Table of Contents

Effect of Moisture Content on Performance of a Locally Fabricated Cowpea Thresher

A.U. Fulani, J.Y. Kuje and Mohammed, B. I                                                                              1 – 15

Beneficiation of Diatomite Using Hydrocyclone

James O. Aremu and Daniel A. Aremu                                                                                                16 – 21

Rescuing Our Environment through Renewable Energy

Adebayo, A. A.                                                                                                                         22 – 26

Properties of Concrete Made with Ordinary Portland Cement Partly Replaced with

Rice Husk Ash and Pulverised-Fuel Ash

Yunusa A. Alhassan and Danladi Egbunu                                                                               27 – 34

Development of a Portable Air Flow Digital Meter for Grain Drying

A.B. Istifanus and C.C. Mbajiorgu                                                                                            35 – 47

SO₂ Removal from Flue Gas Using Gas-Solid Treatment Process 

Z.R. Yelebe, R.J. Samuel and B. Z. Yelebe                                                                                 51-61

Performance Evaluation of Crucible and Rotary Melting Furnaces Efficiencies

 for Economic Development

 Usman M. Kallamu                                                                                                                 62-75                                                                          

Design of Fixed Bed Column for the Removal of Metal Contaminants from

Industrial Wastewater 

Z.R. Yelebe, B. Z. Yelebe and R.J. Samuel                                                                                 76-88

DESIGN OF FIXED BED COLUMN FOR THE REMOVAL OF METAL CONTAMINANTS FROM INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER

Z.R. Yelebe, B. Z. Yelebe and R.J. Samuel

Department of Chemical/Petroleum Engineering

Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.

E-mail: yelebezr@gmail.com

ABSTRACT: A mathematical model for fixed bed adsorption column was developed and solved numerically by implicit backward Euler finite difference method. The model was simulated using MATLAB R2012a. The paper was able to consider the design and the operation of fixed bed adsorption column for the removal of water contaminants from industrial wastewater in a concise manner, having been able to obtain the breakthrough curve. The parametric study carried out on the model revealed that smaller bed porosity reduces the solute residence time in the bed and consequently increases the adsorption rate and that decrease in particle diameter decreases the breakthrough time. However, increase in flow rate increases the adsorbate concentration ratio more rapidly. The observations recorded in this study agree excellently with the general observations in other literatures of similar works. Hence, the developed model is suitable and applicable to study the fixed bed adsorption column performance under isothermal conditions.

PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF CRUCIBLE AND ROTARY MELTING FURNACES EFFICIENCIES FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Usman M. Kallamu

Department of Mechanical Engineering

The Federal Polytechnic, Damaturu, Yobe State Nigeria

E-mail: usmankallamu@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT: An enclosure in which energy in a no thermal form is converted to heat especially such an enclosure in which heat is generated by a combustion of a suitable fuel is known as furnace. The two furnaces lined with fire clay refractory use diesel as their source of fuel. In this paper structure-operation and fuel type- fuel combustion approaches are used to determine the efficiencies of the two furnaces. The result shows that the efficiency values for crucible and rotary   furnace are found to be.

SO2 REMOVAL FROM FLUE GAS USING GAS-SOLID TREATMENT PROCESS

Z.R. Yelebe^*, R.J. Samuel and B. Z. Yelebe

Department of Chemical/Petroleum Engineering,

Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.

E-mail: yelebezr@gmail.com

Abstract: This paper describes the design of wet flue gas desulphurization (FGD) spray tower system for the removal of sulphur dioxide (SO₂) from flue gas. The objective is the design of the scrubber system; the scrubber thickness, diameter of pipe network, rate of energy gained, and SO₂ removal efficiency. The SO₂ removal efficiency depends on the concentration of the slurries, the particle size of the sorbents. The paper also show that the scrubber system is simple in construction and requires less initial cost as compared to the other conventional systems. The process produces valuable by-products, gypsum, which is used to manufacture wallboard. The production of saleable by-product such as gypsum minimizes waste management difficulties after operation. Magnesium hydroxide (MgOH) has been demonstrated to control emission of sulphuric acid mist and reduce visible opacity. The process obtains high SO₂ remove efficiency of 99% which is the major hallmark of the process. In addition, this process can produce gypsum of 99% purity and obtain reagent utilization of 99.9%. Thus, these advantages will serve as basis for the selection of flue gas treatment in coal-fired power plants.

