Hydrothermal synthesis and characterization of zeolite from Malaysia’s natural kaolin for adsorption of sodium ion (NA+) from seawater

Zeolite-A is widely known as aluminosilicate mineral that has been intensively used as an adsorbent in the adsorption process for desalination. Desalination is a technique to eliminate sodium ion and other minerals in the water. Because of the nature of seawater, which is very salty, the main purpose of the removal of sodium ion from seawater is to produce a source of clean drinking water. The capability of zeolite-A as an adsorbent makes it suitable to remove sodium ion from seawater. The raw kaolin from a different location (Perak and Johor) that acts as the main source of silica and alumina has been successfully studied to synthesized and transform into the Zeolite�A. The proposed synthesis of zeolite-A from kaolin has been reduced the cost of using synthetic reagent and high energy utilization. The various operating parameters to synthesis zeolite-A from both low-grade kaolin (Perak and Johor) were investigated to produce high crystallinity of zeolite. The alkaline solution (2-3 M NaOH) was added as a modification method for their conventional hydrothermal synthesis process. The calcination and crystallization process was recognized as an important processing stage for the synthesis. For the metakaolin process, the temperature 650 0C and time 240 minutes were used. The crystallization time of 12-16 hours with an aging treatment time of 24 hours was selected in the synthesizing of zeolite. The successful of synthesized Zeolite-A was further characterized by XRD, FESEM, FTIR, PSA and BET. The composition percentage of kaolinite from Perak kaolin (84 %) is higher compared to the Johor kaolin (40.6 %). As demonstrated in this work, Perak kaolin was successfully synthesized into Zeolite-A which give higher crystallinity percentage, 72.97 % compared to Johor kaolin, 46.72 % under 24 hours aging, with 2M NaOH and 12 hour crystallization time. The higher percentage of kaolinite from Perak kaolin gives higher crystallinity percentage of synthesizing zeolite-A compared to Johor kaolin. In addition, the BET surface area of Zeolite-A is higher, 5.26 m2 /g compared to natural zeolite, 2.9 m2 /g. The performance of adsorption capacity of sodium ion (Na+ ) toward synthesized Zeolite-A was further analyzed by batch adsorption analysis (Isotherm and Kinetic Model) and column adsorption analysis (Breakthrough curve model). The various parameter was applied to the batch experiment (Zeolite-A dosage, time, initial sodium ion concentration and volume) and column experiment (Zeolite-A dosage, initial sodium ion concentration and flow rate). For batch adsorption analysis, both the Langmuir model and Freundlich model were used to analyze the adsorption of sodium ion toward Zeolite-A. Langmuir isotherm model shows slightly better fitted with the correlation coefficient, R2 = 0.9074 compared to Freundlich isotherm, R 2= 0.9028. The result from the kinetic model shows the intra particle diffusion model gives better fitted with R2 value is 0.9117 compared to pseudo first order (R2= 0.732) and pseudo second order (R2= 0.8276). In addition, the calculated value of adsorption capacity at equilibrium, qe, is 88.4 mg/g by intra particle diffusion model gives the closest to the experimental value of qe, (92 mg/g) compared to pseudo first order (qe= 205.36 mg/g) and pseudo second order (qe= 104.1 mg/g). For column adsorption analysis, breakthrough capacity, qB was increased by increasing the bed height of zeolite-A and initial sodium ion concentration but decrease when increasing the flow rate. The column kinetic model shows the Adam Bohart model slightly better fitted with R2 range is 0.86-0.95 for flow rate, R2 = 0.82- 0.93 for bed height and R2 = 0.90-0.95 for initial sodium ion concentration compared to Thomas model, R2 = 0.84-0.94 for flow rate, R2 = 0.72-0.89 for bed height and R2= 0.78-0.88 for initial sodium ion concentration and Yoon and Nelson model, R2 = 0.84- 0.94 for flow rate, R2 = 0.69-0.89 for bed height and R2 = 0.78-0.87 for initial sodium ion concentration. It can be concluded that the performance of synthesizing zeolite-A from Perak kaolin was capable of adsorbing sodium ion from seawater solution

