MAJU ANTARA SDN BHD COMPANY TRIP 2011

PULAU REDANG

(28th April 2011 - 02nd May 2011)

 



















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MASB PROCESS AND PROJECT APPROACH

 

Our Process

Bringing Your Biomass Project From Concept To Creation

MASB is a flexible, customer oriented organization. We offer turnkey waste-to-energy, heat generation to drying processes end to end solutions, making the technology we sell only one component of the equation.

Each solution we create is customized to each client's needs, and has its own unique characteristics.

Even so, there are common themes that run through each dialogue. The following is what you can expect from MASB as we develop your biomass energy solution.

1. Project Size Determination
There are two key methods to sizing a biomass project. These processes are not mutually exclusive, but at early stages, this approach helps clarify the discussion:

a - Establish the energy demands of the site

• Energy demand (electrical, steam, heat, pressure, etc.)
• Demand cycles (operation hours, load cycles)
• Available supplemental energy sources (if needed) 

b - Establish potential feedstock availability

• Determine on-site biomass (opportunity fuel) quantities if available
• Determine potential external biomass sources (MASB retains a network of biomass feedstock providers) 

2. Biomass Fuel Due Diligence
Depending on the nature of your biomass, there may be information available as to its performance as a fuel. MASB retains substantial data on many varieties of biomass, which will be utilized as applicable.

3. Project Economics Evaluation
Once we have determined the estimated potential and/or scope of a project, we can begin to look at the savings opportunities biomass fuel can create. These savings generally come from:

• Reduced or removed cost of existing energy sources: Electricity, natural gas, oil, propane, etc.
• Reduced or removed cost of waste disposal: Tipping fees, transport costs, environmental penalties, labor etc.
• Opportunities for grants, incentives or other financial assistance as a green project

This step also involves investigating the customer's preferred payment terms: Full purchase, a choice of leasing options, or other payment arrangements as applicable.

4. Biomass Fuel Characteristics Verification

Phase 1: Proximate Ultimate Test

 

The previous steps should provide enough information to determine if the project has sufficient R.O.I. to warrant further investigation. Although existing information may be available, by nature, no two biomass materials are exactly the same. Soil quality, moisture, animal diet or storage durations can impact an opportunity fuel's performance. Because of these variations, MASB conducts proximate ultimate testing on your specific biomass. A predetermined quantity of your opportunity fuel will be required, and sufficient data will be created to dictate next steps.

Phase 2: Fuel Evaluation

 

MASB will perform a multiple day evaluation of your fuel stock in a production-model gasification unit. The testing includes the monitoring and reporting of emissions, fuel performance, fuel feed demands, BTU value, and ash characteristics of your opportunity fuel. This testing will yield sufficient information to allow MASB to offer you performance guarantees for your feedstock within certain parameters. 80% of your investment in a biomass test.

5. Emissions Compliance
Depending on the size of the installation, the location, and the opportunity fuel being utilized, MASB and its partners will perform research and permitting activities for compliance with air regulations.

 

6. Initial Biomass Solution Design
Once the properties and performance of the fuel has been verified and found to be feasible, MASB submits a more formalized proposal. All of the critical components of the installation, from fuel feeding system, to unit size, to filtration and stack parameters, are outlined and budgetary pricing estimates are determined. Timelines are fashioned based on the current market demand.

 

7. Project Planning and Final On Site Research
Now that the customer is equipped with budgetary pricing, and the hardware needs have been determined, MASB conducts extensive on site research. This research includes all final technical details, addresses fatal flaws, and otherwise allows MASB adjust the specifications to fully meet the customer's needs and addresses the unique demands of the installation.

 

8. Final Project Pricing, Scheduling & Commencement
Once MASB and the customer feel confident that the project is ready to break ground, the final steps are to finalize pricing, scheduling and startup information. Initial payment for the solution is made, and the order is placed with our technology producers.

 

 

 

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Malaysia to focus on green tech, says PM

Malaysia to focus on green tech, says PM

Najib Razak, Malaysia's Prime Minister says that the world must rise to the challenge posed by climate change now before it becomes a case of "too little, too late."

"It's the challenge of our times that requires a concerted effort in harnessing the global reservoir of scientific and intellectual capital," he said at the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi.

Malaysia, would be looking at four main sectors to implement green technologies – energy, transport, buildings and water, he said.

"We have to adopt green technologies to not only enhance efficiency and effectiveness of energy use, but also to effectively mitigate carbon emissions," he said.

