Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) between UNIMAS and Prima Natural Resources and Manufacturing Sdn. Bhd. on Solid Waste-to-Fuel Gases Conversion System Joint R & D
Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) and Prima Natural Resources Sdn. Bhd. are proud to announce that they have signed an MoA on 4th May 2006 to signify a collaborative research and development on a novel technology invented by Mr. Wong Chung Tiew, the Managing Director of Prima Natural from Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia.
The “Solid Waste-to-Fuel Gases Conversion System” converts basically any solid and plastic wastes to synthetic gasoline and diesel (the so-called “syn” gas) which can be used for energy and heating. This technology has attracted the attention of engineers and scientists at Unimas as it has various aspects which are significantly different from other related technology, which include non-pollution and low-cost of operation.
Mr. Wong has patented the process of the conversion in over 120 countries world-wide under his own name. He has spent over 20 years to develop the system which was based on his experience in trying to get rid of some organic waste from his vast chicken farm in Sibu. He managed to develop the system to include not only organic solid waste, but also plastic and used rubber tyres, amongst other wastes.
The main objectives of the R & D will include a quantitative study with special focus on the thermo-chemical reactions taking place and a measurement of the physical properties involved in the conversion process in order to optimize the technology.
The R & D will be conducted in a dedicated Energy Park at Unimas Permanent Campus, which is proposed to cater for novel technologies and systems which utilize renewable energy. Prima Natural has also agreed to construct a pilot plant scale model of the system at the Park for the purpose of the R & D.
The research will be undertaken by members of the Faculty of Engineering, led by Ir. Dr Law Puong Ling, with some contribution from other faculties.
According to Professor Abdul Rashid Abdullah, the VC of Unimas, this is the first MoA signed between the university and an individual inventor ever at Unimas. Hopefully more university-industrial collaboration of this nature will be forthcoming.
The MoA was signed by Professor Abdul Rashid Abdullah and Mr. Wong Chung Tiew, witnessed by Tan Sri Datuk Amar Hj. Bujang Hj. Mohd. Nor, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Unimas at the Centre for Academic Information Services (CAIS), Unimas permanent campus. It was attended by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research and Innovation), Deans, Directors, key environmental researchers and members of the press.
Details of pictures available:
1) A picture of the solid waste-to-fuel gas conversion system at the Prima Natural Resources and Manufacturing Sdn. Bhd. Plant in Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia. The gas exhaust in the foreground is at such a high temperature (~ 1200C) such that the flame is invisible to the human eyes.
2) A schematic of the solid waste-to-fuel gas conversion system.
3) Professor Abdul Rashid Abdullah, Unimas Vice Chancellor, and Mr. Wong Chung Tiew exchanging the MoA documents witnessed by Yg. Berbahagia Tan Sri Datuk Amar Hj. Bujang B. Hj. Mohd. Nor (Chairman of the Board of Directors, Unimas) and Mr. John Wong Liang Tai, Manager of Prima Natural Resources and Manufacturing Sdn. Bhd.
4) A group photo during a site visit of the technology by YB Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui (Min. of Plantation Industries and Commodities), YB Datuk Sri Wong Soon Koh (Second Finance Minister and Min. of Rural Development and Tourism), YB Datuk Robert Lau Hoi Chew (Dep. Min. of Housing and Local Government) and YB Dr. Soon Choon Teck (Dep. Min. of Housing and Dep. Min. of Public Health). 2nd from the left is Mr. Wong Chung Tiew, the inventor of the conversion system of Prima Naural Resources and Manufacturing Sdn. Bhd. Unimas was represented by Dr. Awangku Abdul Rahman B. Pgn. Hj. Yusof, the Director of Research and Innovation Management Centre (RIMC).
For more information, please contact:
Dr. Awangku Abdul Rahman B. Pgn. Hj. Yusof
Director
Research and Innovation Management Centre (RIMC)
(Contact details available to registered users from the link above)
