Torrefaction of Oil Palm Wastes for Improvement of Gasification Process

The project studies the biomass characteristic and the hidden problems behind it from become the main source of energy for this world. The use of gasification process as a technique to produce syngas which itself called fuels have certainly broaden the choice of using renewable energy as a replacement to current fossil fuels. The degradation of fuel storage in the whole world helps significantly to promote biomass as an alternative energy and at the same time, the need to find a suitable replacement. Therefore, gasification of biomass is seen as a future technology that can replace the current fossil fuels. However, the exploitation of this fuel sources through gasification does have drawbacks that need to be solved. Thus, this report, the torrefaction for Oil Palm Wastes for the improvement of gasification process was studied in order to improve its properties. Subsequently, it will enable biomass to be a much better fuel quality for combustion and gasification applications. For this study, palm wastes such as Palm Frond, Fiber and Kernel Shell are used to produce torrefied material and the factors affecting the process are investigated. The factors were the reactor temperature and the particle size. To analyze the characteristic of the biomass and to make comparison with the torrefied material, several analysis have been made. Thermal Gravimetric Analyzer(TGA) were used for proximate analysis where the decomposition regime was exhibited. The entire sample were analyzed for four main regions which are moisture content, volatile matter, fixed carbon content and ash content. The Ultimate Analysis were done using CHNS Analyzer were all the samples shows that the carbon content contributes to the major componenet. Halogen Moisture Analyzer(HMA) were used to analyze the moisture content of every samples and lastly, Bomb Calorimeter as a tool to determined the calorific value. Overall, the comparison was made to justify the improvement made by torrefaction process. It is found and suggested that for an optimum condition of torrefaction was at 280°C and particle size of 250 μm. Thus it is believed that with the improvements that were made to the biomass, it is viable to be promoted in the scale up production

Audit committees and internal auditors: Using LMX for relationship analysis

The purpose of this paper is to provide a theoretically-informed meaning for the ‘quality of the audit committee-internal auditor relationship’ construct and to provide a new instrument for its measure. Leader-Member Exchange Theory (LMX theory) is widely accepted in the management communication and management literature as one which can be used to explain the development of a leader-member relationship and the quality of such a relationship. The analysis will be grounded in the LMX literature, and in understanding of the relationship between the audit committee and internal auditors. This paper is a contribution to the literature as such application of LMX is a newly theorised initiative to enable researchers to improve our understandings of this important corporate relationship. The output of this analysis can be used for research which evaluates the quality of the audit committee-internal auditor relationship (AC-IA relationship)

Torrefaction of Oil Palm Wastes for Improvement of Gasification Process

The project studies the biomass characteristic and the hidden problems behind it from become the main source of energy for this world. The use of gasification process as a technique to produce syngas which itself called fuels have certainly broaden the choice of using renewable energy as a replacement to current fossil fuels. The degradation of fuel storage in the whole world helps significantly to promote biomass as an alternative energy and at the same time, the need to find a suitable replacement. Therefore, gasification of biomass is seen as a future technology that can replace the current fossil fuels. However, the exploitation of this fuel sources through gasification does have drawbacks that need to be solved. Thus, this report, the torrefaction for Oil Palm Wastes for the improvement of gasification process was studied in order to improve its properties. Subsequently, it will enable biomass to be a much better fuel quality for combustion and gasification applications. For this study, palm wastes such as Palm Frond, Fiber and Kernel Shell are used to produce torrefied material and the factors affecting the process are investigated. The factors were the reactor temperature and the particle size. To analyze the characteristic of the biomass and to make comparison with the torrefied material, several analysis have been made. Thermal Gravimetric Analyzer(TGA) were used for proximate analysis where the decomposition regime was exhibited. The entire sample were analyzed for four main regions which are moisture content, volatile matter, fixed carbon content and ash content. The Ultimate Analysis were done using CHNS Analyzer were all the samples shows that the carbon content contributes to the major componenet. Halogen Moisture Analyzer(HMA) were used to analyze the moisture content of every samples and lastly, Bomb Calorimeter as a tool to determined the calorific value. Overall, the comparison was made to justify the improvement made by torrefaction process. It is found and suggested that for an optimum condition of torrefaction was at 280°C and particle size of 250 μm. Thus it is believed that with the improvements that were made to the biomass, it is viable to be promoted in the scale up production

THE INSPIRATION OF CORPORATE INTERNET REPORTING: THE PERSPECTIVE OF MALAYSIAN CORPORATIONS

Corporate Internet Reporting (CIR) is the communication process between corporations and stakeholders via the Internet medium.  The use of CIR by corporations is considered as a precondition for success, as it offers the facility to provide stakeholders with information to make well-informed and timely investment decisions.  This study examines the reasons that motivate Malaysian listed corporations to practice CIR.  The study was conducted on 310 publicly listed Malaysian corporations across eleven various economic sectors.  In gathering the data, a questionnaire survey was distributed to the preparers of CIR who are represented by the chief financial officers, accountants, finance managers or investor relations managers of the companies.  The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the independent sample t-test.  The results revealed that corporations’ acceptance of CIR as a norm in today’s business world was the most important reason to inspire companies to practice CIR.  In addition, the timeliness, high quality, downloadable and processable format of information presented, the aspiration of companies to be in line with technological developments, increased demand for CIR by stakeholders and the ability of CIR to reach a broader range of stakeholders in disseminating corporate information were other important reasons that inspired Malaysian corporations to practice CIR.  On the other hand, the study found competitive pressure and directors’ desire as trivial reasons in inspiring companies to practice CIR. Finally, the study contributes to the knowledge pertaining to CIR in Malaysia and might be useful as a reference for other developing countries in clarifying the nature of financial reporting problems. Keywords:  Corporate Internet Reporting, inspiration, Malaysian corporations