Do Golden Parachutes increase CEO’s DESIRE to be taken over? empirical evidence from australia and united states

This study investigates whether the large payouts that are available to Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) from a change in corporate control (takeover) do motivate some CEOs to seek acquisition of their firms by making them more attractive to a takeover bid. Using Australian and the US data, employing OLS regression, we report that there is a significant relationship between a CEOs change in control payments and their firm’s net cash levels (one of the key factors of takeover attractiveness). Our empirical results also indicate that CEOs desire their firms to be acquired by decreasing shareholders’ equity, thus supporting the view that change in control payments exist primarily for incumbent managers. Our findings provide support to the proposition that managers enjoy having large cash balances to be available to them as it allows them with greater opportunities to derive personal benefit from it. Therefore, our findings suggest that managers prefer to have large cash balances available to them to ensure their future wellbeing by setting up favourable terms in the control agreements

Effects of New Zealand general elections on stock market returns

This paper examines stock returns under both National and Labour governments in New Zealand, offering further insight into the existence of the political cycle effect. Findings indicate the existence of a political cycle effect in stock returns, consistent with a number of recent studies performed within both Australia and New Zealand. New Zealand’s right-of-centre National party are found to be associated with significantly higher stock returns during their terms in office than their left-of-centre counterparts, the Labour party. Our findings add to a growing body of literature, particularly outside of the United States, where investors can expect stock returns to vary depending upon the governing political party and can make better investment decisions accordingly

Experimental & numerical study on sheet metal lateral bending with fixed and pinned ends

The main objective of this project is to expose student with many aspect of engineering work, design, fabrication and testing a product. The task follows a common product development activity, where student need to apply all their engineering knowledge and skill to complete this project. In random, student must know some basic knowledge which is buckling definition, software and machine to be used also the finite element method. In the other hand, student must master in conceptual design and complete loose part for an assembly drawing. Not only that, student must know how to solve problem in fabrication work and can develop similar model on Finite Element software. From an engineering standpoint, the finite element method is a method for solving engineering problems such as stress analysis, heat transfer, fluid flow and electromagnetic by computer simulation. The flow of the experiment is to be done from beginning until the testing is conducted to the specimen to determine the output of the buckling test when the combination of the joint are fixed and pinned. These projects explain how the design looks like, how the test rig fabricates also failure and error during the test is going on. From this project, we can prove that the experimental result is same with the simulation result

Gas permeation properties and characterization of mitrimid based carbon tubular membrane

Carbon membranes offer high potential in gas separation industry due to its highly selective. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effect of carbonization parameter such as polymer composition, carbonization temperature, and carbonization environment on the gas separation properties. Polyimide (Matrimid 5218) was used as a precursor for carbon tubular membrane to produce high quality of carbon membrane via carbonization process. The polymer solution containing 5wt%, 10wt%, 13wt%, 15wt%, and 18wt% of Matrimid are prepared based carbon tubular membrane. The polymer solution was coated 3 times on the surface of tubular ceramic tubes by using dip-coating method. Dip-coating technique offer high potential in fabricating defect free carbon membrane. The polymer tubular membrane was then carbonized under nitrogen or argon atmosphere at temperature of 600, 750, and 850 oC with heating rate of 2 oC/min. Matrimid-based carbon tubular membranes were fabricated and characterized in terms of its structural morphology, chemical structure, thermal stability, and gas permeation properties by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), and pure gas permeation system, respectively. From the results, it is found that the best polymer composition was 15wt% while the best carbonization temperature for the preparation of carbon membrane-based Matrimid 5218 was at 850 oC. The highest CO2/CH4 and CO2/N2 selectivity of 83.30 and 75.73, was obtained for carbon membrane prepared under nitrogen environment. Meanwhile, for carbon membrane prepared under argon environment, the highest CO2/CH4 and CO2/N2 selectivity of 87.30 and 79.69, respectively, was achieved. The result indicated that the performance of the carbon tubular membrane can be controlled by varying the carbonization environment

Rethinking of interfaith communications in building the strengthening of religious tolerance in religious development (The Analysis of System and Actor)

