FUOYE Journal of Engineering and Technology (FUOYEJET - Federal University Oye-Ekiti)
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Cloud-based Simulation Tools for Cloud Testing: A Review
Get PDFCloud computing has maintained popularity and attraction in the ICT industry. Many business organizations have embraced the benefits that it offers and many more are still working towards cloud computing. One of the many concerns many organizations and individuals have about cloud computing from its inception is how to test the services and opportunities offered by cloud computing. This concern is as a result of the cost of running experiments on real cloud system and the fact that real infrastructure limits experiments within the size of the infrastructure, thereby making it really difficult to reproduce test. The alternative solution to this concern is the use of cloud simulation tools which offer a cloud environment to test cloud services in a repeated and controlled manner at no cost. Many cloud simulation tools have been developed since the inception of cloud computing. These tools have their strengths and weakness in modelling and simulating cloud system. This paper reviews some simulation tools and compares them in terms of their underlying framework, programming language, GUI, availability, cost modelling, energy modelling, simulation time, federation policy and communication mode
Evaluation of Chemical and Physico-Mechanical Properties of some Nigeria Natural Clays Samples for Foundry Applications
Get PDFStudies have shown that Nigerian clays have not been fully utilized for foundry applications, either as refractories or even bonding clays, and are still being imported into the country. There is need to effectively exploit and adequately utilize the available natural resources to improve Nigeria economic activities, most especially during the present economic recession. Samples of clays were obtained from Auchi, Dada-Okelele (Ilorin), Kaba, Maraba-Rido, Mokwa and New-Bussa in Nigeria. The samples’ physico-mechanical properties were examined for its suitability for foundry/refractory applications. The results of the chemical analysis revealed that the samples belong to Alumino-Silicate refractories. The samples exhibited 35.3-96.2%, 17.1-28.7%, 1.72-2.34 g/cm3, 2.2-10.1%, 73-86 and >1300oC as values for percentage clay contents, apparent porosity, bulk density, permeability, linear shrinkage and refractoriness respectively. These values were within the standard range values of >35%, 22-30%, 17-2.4%, 2.0-10.1% and 25-90 required as percentage clay contents, apparent porosity, bulk density, permeability and linear shrinkage values respectively, for refractory clays/brick lining or alumina-silicates, kaolin and fireclays. Hence, the clays could suitably replace imported clays / ceramics in refractory applications, such as in production of earthen wares, chalk; as insulating refractories for casting and melting of low and medium temperature iron and steel. Appropriate utilization of these clays for local foundry applications will assist in addressing the problem of inadequate job, and over dependence on foreign goods.Keywords— Alumino-Silicate, Clay, Foundry, Moisture and Refractorines
Development of a Densification Equipment for Organic Biomass Solid Fuel Pellets
Get PDFIn South Western Nigeria, after the harvesting of maize cobs from the field, large amount of maize stock remains as agricultural residues and wastes. The maize stock constitutes a menace to the environment if not property handled. In this study, densification equipment was designed, fabricated and tested using maize stock grind as raw material. The equipment consists of mixer/ moisture conditioner and a pelleting machine. The power rating for the mixer/moisture conditioner is 0.069 kW with an input capacity of 81 kg/h while the power consumption of the pellet machine is 0.8 kW with throughout capacity of 40 kg/h. The result of the test showed that the highest product temperature, which gives an indication of the quality and durability of the pellets produced was 930C at 0.8 mm hammer mill screen size, 10% moisture content and 150 rpm die speed, at this temperature the machine is operating at optimum efficiency of 74%. High product temperature is an important parameter during pelleting/briquetting operations because it gives the degree of compaction and binding of the pellets/briquettes. The densification equipment for organic biomass was developed using locally sourced materials as a means of converting agricultural wastes into pellets for domestic cooking and cottage industry uses
Comparative Study of Evapotranspiration Variation and its Relationship with other Climatic Parameters in Asaba and Uyo
