Table of Contents

Effects of Centripetal Force and Highway Deterioration on Valley

Curves of National Highways (A Case Study of Enugu – Awka Expressway)

 Adinna B.O, Umenwaliri S.N., Aginam C.H. —— ————————————————–          1-9

Effect of Interest Rate on Investment and Production in Small

and Medium Scale Enterprises: Case Study of Selected Companies

in Edo State By F.F. Asekhame and O.N. Aibangbee ——————————————–            10-24

The Study of Conditional Probabilities and Thermodynamic

Properties of Na-K and Ga-Zn Liquid Alloys  

Musari Abolore A, Egunjobi, A.I, Oseni, K.J, Sodunke, M.A—————————————            25-34

Simulating an Artificial Intelligence for Helicopter

Flight Manoeuvre Sunny Orike ——————————————————————–                       35-43

Comparative Performance Evaluation of Intermediate Ginger

Pulverizing Machine with Traditional Processing Technique in Nigeria

Y. Yerima; S. E. Uwadiae; and E. M. Turu ——————————————————–             44-49

Optimum Orientation of Photovoltaic (Pv) Module For

Electric Power Generation In Ogbomoso Area

Sanusi, Y.K, Fajinmi G.R and Awodugba A. O.        ————————————————                       50-60

Maximum Conversion Efficiency of Thermionic Heat to

Electricity Converters Using Molybdenum as the Emitter

Abubakar Alkasim and Muhammad Tanko Baba    ————————————————                       61-74

Selected Performance Analysis of A Rotary Steam Tube

Dryer Using Spreadsheet Simulation

Ugochukwu C. Okonkwo and Lazarus Chima———————————————-                       75-86

Durability of Concrete Containing Fly Ash (Fa) In Aggressive

Environment J.O. Afolayan and A. Y. Alhassan   ————————————————                       87-94

The Effect of Calcium Carbonate at Low Volume Fractions on the

Mechanical Properties of Polypropylene/Calcium Carbonate Nanocomposites

Chinedum Ogonna Mgbemena, Nelson Obinna Ubani, Chika Edith Mgbemena —————   95-101

Gas Flaring in Nigeria: Estimating the Magnitude of Heat

 Liberated from Flare Sites in Nigeria’s Petroleum Fields

George C. Oguejiofor, Gordian O. Mbah ———————————————————–           102-114

Hazards Identification and Risk Assessment in Food

Process Industries

Ayodele, B.V., Patinvoh, R.J., Denloye, A.O. —————————————————–           115-123

Application of Finite Series in the Analysis of Internal

Support Moments of Continuous Uniformly Loaded Beams

of Equal Spans Aginam C. H. Okonkwo, V.O. and Onoduagu, P. D. ————————-          124-139

Probabilistic Failure Analysis of Dynamic Pile Capacity

Using Hiley and Janbu Formulae David A. Opeyemi    ————————————–           140-149

PROBABILISTIC FAILURE ANALYSIS OF DYNAMIC PILE CAPACITY USING HILEY AND JANBU FORMULAE

David A. Opeyemi.

Department of Civil Engineering Technology

 Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, Ondo State

E-mail: da_opeyemi@yahoo.com or davidopeyemi@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

The reliability assessment of the load carrying capacities of piles based on dynamic approach using Hiley and Janbu formulae is reported in this paper. Uncertainties are common phenomena in engineering, therefore all the interrelated variables in the load carrying capacities are treated as random variables with assumed practical probability density functions. The concept of the First-Order Reliability Method (FORM) is a powerful tool for estimating nominal probability level of failure associated with uncertainties and it is the method invoked for the reliability estimations. From the results, there is a correlation between the implied safety levels in Hiley and Janbu formulae. The safety level is clearly different with weight of pile and length of pile. Janbu formula leads to higher safety level than Hiley’s for increasing pile length.Key words: Probabilistic failure analysis, dynamic pile capacity, dynamic pile formulae

HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION AND RISK ASSESSMENT IN FOOD PROCESS INDUSTRIES

^aAyodele, B.V., ^bPatinvoh, R.J., ^cDenloye, A.O.

^aDepartment of Chemical Engineering, University of Benin, , Benin City, Nigeria

^bDepartment of Chemical and Polymer Engineering, Lagos State University, Epe Campus, Lagos, Nigeria

^cDepartment of Chemical Engineering, University of Lagos, Akoka-Lagos, Nigeria

E-mail:bamidele.ayodele@yahoo.ca

ABSTRACT

In this study, different hazards which personnel are exposed to were identified. Two plants were used as case study. Plant A is Seven up Bottling Company located in Benin City, Nigeria and Plant B is Nigeria Bottling Company (Coca-Cola) also located in Benin City Nigeria. The conditions of operations of personnel were investigated in the two plants in order to identify the different hazards personnel were exposed to. The hazard identification carried out revealed that Plant B personnel were exposed to more hazards than Plant A. Risk analysis were also performed on the Plants and it was discovered that plant B has higher risk than  plant B. Different precautionary measures were suggested in order to reduce the hazards in both plants.