The interfaith communication has a strong influence in the social system, meaning which is the way to depict the complexity in a system. Whereas the Government and religious leaders as the actors, they should able to comprehend the meanings, such as either religious symbols that have strong meaning or the texts of religious doctrine, in order that the existing of religious communication system did not speak good or bad matter, yet it should speak in favor of the choice of the salvation of mankind instead of building the interfaith communication of the majority grou

Penguatan toleransi agama “Analisis komunikasi pembangunan agama” (Studi pemerintahan kota Bogor)

This article aims at analyzing the empowerment of religious tolerance associated in communicated the regulation of religion conducted by the regional heads and stakeholders of Bogor city goverment in the communication development of religion as well as to identify factors that influence the mayor of bogor city and stakeholders in strengthening religious tolerance in communication religious development. To get the results of a comprehensive analysis in uncovering the role of the actors involved strengthening religious tolerance, this article uses some micro-sociological theories such as systems theory, symbolic interactionalism theory, and interpenetration theory. It also uses qualitative methods by using a descriptive analytical approac

Kontestasi Penyuluh Agama dalam Agenda Pembangunan Nasional: Studi Kasus di Kota Yogyakarta

Proses pembangunan suatu negara membutuhkan peran serta aktif segenap warga masyarakat, tidak terkecuali peran penyuluh keagamaan. Perubahan sosial masyarakat yang berlangsung merupakan keadaan yang diinginkan, bersifat positif,bermanfaat, dan ditimbulkan serta direncanakan.Kajian ini bertujuan melihat peran penyuluh agama dalam menyampaikan pesan-pesan pembangunan. Lokasi penelitian di Kota Yogyakarta. Metode penelitian menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif, analisis kritis dan statistik. Hasil kajian menyatakan bahwa secara kualitas penyuluh agama sangat strategis baik untuk menyampaikan misi keagamaan maupun misi pembangunan. Namun disisi lain, kajian ini mendapatkan bahwa peran penyuluh agama di Kota Yogyakarta, dalam menyampaikan pesan-pesan pembangunan masih relatif lemah. Oleh karena itu perlunya peran aktif penyuluh agama dalam memasukan pesan-pesan pembangunan dalam setiap kegiatan dakwahnya, agar proses pembangunan secara nasional, bisa sampai secara efektif di masyaraka

Komunikasi pembangunan agama dalam membangun toleransi agama (Analisis Sistem dan Aktor)

Pembangunan agama merupakan salah satu bahagian yang penting dalam konstelasi pembangunan nasional. Untuk menyikapi semangat pluralisme serta fenomena keberagamaan saat ini, komunikasi pembangunan agama menjadi suatu pendekatan konsep ilmu pengetahuan dari beberapa alternatif ilmu pengetahuan yang ada.Komunikasi pembangunan agama.merupakan suatu peroses komunikasi yang dilakukan untuk melaksanakan rencana pembangunan dalam bidang agama oleh suatu negara. Tulisan ini menganalisis persoalan pembangunan agama dengan memakai analisis sistem dan aktor sebagai suatu pendekatan dalam membangun logika berpikir untuk melihat situasi saat ini

Does bursa Malaysia overreact?

Findings for the whole period from January 1987 to December 2006 reveal that loser has insignificantly becomes loser and winner has significantly reversed in the subsequent period. Arbitrage portfolio does not provide any significant abnormal return thus, not consistent with the overreaction hypothesis. This is due to the reason that Malaysian investors are overoptimistic. After controlling for size, both small and large stocks have significantly support the overreaction hypothesis even after adjustment for difference in risk. No evidence of January effect is reported during the period; however, there is evidence of Chinese New Year effect documented in the findings. The study also shows that Malaysian Stock Market overreacts prior to 1997 Asian Financial crisis. During the post crisis, the results are not consistent with overreaction hypothesis. One possible reason to this behaviour is that investors are more aware of the phenomenon and have altered their trading strategy. As a result, overreaction behaviour diminishes and stock market gradually becomes efficient in the post crisis. These findings suggest that stock overreaction behaviour in Malaysian stock market only benefited the short-term investors. However, when the strategy is based on a longer formation period such as 5-year formation period, long-term investors are able to earn significant positive abnormal returns