THE INSPIRATION OF CORPORATE INTERNET REPORTING: THE PERSPECTIVE OF MALAYSIAN CORPORATIONS

Corporate Internet Reporting (CIR) is the communication process between corporations and stakeholders via the Internet medium.  The use of CIR by corporations is considered as a precondition for success, as it offers the facility to provide stakeholders with information to make well-informed and timely investment decisions.  This study examines the reasons that motivate Malaysian listed corporations to practice CIR.  The study was conducted on 310 publicly listed Malaysian corporations across eleven various economic sectors.  In gathering the data, a questionnaire survey was distributed to the preparers of CIR who are represented by the chief financial officers, accountants, finance managers or investor relations managers of the companies.  The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the independent sample t-test.  The results revealed that corporations’ acceptance of CIR as a norm in today’s business world was the most important reason to inspire companies to practice CIR.  In addition, the timeliness, high quality, downloadable and processable format of information presented, the aspiration of companies to be in line with technological developments, increased demand for CIR by stakeholders and the ability of CIR to reach a broader range of stakeholders in disseminating corporate information were other important reasons that inspired Malaysian corporations to practice CIR.  On the other hand, the study found competitive pressure and directors’ desire as trivial reasons in inspiring companies to practice CIR. Finally, the study contributes to the knowledge pertaining to CIR in Malaysia and might be useful as a reference for other developing countries in clarifying the nature of financial reporting problems. Keywords:  Corporate Internet Reporting, inspiration, Malaysian corporations

Advisory Aided System To Institute Of Higher Learning Based On Rules Based And Personality Assessment.

This paper discuss about the implementation and method used in AAISTIH. AISTIH is a web-based database system that uses rule-based and personality assessment in assisting student to apply the suitable course in institute of higher learning in Malaysia. It is a system designed with one thing in mind: to guide and advice students in selecting the courses tailored to their interests and qualifications based on students' academic qualifications and interests, using the rule-based approach in Artificial Intelligenc

The dividend payout policy - a study on Malaysian financial institutions

The purpose of this study is to identify the determinants of dividend policy in Malaysian financial institutions. Panel data set were constructed from 33 financial institutions in Malaysia for a period of 10 years (2001-2010). The results show a statistically significant positive relationship between dividend policy and profitability, which implies that Malaysian financial institutions distribute higher dividends when they record higher profitability. Lagged dividend also shows a positive significant relationship with dividend policy, which implies that financial institutions in Malaysia follow a stable dividend policy that maintains regularity of dividend payments with gradual adjustments of dividend payments towards the target payout. On the other hand, leverage shows a significant negative relationship with dividend policy, which means that a riskier financial institution pays out lower dividends. In conclusion, profitability, lagged dividend and leverage are found to be the major determinants of dividend policy in relation to Malaysian financial institutions. The results support the agency cost theory, signaling theory and the free cash flow hypothesis

An analysis of audit fee premiums of the merged audit firm in Malaysia

After the Big 6 merger exercise in 1998, PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PWC) has become the industry market leader that provides high quality audit services. Consequently, it has acquired a greater capacity to develop expertise and provide better quality audit services. It is expected that PWC charges fee premiums in return on investment for the capacity building. This study investigates how audit fee (AF) premiums and how it relates to auditors' industry specialisation and reputation. The study utilises data of 679 Bursa Malaysia listed companies in 2001 and 796 in 2005. AF premiums are calculated using the Simunic (1980) AF model. Industry specialisation is determined based on the number of audit clients at 20% threshold. Results indicate PWC obtains highest average AFs, hence, maintains its industry leadership. Results show that PWC does not charge AF premiums over and above the amount charged by the Big 5/4 regardless of whether they are industry specialists or not, except on smaller clients

Accounting students perception on Online Homework Software (OHS)

Recent technologies provide variety of tools for educators in all field including accounting. One of these tools is Online Homework Software (OHS). This study collects survey data from accounting students at Universiti Putra Malaysia to explore their perception of OHS in accounting courses. Analysis of the survey data indicated several differences between OHS users and nonusers. There are a positive correlation between shorterm performance and the hours spent of revision to the use of OHS. The ANOVA analysis show no significant difference in current CGPA (long term performance) between OHS users and nonusers. The users of OHS have reveal that the educators using OHS for assigned graded homework and the quizzes but not using OHS for formal exam. The user of OHS agree that OHS will give benefit in accounting course and able to reduce time spent in revision. Respondents also belief that OHS is a cost effective learning tool. However, the strongest concern express by the respondents is whether the use of OHS really improves their learning. The data collected is important in promoting dialog concerning OHS usage and developing recommendations for continued improvements in the software