Abstract: Biogas is an alternative source of energy that is produced by methanogenic bacteria through the bio-degradation of organic material under anaerobic fermentation of organic matter conditions. The aim of this study was to determine the optimal mix ratio for biogas production from anaerobic digestion of mango fruit peel and cow dung. The experiment was batch operated and daily gas yield from the mixture was monitored for 30 days. The parameters measured were total solids (TS), volatil...
Abstract: Biogas is eco-friendly alternative renewable energy source produced through anaerobic digestion of organic compounds. In this study, biogas production was evaluated from sawdust (SD)and cow dung (CD) co-digestion in five mix ratios under mesophilic conditions (35ºC) using batch digesters in the micro biology Laboratory of Haramaya University to evaluate biogas production potential of sawdust through anaerobic digestion alone or in combination with cow dung .In 100%SD , 100% CD, 50...
Abstract: Alternative energy sources have recently become more and more attractive due to the increasing demand for energy, global warming, depletion of fossil fuels and high prices of petroleum-based fuels. One of the alternative sources of energy is Biogas. In this study, Guizotia scabra sub-species scabra was evaluated for its potential of biogas production codigested with Cow dung (CD ) in five mix ratios under mesophilic condition (38ºC) using batch digester in Botany laboratory of Har...
Abstract: Crop farming in Botswana is very modest and of high risk compared to its neighboring countries because of significant dependency on reduced and unreliable rainfall and as a result of soils with poor water holding capacity and low cation exchange capacity. For this reason, only about two thirds of the available arable land are planted and of the planted land only about half is harvested, which translates into only one third of productive arable land. This study examines how addition...
Abstract: The removal of sulphates from acid rock drainage (ARD) using basic oxygen furnace (BOF) slag was investigated. The results indicated that sulphates removal using BOF- slag increased with temperature increase (25-45oC), time (0-24 h) and solid loading (2-12 g BOF-slag/50 ml ARD). The maximum sulphate removal was 65% when 12 g BOF-slag/100 ml ARD was used at 45oC and 24 h residence time. Adsorption followed the Langmuir isotherm with maximum adsorption capacities at 25, 35 and 45oC o...
Abstract: In this analysis, the interfacial layer and shape effects has been inspected numerically for the Darcy Forchheimer electromagnetic flow of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with base fluid (water) nanofluids. The influence of nonlinear thermal radiation and homogenous and heterogeneous chemical reactions are also taken into account. A revised Hamilton Crosser model is implemented for measuring interfacial layer and shape effects of ca...
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.
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...
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...
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...
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 ...
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...
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...
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...
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...