School of Infrastructure Process Engineering and Technology (SIPET)
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School of Infrastructure Process Engineering and Technology (SIPET)
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Item Biogas Production from the Co-digestion of Cow dung and poultry Droppings Using a Plastic Cylindrical Digester(2017-07-13) Simeon, Meshack Imologie; Edache, Julius; Eyeowa, AdegokeThis study was carried out to compare the rate and amount of gas produced from the codigestion of two different substrates of cow dung and poultry droppings under anaerobic conditions. Biogas production from three(3) cylindrical bio-digesters containing cow dung, poultry droppings, and a mixture of cow dung and poultry droppings under an average temperature of 28 oc and a pH of 6.2 was examined. In each case, the feedstock was diluted with an equal volume of water to form a slurry. The digestion took place for 35 days. The biogas produced during this period was collected by the balloon method and subsequently measured and recorded. The results obtained from this study show that the co-digestion of cow dung and poultry droppings yielded a maximum volume of 2.62 cm³, while poultry droppings yielded 2.50 cm³ and cow dung yielded 1.78 cm³. Thus, the co-digestion of the feedstocks gave a better gas production, and the mean biogas yield was found to be significant (P<0.05) compared to each of the single substrates. This study has demonstrated that the co-digestion of cow dung and poultry droppings in a plastic cylinder could be a cheap method for locally producing biogas for domestic purposes. It is, however, recommended that gas production can be enhanced during hot seasons where higher temperature is easily attained.Item Drying kinetics, Energy requirement, Bioactive composition, and Mathematical Modeling of Allium Cepa Slices(2022-09-24) Asoiro, Felix; Simeon, Meshack Imologie; Azuka, Chinenye E.; Harami, SolomonItem Evaluation of the physicochemical and thermal properties of honey samples from different floral locations in Enugu North senatorial zone, Nigeria.(The proceedings 12th CIGR Section, 2018-10-25) Asoiro, Felix; Simeon, Meshack Imologie; Ugochukwu Christian Abada; Chukwuemeka Jude OhagwuThis study was carried out to investigate the physicochemical and thermal properties of natural honey collected from different floral locations in Enugu North senatorial zone. The physicochemical and thermal parameters like moisture content, pH, sucrose, glucose, fructose, acidity, density, thermal conductivity, thermal heat diffusivity, specific heat capacity, viscosity, ash content, colour, and electrical conductivity were analyzed. The results obtained show that the pH values of the samples ranged from 4.7 to 5.7. The maximum and minimum moisture content were 22.5 and 16.59% (wb), respectively, with the sample from Igbo-Etiti having the lowest moisture content. The density value ranged from 820-1250 kg m-3, with honey samples from Igboeze-South recording the highest density. It was also observed that the sucrose content of the samples ranged from 1.037- 1.78g/100g, which is considered good and within the internationally acceptable value for honey. Electrical conductivity values for Igboeze-North, Udenu, Igboeze-South, Igbo-Etiti and Nsukka were 16.5, 6.0, 25.4, 3.5 and 11.4μS/cm, respectively, Fructose values were 34.339, 33.484, 34.515, 39.434 and 33.136 g/100g respectively and glucose contents were 31.361, 30.856, 31.639, 35.224 and 30.621 g/100g respectively It was also observed that honey from Igbo-Etiti is more viscous than all the samples. The honey samples from the different floral locations in Enugu North Senatorial zone were acidic. The colour of the sample is classified as Amber for samples from Igboeze-North, Igboeze-South, and Igbo-Etiti, while that of Udenu is Light Amber and that of Nsukka is Extra White. The thermal properties fell within the internationally acceptable range of values. Thermal heat conductivity ranged from 0.4358-0.4490 Wm-1K-1, specific heat capacity was from 1.3024-1.6355 kJkg-1K-1, and thermal heat diffusivity ranged from 2.4252× 10 -3.8313× 10 m2s-1. Honey is a promising source of food, raw material, and essential minerals. Knowledge of its physicochemical and thermal properties is essential to facilitate its postharvest processing.Item DEVELOPMENT OF ALUMINIUM ALLOY (AA6061) COMPOSITES FOR AUTOMOBILE EXHAUST PIPE(Nigerian Journal of Engineering Science and Technology Research,, 2025) A. A. Ishola, M. S. Abolarin, J. Y. Jiya, and K. T. ObanimomoThis research addresses the limitations of aluminium alloy AA6061 in withstanding the harsh conditions of automotive exhaust systems. The study aims to develop a composite material with enhanced mechanical strength and corrosion resistance by reinforcing AA6061 with kaoline ore and masquerade leaves. Using the stir casting method, the alloy was combined with the reinforcements and cast into molds. The results revealed that the developed composites showed improved properties compared to the base alloy. Hardness increased from 95.4 HBW to 102.7 