DEVELOPMENT OF A PORTABLE AIR FLOW DIGITAL METER FOR GRAIN DRYING

A.B. Istifanus and C.C. Mbajiorgu

Department of Agricultural and Bioresources Engineering

University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria

E-mail: yowiri@gmail.com

ABSTRACT: Technological progress allows more and more instruments to be developed for different purposes based on the prevailing need. The development of a portable air flow digital meter relied on a computer based design.  Assembly language was used in writing a set of instructions that were programmed into the micro controller component of the system. This produced an interface which enabled interaction using a monitor. The codes were translated from analogue to digital using a Digital Converter (ADC) and then interpreted in a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) in m/s. The speed of the fan or the position of the mesh-like tray regulated how moist the grain is or how fast the drying exercise is to take place. When the speed of the fan is increased, more air was produced and this led to faster drying of the grains as higher values of flow were correspondingly displayed. The meter measures values accurately to over 1 10²m/s.

PROPERTIES OF CONCRETE MADE WITH ORDINARY PORTLAND CEMENT PARTLY REPLACED WITH RICE HUSK ASH AND PULVERISED-FUEL ASH

Yunusa A. Alhassan and Danladi Egbunu

Department of Civil Engineering

Federal Polytechnic, Idah, Kogi State, Nigeria.

E-mail: alhassanay@gmail.com

ABSTRACT: The use of pozzolana as a Supplementary Cementing Material (SCM) in concrete production has become common all over the world. When properly used, pozzolanic materials can significantly enhance the properties of concrete. Laboratory study was conducted in Nigeria to investigate the properties of concrete made by partial replacement of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) with Rice Husk Ash (RHA) and Pulverised Fuel Ash (PFA) that were locally available in the country. Concrete cubes and cylinders were cast at a constant water/binder ratio of 0.6 and moist cured for 7, 28 and 56 days using the above cementitious materials. Measurements of the workability, compressive strength and porosity were determined. The results show that the use of ternary blend of OPC, RHA and PFA produces concrete with improved strengths and permeability at the low replacement level with RHA and PFA and at the later age in comparison to that of OPC concrete. Although, the results of the compressive strength of the concrete cubes made from the Portland-Pozzolana Cement (PPC) were not higher than that of the control, they can be used for masonry, non-structural works and foundations were low strength are needed.The porosity of concrete containing pozzolana reduces with the low replacement level of up to 20% of pozzolana, but increases with the 30% replacement level. The workability of the concrete made with RHA decreases with an increase in ash content compared to the PFA.

RESCUING OUR ENVIRONMENT THROUGH RENEWABLE ENERGY

Adebayo, A. A.

Department of Electrical/Electronic Engineering,

Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria.

E-mail: aadeolar@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT: Our environment has really suffered from its depletion by the emission that it got through the fossil fuel engines and from household equipment. Apart from these, all these energy sources are foreseen to be running out and may soon no longer be available for our use, thus the need to have a source that is sustainable and efficient. It has also been found that most of the renewable energy sources are seasonal thus limiting their availability to the season in which they are available. This paper thus take a look at the various renewable energy sources, their season of availability and unavailability, it also look into how they can be harnessed during their period of availability so as to make the best use of them, also how they can be alternated so that in the period when they are not available alternative can be used. The paper concludes with the advantages of renewable energy switching.

BENEFICIATION OF DIATOMITE USING HYDROCYCLONE

¹James O. Aremu and ^2*Daniel A. Aremu

¹Energy Systems Engineering Department, University of Glamorga Cardiff

^2*Mechanical Engineering, Federal Polytechnic Mubi, Adamawa State, Nigeria

E-mail: danielaremu2013@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT: Preliminary beneficiation and characterization of the Bularafa of Yobe State diatomite deposit was investigated. A 2” hydrocyclone device having a vertex finder of 8.0mm spigot openings of 3.2mm, 4.5mm, and 6.4mm was used in carrying out the experiment ranging from 1 bar to 5 bars for each spigot opening. The results from the analysis showed a chemical composition of 64.3% SiO₂, 1.03% Al₂O₃, 5.52% Fe₂O₃, 7.09% CaO, 2.00% MgO, 0.60% K₂O, 1.29% NaO, 2.10% T_lO₂, and 7.10 L 0.1. The result of beneficiation analysis shows that silica (SiO₂ ) content is 77.20% as highest at 5 bars while the ion oxide (Fe₂ O₃) is 2.88% the lowest at 5 bar. The result obtained, showed that Bularafa deposit can be used as an insulator, filter, aid, filter and likewise in cement industries.

