Arid Zone Journal of Engineering, Technology and Environment (AZOJETE)
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Mathematical Modeling of Field Recital of Harrow in Clay – Loam Soil in South Eastern Nigeria
Get PDFThis research was carried out to model and optimize the efficiency of disc harrow on clay-loam soil in South – East Nigeria to assist farmers scrutinize and select appropriate harrowing implement reliant on soil type for efficacious and magnificent production. The harrowing operation was conducted at selected effective working widths, operational speeds and cutting depths using 2-gangs tandem disc harrow. The experimental design adopted in the research was a three level – three factor full factorial design. The experiment consists of three factors which were varied at three levels of harrowing depths which include 10, 20, 30 cm; three levels of effective working widths of 60, 120 and 180 cm and three levels of operational speeds (6, 7 and 8 km/hr). Central Composite Response Design which gives 17 test runs was performed for each sample. The results found that the highest field efficiency of 98.50% was obtained when the harrow was operated at the pulverizing depth of 20cm under operational speed of 7 kmh-1 and working width of 120 cm. The quadratic model equation was statistically significant (P ˂ 0.05) for the prediction of the field efficiency. Additionally, the results show that the coefficient of determination; R2 for the field efficiency was 0.9139, which indicated adequate correlations among the factors. The Predicted R² of 0.7695 was reliable with the Adjusted R² of 0.8031 which identified excellent interactions between the factors (effective working width, operational speeds and harrowing depths). The adequacy Precision (10.3749) obtained indicated seemly indicator and that the model could navigate the design space. The optimum field efficiency and the desirability of 96.66% and 0.697 were respectively attained at optimum depth of 30 cm, working width of 180 cm and speed of 6.16 kmh-1. Therefore, farm operators can henceforth, evaluate and select the harrow implements using the developed model
Impacts of Climate Change on the Yeild of some Selected Root Crops in Enugu State, South Eastern Nigeria
Get PDFClimate change variability has posed a huge threat on the yield of root crops in South-Eastern Nigeria. Studies were carried out to assess the effect of climate change on some selected root crops in Enugu State. Climatic and root crop yield data were collected for Twenty years (20years) each from Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), Abuja, and Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) under the Ministry of Agriculture, Enugu State respectively. Data collected were statistically analyzed using ANOVA. The ANOVA result shows that significant difference (p<0.05) were observed in annual temperature and mean values of annual rainfall and minimum temperature. Crop yields of cocoyam, yam and cassava were also significantly different at p<0.05. The highest mean annual rainfall was observed in 2006, annual temperature was also significant at p<0.05 in 2015. Most significant values (P<0.05) for Cocoyam yield was recorded in 2016. The regression of combined climatic factors and crop yields from 2001 to 2020 showed that coefficient of determination (R2) recorded for cocoyam and yam yield as 0.59 and 0.34 respectively, cassava recorded a very poor correlation of 0.09. The multiple correlation coefficient (R) shows that there was high correlation (R = 0.769) between cocoyam yield and climatic factors, and a moderate correlation (R=0.584) for yam yield and climatic factors. Single correlation between climatic factors and crop yield showed that moderate correlations were recorded for cocoyam yield and mean annual sunshine hour (R = 0.441) and cocoyam yield with annual temperature (0.450). it is recommended to use up to 30 years crop yield data for future studies.
 
Development of a Fuzzy Logic Controller (FLC) for a Chicken Feather Plucking Machine.
No full textFeathers are epidermal growths or flat appendages that form a unique exterior covering, or plumage, on (avian) birds, some non-avian and possibly other archosauromorphs. They are regarded as the most complicated skin structures observed in vertebrates. The traditional method of manually plucking the feathers with the hand is still the common practice in Nigeria for both private and commercial use. For both manual and machine plucking, the chicken must have undergone scalding. In an attempt to add some form of intelligence to the design of the mechanical chicken feather plucking machines, a fuzzy logic controller (FLC) is developed for this system. Compared to conventional control techniques, FLC has been best applied in complex ill-defined problems, which can be controlled by an efficient human operator without knowledge of their underlying dynamics. In the design of the FLC, two input parameters were considered namely scalding temperature and weight of the chicken. While the output parameters considered were the rotating speed and rotating time of the plucker. Nine rules were developed to effect the control process. For a chicken of 2.0kg weight and temperature of 80°C, the rotating speed and plucking time are 402rpm and 20.3secs. It shows the proof of concept that the chicken feather plucking process can be automated.
 
Analysis of Field Characteristics for Irrigation System Design: A Case Study
Get PDFThe determination of field characteristics is key to the successful installation of irrigation because the water use efficiency depends on the soil infiltration rate, storage capacity, permeability, and plasticity. The shear strength of the soil was also determined for the purpose of construction of water abstraction systems. The applicability of irrigation for paddy rice cultivation in the Igwu River Basin was assessed as a case study using secondary data from the Igwu River World Bank Rice Project and Abia State Ministry of Agriculture. Primary data was generated by field and laboratory soil tests. The soil survey and project land classification were based on the United State Bureau of Reclamation general land classification standard on limiting factors to irrigation. Field and laboratory tests were used to generate data on the specific gravity of soil particles and the compaction characteristics to determine the dry, moist, saturated, and buoyant unit weight of the soil. Consistency limits, plasticity, shear, and compressive parameters as well as coefficient of permeability, infiltration characteristics and soil storage capacity were also determined. The result showed that the soil profile is well drained to a depth of about 1m and of characteristic agricultural nature, rich in mineral nutrient and having a pH of 6.7. The soil is of good workability, with largely fine to medium texture, characterized by dull orange. (7.5yrs 6/4 dry, brownish black (10yrs 3/2) wet topsoil. The topsoil is made up of sandy loam of weak angular structure, few fibrous roots and, of mixed humous, with few fine and continuous pores. It was further, observed that erosion was minimal because of forest cover and the area holds a high potential for irrigated agriculture. It is therefore the opinion of the authors that the study site is suitable for paddy rice irrigation.
 
