 502 in Kuala Lumpur and finaly 506 at Pengkalan Chepa until I called it a day. I guess, Malaysian army has changed now. That is why I salute you and your son, truly, i hope 20-25 years to come, we can see this young man do something to Malaysian defence .

Nik Zafri : Hi again Russ. Thanks for all the compliments which some; I think you're giving me too much credit. Yes, my generation is the last generation (English-Speaking Malays).

My dad was from the remnants of the old British Military Administration (BMA) before it became Askar Melayu (despite the word Melayu there, there were also some Chinese and Indian friends of my dad).

UPNM highest administration have said this (even in their application form - you can check - it says something about referees 'not being in the army' - wow!) during the Kem Terendak interview - that we do not prefer only 'bright straight A students' but selection is made on an 'all rounder'-basis. And during the registration, the DVC said : "Please do not write to the Minister but write to us, if you have any problems" (so, there goes "you know who" and here comes "you know what")

And Yes, you are right, the PALAPES in IPTA is the best and the right move the government have done. And the rest is history as you have adequately put.



Semasa artikel ini ditulis, saya terlihat laporan akhbar The Star Online menyebut :

Published: Wednesday July 24, 2013 MYT 12:00:00 AM
Updated: Wednesday July 24, 2013 MYT 7:56:32 AM


RMC WANTS MORE BUMIS BY JASTIN AHMAD TARMIZI - JASTIN@THESTAR.COM.MY

KUALA LUMPUR: For Royal Military College (RMC) student Leong Kit Tsin, the school has been a learning ground on how to be independent.

“I’ve learnt to be independent as here we have to do everything ourselves.

“We have to dress neatly and clean our rooms,” said the 16-year-old from Petaling Jaya.

“As students here are from different backgrounds, I have learnt the cultures and customs of other races and learnt to respect them. This is really a good place to learn not just academically but also about life.”

Kit Tsin is one of a handful of Chinese students among 242 Form 4 students who started their stint in the school in January.


RMC commandant Col Wan Ghazali Wan Din said that of the total 485 students at RMC, there were only 21 Chinese and 34 Indian students.

The school is currently seeking more non-bumiputra students, especially from among the Chinese.

“We have been lacking non-bumiputra applicants as there has been a misperception about the school,” he said, adding that the Defence Ministry recently increased the minimum quota for non-bumiputra students to 17%.

Application for the new intake closes in October.

“A lot of people think those who join RMC need to join the Armed Forces when they graduate. We are actually trying to correct this misperception,” said Wan Ghazali, adding that since 1987, students from RMC need not join the Armed Forces when they graduate but they could if they wanted to.

He added that another reason for the low number of non-bumiputra applicants was the number of other institutions and places available to students.

“Because of the openings at other colleges and institutions, they have more choices,” he said.

Wan Ghazali said RMC had also taken many steps to make the college more appealing to non-bumiputras, including conducting talks in Chinese and Tamil schools and taking part in Armed Forces events.

Those interested can apply at www.rmc.edu.my.


Jelaslah di sini bahawa bidang akademik/kemahiran ketenteraan telah lama mengamalkan dasar terbuka.

Saya juga sangat yakin, UPNM (malah MTD) juga akan menjadi sebuah IPTA yang setaraf dengan Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, United Kingdom.

Suasana di Kem Sungai Besi dengan pelbagai kor, skuad, unit dan pasukan sudah cukup untuk memberikan semangat patriotik kepada pelajar-pelajarnya - kadet atau awam.

Malah ramai di antara kadet-kadet kanan UPNM yang dihantar ke Lahad Datu baru-baru ini - cukup membuktikan kepada kita betapa tingginya penghargaan Tentera dan Kerajaan Malaysia terhadap UPNM.


Namun, ada sesuatu persoalan yang telah lama bermain di fikiran orang awam seperti saya :

a) Tentera Udara DiRaja Malaysia,
b) Tentera Laut DiRaja Malaysia,
c) Regimen Askar Melayu DiRaja Malaysia (RAMD),
d) Regimen Renjer DiRaja,
e) Kor Armor DiRaja, Kor Polis Tentera DiRaja, Kor Risik DiRaja, Kor Kesihatan DiRaja, Kor Perkhidmatan DiRaja, Kor Ordnans DiRAja, Kor Jurutera Letrik dan Jentera Diraja,
f) Regimen Artileri DiRaja,
g) Regimen Semboyan DiRaja,
h) Regimen Askar Jurutera DiRaja,
h) Maktab Tentera DiRaja dll

Rasanya agak janggal apabila sebuah Universiti dan IPTA yang sememangnya berlatarkan suasana ketenteraan tidak ada gelaran 'DiRaja' untuknya.