Keywords:  Hazards, Identification, Process, Industries, Risks

GAS FLARING IN NIGERIA: ESTIMATING THE MAGNITUDE OF HEAT LIBERATED FROM FLARE SITES IN NIGERIA’S PETROLEUM FIELDS

¹George C. Oguejiofor, ²Gordian O. Mbah

¹Department of Chemical Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.

²Department of Chemical Engineering, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu

E-mail: oguejioforg@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

For the purpose of enhancing energy management, this study explores the thermodynamics’ fundamentals as the tools and methods of estimating the annual quantities of heat liberated to the surrounding environment by gas flaring in Nigeria’s petroleum fields. Many approaches are available for evaluating the heat released from gas flaring. This work reviews the specific-heat-capacity and the enthalpy-change approaches to evaluating heat liberation. The enthalpy-change-computational approach is applied in this work because it is less cumbersome than the specific-heat-capacity approach. In applying the enthalpy-change approach, a step-by-step computational procedure is employed to enhance the presentation and guide the reader from one aspect to the next. To this end, the average molecular weight of Nigeria’s natural gas is computed from its constituents. The average density of Nigeria’s natural gas is calculated from its components. Also, the total enthalpy change for Nigeria’s natural gas is estimated using the enthalpy-change approach. Subsequently, on the basis of the official-gas-flare statistics and the total enthalpy change calculated, the annual quantities of heat liberated to the environment are estimated using the thermodynamics’ equations reviewed in the work. The significance of these computational outcomes lies in the disclosure of the massive quantities of heat liberated from gas flaring in Nigeria.  The magnitude and trend of the quantity of heat liberated from gas flaring are discussed within the context of the theoretical framework. It is expected that the result from this study will contribute towards the elimination of gas flaring in Nigeria’s petroleum fields and also enhance energy management.

Keywords: Gas flaring, estimating, thermodynamics’ fundamentals, heat liberated, enthalpy-                           change-computational approach, natural-gas components.

THE EFFECT OF CALCIUM CARBONATE AT LOW VOLUME FRACTIONS ON THE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF POLYPROPYLENE/CALCIUM CARBONATE NANOCOMPOSITES

¹Chinedum Ogonna Mgbemena, ²Nelson Obinna Ubani, ³Chika Edith Mgbemena

¹Department of Mechanical Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka

² Department of Mechanical Engineering, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike

³ Department of Industrial/Production Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka

Email: edumgbemena@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Polypropylene/Calcium Carbonate nanocomposites were prepared by melt compounding of the Polymer material and melt mixing with the Calcium carbonate nano-fillers at filler loadings of 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%.The samples evaluated were the stearic acid coated and uncoated nano-fillers. The results of the study showed that the addition of CaCO₃ nano-filler have resulted in the improvement of the mechanical properties of the Homo Polypropylene, mainly the Young Modulus. The tensile strength and elongation at break of Polypropylene was slightly reduced with the incorporation of the nano-filler. The Young Modulus increased for Calcium carbonate volume fractions for both the coated and the uncoated grades for filler concentrations up to 5%.Stearic acid coated fillers showed the highest Improvement in the above tensile properties at this low volume fraction .It is important to note that the maximum tensile strength occurred at 5% Volume fraction and as the volume fractions increased both the Tensile strength and elongation decreased and in contrast, the Young Modulus increased.

DURABILITY OF CONCRETE CONTAINING FLY ASH (FA) IN AGGRESSIVE ENVIRONMENT

¹J.O. Afolayan and ²A. Y. Alhassan

¹Department of Civil Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria

²Department of Civil Engineering, Federal Polytechnic, Idah, Nigeria

Email: joafol@yahoo.com; alhassanay2@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

This paper examines the strength and durability of Portland-pozzolana cement (PPC) concrete. Different composition of PPC samples were prepared, sample A comprises  Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) and served as the control sample, samples B, C and D comprises OPC and fly ash (FA) in the ratio 90:10, 80:20, 70:30, respectively. Concrete cubes were then made using these samples, and were cured in water after which compressive strengths were tested at 7, 14, 21, and 28 days. The rest of the cubes were then immersed in solution of 2.5% CuSO₄ and solution of 2.5% NaCl for a period of 3 months, after which their strengths at 30, 60 and 90 days were tested for durability. The results of the chemical analysis on the pozzolana (fly ash) indicated that the total percentage of iron, silicon and aluminum oxides is above the minimum of 70% specified by ASTM for pozzolana [1]. Though the results of the compressive strength and durability of the concrete cubes made from PPC were not higher than that of the control, they were all higher than the minimum specified standard by BS code [2]. On the average, sample D was the best PPC used in this research.