Speaking about the Copenhagen Climate Change Summit's failure to reach an agreement on climate change, Najib said," "We have time and time again chosen to take the path of expediency rather than boldly taking the bull by the horns and do what is needed and necessary to address the threat of climate change. It's our moral responsibility to bequeath to our children a more pristine and healthy planet."

( Source:http://www.malaysiainfocus.com/politics/malaysia-to-focus-on-green-tech-says-pm/2261)

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Top 10 Green

Valentine's Day Gifts

Be thoughtful this Valentine's Day and buy an environment-friendly gift for your beloved. This subtle and caring gift may earn you more admiration from your loved one than any showy or fancy purchase.

A Recycled Card or an E-Card
Choose a creative card that is made from recycled paper or non-tree materials. The back of the card will mention if it is made in an environment-friendly way, or if the proceeds will go to a voluntary organization. Alternatively, you can send an e-Card or even make a hand-made card from waste materials at home.

Organic Fresh Flowers from a Local Farm

When you buy locally grown flowers, you will be helping your community. Take a look at the local farmer's market in your area. The effort is worth the occasion, and it will make your gift more special.

Natural Essential Oils instead of a Perfume

Instead of going for an expensive and quite obvious gift of a perfume, think differently this Valentine's. Check out some unique essential oils that spread natural fragrance. These oils are distilled from seeds, plants, flowers, shrubs, bushes and roots.

Organic Coffee, Chocolates or Wines

Organic products are better for health and help to sustain the environment as well. Such products help to promote the farmer communities. Try to buy them from fair trade stores that ensure that the growers and workers have received fair wages for making the product.

Donate to a Voluntary Organization

You can make a donation to a voluntary organization that promotes sustainable development. This donation can go on behalf of the person to whom you wish to give a Valentine's Day gift.

Eco-friendly Jewelry

If you are planning gift a piece of jewelry, consider purchasing it from a jeweler that is certified that the material used is eco-friendly and it has been produced in a socially responsible manner. You may even consider non-metal jewelry such as a wooden pendant to make an eco-friendly statement.

Romantic Dinner at a "Green" Restaurant

Look for a local restaurant that specializes in organic food or exclusively locally grown food. This helps to eliminate food miles and promotes community development along with saving the environment.

Holiday at a Natural Retreat

If you are planning to take your beloved for a holiday on this Valentine's, consider visiting a natural retreat such as a wildlife reserve or park. When you patronize such places, it helps to fund their efforts to protect and promote the environment.

Organic Clothing

Clothing made out of sustainable fabrics can make a great fashion statement. Synthetic textiles use toxic chemicals and pollute the ecosystem. So go for anything made in organic silk, organic cotton or organic chiffon fabrics. You may try to buy them from fair trade outlets that pay fair wages to the workers.

Solar Powered Gadgets
If you plan to gift a digital device, a phone or a watch, or other such products, look for the ones that are powered by solar cells. An eco-friendly gadget is a great way to show that you care for the earth.

Green gifts can your Valentine's Day different, special and memorable. So go ahead and make the best earth-friendly choice of a gift.

(Source: http://www.justmeans.com/Top-10-Green-Valentine-s-Day-Gifts/44205.html)

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Going Green - The Top 10 Simple Ways You Can Go Green at Home and at Work

Interested in going green? We want to make it easy for you and your family to embrace a sustainable lifestyle. We encourage you to make the commitment, as it will have a huge impact on our planet for many years to come.

Below are the top 10 ways to going green in your home or business. When you go green, you don't have to turn your life upside down. Green living is all about taking small steps to simplify your life and keep the planet healthy.

Take the extra step today. Your grandkids will thank you!

1. Print on both sides of recycled paper.

• American businesses trash over 21 million tons of paper each year. Not every home or business has a printer with duplex capability; however we suggest switching if you are big on printing. Recycle the paper you don't need and remember to shred anything that contains sensitive information. Going green means less paper, less mess, and more money in your pocket.

2. Buy non-toxic, concentrated, green cleaning products.

• This is a great way to save money and reduce the negative impact on the environment.

Using concentrated, eco-friendly products is an absolute must. Most cleaning products, including some so-called green products, are made up of mostly water! Using eco-friendly, concentrated cleaners reduces the amount of discarded packaging and keeps abrasive chemicals out of the environment and your home

3.  Go paperless and pay bills online.

• Most banks offer online bill pay services that enable you to electronically view statements as well as receive and pay bills online. All this can be done without ever having to use envelopes or postage. Check with your bank for online services, save yourself money, and spare a landfill. You'll also appreciate no longer being tempted to use the "convenience" checks that are sent with each paper statement. Going green does have its perks!

