ABSTRACT In this study, an artificial neural network (ANN) based model for prediction of solar energy potential in Nigeria (lat. 4–14N, log. 2–15E) was developed. Standard multilayered, feed-forward, back-propagation neural networks with different architecture were designed using neural toolbox for MATLAB. Geographical and meteorological data of 195 cities in Nigeria for period of 10 years (1983–1993) from the NASA geo-satellite database were used for the training and testing the networ...
ABSTRACT This paper applies the concept of Hybrid Structural Interaction Matrix (IISIM) to the management of quality in a manufacturing organisation. 111e application is motivated by the need 10 evolve alternative prioritisation tools in quality management. A process, which could be used to analyse a specific situation, was presented by showing how Structural Interaction Matrix (SIM) and Hierarchical Tree Structure Diagram (lITSD) could be used 10 create a model. The result indicates the feas...
ABSTRACT Energy study was conducted in an organic fertilizer plant in Ibadan, Nigeria, to determine the energy requirement for production of both powdered and pelletised organic fertilizer. The energy consumption patterns of the unit operations were evaluated for production of 9,000 kg of the finished products. The analysis revealed that eight and nine defined unit operations were required for the production of powder and pellets, respectively. The electrical and manual energy required for t...
Abstract In this project the design of an automatic ground vehicle for use in warehouses is explained. Ecommerce has been growing rapidly across the globe because of the spread of the internet and due to the introduction and acceptance of secure digital payment systems. Volumes of products handled by online stores has been increasing exponentially because of increased demand. This has resulted in a need for online shops to automate some of their processes in order to make logistics more effic...
Abstract A Wind tunnel is a mechanical assembly used to analyze the behavior of air flow and the effects they have over objects. Using a wind tunnel, one can control the stream conditions which influence forces on the test object. Through the calculations of the forces on the model, one can anticipate the forces on the full-scale test object. In the beginning, wind tunnels were used to utilized to comprehend and improve the execution of airplanes. Over the years, cars, bridges, and building w...
Abstract Green roofing is a relatively new approach toward constructing environmentally friendly and sustainable roofing structures. Not only are these structures environmentally friendly, but they can be manipulated for the purposes of energy harvesting, thermal insulation or cooling while saving cost in the long run. Much like the green roof approach, this project seeks to create, for an African setting, with a case study in Ghana, a less costly alternative to durable roofing options such a...
Abstract This project paper explains the design and fabrication of an inflatable wing using a flexible, low cost and easily accessible PVC material. In recent times, several researchers have explored the building of inflatable structures using expensive and high strength materials like Mylar and Kevlar. However, this project scope was contextualized in the East African region where there is need for flexible and low cost Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for applications such as military survei...
Abstract All-Terrain vehicle as the name implies refers to a car that has been designed to handle a more extensive variety of terrains than most other cars. ATVs are used for several purposes which include recreational purposes and others ranging from military to jungle safaris and desert rides. ATVs are rated highly based on their ability to sustain irregularities of the terrain with ease. The central system involved in supplying the damping characteristics of the vehicles is the suspension ...
Abstract An analysis report compiled by the OSHA lists eighty-eight (88) window cleaning accidents over the past 15 years of which sixty-two (62) resulted in fatalities [1]. Despite these statistics and the potential for injuries and deaths, the industry considers these numbers to be artificially low. Window cleaning is still not effectively regulated, and numerous people undertake this activity in a way that endangers both themselves and the public. This project aims at removing the human co...
Abstract As the world keeps evolving, the demand for electricity increases. The growing energy consumption leads to higher cost that many people, especially in Ghanaian rural areas, cannot afford. Thus, considering this, this paper focuses on designing a Stirling engine to pump water in homes. In order to contribute to the use of renewable energy with a low carbon footprint, concentrated solar energy will be used to power this system once it is implemented. As such this, source of power was c...
Abstract Gari is a very important staple food made from cassava and is eaten in many parts of Africa. Gari has a granular nature and may contain different sizes of grains ranging from as small as 1 mm to as large as 6 mm. Depending on where and how gari is going to be eaten, specific particle sizes are desirable. The market value of gari is therefore reduced if a given sample to be bought has different grain sizes mixed together. To correct this, gari is often sieved into varying particle siz...
Abstract Working adults and university students find it difficult to complete their laundry in a day because of the unpredictable weather conditions in the tropics of West Africa. There are existing drying machines, but these machines are either not smart or they are hard to install and maintain and they cause easy damage to the clothes. In comparison to the United States where electric drying is mostly used, about 16 billion kW is consumed per year or 5.8% of the whole resident electricity c...
ABSTRACT This work investigated the distribution of Von Misses stress in LNG Spherical Carbon Steel Storage tanks. Using the Finite Element Method and equations of elasticity, constant thickness carbon steel spherical storage tanks of 40 in. dia. 70in. dia of 1 in. shell thickness were subjected to different loading conditions from 500 to 4000Psi in incrementals of 500 Psi. Spherical triangular elements based on shallow shell formulation were used for the model. The element has five degrees ...
ABSTRACT Characterisation of surface finishes of machined components and parts in machining operations is becoming more important as the world tends towards globalisation and competitiveness. Companies are choosing new technologies to improve on the surface finish of components and parts. A new method of fractal characterisation of the spectral trace of machined surfaces is investigated in this work. Fractals have been used to describe and quantify irregular fragments or complex shapes of ,ma...
Abstract The development of a possible slip line field (slf) for theoretical calculations of the deforming pressure (load) in a second pass of a lubricated cold rolling sheet mill and validation using values from an aluminium sheet rolling mill was done in this work. This will be relevant in the manufacturing industries providing an easy method for determining necessary applied rolling load. Experimental rolling was carried out to observe the shear lines in the deformation field. Constructio...