DETERMINATION OF OPTIMAL METHANOL: OIL VOLUME RATIO FOR MAXIMUM BIODIESEL PRODUCTION FROM WASTE COOKING OIL

Richard C. Ehiri

Department of Industrial Chemistry

 Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria

E-mail: richcee2003@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

In this work, biodiesel was produced via base-catalyzed transesterification reaction of waste cooking oil (WCO) with methanol so as to determine optimal alcohol: oil volume ratio for maximum biodiesel production. The catalyst used was2.0% sodium hydroxide. The methanol: oil volume ratio fed into the batch-process reactor were taken at 1:1, 2:1, 3:1, … 10:1 in order to produce biodiesel while keeping other variable factors constant.  Results show that the optimal methyl ester yield of 95.0% occurred at methanol: oil volume ratio of 8:1. Seven fatty acids were identified in the WCO sample while nine fatty acid methyl esters were found in the biodiesel product. Furthermore, the product met the ASTM fuel standards for relative density, refractive index, viscosity, flash point and cetane index.

Keywords: Biodiesel; Methanol: Oil Volume Ratio; Waste Cooking Oil.

FORMULATION AND PRODUCTION OF CRUDE OIL DEMULSIFIERS FROM LOCALLY SOURCED MATERIALS

¹Odisu ,Teddy* and   ²Salami, Deborah .O

¹Department of Chemical Engineering, Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State

²Department of Chemical Engineering, Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State

E-mail: teddyodi2002@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

The presence of crude oil emulsions in the production and processing systems is of great concern to the oil industry worldwide. This is because of their huge cost to the oil industry and hence the global economy in terms of the risk of corrosion of export and subsea pipelines and refining equipment, possible catalyst poisoning, increased crude oil pumping costs and other associated problems. However, chemical demulsifiers have been favourably applied in the treatment of these emulsions and most of them are produced overseas and imported. Consequently, in this work,demulsifiers were formulated using locally sourced materials, their effectiveness was ascertained by contacting with five emulsion samples from different Shell pumplines and comparing their water removal abilities with commercially available once. For sample A, CD-Z (local demulsifier) gave at 250 minute, 11 ml compared to 10.5 ml for CD-A (commercial) For sample B CD-Y (local) gave 6ml against 8.5 for CD-C (commercial), for sample C, CD-X gave 20ml against 15.5 for CD-C (commercial) and for sample D, CD-X (local) gave 19ml compared to 16ml for CD-C (commercial). The result shows that these demulsifiers from local materials if properly worked on will not only give good water recovery but also help reduce our dependence on imported ones.

Keywords: Crude oil, water, Emulsion, demulsifiers, local, commercial.

INVESTIGATING THE DOSIMETRIC POTENTIALS OF NATURAL MARBLE

C. E.  Mokobia

Department of Physics

Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria       

E-mail: mokobia_c@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

This study examined the thermoluminescence (TL) dosimetric characteristics of natural marble with a view to ascertaining its potential as a TL based retrospective dosimeter. The marble samples from the Basement Complex of South Western Nigeria, were irradiated with a well calibrated ⁶⁰Co gammacell 220 irradiator. TL measurements were carried out using a ictoreen TL reader (Model 2800M)..  The results indicate that the glow curve structure of this the material

is independent of gamma dose except for the height of the main peaks. Its TL output following irradiation is reproducible with a reproducibility index of 0.32 ~ 0.3, the internationally recommended upper limit for most dosimeters. The TL– dose relationship is linear having the equation:    

with the TL output being  less sensitive than that of TLD-100 the ‘standard’ TL phosphor. Results also indicate that the glow curve is associated with high dose range and its linearity limit of 1.45 kGy is high compared to about 10 Gy of most common TL dosimeters. Furthermore, its fading feature is common to most TL detector materials. The minimum detectable dose for this phosphor is 0.03 kGy.  It is therefore concluded that this material has the potential for high radiation dosimetry such as is found in nuclear accidents and radiation processing of food and medical appliances.

Keywords: Marble, Thermoluminescence characters, glow curve, dosimeter

MODEL FOR CHEMOTHERAPY OF POLIOMYELITIS IN A VARYING POPULATION

*Nathan N., and Nathan C.

Department of Chemistry

Adamawa State University, Mubi, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

A mathematical model is developed for the solution of a non-linear deterministic model associated with the transmission dynamics of two polio subtypes in the presence of Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) therapy. The model suggests the optimal level of OPV drug therapy coverage necessary to eradicate the disease in a given population. Unlike the Standard fourth –order Runge –Kutta method (RK4), which fails when certain parameter values and time steps are used in the discretizaion of the model. The new model to be developed gives table convergent numerical result for every time step.

COMPARATIVE ASSESSMENT OF LIMESTONE RESOURCES OF GUYUK AND ASHAKA AREAS FOR INDUSTRIAL UTILIZATION

^*1Samuel T. Magili ;²Maina.H.M and ³Matera,O.N.

¹Departement of Chemistry, Adamawa State University Mubi, Nigeria

²Departmrent of Chemistry Federal University of Technology Yola, Adamawa    state, Nigeria

E-mail: smagilli@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Limestone samples from Guyuk and Ashaka areas were investigated for their suitability for cement production and other industrial purposes using X-Ray fluorescence spectrophotometer (XRF). The chemical compositions’ of the deposits from Guyuk and Ashaka areas were determined and compared. Twenty four limestone samples were collected from different localities of these areas for chemical analysis. Results of these areas were compared to each other for their industrial utilization. The chemical composition of limestone deposits of these two areas indicate that the deposits could  be used for production of cement, refining of sugar, animal feeds, paper, ceramic and chemical industries. The calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) content was found to be in the range of 76.64-89.12, 77.76-89.98%, lime (CaO) 42.94-49.94, 42.80-50.40% and average percentage composition of SiO_{2 ,}9.55,11.07%, Al₂ 0_3, 2.96, 2.09%, Fe₂ 0_3, 3.37, 2.27%, Mg0, 0.59, 0.70%, SO­₃, 0.09, 0.29%, K₂0, 0.25, 0.34%, Na₂0, 0.06, 0.18%, mgCO_{3, ­}1.23, 1.83%, Total carbonate, 83.46, 84.19 and L.0.1 37.49, 37.47% in Guyuk and Ashaka Areas respectively. Sample preparation for this analysis has been performed by grinding and pelletizing or fusion with stearic acid. The chemical analysis was carried out by X-Ray florescence spectrometer (XRF) at Ashaka cement industry PLC. Gombe State, Nigeria.

Keywords: Limestone, Cement, x-ray Fluorescence Spectrophotometer, Sedimentary rock.