ABSTRACT Multi-layered, feed forward . , back-propagation artificial neural networks (ANN) models were developed to predict friction losses in spark-ignition engines. The friction losses were modeled as friction mean effective pressure (fmep) due to: crankshaft, reciprocating parts, valve trains, auxiliary, and pumping systems. The developed models were validated in relation to existing engine friction data and empirical models of Patton et ai. (patton, K.J., Nitsche, R.G. and Heywood lB. [1...
ABSTRACT In this project a melting pot was designed and constructed using available local materials. This pot was used to melt plastic resin without the resin-changing colour (turning brown) The project was divided into two parts: the design and construction aspect and the control aspect. A good temperature control was incorporated to achieve high quality output. The construction was carried out using galvanized mild steel .It consists of a cylindrical enclosure that is divided into two chamb...
ABSTRACT In this work, a comparative analysis of alternative energy sources has been carried out to ascertain their suitability in terms of availability, cost, advantages and disadvantages among other factors. The selected energy alternatives are solar and inverters. The first case study-site was an office suit located in government reserved area and the second a medium house unit within Lagos the most commercial city in Nigeria. Practical surveys and data collection were carried out for the ...
ABSTRACT The properties of cast iron grade GL 250 are dependent on the microstructures developed during casting. These microstructures are in turn dependent on the composition of the alloy, type of mould and other numerous casting practice variables such as shake-out time, pouring temperature, mould ambient conditions and inoculating technique. In this work, the effect of silicon content and shake-out time on the grain size (GS) and hardness properties of GL 250 cast iron was studied using a ...
Abstract In this work, three models are used to analyze the electric load capacity of a fast growing urban city and to estimate its future consumption. Ikorodu, the case-study location is a highly populated city whose energy demand is continuously increasing. The ultimate focus of this study is to establish a basis for the comparison of different electric load consumption for texisting populace and to provide estimates for the future planning of the city. In this work, three different models...
ABSTRACT Energy and exergy analysis was conducted for a vegetable oil refinery in the Southwest of Nigeria. The plant, powered by two boilers and a 500 kVA generator, refines 100 tonnes of crude palm kernel oil (CPKO) into edible vegetable oil per day. The production system consists of four main group operations: neutralizer, bleacher, filter, and deodorizer. The performance of the plant was evaluated by considering energy and exergy losses of each unit operation of the production process. Th...
ABSTRACT The importance of cereal gruel as a highly nutritious food for infants in many countries in Africa cannot be overstated. Conventional methods of producing these food-slurries prior to their consumption as food cannot meet up with the high demand for these gruels. This current work is targeted at developing various archetypal machines for the improvement of the production of these food slurries. Three prototype machines have been developed and discussed in this paper, namely, the suct...
ABSTRACT Heat conduction through conventional and interlocking building bricks with cavities was studied in this work. Heat transfer analysis was carried out using MATLAB® partial differential equation toolbox. Regular and staggered hole arrangements were studied. Results showed that four staggered holed interlocking bricks were effective in thermal resistance into the bricks and increasing the holes beyond four did not give any thermal resistance advantage. For the conventional bricks stag...
ABSTRACT In vitro gas production of four different browse plants (Azadirachta indica, Terminalia catappa, Mangifera indica and Vernonia amygdalina) was investigated under different extractions. The relationship between the forage composition parameters (dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, acid detergent fibre, neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent lignin), process parameters (extraction mode and incubation time), and volume of gas production were modelled with artificial neural ne...
The prediction of emission characteristics of sawdust particles immediately after the cutting operation from the interaction of band saw's blade and plank is a growing research area. Still, a wide gap exists with respect to understanding the behaviour of sawdust particles as they collide with one another. Previous efforts have focused on non-collision states of sawdust particles. However, in real life, collision of particles must occur, with several particles colliding after the cutting opera...
ABSTRACT Lead absorption poses a great threat to the health of workers in printing presses where commercial publishing is done. A case example is the commercial printing operations in Lagos, Nigeria. Since regular exposure to lead dusts could result in lead poisoning, complications that could cause death of victims, monitoring and controlling lead absorption of operators is essential for the maintenance of workers’ health and for the avoidance of the risk of incurring heavy losses due to li...
ABSTRACT An artificial neural network (ANN) model was developed for the analysis and prediction of the relationship between cutting and process parameters during high-speed turning of nickel-based, Inconel 718, alloy. The input parameters of the ANN model are the cutting parameters: speed, feed rate, depth of cut, cutting time, and coolant pressure. The output parameters of the model are seven process parameters measured during the machining trials, namely tangential force (cutting force, Fz)...
ABSTRACT This study utilised positive Lyapunov exponents' criteria to develop chaos diagram on the parameters space of &dimensional harmonically excited vibration absorber control Duffing's Oscillator. Relevant simulations were effected by choice combination of constant step Runge-Kutta methods and Grahm Schmidt Orthogonal rules. Simulations of 4-dimensional hyper-chaotic models of modified Lorenz and R&ler were used for validation purposes. Lyapunov's spectrums were obtained at (197 x 307) m...
ABSTRACT This research work investigated the corrosion resistance of nickel- plated medium carbon steel and 18/8 stainless steel in cassava fluid (i.e. containing hydrogen cyanide). It simulated the effect of continuous use of the materials in a cyanide environment where corrosion products are left in place. Low carbon steel sample was nickel electroplated at 4V for 35 minutes. The plated sample, the unplated and the 18/8 stainless steel were then subjected to a cassava fluid environment for ...
ABSTRACT This study investigated the characterisation of the dyamnic responses of 3 dimensional Lorenz md Rosler models by Lyapunov's exponents using popular but laborious to implement Grahm Schmidt orthogonal rules over wider range of models driven parameters. The study also verifies a new proposed model for the validation of Lyapunov's spectrum when the requisite matrix depends on position of the model attractor.