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news without borders
Putting M’sia on the world
map via hydro tech
by Karen Arukesamy
newsdesk@thesundaily.com
SHAH ALAM: Hydro-powered car
technology may soon put Malaysia
on the world map for automotive
innovation when a local invention
is approved by Sirim Berhad for
safety and commercialisation.
The H-Fuel system, featuring
a Brain Chip to control engine
combustion and water, has been
submitted to Sirim for tests and
patent registration by EGR Tech
Sdn Bhd.
Should the Road Transport
Department approve the system
based on Sirim’s findings, the
government plans to make its
use mandatory for commercial
vehicles such as buses and lorries
to save fossil fuel and lower engine
emissions.
The system breaks down water
into oxygen and hydrogen in a
manner controlled by an engine
control unit or Brain Chip.
The hydrogen is used for
internal combustion and can cut
down on car exhaust emissions.
The invention, it is claimed,
can save millions of ringgit on
petroleum-based fuel consumption
for all types of engine applications.
Explaining the system, EGR
Tech CEO K.B. Woo said: “The
Brain Chip safely controls the
extraction rate and distribution
of hydrogen during its entire
operation. This means a more
precise and safer feed of the volatile
gas into the combustion chambers
PAS Youth demo against I-Dance ‘regrettable’
GEORGE TOWN: Penang PAS Youth
should have met with DAP or the
state government to discuss any
misgiving over the Penang state
I-Dance Competition instead of pub-
licly demonstrating their displeasure
over the event being held, said DAPsy
chief Loke Siew Fook.
“We would have gladly explained
to them about the dance competi-
tion. It is regrettable that they
chose to take such drastic action to
oppose a healthy activity through a
demonstration,” he said at a press
conference yesterday.
While criticising Penang PAS
Youth for openly criticising the event
and asking for it to be cancelled or to
compared with conventional
systems of uncontrolled feed.
“Hydrogen is then fed into the
combustion chambers thereby
reducing the need for pure diesel
or petrol to run the internal
combustion engine. This ensures
not only lower fuel consumption
but also much cleaner exhaust
emissions without sacrificing
engine performance.”
An additional advantage of
the H-Fuel system is that the
engine also runs cleaner with
high possibilities of reduced
maintenance cost and longer
engine life.
“The indirect benefit would
be for people who enjoy a
cleaner environment, cheaper
transportation costs and products,
and longer use of petroleum
reserves,” added Woo.
EGR Tech technology director
Lee Eng Khim said: “Hydrogen is
three times more powerful than
gasoline while the burn rate of
hydrogen is 10 times faster than
gasoline. That is why in its power
stroke the fast burn rate will give
maximum kinetic energy.”
He said the current combustion
energy is based on the fact that
burn rate is slow and is due to the
30% kinetic energy and 70% heat.
“That is why the car engine is hot,”
he said.
“However, with hydrogen, it
is a reverse effect where there
is 70% kinetic energy and 30%
heat. It is much cooler,” said Lee,
adding that EGR Tech’s team of
disallow Muslims from participating
in it, Loke said the Penang PAS has
already agreed to the event.
“Even the national PAS Youth
does not have any problem. Only
the Penang PAS Youth has a problem
with it,” he said.
On Penang PAS Youth’s demand
that Muslims should not take part in
the event, Loke said: “This is open to
all races and people of all religions so
there should not be any restrictions
at all.”
Penang PAS had earlier pro-
tested against the controversial
Penang state I-Dance Competition
but they later gave the green light
for the event after a meeting with
engineers have been perfecting
the invention for more than a year
with successful trials on local buses
showing impressive improvements
of at least 50% savings in fuel
consumption.”
Woo said Sirim is expected to
issue a certificate of fitness for
mass production and use in motor
vehicles by next month.
“Once the certification is issued,
EGR Tech will market the system
not only in Malaysia but within
Asean and Taiwan,” Woo said,
adding that Sirim will also test and
certify the other applications that
include industrial burners, marine
and even aviation engines.
“Our first stage after certification
and RTD approval is to aggressively
go into buses and trucks.
“This is because we see the
need for logistic and transportation
sectors to obtain a fuel-saving
system,” he stressed.
“After that, we will move to
smaller vehicles like fishing boats,
ferries, tugboats and eventually
planes and helicopters,” said Woo.