4. Recycle.

• You'd be amazed at the things we trash into a landfill. Most recyclables are identified by the recycle triangle. Look for the recycle triangle at the bottom of plastic bottles including prescriptions, hair care, face wash, salad dressing, vitamins, and the like. Always recycle cereal boxes, newspapers, cans, glass, magazines, and paper towel rolls. Items like glass can take millions of years to decompose in a landfill. There's no better way to going green than recycling!

5. Go bag less or use eco-friendly bags .

• Buying gum? Skip the bag. The U.S. alone uses 84 billion plastic bags a year. Fourteen plastic bags have enough petroleum in them to drive a car one mile. For big grocery shopping trips bring a laundry basket. If you don't want to mess with the basket, consider a reusable bag. Keep the reusable bag(s) in your trunk or by the door as a reminder.

6. Use less paper towels and napkins.

• In public restrooms, some people use four and five towels to dry their hands, then more to open the door! Consider using, at most, two or three towels and retain those same towels to open the door. Also, reduce the number of napkins you snag when you are eating out. Do you really need 15 napkins to get you through the meal? The average American uses approximately 2,200 napkins a year or roughly 6 per day. Yikes!

Reduce waste, live smart, go green!

7. Omit coffee stirrers and bring your own cup.

• Love coffee? Think about how many disposable cups and stirrers you throw away each week, multiply that over a year, and then picture this dumped in a landfill over a lifetime. Consider skipping the stirrer. Try putting your sugar and cream in first, then pour in the coffee and everything should mix just fine. If you are insistent in having a stirrer, use a reusable spoon or an uncooked spaghetti noodle. If you make a coffee purchase, bring your own cup. Most coffee shops will be happy to fill your own cup and may even offer you a discount! Going green saves you money once again!

Keep the earth as green as possible while keeping more 'green' in your pocket!

8. Launder with cold or warm water.

• Switching from hot water to warm or cold water may reduce your normal laundry energy usage by half! Using cold water is actually just as effective for laundering as warm water. This will save money on energy costs as well as spare excessive fading of the fabric, prolonging the life of your clothes. Launder only when you have a full load.

9. Adjust the thermostat and turn off your computer.

• Adjusting your thermostat by one degree higher in the summer and one degree lower in the winter may save you lots of money on your monthly energy bill. Switch your computer off at night instead of putting it on sleep mode. This could save you 40 watt-hours per day and $14 per year. It may not seem like a lot, but over a lifetime, you are making a difference.

10. BYOW (Bring Your Own Water).

• Bottled water fan? Almost 90% of water bottles are not recycled. If you bring bottled water to work, consider a reusable container filled with filtered water from home. Even better, bring your own filter pitcher. Not only will you do your part to help the environment, but you will save the money you were spending on a weekly bottled water supply. It is also important to note the Environmental Protection Agency has stricter quality mandates regarding tap water than the Food and Drug Administration does on bottled water. Ditch the disposable and drink to your health!

(Source :http://www.greenhomegreenbusiness.com/going-green.html)

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Recycling Facts and the Benefits of Recycling

Everyone today has heard of how important it is to recycle and most cities offer a recycling program, but what exactly is recycling and how beneficial is it really to us and the environment?

What are the recycling facts and benefits?

Recycling is the process of turning one products useful parts into a new product; this is done to conserve on the consumption of resources, energy and space used in landfills.

By recycling1 plastic bottle not only saves anywhere from 100 to 1000 years in the landfill but also saves the environment from the emissions in producing new bottles as well as the oil used to produce that bottle.

For every1 ton of plastic that is recycled we save the equivalent of 2 people's energy use for 1 year, the amount of water used by 1 person in 2 month's time and almost 2000 pounds of oil.

Today the most common products in cities recycling programs are paper products, cardboard, plastic, glass and aluminum。

Approximately 60% of our rubbish thrown away today could be recycled.
A survey was done and 9 out of 10 people surveyed said they would recycle more if it was easier.
Odd as it seems there are many people who do not realize that plastic bottles our water comes in is made out of oil. 
This is the same oil that is used to make gasoline. It's the same oil that is in such high demand and is not an unlimited resource.

Taking Just A Moment
Taking just a moment to put your newspaper, soda can and glass spaghetti jar in the recycling bin will save everyone years in environmental harm from production of new materials, over crowded landfills and the depletion of our natural resources.