Get PDFThis study was carried out to assess the variations of Reference Evapotranspiration (ETO also denoted with RET) calculated using FAO-56 Penman Monteith model of two locations Asaba and Uyo and evaluate its relationships with the variations of other climatic parameters. Meteorological data of forty one years (1975-2015) and thirty five years (1981-2015) period for Asaba and Uyo, respectively gotten from Nigeria Meteorological Agency, Abuja were used. It was observed that the variations of Evapotranspiration (ET) in both locations were in line with two seasons (rainy and dry) normally experienced in Nigeria having its highest value in March (4.8 mm/day) for Asaba and for Uyo in February (4.5 mm/day); and its lowest value in August (3.1 mm/day) for Asaba and in July (2.9 mm/day) for Uyo. ET variation when compared with other climatic variables in both locations was observed to have the same trend with maximum temperature, solar radiation and sunshine hours. It also has the same variation with minimum temperature though with slight deviation. It was observed that ET variation is inversely proportional to the variation relative humidity. Wind speed displayed relatively small variation in its trend over the study period and is not in line with the variations of ET.Keywords— Evapotranspiration, Climatic Variables, FAO Penman-Monteith Model, Variation
Properties Characterization of Vulcanized Natural Rubber Filled with Uncarbonized Particulate Cow Bone
Get PDFThis work investigates the effects of addition of 63 µm uncarbonized particulate cow bone as fillers in vulcanized natural rubber on the tensile properties, hardness and abrasion resistance of the composites. Cow bones were procured from an abattoir, cleaned, crushed, pulverized, ball milled and sieved to obtain the particles that passed through the 63 µm mesh size. Natural rubber composites materials were prepared varying the filler loading as 5, 10, 15 and 20 pphr respectively. The compounded rubber samples were cured in a hot press using compression moulding technique. The control sample was produced using 20 pphr of carbon black. The cured rubber samples were conditioned at room temperature for two weeks before they were characterized. The tensile strength and elastic modulus of the samples filled with cow bone increased with filler loading up to 15 pphr before they started decreasing. Carbon black reinforced sample possessed higher tensile strength, modulus and hardness than the samples filled with uncarbonized particulate cow bone. The hardness for all samples maintained an increasing trend with increase in the filler loadings. Particulate cow bone reinforced natural rubber offered higher elongation than carbon black reinforced samples. At 10, 15 and 20 pphr, cow bone reinforced composites exhibited higher abrasion resistance than carbon black filled sample. The optimal filler loading of uncarbonized particulate cow bone reinforced natural rubber was 15 pphr. Cow bone reinforced natural rubber can find applications in areas where moderate strength, hardness, elongation and wear resistance are required such as in protective footwear, bouncing balls and cases of children toys.Keywords— carbon black, cow bone, fillers, natural rubber, composites
Assessment of Soil Salinity and Irrigation Water Quality of Chanchaga Irrigation Scheme I, Minna, Niger State
Get PDFThe extent to which salinity is increasing in arid and semi-arid regions recently has become a concern in irrigation and non-irrigation land. In view of this, the study evaluated soil salinity and irrigation water quality at Chanchaga Irrigation Scheme I, Minna, Niger State with the aim of assessing the soil fertility status and irrigation water source of the scheme. The study took soil samples at 0 - 30cm depth from irrigated and non-irrigated plots and water was taken from the main point of the border irrigation system. Both soil and water sample collected were subjected to laboratory analysis. The study determined sodium absorption ratio and exchangeable sodium percentage of soil and water parameters analyzed in the laboratory. The Levene's test for equality of variances was performed on the concentration of the parameters analyzed in both soil (irrigated and non-irrigated plot) and water of the scheme. The study reveals that the sodium concentration was found higher in the irrigated plot than control plot and the EC and SAR values of the irrigated plot was classified as sodic. The SAR and other exchangeable values in both irrigated and non-irrigated plot have equal variances (> 0.10) with the exception of chlorine which is significant. The level of potassium in the water was higher and sodic in nature. The study concluded that the sodium hazard in both soil and water was higher than the desirable limits. It is important to take the soil sample of the whole plots so as to examine the salt variation in the schem
A SONAR-Based Water Level Monitoring System: An Experimental Design
