Preparation of charcoal briquette from palm kernel shells: case study in Ghana

This study examined the effect of varying water cement ratio on the compressive strength of concrete produced using palm kernel shell (PKS) as coarse aggregate at different replacement levels. The replacement levels of coarse aggregate with palm kernel shells (PKS) were 0%, 25%, 50%, and 100% respectively. PKS concrete cubes (144 specimens) of sizes 150mm x 150mm x 150mm were cast and cured in water for 7, 14, 21 and 28 days respectively. A mix ratio of 1:2:4 was adopted with water-cement ratio of 0.45, 0.5, and 0.6 respectively while the batching was done by weight. Slump test was conducted on fresh concrete while compressive strength test was carried out on the hardened concrete cubes using a compression testing machine of 2000kN capacity. The result of tests on fresh concrete shows that the slump height of 0.45 water cement ratio (w/c) increases with an increase in PKS%. This trend was similar to 0.50 and 0.60 w/c. However, the compressive strength of concrete cube decreases with an increase in w/c (from 0.45 to 0.60) but increases with respect to curing age and also decreases with increase in PKS%. Concrete with 0.45 water-cement ratio possess the highest compressive strength. It was observed that PKS is not a good substitute for coarse aggregate in mix ratio 1:2:4 for concrete productions. Hence, the study suggest the use of chemical admixture such as superplasticizer or calcium chloride in order to improve the strength of palm kernel shells-concrete.

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Employee Perception of the Impact of New Technology on Organizational Performance: A Case Study of Anuzo Palm Kernel Oil, Emene, Enugu, Nigeria

Asian Journal of Economics Business and Accounting ◽

10.9734/ajeba/2020/v19i430313 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 64-70

Author(s):

Nneka Egbosionu

Keyword(s):

Organizational Performance ◽

New Technology ◽

Palm Kernel ◽

Employee Perception ◽

Business Climate ◽

Palm Kernel Oil ◽

Kernel Oil ◽

Survey Technique ◽

The Impact

This study was a critical analysis of the employee perception of the impact of new technology on organizational performance. It was motivated by the often reported employee misalignment with the organizational objective of enthroning new technology as a way of staying afloat in the competition-ridden business climate. The objectives were to: Ascertain the perceived influence of acquisition of new technology on customer loyalty at Anuzo palm Kernel oil in Enugu, and to (ii) determine the extent to which introduction of new methods of production affects customer repeat purchase at Anuzo Kernel palm oil in Enugu. The study employed a quantitative situation analysis study (SAS) approach. In this approach, the quantitative opinion survey technique was employed in gathering data. The data were analyzed statistically. The result of the study shows that the employee of the organization, therefore, sees it as a medium towards effective management and consistent delivery of services to customers which in turn brings about repeated purchases and loyalty from the customers.

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