Gelaran "DiRaja" menunjukkan ianya dinaungi oleh KDYMM Seri Paduka Baginda Yang Di Pertuan Agong atau Raja-Raja Melayu. Jika dilihat, IPTA yang bertaraf awam dan tidak berlatarbelakangkan ketenteraan pun dinaungi oleh 'Tuanku Canselor' Kenapa tidak UPNM?

Saya sememangnya kurang mengerti prosedur untuk mendapat gelaran 'DiRaja' dan bukanlah saya menulis artikel ini mewakili UPNM (malah inisiatif saya sendiri)

Rasa saya sebagai rakyat biasa - sudah tiba masanya UPNM mendapat ampuni perkenan DYMM Seri Paduka Baginda Yang Di Pertuan Agong atau KDYMM Al-Sultan Kelantan (Timbalan Yang Di Pertuan Agong) atau mana-mana Raja-Raja Melayu untuk menganugerahi 'gelaran 'Di Raja' kepada "Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia" dan ditukar kepada "Universiti Pertahanan Di Raja Malaysia"

Dan DYMM SPB YDP Agong sendiri selayaknya menjadi 'Tuanku Canselor' untuk Universiti ni.

Gelaran ini sangat sesuai diberikan kepada UPNM selaras dengan cara pendekatannya, suasana dan lokasi universiti berkenaan (yang juga menempatkan Maktab Tentera Di Raja (MTD-RMC)).

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

KONVENSYEN PENDIDIKAN DAN MAJLIS MAKAN MALAM (YAYASAN PELAJARAN MARA)



MALAYSIA'S NEAR TERM OUTLOOK

From : The World Bank

PRESS RELEASE

Malaysia’s Near-Term Outlook still Favorable; Smart Natural Resource Management Ensures Smooth Path to High Income Economy

June 24, 2013


KUALA LUMPUR, JUNE 24, 2013--- Resilient domestic demand will allow the Malaysian economy to recover from a slow first quarter in 2013, says a new World Bank report. GDP is expected to grow by 5.1% for both 2013 and 2014, driven by higher consumer and business spending. As the global recovery gathers speed in 2014, the Bank report states, Malaysia's external sector will increase its contribution to growth, offsetting the impact of tighter fiscal policies on the domestic economy.

Released today, the World Bank’s Malaysia Economic Monitor: Harnessing Natural Resources, notes that Malaysia’s trade has become more dominated by commodities such as crude oil, natural gas, rubber and palm oil. With prospects for demand in commodities dampened by weak growth in key export markets such as China and Europe, and an abundance of supply globally, Malaysia needs to accelerate structural reforms to ensure that its economy remains diversified and dynamic.

"Malaysia has done remarkably well over the last two decades," says Kaushik Basu, Chief Economist at the World Bank. "However, the coming onstream of new sources of global energy is likely to put downward pressure on several commodity prices. This will no doubt put restraints on growth on a commodity-exporting country like Malaysia. I hope Malaysia will show the nimbleness it has shown in the past."

Malaysia is one of a few developing countries that has successfully converted an abundance of natural resources into long-term sustainable growth. As noted in the report, sound policy choices ensured revenues from resource extraction were reinvested in the economy in the form of machines, buildings and education. This supported high rates of growth that was shared among the population, raising the average incomes of the bottom 40 percent of rural households by 7.1 percent a year over three decades, while poverty rates
plummeted.

"Malaysia is a good example of a country that has successfully used natural resources to invest in other areas of the economy,” says Annette Dixon, World Bank Country Director for Malaysia. “This has allowed the country to promote diversification, create jobs and improve living standards for its people."

While Malaysia can be seen in many ways as a blueprint for other resource-rich, developing economies to follow, important challenges have emerged as a consequence of the global boom in commodity prices in the 2000s. In recent years, the economy has become less diversified, with high-tech manufacturing declining and commodities increasing as a share of exports. As highlighted in this report, reversing this trend, as well as saving a higher share of revenues from oil and gas, will enhance the resilience of
Malaysia’s economy.

"To reach its goal of becoming a high-income nation, Malaysia will need to continue managing natural resources sustainably," says Frederico Gil Sander, World Bank Senior Economist for Malaysia. He added, "Some adjustments are needed to spend less of the resource revenues on consumption and more on building skills and institutions that will support further diversification."

The report suggests that policy makers in Malaysia consider measures to enhance structural reform and management of natural resource revenues going forward, including:

* Improving sustainable consumption of natural resources by increasing the role of Malaysia's formal oil wealth fund, reforming fuel subsidies and reviewing gas pricing.
* Diversifying the economy towards higher productive investments in non-commodity sectors through improvements in human capital and better public investment management systems.
* Adapting agricultural commodity production to the effects of climate change.

The Malaysia Economic Monitor series provides an analytical perspective on the policy challenges facing Malaysia as it grows into a high-income economy. The series also represents an effort to reach out to a broad audience, including policymakers, private sector leaders, market participants, civil society and academia.