4000 Years
When we do not recycle at least our glass or aluminum we cost the earth in power usage, water and oil usage and landfill usage; glass takes up to 4000 years to decompose in a landfill yet can be recycled indefinitely.

Earn Money
Recycling can be done at home as well as in conjunction with city programs. Many scrap yards pay for scrap metal including the soda cans and soup cans we use every day.

Be Creative
Many useful items can be made from our everyday trash; the cardboard tubes left over from paper towel and toilet paper can make useful storage containers for our extra extension cords and prevents a tangled mess in the Christmas lights.
If your going to throw these out don't just throw it in the rubbish bin, put it the recycling bin.
Baby jars can become snow globes the kids can make and give as gifts, old Christmas cards can become new hand made cards and a glass or plastic bottle along with some clear oil and food coloring and a few other common household items can become a groovy lava lamp!
The possibilities are endless and instructions can be found in books and on the internet

Start Today
Recycling is a very environmentally green activity; however, there are ways that you can make it greener as well as building a strong beginning if you do not currently recycle.
Many people beginning a recycling program look around and wonder what they can put in the recycling bin; there is so much information available on this site, so don't panic.
By reusing your recycled storage containers you save on the environmental impact as well. Paper and plastic bags are good for recycling storage; however, a plastic reusable bin is even better.

Spread The Word
Share what you know. If you notice abundant trash in your neighborhood start spreading the word and your experience with recycling and if there isn't already one in place strive to get a city recycling pick up program started.
The fact is many of our resources as well as our Earth is not renewable and we have to start taking control of our selves beginning with the world we live in. 

(Source: http://www.environment-green.com/)

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Green Housing

Green housing is a term used for eco-friendly living. Whether building a new home with all Green Technology or making improvements on an existing home to make it more eco-friendly the green housing industry is growing.

Green housing is a step to help reduce the impact of humans on the environment and helps to promote better health and economic prosperity through energy efficiency and the use of sustainable resources.

Through making homes more efficient, using sustainable resources, and replacing appliances with energy efficient models we can lessen our impact on the environment and save our financial resources as well.

When choosing to build a new home the size and shape can greatly influence the eco-friendliness of the home.Choosing an excessively large home reduces the efficiency and increases the impact on the environment, a greener choice for the size of your home would be to figure about 500 sq ft per occupant.

This provides a comfortable living condition with less raw material and energy consuming space.  The shape of the home can increase the efficiency as well; today more dome shaped homes are being built. 

A dome shaped home can save an average of 30 percent more surface space as a box home of thesame size giving less area for heat and cooling to escape.
A dome shaped home allows for more natural light andair circulation and thus can decrease the usage requirements of energy in the home.

A dome shaped home also is more aerodynamic and cold air will blow around the home instead of penetrating the walls.

An existing home can be re-modeled into a eco friendly house thus utilizing the materials that are already in the home reducing waste that would find itself in the landfills and dumps.
Some of the biggest impacts on making your home more eco-friendly are to make your home more efficient.

This can be done by insulating it, using energy efficient windows and doors and replacing the appliances with energy efficient ones.

Insulating your home can save your energy use by up to 50 percent and tax credits are available for many people who insulate their homes.

When choosing an insulation look for natural material insulations such as recycled denim and cotton insulations.

Replacing the windows and doors in your home can increase the efficiency and energy conservation as well as making you eligible for tax credits. 

Energy efficient appliances are available that use less water and energy as well as costing less peruse. There are many ways to improve the eco-friendliness of your existing home even if you are cannot remodel or do extensive changes like appliances and windows.

Eco Friendly Houses

Replacing your regular light bulbs with CFL bulbs can save up to 75 percent more energy usage and save money in energy costs as well.

Adjust your heating and cooling by just 3 degrees; turning the heat down and the cooling up, can save over 1000 pounds of CO2 emissions each year.

Wash clothes in cold water instead of hot, line dry clothes when you can and if using the dishwasher always ensure a full load and allow it to air dry instead of heat drying. 

If you do not have a low flow toilet you can convert your existing toilets by placing water filled bottles in the tank; this displaces the tank water and saves with each flush.

When it is time to paint, look for paints that do not use VOC (volatile organic compounds) which is bad for the environment and health.

Green housing and Earth friendly living is the responsibility of everyone; however, there are varying degrees that people can achieve.

If each person lives as environmentally responsible as they are able the impact of the efforts globally will be seen.

One family may be able to build an entirely green home whereas most families are able to just improved the eco-friendliness of their existing home; whatever your level, it is only effective if you do it.

(source : http://www.environment-green.com/Green_Housing.htm)

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