Keywords: Portland–Pozzolana Cement, Ordinary Portland Cement, Fly Ash, Compressive

Strength, Durability.

SELECTED PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS OF A ROTARY STEAM TUBE DRYER USING SPREADSHEET SIMULATION

Ugochukwu C. Okonkwo and Lazarus Chima 

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka

ABSTRACT

The primary motivation that triggered this study was when a feasible analytical solution amenable to computer spreadsheet programming was sort for, in explaining the physical configuration of the rotary steam tube dryer. An existing rotary steam tube dryer was studied from where analytical derivation of the moisture content distribution, drying rate, mass condensation rate and system efficiency were established. With the derived equations, the developed spreadsheet modules calculate and plot charts, simultaneously, illustrating the variations of the above parameters along the length of the pipe. The results generally show; that the moisture content falls steadily from inlet to outlet of the dryer and that the drying rate has an initial increase before falling along the length of the dryer. The results also show that the rate of steam condensation has an initial steep increase at the beginning of the length of the dryer, which eventually normalizes to steady state as the length advances, while the system efficiency generally increases with increase in length. This developed case was achieved with ordinary Excel array functions without the use of macros and add-ins.

Keywords: Drying, Spreadsheet Simulation, Rotary Steam Tube, Moisture Content

MAXIMUM CONVERSION EFFICIENCY OF THERMIONIC HEAT TO ELECTRICITY CONVERTERS USING MOLYBDENUM AS THE EMITTER

¹Abubakar Alkasim and ^2*Muhammad Tanko Baba

1 Department of PhysicsFederal; University of Technology, Yola;

2 Department of Mechanical Engineering; Federal Polytechnic, Mubi

E-mail: alkasimabbat @ yahoo.com and muhammadtanko@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

An analysis of Thermionic converters of heat to electricity is made in terms of the potential difference between the top of the potential barrier in the inter electrode space and the Fermi level of the emitter, the potential drop across a load impedance connected in series to the converter, and the potential drop to the necessary electrical connection to the collector. This analysis is carried out by developing an expression with respect to the potential drops. The expression yields optimum values of load impedance, collector lead geometry and emitter work function in terms of collector voltage, emitter temperature, effective emmissivity of the emitter for both thetheoretical and practically obtain Richardson Dushman constant (usually denoted by A) for a Molybdenum metal surface. The expression developed is worked out numerically and the out come shows that (1) a low value of collector voltage is required for a high efficiency (2) a low radiation heat loss is required for a high conversion efficiency and (3) relatively low values of  emitter work function are required for maximum conversion efficiency at ordinary emitter temperature.

Key words: Thermionic converters, emitter, potential drop, Richardson Constant

OPTIMUM ORIENTATION OF PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) MODULE FOR ELECTRIC POWER GENERATION IN OGBOMOSO AREA

Sanusi, Y.K, Fajinmi G.R and Awodugba A.O

Department of Pure and Applied Physics

Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria

E-mail: sanusiyekinni@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

The solar energy may be used to produce electricity using photovoltaic (PV) modules by a photovoltaic conversion. Among several factors that influence the conversion efficiency of a photovoltaic solar system is to use optimum orientation (tilt angle) of a photovoltaic module. In this work, the measurements of the optimum tilt angles are daily studied during one complete year 2007. Data treatment and analysis are carried out. The results are discussed and the optimum tilt angles of photovoltaic module for the electric power generation at LAUTECH, Ogbomoso area are determined. The maximum output power at an angle 8 degree and 12 degree for dry season (February to April) and rainy season (June to September) respectively were obtained. The results can then be used as a baseline data for the optimal utilization of a P.V module system for the electric power generation in the area of study and other areas having similar radiation characteristics.  

Keywords: solar energy, power output, tilt angle, electricity.

COMPARATIVE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF INTERMEDIATE GINGER PULVERIZING MACHINE WITH TRADITIONAL PROCESSING TECHNIQUE IN NIGERIA

Y. Yerima¹; *S. E. Uwadiae²; and E.M.Turu³

Department of Chemical Engineering, Igbinedion University, Okada^1,2

Department of Chemistry, KSCOE, Gidan Waya, kafanchan
E-mail: mailyerima@yahoo.com^1,3 and  suwadiae@yahoo.com²

ABSTRACT

The intermediate ginger pulverizing machine and the traditional ginger processing technique were studied and compared. The performance of the two mills was conducted and evaluated in terms of throughput, energy coefficient, pulverizing efficiency, reduction ratio, particle size distribution and losses. The test result revealed that the intermediate ginger pulverizing machine had higher values of throughput, 96kg/hr; energy coefficient 0.032 ton/hp-hr; pulverizing efficiency 80%; particle size distribution 1.18mm to 10.00mm; reduction ratio 21:1 compared to the traditional mill with 18kg/hr, as throughput and 60% efficiency.

Key words: Pulverizer, Performance, Ginger; evaluation, Technology