HBW, tensile strength rose to 270 N/mm², and yield strength to 240 N/mm². Corrosion resistance was significantly enhanced, with potential ranging from -300 mV to -550 mV, compared to -90 mV to -250 mV for the unreinforced alloy. Microstructural analyses confirmed uniform reinforcement distribution. The study recommends further optimization of reinforcement ratios and casting parameters to maximize performance for automotive applications, particularly in exhaust systems.Item Effects of Waste Glass Powder and Cassava Peel Ash on Compressive Strength of Concrete(Proceedings of the Third International Civil Engineering Conference (ICEC, 2024), 2025) Ndaiji, A. U.; Abdullahi, M.; Abbas, B. A.; Abubakar, MahmudThis study investigates the effects of incorporating glass waste powder (GWP) and cassava peel ash (CPA) as partial replacements for cement on the compressive strength of concrete. A total of 294 concrete cubes were prepared with varying proportions of GWP and CPA (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25% and 30% replacement levels). Both materials were characterized by X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) analytical method. The slump of fresh concrete with WGP and CPA of 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30% respectively by weight of cement was investigated in accordance with standard procedures. The results show that the compressive strength of concrete increased with the addition of GWP and CPA up to a certain replacement level. The 28 days compressive strength of concrete with 15% WGP/CPA content was 16.4 % more than normal, while that of concrete with 20% WGP/CPA content was 11.9 % less than normal. The optimal replacement levels for GWP and CPA were found to be 15% and 5%, respectively. The study concludes that the use of GWP and CPA as partial replacements for cement can improve it compressive strength, it sustainability and reduce the environmental impact of concrete production. The results of slump tests of different percentages of CPA/GWP as a partial replacement of cement in concrete production were observed for all proportion ranging between 12 – 41mm. However, 20% GWP/CPA replacement was considered as optimum for structural concrete.Item Numerical investigation of the impact of nonuniform corrosion on dynamic characteristics and nonlinear cyclic behaviour of circular RC bridge piers(Springer Netherlands (Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering), 2025-03-07) Zhang, Ziliang; Aminulai, Hammed O; Powrie, William; Kashani, Mohammad MInsufficient detail in the numerical modelling of reinforced concrete (RC) bridge piers can lead to oversimplification between simulated and real column behaviour under seismic loading. This paper describes the development and validation of an advanced and computationally efficient numerical model for circular RC bridge columns. First, the lateral stiffnesses, natural frequencies and damping ratios of three differently configured RC columns at various stages of degradation were evaluated by means of quasi-static cyclic and sledgehammer tests in loading cycles of increasing lateral drift amplitude. Normalised column lateral stiffness and first mode natural frequency were found to reduce nonlinearly with increasing column drift ratio. The two variables were also correlated to link RC column degradation with natural frequency reduction, which could allow rapid post earthquake assessment of residual capacity. RC columns suffering from heavy corrosion were found to have a higher natural frequency and a tendency to fail prematurely under cyclic loading, whereas the damping ratio was generally unchanged. A set of nonlinear beam-element models employing fibre-discretised cross-sections was then developed and validated against experimental measurements. The model simulates buckling, fracturing, low-cycle fatigue, and bond-slip of vertical reinforcements, as well as nonuniform geometrical and mechanical deterioration of critical column sections. Individual fibre responses in the numerical model offered explanations for specific features of the experimental column stiffness and natural frequency reduction curves. Underlying mechanisms included the redistribution of compressive stress between concrete and rebars during cyclic loading, crushing of cover concrete, and yield of vertical reinforcements. Overall, the model accurately simulates the hysteresis response of the differently configured RC columns, without the need for column-specific adjustments.Item Development and Preliminary Testing of an Electronic Pest Repeller with Automatic Frequency Variation(International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology-Springer, 2013-01-01) Simeon, Meshack Imologie; Mohammed A.S.; Adebayo S. E.This study presents the development and preliminary performance evaluation of an improved electronic pest repeller with automatic frequency variation. The study is aimed at developing a device that is capable of emitting ultrasonic energy of varied frequencies. These frequencies do affect the auditory senses of pests such as rodents, avian, and