EFFECT OF MOISTURE CONTENT ON PERFORMANCE OF A LOCALLY FABRICATED COWPEA THRESHER

A.U. Fulani, J.Y. Kuje and Mohammed, B. I

Department of Agricultural Engineering, College of Agriculture, Lafia, Nigeria.

E-mail: mbabaibraheem@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT: The result of the physical properties of the common variety (kananado) grown in the area had 36mm, 7.88mm 30⁰ and 9.01% respectively. The performance of the thresher was evaluated at the drum speed of 700,900 and 1200rpm each at the moisture content of 4.3, 6.4 and 9.01% and was replicated thrice. The result revealed that the average feed rate, percentage unthreshed, threshing efficiency, cleaning efficiency and grain output were 154.18kg/hr, 2.64%, 97.68, 1.56%, 97.58% and 107.67kg/hr respectively. The result of the study as indicated by the result of Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) showed that the drum speed has no effect except at seeds damaged and feed rate where it has high significant at p≤0.01 and significant effect on grain output at p≤0.05. The effect of moisture content showed high significance on performance efficiency at p≤0.01 except on cleaning efficiency. The interaction between the drum speed and moisture content has no effect on performance efficiency. The machine can easily be dismantled for maintenance transportation. The thresher can also be used as a winnower if the concave and the threshing drum are removed, average seeds length, thickness, angle of repose and optimum moisture content of 10.

Table of Contents

Factors Responsible for Low Enrolment of Students in Agricultural Engineering:

A Case Study of Taraba State College of Agriculture, Jalingo

Kesiki, W.B. and Yani, J.P.                                                                                                        1-11

Kinetic Model for the Copolymerization of Methyl Acrylate and Propylene

Wauton, I. and Gumus, R.H.                                                                                                    12-19

The Optimization of Natural Gas for Power Generation in Nigeria:

A Sustainable Synergy with Other Options

Koso I. Idigbe and P N. Onwuachi-Iheagwara                                                                         20-34

Evaluation of Tensile Strength of Heat Treated AISI 304 Stainless Steel with

Automated Ball Indentation (ABI) Technique

A.U. Iwuoha                                                                                                                             35-44

The Role of Engineers in Combating the Effect of Climate Change in Africa

Odu O. Godwin                                                                                                                        45-57

Power System Simulation Model Based on Probability Analysis

Chukwuagu I. and B.O. Anyaka                                                                                               58-66

Structural and Optical Properties of Electrodeposited CdS Thin Film

D. G. Diso, M. A.Y. Hotoro, T. S. Bichi and I. M. Dharmadasa                                                  67-76

Investigation on the Effectiveness of Some Amino Acid Derivatives in

Retarding NST 44 Mild Steel Corrosion in Some Agro-Fluids

M. Alagbe                                                                                                                                77-84

Design and Modelling of Strategic Information System

Okpeki U. Kazeem and Adebari F. Adebayo                                                                            85-94

Construction Work Items’ Unit Rate Estimation Model for Building

Contractors’ Projects Pricing in Nigeria

Inuwa I. Ibrahim, Iro A. IbrahimandDantong J. Sam                                                              95-103

Modest Residential Building Cooling Load Components Analysis

Ibrahim, U.H., A.A. Baba and Idris, M.H.                                                                                  104-112

Studies on Effects of SMAW Variables on Corrosion Resistance of Austenitic

Alloy Welded Joints in Hydrochloric Acid (HCl) Medium

A.U. Iwuoha and I. A. Ezenugu                                                                                                            113-124

Minimizing Materials Wastage in Construction- A Lean Construction Approach

K. Agyekum, J. Ayarkwa and T. Adjei-Kumi                                                                            125-146