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 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 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 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 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...
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...
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. 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...
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...
ABSTRACT Rattan cane is a relatively abundant lignocellulosic in Africa and Asia that could be used for wood-cement composite production. However, rattans tend to inhibit cement setting. This study investigated the effects of cane peeling and aqueous extraction on maximum hydration temperature (Tmax) and setting time (tmax) rattancement- water systems using Calamus deerratus and Lacosperma secundiflorum rattan species. Peeling was done manually to remove the silified epidermis before hammer-m...
ABSTRACT The increase in pork consumption globally in recent times has led to a corresponding increase in pig production with more people being employed in the industry to provide the needed services. Pigs are known to generate a lot of noise which could constitute a potential health hazard and against which remedial measures must be taken. The establishment of the levels of noise generated in piggery production units and their possible consequences on the workers in such units was the main o...
ABSTRACT Gravitational drip irrigation system was developed using available materials. The system consisting of 4.0 Ilhr Netafim pressure-compensating emitters was used to irrigate 0.0015 ha of land where sweet com was planted under variable water applications in a randomised complete block design with three treatments. Treatment one (WI) received water once per week, treatment two (W2) received water twice per week, while third treatment (W3) received water thrice per week. WI received 229mm...
ABSTRACT A study was undertaken to assess the tractor-hiring unit of Edo state, Nigeria. The criteria used were fleet of equipment, personnel and workshop facilities and its impact on the farming populace in the state. The study adopted the use of a questionnaire and interview schedules. Among the information requested from the respondents were access to services rendered by the unit and increment in farm sizes. Records available at the headquarters and zonal offices of the unit provided addi...