ABSTRACT An Impact Test Apparatus was developed to determine the impact damage and bruise parameters of five fresh agricultural produce, namely: banana (Musa spp), tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum), sweet potato (Ipomea batatas), cassava tuber (Manihot esculenta) and lemon (Citrus limon) using Impact – Drop Height method. A constant impact energy of 0.9J – 4.5J was maintained as drop heights ranged from 0.20m – 1.00m. The bruise diameter, bruise depth, bruise width, bruise volume, bruise...
Physical and aerodynamic properties of African breadfruit (Treculia africana) seeds were studied at four moisture levels: 12.50, 15.00, 17.50 and 20.10% dry base (w.b). As moisture content increased from 10.50 to 20.10% (w.b), the average weight, major diameter, minor diameter, intermediate diameter, geometric mean diameter, arithmetic mean diameter of the seeds ranged from 0.35±0.08 to 0.60g±0.04g, 8.08±0.90 to 10.05±0.60mm, 4.04±0.53 to 5.00±0.10mm, 2.96±0.43 to 4.60±0.40mm, 4.52±0...
Abstract Global Petroleum reserves are currently getting depleted. Most of the newly discovered oil and gas fields are found in unconventional reserves. Hence there has arisen a need to drill deeper wells in offshore locations and in unconventional reservoirs. The depth and difficulty of drilling terrains has led to drilling operations incurring higher cost due to drilling time. Rate of Penetration is dependent on the several parameters such as: rotary speed(N), Weight-On-Bit, bit state, form...
This study examined the optimization of the transesterification reaction of sesame methyl esters (SMEs) with trimethylolpropane (TMP) to synthesise sesame biolubricant (SBL). Response surface methodology (RSM) using central composite design (CCD) was employed for the experimental design. Effects of temperature, mole ratio and reaction time on the yield of SBL were evaluated. The predicted yield after process optimization was found to agree satisfactorily with the experimental value. The o...
Jatropha curcas seed oil was studied for the synthesis of trimethylolpropane based biolube basestock via chemical transesterification of Jatropha methylester with trimethylolpropane (TMP) using calcium hydroxide catalyst. Reactions temperatures ranged between 80 and 160 C and methyl esters to TMP mole ratios ranged between 3:1 and 7:1. Product analysis, ester groups and physio-chemical properties were obtained by gas chromatography, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and American...
Synthesis of polyol ester as a novel biodegradable base stock from sesame seed oil for lubricant production was conducted via chemical transesterification of sesame methylester with trimethylolpropane (TMP) using calcium hydroxide catalyst. The reactions were carried out under varying temperatures (80 C160 C) and methyl esters to TMP mole ratios (3:1 to 7:1). Product’s analysis was performed using gas chromatography. Product’s physicochemical characteristics determined using ASTM met...
This study evaluated the exergy analysis of the mechanical forced draft counter flow of the Port Harcourt Refinery cooling towers. The exergy analysis was carried out using the exergy destruction method. The results of the investigation and optimization show that the exergy destruction increases with the increases in mass flow rates of the cooling water, makeup water, and Air. Also, exergy destruction decreases with the decreases in Humidity Ratio, Heat sink Temperature, and Relative Humi...
Ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) been an advanced concrete introduced as reactive powder concrete (RPC) over twenty years ago, is now being employed for use in the construction industry of some developed countries like China, Germany and United States of America. Its excellent properties in structural performance and durability make it the civil engineering material that will reshape the future of the construction industry in terms of structural performance; and this paper aims at helpi...
ABSTRACT Identification of exhaust fan bearing defects has its root foundations in the analysis of frequency modulation and sensing using mostly online techniques. Centrifugal fans are the most commonly used fans in the industry today. They are preferred to axles because they are cheaper and constructed with simplicity. They are used in wind systems in vehicles and buildings and also in delivering gas or minerals. They are suitable for industrial and air pollution processes and systems. Fa...
ABSTRACT Degree of compaction (R %) value is an indicator in strength of earthwork construction. In the design of irrigation earthwork construction, degree of compaction value of compaction characteristics is often used, but laboratory test is time consuming and laborious. Fine aggregate classification and compaction characteristics are routinely determined for in-situ and borrow area (reservation area) soils used in the irrigation earthwork constructions. Developing regression based model to...
Abstract Sustainable concrete provides a considerable solution to the increasing cost of conventional concrete production in the world. Though, it is generally described as cheap, however it’s design and cost implications for low income communities needs to be evaluated. Hence, this paper evaluates the production of sustainable concrete and its cost implication in Nigeria. Experimental design of high strength concrete made with steel fibre and bamboo fibre as reinforcement having a targete...
ABSTRACT Market-based pricing for Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) may be less remunerative or uncertain for exporters in the evolving market. The possibility of rent-maximizing could encourage them to collude through an influence mechanism. This book examined the feasibility of Uniform Pricing (UP) or Volume Control (VC) in the Atlantic Basin and analyzed the consequences of such a development on LNG trade. So far, no existing model specifically considers the sustainability and effects of an LNG...
Introduction This paper considers the influence the electrical engineer wills in any community and aims at the following: (1) Sensitization of electrical engineers towards self sustenance (11) The electrical engineer as a job creator. (iii) the electrical engineer as an employer. (iv) The role of electrical engineers in the creation of cottage industries and long term investments. The paper hinges its arguments on the commercialization of ideas as a basis for sustenance through lone term inv...
Abstract Changing down-hole conditions observed during hydrocarbon exploration can be divers. Some desired ones concern oil/gas shows while others may vary from borehole/drilling fluid association and pressure situations. Managing pressure variations and geopressure zones while drilling has been an issue of concern which has yield generic positive results over the years. However pre-pressure zones (i.e. zones above pressure zones), can display characteristics that are worthy of note in view ...
ABSTRACT This research evaluates air transportation safety in Nigeria. Records of aircraft crashes in Nigeria were extracted from different archives to create a database of air traffic incidences within the air space of Nigeria since Independence. Statistical overview of air transportation accidents in Nigeria using accident data to examine a national trend in air transportation disasters was carried out. Results of the analysis showed that air traffic accidents in Nigeria have increased per...