Get PDFStorage of water is common to all human for domestic and industrial utilization. Today, water tanks are the conventional and a major component in water storage systems as they have the capacity to hold large volume of water over a long period of time. They come in different shapes and sizes. However inadequate monitoring of water level in this storage facility may lead to either shortage of water supply when needed or its wastage during lifting process. Hence, there is need for proper monitoring of water level in a storage facility. This need motivates this work, which is the development of water level monitoring system that based on sonar technology. Materials employed in the development include ultrasonic sensor module, ATmega-328P microcontroller, 16MHz crystal oscillator, 12V dc water pump among others. The developed system monitors the water level and activates the pump as appropriate based on the input the ultrasonic sensor gives to the microcontroller which occupies the centre of the system. The developed system has potential of mitigating the attendant problems that usually arise from wastage or shortage of water supply with respect to water storage facility. Keywords—SONAR, water storage, monitoring syste
Design and Construction of a Motorized Citrus Juice Extractor
Get PDFThis paper presents the design, construction and performance evaluation of a locally fabricated motorized citrus juice extractor for small and medium scale industry. The fabrication materials for the machine comprises of stainless steel aluminum alloy which is used for the construction of the hopper, compression chamber and collector or receiver. The presser and perforated cylindrical sieve was formed using stainless steel sheet. The power shaft was machined from stainless steel solid shaft; mild steel angle bar was used for the main frame while the transmission pulleys were machined from mild steel material. In selection of materials for the machine critical properties such as toxicity, corrosion and pitting resistance were considered. For power transmission, 4 HP electric motor, V-belt and cast iron ball bearings were used. The performance evaluation of the machine shows that the machine extraction capacity and extraction efficiency are significantly affected by the prime mover speed in revolution per minutes (rpm). The machine efficiency is found to be 84.54 %, average juice extraction capacity is 10.92 cm3/sec or 39.312 lit/h at 600 rpm and the machine capacity is 38.89 kg/h. The production cost of the machine is about N117,800.00 (326 USD) this cost compared with the imported GG-0.5 model of similar capacity which cost about 3150 USD makes the machine considerably acquirable for use by both small and medium scale citrus juice processing plants in Nigeria. Keywords— Design, Extraction efficiency, Fabrication, Juice extractor, Performance evaluation
An Investigation of the Impacts of Phase Noise on Symbol Error Rate in Quadrature Amplitude Modulation Systems
Get PDFThe existence of phase noise in virtually every digital communications system poses a serious challenge to system designers especially as system complexity increases. Communication system complexity could be attributed to the modulation techniques adopted and the circuitry employed in achieving such modulations. This work investigates the impact of phase noise on the Symbol Error Rate (SER) of the different Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM) schemes. MATLAB simulation technique is adopted for the work and the results of the simulations show that as the phase noise is increased negatively, all the QAM schemes investigated show a reduction in SER and at a point, records a zero error. The value at which the schemes record this zero symbol error rate increases as the complexity of the scheme increases. So, higher order QAM schemes accommodate more symbol errors than the lower orders. The results also show that hard decision decoding has the worst performance index, irrespective of the QAM scheme, when compared with soft decision decoding
Effect of Traffic and Geometric Characteristics of Rural Two Lane Roads on Traffic Safety: a case study of Ilesha-Akure-Owo road, South-West, Nigeria
Get PDFRoad safety engineering involves identifying influencing factors causing traffic crashes through accident data, carrying out detailed accident studies at different locations and implementing relevant remedial measures. This study was carried out to establish relationship between traffic accident characteristics (frequency and severity) and traffic and road design characteristics on a two-lane highway. Statistical models applied in traffic accident modeling are Poisson regression, Negative Binomial regression (NB), and Zero-Inflated Negative Binomial regression (ZINB).; Traffic flow and road geometry related variables were the independent variables of the models. Using Ilesha-Akure-Owo highway, South-West, Nigeria accident prediction models were developed on the basis of accident data obtained from Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) during a 4-year monitoring period extending between 2012 and 2015. Curve radius (CR), lane width (LW), shoulder factor (SF), access road (CHAR), average annual daily traffic (AADT), parentage heavy good vehicle (HGV) and traffic sign posted (TSP) were the identified effective factors on crash occurrence probability. Finally, a comparison of the three models developed proved the efficiency of ZINB models against traditional Poisson and NB models. Keywords— Traffic accidents. Single carriageway, accident prediction model, road geometric characteristics