nocturnal insects by making them uncomfortable in their abode. However, these frequencies do not affect the hearing ability of humans. An Astable Multi-vibrator (AMV), timer NE555, was used to generate the required ultrasonic frequency and automatically varied in five steps by a pulse generating IC (CA3130) and a counter (CD4017). A D-type flip-flop IC (CD4013) was used to obtain a symmetrical output signal, which was amplified in push-pull mode by 2-NPN Transistors (BD-139) and 2-PNP transistors (BD140). Five variable resistors (each 100KΩ) were used to control the different frequencies. Two transducers (tweeters) were employed to produce an efficient sound. The unit was tested with three groups of white foot mice (Peromyscus leucopus) and a female house mouse Mus musculus which all responded positively from a distance of up to fifteen (15) meters from the source. The average designed efficiency was found to be 86.5%. The device can be utilized by both small and large-scale farmers for repelling pests. The performance of the device could be greatly improved with little modifications, for instance, using microcontrollers and ultrasonic sensors to transmit the ultrasonic sound in a special frequency band.Item The Effect of Surfactant Concentration on Crude Oil Removal from Contaminated Soil(Nigerian Research Journal of Engineering and Environmental Sciences (RJEES), 2017) Farrow, T.S.; Ketebu, O.; Eterigho, E.J.The extraction efficiencies of three non-ionic surfactants; Tween 80, Brij 35 and Triton X-100 at different concentrations of 0.1- 0.5% w/v were investigated. It was observed that for the three surfactants examined, the bulk oil removal increased with increasing surfactant concentration. The results of the investigation also revealed that Brij 35 was effective in the removal of aliphatics while low concentration of Tween 80 did not favour the removal of aromatic hydrocarbons. Triton X-100 seems to be the best amongst the surfactants investigated considering its capability for removing both aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons at relatively low concentrations. Concentration of 0.5% w/v for all the surfactants generally produced an appreciable increase in bulk oil removal, aliphatic and aromatic fractions. These results will provide a guideline for evaluating and selecting non-ionic surfactants for the remediation of crude oil contaminated soilItem Study of the Physical Properties and Biodegradability of Potato-Starch Based Plastics(World Congress on Engineering and Computer Science (WCECS 2017) San Francisco, USA, 2017-10-25) Eterigho, Elizabeth J.; Farrow, T. S.; Ejejigbe, Silver E.; Gideon, O. DanielDue to the exceptional growth of environmental menace pollution caused by the disposal of used plastics in the world today, there exist the needs to produce biodegradable plastics from cheap and renewable feed stocks. This research work focuses on the synthesis and characterization of potato starch- based plastics (biodegradable) using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as cross linker. PVA was varied in mass ratios of 15, 30, 45 and 80% in the thermoplastic starch (TPS)/PVA blend. Mechanical properties (such as tensile strength, percentage elongation, young modulus) and specific gravity of the blends were studied. The results showed that 80% PVA plastic had the highest tensile strength, elongation and lowest young modulus of 384.47kPa, 347.27%, and 310.10kPa respectively. The specific gravity of the whole blends was 1.2. The elongation at break increases with increasing concentration of PVA, having the least value of 0% and highest value of 481.82% for 15 % and 80 % PVA plastic respectively. In addition, the results obtained showed increase in the values of the properties of the samples with respect to thermal conductivity, acid, base and water resistance with increase in composition of PVA. Biodegradability test was done via soil-burial method and the PVA/TPS blend was noted to be biodegradableItem Assessment of Heavy Metal Contamination on Dumpsite in Kuyi Village, Niger State, Nigeria(International Journal of Research in Chemical, Metallurgical and Civil Engineering. (IJRCMCE), 2016) Iyakwari, Joseph; Agbajelola, D. O.; Farrow, T. S.; Eterigho, Elizabeth JumokeSoil samples collected from the dumpsite located in Kuyi village, Minna, Niger State were analyzed for copper (Cu), iron (Fe2+) and manganese (Mn) using Atomic Absorption Spectrometer. Twenty-one (21) sample points both horizontally and vertically (depth) were studied. The results revealed that Mn had the highest concentration (11.6mg/kg) compared to Cu and Fe2+. However, it was observed that a minimal reduction in concentration of each metal along the surface of the dumpsite occurred. Interestingly, the concentration of Fe at all points was relatively high (5.54mg/kg, 4.67mg/kg, 3.99mg/kg and 3.78mg/kg). Based on the Federal Environmental Protection Agency and Land Disposal Restriction Standard Regulation, this metal could have adverse effect on human health, stream and agricultural activities of villagers around the dumpsite.