Thursday, June 06, 2013

The financial sector is part of Malaysia's success


OPINION
Axel Van Trotsenburg
New Straits Times
June 4, 2013

STABILITY: The nation's banks are well capitalised and governance applies equally to all financial institutions

MALAYSIA'S dynamic economy and its rise to middle-income nation status offer lessons for many countries seeking to reduce poverty and build shared prosperity.

The country's economy shows continued strong momentum with real gross domestic product (GDP) growth estimated at five per cent for this year. Malaysia's highly open economy has displayed remarkable resilience in the face of a weak global environment as domestic demand remains robust.

Malaysians now enjoy an annual gross national income (GNI) per capita of almost US$10,000 (RM30,000) and the country is working towards becoming a high-income economy.

Macroeconomic management has been strong and the business environment robust.

The latest figures on household income show that the bottom 40 per cent of people have benefited from economic growth and extreme poverty has been nearly eradicated. The economic and social progress is impressive considering that five decades ago, the GNI per capita was only US$300.

The country's transformation provides many examples of how Malaysia improved living standards for its people.

One area that stands out as a major contributor to Malaysia's success is its innovative and inclusive financial sector.

Malaysia has developed a full range of financial services from microfinance to special loans for farmers tied to growing seasons and financing for small- and medium-scale enterprises.

Malaysia has one of the highest levels of financial inclusion in the world at 92 per cent and the country has taken advantage of mobile phones and online banking to expand access.

Development of an inclusive financial sector is key to building shared prosperity, as access to finance is critical to the ability of small entrepreneurs to grow their businesses and their incomes and to create jobs.

This has contributed to the growth of small- and medium-scale enterprises that now employ close to 40 per cent of the country's workforce.

Malaysia's innovative and sound financial services sector was partly born out of the lessons the country learned from going through the pain and loss of the Asian financial crisis of the late 1990s.

Today's financial sector is underpinned by modern rules, regulations and governance, and solid institutions to ensure stability of the system.

Having learned from the crisis, Malaysia is now sharing its experience with other developing countries so they develop regulatory policies and institutions to help mitigate the risk against a potential crisis.

Fundamental to the stability of Malaysia's financial system is its adoption of compliance with global standards for supervision and regulation of banking and insurance.

At the same time, Malaysia's banks are well capitalised and governance and regulations apply equally to all financial institutions across the country.

In addition, the court system and alternative mechanisms including arbitration facilitate resolution of disputes.

Malaysia has also become a global leader in Islamic finance or participant banking.

During the last decade, the country has boosted financial inclusion partly by developing an Islamic finance agenda to promote stability and stronger ties between finance and the real sector.

Islamic finance traditionally served as an alternative channel for banking and financial transactions in accordance with Islamic practices.

The quality of service and sound practices adopted by Malaysian financial institutions has proven its viability.

The World Bank is looking forward to working with Malaysia to continue sharing lessons from its financial sector success with developing countries where improved financial services could be part of the solution to lift millions of people out of extreme poverty.

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

World Bank to Support South-South Knowledge Exchange on Higher Education Reforms

PRESS RELEASE
May 20, 2013

Kuala Lumpur, May 20, 2013 – Officials from Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia working on higher education reform will exchange experiences with Malaysian counterparts at a 4-day workshop beginning today, supported by the World Bank and the British Council Malaysia. The event is part of the Bank’s ongoing effort to encourage countries across regions to learn from each other to find innovative solutions.

“The final goals of higher education are much the same across countries,” said Annette Dixon, Country Director for the World Bank in Malaysia. “We hope our support to bring policy-makers, members of academia and advocates from Malaysia, Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia together will enable them to learn from each other and explore new ideas that will help improve the quality of higher education in their countries.”

Malaysia acted early to take on many key reforms in its higher education system including the establishment of the Quality Assurance System in the 1990s. Algeria, Morocco and Tunsia will share their experience in improving institutional autonomy and accountability measures for universities.

“Policy-makers from developing countries are learning about how Malaysia successfully implemented key reforms in higher education.  The recent development on institutional reform, which focuses on granting key research universities more autonomy, together with much strengthened accountability, is of particular interest to them,” said Dandan Chen, World Bank Senior Economist. 

The 15-member visiting delegation is meeting with Malaysia’s Ministry of Higher Education and other government agencies to discuss issues such as higher education accreditation, quality assurance, and strengthening governance in universities and colleges. They are also visiting selected public and private universities and colleges to exchange lessons drawn from institutional reforms.

This knowledge event is funded by the Bank’s “South-South Experience Exchange Facility,” which was established in October 2008 to support global knowledge exchange projects that draw directly upon the expertise of developing countries and provides a platform for countries to share lessons.