Sirim president and chief
executive Yahaya Ahmad
told theSun at the signing of a
memorandum of understanding
with EGR Tech on Friday: “Sirim
will do the tests on whatever
aspects and performance claimed
by EGR Tech and validate whether
all the claims are accurate.
“Sirim does not set the standard
for the product’s performance but
it confirms whether the product’s
claims are true.”
the state government and the
organisers.
Their only requirement was for
Muslim male and female dancers
to dance separately.
However, last week, Penang
PAS Youth held a demonstration
and protested against the competi-
tion, calling for it to be cancelled,
claiming that the event can lead to
social ills among youths.
The preliminary round of the
competition was held on Saturday.
The final will be held on Dec 27 at
Queensbay Mall and the competi-
tion will culminate in a results
show and dance jamboree at New
World Park on Dec 28.
theSun | MONDAY DECEMBER 22 2008
briefs
Checks on double-tracking project site
GEORGE TOWN: Public works and utilities committee chairman
Lim Hock Seng will conduct inspections on the double-tracking
project works by MMC-Gamuda Joint Venture Sdn Bhd now under
way at Seberang Perai.
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said there have been complaints
from residents in the area and he will inspect the sites to ensure
that works are being carried out properly.
On Gamuda’s allegation that land was not surrendered to them,
thus causing a delay in the RM12.5 billion double-tracking project
link between Ipoh and Padang Besar, Lim said the state government
has given its approval for land acquisition in north Seberang Perai.
“But we’ve not done so for central Seberang Perai and southern
Seberang Perai because it involved a lot of houses,” he told report-
ers after chairing a closed-door meeting at a hotel yesterday.
He said 420 residential houses in Seberang Perai and 45
houses in southern Seberang Perai are involved while there are
35 temples and two surau involved in these two areas.
Unesco reps to visit heritage site
RAWANG: Two Unesco representatives will arrive by today
to get a first-hand look at the ongoing development projects
at the World Heritage Site in George Town, said Unity, Cul-
ture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal.
Four high-rise hotel projects in the buffer zone of the
The indirect World Heritage Site in George Town have raised concerns
benefit would as to whether they would have a negative impact on their
World Heritage status.
be for people
George Town and Malacca were accorded World Heritage
who enjoy Site status by Unesco on July 7.
a cleaner The two cities would be developed as tourism centres
environment, and, as such, more research would be conducted for their
cheaper development, he told reporters after attending the minis-
transportation try’s Family Day at the National Craft Institute yesterday.
Under stringent heritage guidelines, only a maximum
costs and height of 18m or roughly five storeys is allowed for new
products, and buildings in the two World Heritage Site buffer zones in
longer use George Town and Malacca. – Bernama
of petroleum
reserves.” Treat addicts at places of worship
KUALA LUMPUR: There is an urgent need for a paradigm shift in
EGR Tech CEO the venue for treating drug addicts from the present rehabilita-
K.B. Woo tion centres to mosques and other places of worship, addiction
psychiatrist Prof Dr Mohamad Hussian Habil said yesterday.
He said the shift would provide dual benefits in that the ad-
dicts would be at ease in the serene and peaceful environment of
the mosque and it would also help them to satisfy their spiritual
needs, Bernama reports.
In addition, the shift would also reduce substantially govern-
ment expenditure on the rehabilitation of these addicts.
The government spends about RM300 million annually to main-
tain and run these centres spread around the country.
There are an estimated one million drug addicts in the country.
Jerit teaches the young to become
protesters, says IGP
Obama KUALA LUMPUR: The organisers of street demonstrations
have not only tarnished the image of the country but also
signals indoctrinated the younger generation to become protesters,
break with said Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan.
Bush in He lashed out at Jerit (Oppressed People’s Network) for
enlisting under-aged teenagers in street protests as they
new exposed them to danger.
science “The teenagers have been exploited for personal interest
team and they suffered mental and physical torture,” he told
reporters after officiating a programme at Pulapol (Police
pg 13 Training Centre), here yesterday.
Jerit had launched a “Ride for Change’ campaign from
Perlis to Perak to express its views and protests over certain
issues. Sungai Siput police on Dec 10 detained 50 members
of Jerit, who were cycling from Kuala Kangsar to the city, to
record their statements. – Bernama