Research Papers/Topics in Agricultural And Bioresources Engineering

Hydrological Update of the Watershed Resources Management Model and Gis-Based Application to the Humid Tropical Environment of South-East Nigeria

Abstract Hydrological models are useful tools for prediction and understanding of hydrological phenomena which underpin watershed resources utilization. A watershed model simulates hydrological processes in a more holistic manner across the entire watershed area. Most watershed models are fairly complex; interactions among watershed hydrological components are essentially nonlinear and take place on a wide range of temporal and spatial scales. The Watershed Resources Management (WRM) model w...

Development of a Model for Thin Layer Solar Drying of Salted Fish Fillets

Abstract A batch type direct passive solar dryer was designed and fabricated to dry salted tilapia fish fillets. The dryer has a capacity a capacity of 1500g/batch. The tilapia fish species were obtained from Domita Farms Nig. Ltd,.Uyo, Akwa Ibom State and transported immediately to Nsukka in a cold storage container. The salted fish fillet was prepared to conform to thin layer drying specification of 3.0mm-5.0mm thickness before drying. The solar drying experiments were conducted at the Depa...

Static Analysis and Design of Laterized Concrete Cylindrical Shells for Farm Storages

ABSTRACT As the prices of building materials in the country continue to increase sharply, there is growing need to source local materials as alternative for farm building constructions. This project investigates the performance of a cylindrical shell built of laterized concrete for storage of foodgrains or water. L In order to optimize the mix ratio of the constituent materials that will produce maximum strength, a mathematical model which relates the strength of laterized concrete and its co...

Determination Of The Hydraulic Conductivity And Infiltration Capacity Of The Fedral Unversity Of Technology Owerri (Futo) Farm

ABSTRACT This thesis describes the in situ methods of the determination of both the hydraulic conductivity and infiltration capacity of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) farm soil. The inverse anger hole method was chosen to determine the hydraulic conductivity due to its simplicity and effectiveness. Cognizance was taken of the factors as presented in the project report that affect the results determined. Also the various methods of determining the two parameters were revi...

Effects Of Different Binders On The Physical And Combustion Properties Of Dried Leaves Briquettes

ABSTRACT Biomass Briquetting can address waste problems, reduce air pollution from direct open air burning and also reduce dependence on fossil fuels for heat generation. Dry leaves have been shown to have high calorific values; therefore the purpose of this study is to determine the effects of some binders on the physical and combustion properties of dried leaves briquettes. Dried leaves were mixed with binders such as clay, starch and Arabic gum separately at different ratios of 10%, 20%, ...

Optimization Of Tomato Water Productivity Under Deficit Sub-Surface Drip Irrigation And Mulching Systems

ABSTRACT The greatest challenge in the agriculture is to produce more food with low quantity of water. The challenge facing tomato farmers in Njoro Sub - County is the unfavourable conditions for tomato growth which includes very low rainfall during the seasonal dry periods. However, there is limited information on optimum water management practices, or deficit irrigation that would increase tomato crop yield and additionally improve the tomato quality when drip irrigation is used. The objec...

Development Of Autocalibraton Capability For Watershed Resources Management (Wrm) Model

ABSTRACT Simulation of complex hydrological responses in large watersheds over years has prompted the need for procedures for autocalibration. The commonly available models of watershed hydrology are of the event type applicable on a basin scale or continuous models applicable on a field scale. The Watershed Resources Management (WRM) model is a basin-scale model for continuous simulation. It is generally applicable in planning, forecasting and operational hydrology, to the study of environme...

Prediction Of Sugar Yield From Sugar Cane Using Process Modeling

ABSTRACTA study was undertaken to developed a model that will be used to predict sugar and theby-products from sugar cane. The model developed from MATLAB was used to predictthe sugar, bagasse, filter cake and molasses yield from sugar cane. The predicted valuesfrom the model were compared to yield data obtained from the production of sugar canefrom the Savannah Sugar Company, Numan, Nigeria for 90 days. The analysis ofvariance (ANOVA) at p ≤ 0.01 was used to determine if there were signifi...

Effects of Field Trip And Land Laboratory Activities on Students Achievement And Interest in Poultry Production in Senior Secondary Schools in Nsukka, Enugu State

Abstract  This study was designed to determine the effects of field trip and land laboratory activities on students’ achievement and interest in poultry production in Senior Secondary Schools in Nsukka Local government Area, Enugu State. Six research questions were answered while six null hypotheses were tested at a 0.05 level of significance. The study adopted a quasi-experimental design and was carried out in Nsukka, Enugu State. The population of the study was 1,671 senior Secondary Sch...

Determination Of The Hydraulic Conductivity And Infiltration Capacity Of The Fedral Unversity Of Technology Owerri (Futo) Farm

ABSTRACT  This thesis describes the in situ methods of the determination of both the hydraulic conductivity and infiltration capacity of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) farm soil. The inverse anger hole method was chosen to determine the hydraulic conductivity   due to its simplicity and effectiveness. Cognizance was taken of the factors as presented in the project report that affect the results determined. Also the various methods of determining the two parameters...

Characterization of Aquifers in Afikpo Local Government Area, Southeastern Nigeria

ABSTRACT  Before the exploitation of groundwater in a region, it is usually necessary to determine the hydraulic characteristics which allow the flow of water through aquifer and the amount of water that aquifer yields to well due to compression or dewatering of the aquifer. Hydrogeological work was carried out to characterize the aquifers of Afikpo-North L.G.A., Southeastern Nigeria. The study area lies within the lower Benue Trough of Nigeria and is underlain by Turonian Ezeaku Formation ...

THE EFFECTS OF MOISTURE AND FERMENTATION PERIODS ON THE PHYSICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF ‘AMELONADO’ AND ‘HYBRID’ VARIETIES OF COCOA BEANS

ABSTRACT The effect of moisture content (5-24%) on some physical and compressive properties of the ‘Amelonado’ and ‘Hybrid’ varieties of cocoa beans were studied. Alongside, the effects of fermentation periods (0-8 days) on the biochemical profiles of the dried beans were studied in three morphological parts (whole bean, nib and shell). Four experiments were separately conducted as completely randomized, factorial designs. Compared to the ‘Amelonado’ variety, the axial dimensions ...

Physical and Aerodynamic Properties of African Breadfruit (Treculia Africana) Seeds

ABSTRACT Physical and aerodynamic properties of African breadfruit (Treculia africana) seeds were studied at four moisture levels: 12.50, 15.00, 17.50 and 20.10% wet basis (w.b). As moisture content increased from 10.50 to 20.10% wet basis (w.b), the average weight, major diameter, minor diameter, intermediate diameter, geometric mean diameter, arithmetic mean diameter of the seeds ranged from 0.35-0.60g, 8.0-10.06mm, 4.04-5.00mm, 2.96-4.60mm, 4.52-6.03mm, and 5.03-6.55mm respectively. Also t...