Research Papers/Topics in Agricultural And Environmental Engineering

REFRIGERATION

INTRODUCTION DEFINITION: This is the process of cooling a defined space for various applications such as preservation of products in a domestic, commercial or industrial setting. The temperature attained is influenced by the storage and maintenance requirements of the product to be preserved. The process creates a refrigeration effect at a source while delivering heat to a sink.

The Role Of Drought On Agricultural Production; A Case Study Of Fafi District In North Eastern, Kenya

ABSTRACT A case study of the role of drought on agricultural production was conducted among small-scale farmers in the Bun division of Fafi district in Northeastern Kenya, to determine how drought affects the agricultural production, causes and different types of drought that exists and what can be done to minimize the impacts of drought in the study area. Achieving these objectives would help increase the agricultural production, ensures the availability of food and water. The method th...

Impact Assessment of Water Scarcity at Somntongo In The Lowveld Region Of Swaziland

Abstract A survey was conducted to assess the impact of water scarcity in Somntongo, in the lowveld region of Swaziland. The study adopted the use of questionnaire, interview schedules and focused group discussions. Information sought included sources of water, distances between water sources and places of residence, and the effect of water scarcity on the various aspects of human activities. The study revealed that only two rivers and five boreholes were the major sources of water while dist...

Effects of Particle Size, Composite Mix And Cold Water Treatment On The Compressive Strength Of Eremospatha Macrocarpa–Cement Composite

Abstract Effects of particle size, composite mix and cold water treatment on the compressive strength of Eremospatha macrocarpa–cement composite. Rattan–cement composites were manufactured using different particle sizes (0.60, 0.85 and 1.18 mm) of untreated Eremospatha macrocarpa cane and those treated in cold water using cement–sand ratio of 1:3 and 10% of rattan based on the cement mass. Specimens were tested for compressive strength after 28 days of curing. Increasing the particle si...

Development of A Green House Roof Cleaner

ABSTRACT The efficiency of a greenhouse is influenced by the cleanliness of the glazing material through which heat and light penetrate into the enclosure. The common cleaning method for most greenhouses in developing countries is the use of a ladder to climb onto the roof to clean which is labour intensive, time-consuming, imposes severe loads on the roof that could cause failure and is dangerous to the cleaner. Consequently, many greenhouse roofs are rarely cleaned and the accumulated dirt ...

Process Optimization Of Mechanical Oil Expression From Moringa Oleifera (Lam.) (Moringa) Seeds

ABSTRACT Moringa oleifera plant is a promising nutritional and economic resource for developing countries. Previous studies on moringa plant have focused largely on its medicinal and nutritional uses, with only a few on extraction of oil from its seeds; while solvent and aqueous enzymatic oil extraction methods have been reported for moringa seeds, literature is scarce on mechanical oil expression. This study was conducted to investigate and optimise mechanical oil expression from moringa se...

Variable Irrigation Scheduling Effects on Growth Parameters of Celosia Argentea in Humid Tropical Environment

ABSTRACT This work experimentally determines crop water requirements as well as effects of varying irrigation schedules on growth parameters of Celosia Argentea. Irrigation treatments of refilling the soil back to 100%fc, 75%fc and 50%fc were applied to predominant three soil samples from different locations within the South Western part of Nigeria having the same sandy loam textural class. Irrigation application was based on daily maximum crop evapotranspiration. Leaf Area, Number of Leaves...

Investigation Of Mechanical And Combustion Characteristics Of Cashew Nut And Mango Seed Shells Composite Briquettes

ABSTRACT The ever increasing world energy demand, with over dependency on fossil fuel is hampered by adverse environmental effects due to global warming resulting from carbon dioxide emitted during combustion. Majority of Kenyans rely on biomass, whose sustainability is faced with diminishing forest cover, currently at 1.7 %. Hence, there is need to search for alternative environmentally friendly and accessible sources. Availability of mango seed and cashew nut shells, currently considered of...

A Comparative Analysis Of Barn And Platform As Storage Structures For Yam Tuber In Ibadan,Nigeria

                                                                                ABSTRACT An experimental study was undertaken to evaluate and compare the performances of a local barn and a platform, as storage structures for yam tubers (Dioscorea rotundata poir.) The criteria used for evaluation and comparison were the degree of weight loss during storage, tuber sprouting and rotting of yam tubers during a 17 week storage duration between March and Ju...

Appropriate Harvesting Stage Of Sweet-Stem Sorghum (Sorghum Bicolor (L) Moench) Cultivar For Optimum Bio-Ethanol Production In Namibia

ABSTRACT There has been growing global concern over dwindling fossil fuel supply. This development has led to increased interest in exploration of alternative energy sources, especially bio-fuel. Sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum), corn (Zea mays), wheat (Triticum aestivum), rape seed (Brassica napus), barley (Hordeum vulgare), sugar beet (Beta vulgaris), cassava (Manihot esculenta), oil palm (Elaies guineensis), sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) and many more ha...

Effects Of Chemical Treatment On Nutrient Content And Palatability Of Senegalia Mellifera And Catophractes Alexandrii Bush-Based Feeds

ABSTRACT The objectives of this study were to determine: (1) the chemical composition of untreated Senegalia mellifera and Catophractes alexandrii; (2) the effect of NaOH and urea treatment at different levels (0%, 4%, 6% and 8%) on chemical composition of S. mellifera milled samples; (3) the nutrient composition of formulated diets from chemically and fibrolytic enzyme treated S. mellifera samples; (4) palatability of the feeds developed from S. mellifera, when fed to weaned Damara sheep. Sa...

Pesticide Regulations And Their Malpractice Implications On Food And Environment Safety

Abstract: Although pesticides have a positive effect on plant health in terms of insect pests and diseases control, increased productivity and improved crop storage, their malpractice impacts on food safety negatively. Pesticide residues and corresponding metabolites are left as runoff to the environment affecting non-targeted organisms like fish, bees, butterflies, birds and other beneficial organisms in soil and water bodies. Moreover, the application of pesticides in non-agriculture activi...

Assessment of Crop Storage Structures in Swaziland

ABSTRACT A survey was carried out to identify the types of crops popularly stored, the structures commonly used and problems experienced with produce storage in the Kingdom of Swaziland. Respondents included operators of government storage facilities, non-governmental organizations providing food relief, millers, large-scale farms, homesteads and artisans who fabricate metal tanks. Maize, the national staple food, was stored by all homesteads essentially for family consumption. It was the com...

Effect of Selected Pre Treatment on Setting of Cement Composite from Two Rattan Species

Effect of Selected Pre Treatment on Setting of Cement Composite from Two Rattan Species. AbstractThe effects of aqueous extraction and removal of vilified epidermis from rattan canes on the maximum hydration temperature (Tmax) and settling time (tmax) of two rattan cane species, Calamus deerratus and Lascosperma secundiflorum, mixed with Portland cement were investigated. Max ranged from 37.0 to 58.6oC and from 43.1 to 56.8oC for the C. Detritus and L. secundiflorum composites respectively wh...

Characterisation Of Fuel Briquettes From Gmelina Arborea (Roxb) Sawdust And Maize Cob Particles Using Cissus Populnea Gum As Binder

ABSTRACT Large quantities of agricultural and mill residues which are generated annually in Nigeria constitute environmental health hazards. Densification of these residues which is a major way of converting them to high quality fuel has not been adequately studied in Nigeria. The objective of this study was to develop and evaluate a system for briquetting and combusting Gmelina arborea sawdust and maize cob particles. Gmelina arborea Sawdust (GS) was obtained from a small-scale sawmill in Ib...


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