Thai Science and Technology Journal

Elevator Regenerative Function Systems towards Green Building

2026-06-16T09:04:24+07:00

The Elevator Regenerative Function System is an energy-saving technology that converts kinetic and potential energy generated during elevator movement into electrical power for building recirculation, aligning with green building standards. This study analyzes the energy consumption and generation of passenger elevators to determine the Maximum Allowable Incremental Cost (MAIC), serving as an economic benchmark for investment decisions. Two office building models—a 15-story mid-rise and a 25-story high-rise equipped with gearless traction elevators—were utilized as case studies. Results indicate that during peak traffic periods, the mid-rise model achieved an energy recovery proportion of 108.1% relative to its motoring energy consumption, surpassing the 46.2% recorded for the high-rise model. However, in terms of absolute daily cumulative energy recovered, building height and higher traffic volume were key factors allowing the high-rise model to return more electricity to the building grid. Consequently, the economic evaluation via MAIC demonstrates that high-rise buildings possess greater investment potential and higher budget ceilings. A sensitivity analysis regarding occupancy density, building height, and electricity tariffs was also conducted to support decision-making.

Impact of Dust Accumulation on Solar Panel Performance with Hydrophobic Surface Coatings

2026-05-07T15:21:06+07:00

This study aims to investigate the performance of solar panels under dust accumulation by comparing three configurations: uncoated panels, panels coated with a single layer of copper oxide, and panels coated with a double layer. The coating material was synthesized using lauric acid (C₁₂H₂₄O₂), copper (II) hydroxide (Cu(OH)₂), and 95% v/v ethanol (C₂H₅OH), resulting in a hydrophobic surface coating. Based on five experimental trials, the average efficiencies of the uncoated, single-layer coated, and double-layer coated panels were 12.9%, 13.1%, and 13.6%, respectively. After depositing 5 g of dust on each panel, the average efficiencies decreased to 12.5%, 12.6%, and 12.9%, respectively. After cleaning by rinsing each panel with one liter of tap water, the average efficiencies recovered to 13.8%, 13.9%, and 14%, respectively. Regarding the soiling loss, the double-layer-coated panel exhibited the lowest value at 3%, whereas the uncoated panel experienced the highest soiling loss at 6.6%. An economic feasibility analysis was conducted for a 1 MW solar power system with a 25-year operational lifetime. The results indicated that double-layer-coated panels with re-coating every two years were the most cost-effective option. This configuration required an initial investment of 6,967 THB/m² and yielded a net present value (NPV) of 7,261 THB/m² and an internal rate of return (IRR) of 14.6%, with a payback period of 7 years and 6 months.

Process Simulation and Environmental Impact Assessment of Power Generation from Cassava Pulp and Corncob through Biomass Gasification

2026-08-10T09:08:13+07:00

This research investigates the simulation of a biomass gasification combined cycle power generation system and the assessment of its global warming potential (GWP). Process simulations were conducted using Aspen Plus V.12.1 to investigate the effects of gasification temperature and the steam-to-biomass ratio on power generation. Two types of biomass widely available in Thailand, namely cassava pulp and corncob, which are residues from the starch and feed mill industries, respectively, were selected as feedstocks. The results indicated that the optimum operating conditions for maximizing total power generation were a gasification temperature of 1000°C and a steam-to-biomass ratio of 1. Both biomass feedstocks exhibited comparable power generation performance. However, cassava pulp achieved a higher total power output of 4,726.87 kW and a net power output of 2,693.69 kW. In addition, the environmental impact in terms of GWP was evaluated under a cradle-to-gate system boundary. The results revealed that both biomass feedstocks exhibited comparable GWP values, with cassava pulp having a GWP of 0.032 kgCO₂e/kWh, which was slightly lower than that of corncob under the optimal operating conditions.

Predicting Air Quality in Pathum Thani, Thailand, Based on Meteorological Data Using Statistical and Machine Learning Methods

2026-02-09T09:11:57+07:00

Air pollution, particularly fine particulate matter (PM2.5), is a significant environmental issue affecting Thailand. This study compares the effectiveness of various air quality prediction methods in Pathum Thani Province and investigates the factors influencing local air quality forecasts. Statistical and machine learning methods, including binary logistic regression, linear discriminant analysis, random forest, and support vector machine, are employed. The models are evaluated using performance metrics such as accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, precision, and F1-score. The results indicate that the random forest model, using data balanced with the synthetic minority over-sampling technique (SMOTE), achieves the best performance, with an accuracy of 0.8748, sensitivity of 0.9303, precision of 0.8373, and an F1-score of 0.8813. The most influential factors in predicting air quality are the month of January, atmospheric pressure, and nighttime intervals, followed by relative humidity, temperature, and wind speed, in decreasing order of importance.

Optimization of Mycelial Growth and Fruiting Body Formation of Auricularia polytricha Isolated from a Community Forest

2026-06-02T14:01:41+07:00

This research aimed to determine the optimal conditions for mycelial growth and fruiting body formation of Auricularia polytricha, using a strain isolated from the community forest of Khao Noi Sam Phan Temple, Song Phi Nong Subdistrict, Tha Mai District, Chanthaburi Province. The effects of nutritional and environmental factors on mycelial growth on potato dextrose agar (PDA), including glucose concentration, pH, and incubation temperature, were investigated. The cultures were grown on PDA under various conditions, and colony diameters were measured. The results showed that the strain exhibited the best growth on PDA containing 2% glucose at pH 6 and incubated at 30°C, producing the largest colony diameter with a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05). Under these optimal conditions, fruiting body formation was subsequently evaluated using bag cultivation. The community forest strain produced an average fruiting body weight of 63.71±17.8 g per bag, a yield of 53.09 g/kg of substrate, and a biological efficiency of 6.93%.