Optimization of the Industrial use of Renewable Energy for Sustainable and Cost Effective Rural Electrification
No full textThere is an inequitable access of rural communities to electricity services in Nigeria as demand supersedes generation. The provision of viable electricity to rural communities is hampered by some inefficiency bedeviling the allocation of energy resources coupled with the near depletion of fossil fuels. Due to capital intensive nature of renewable energy sources; most of these energy sources remain unexploited in Nigeria. This study aims at developing a general framework that can be utilized in Nigeria to minimize the total cost of installing renewable energy technologies while satisfying some predetermined constraints such as demand, supply and renewable energy potentials. Three scenarios were presented namely; prospective off-grid which accesses electricity level below 50%, on-grid which accesses electricity level above 50% and all-off-grid which finds the optimal cost of installing off-grid renewable energies. The results show that the total installation costs of the first and second scenarios are ₦42,656,292,800 and ₦49,908,650,400 respectively while that of the third scenario is found to be ₦106,938,354,400 which represent the extent of renewable energy resources that could possibly incentivize the realization of wider renewable energy applications in rural Nigeria. Furthermore, it was observed that the combination of the off-grid and on-grid installations have the potential for a decentralized renewable energy resources, with minimum installation cost. This will not only improve the wellbeing of rural communities, but also enhance Nigeria’s energy and economic prospects for potential global investments.
 
Performance Evaluation of Hot Mix Asphalt Using Cow Dung Ash as Filler
Get PDFThis study evaluates the performance of Cow Dung Ash (CDA) in hot-mix asphalt. This was achieved by determining the Marshall and volumetric properties of Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA). In the HMA, cow dung ash partially replaced granite dust at varying percentages using varying bitumen content. The results obtained from the laboratory experiments indicate an increase in stability with an increase in CDA and bitumen content. Maximum stability of 11.8 kN was obtained at 40% CDA and 6% bitumen content. The flow was observed to increase with increasing CDA and bitumen content. A minimum flow of 2.7 mm was observed at 5% bitumen and 10% CDA content. The unit weight increases with an increase in bitumen and CDA content while an increase in CDA considerably decreases the void in the mineral aggregate of the mix. Additionally, the increase in bitumen and CDA content showed a decrease in air voids of modified mix. Results obtained showed that an increase in the percentage of void filled with bitumen is directly proportional to bitumen and CDA content. The Marshal properties such as stability and flow and the volumetric properties such as unit weight, Void in Mineral Aggregate (VMA), air voids and voids filled with bitumen were within the range specified by Nigerian General Specification for Road and Bridges. It can be concluded that the Marshall and volumetric properties of hot mix asphalt performed well with CDA as filler and hence, can be recommended for use in hot mix asphalt.
 
Assessment of PAHs in Borehole Water from the Vicinity of the Delta Steel Company, Warri, Delta State, Nigeria
Get PDFWater contamination due to industrialization is a major problem affecting the environment and all life. This work evaluates the existence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in borehole water from Delta Steel Company in Warri, Delta State. The water sample was analysed in accordance with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) using a gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS). The concentration of Σ16 PAH in water from the sampling site shows that the concentration was in the range of 23.78 – 125.9 mg/L. The study further shows that groundwater in the area was polluted with both light and heavy PAH concentrations. The light PAH concentrations were about 43.8%, ranging from 26.4 mg/L and 50.04 mg/L. Whereas the heavy PAH concentrations were about 56.2%, ranging from 23.78 mg/L and 125.9 mg/L, with Benzo (a) pyrene at 0.0001 mg/L and 0.002 mg/L for all other PAHs that exceed the World Health Organization permissible limit of 0.002 mg/L. Heavy PAHs were dominant, with benzo(a)fluoranthene accounting for the highest concentration in the samples. The four- five- ring PAHs were the dominant group of PAHs in the study. This observation was attributed to the prolonged industrial practices in the area. Therefore, this study recommends that, for health and safety, the water be subjected to major treatment before consumption.
 
Chemical Constituents of Solvent Extracted Bitter Kola Nut Oil and its Benefcial Health Properties
Get PDFThis study investigated chemical composition and biological activity of bitter kola oil. Solvent extraction was done using Soxhlet extraction method and the chemical composition of the oil was investigated using standard procedures. The oil yield of bitter kola nut oil was 2.480%. The color was deep brown. The chemical composition of the oil showed 58 different chemical compounds of which 40 are reported to have biological activity. 23.1% of the chemical composition of bitter kola oil obtained was made up of fatty acids. The fatty acid compositions of the oil showed saturated and unsaturated components that ranged from 0.59 – 10.10% and 0.72 – 4.13%, respectively. Some of the saturated components of bitter kola nut oil include Palmitic; Lauric; Myristic; Pentadecanoic and Stearic fatty acids while the unsaturated components were Oleic; Linoleic and Hydnocarpic fatty acids. In conclusion, this study showed that bitter kola oil comprises of many biologically active compounds which could be used could beuse in food formulation, pharmaceutical and chemical industries.
 
Proximate Composition, Mineral and Phytochemical contents of whole fruits, rinds and seeds of Guna (Citrullus vulgaris) fruit.
Get PDFThe consumption of fruit and vegetables contribute significantly to nutrient intake. However, the concentration of nutrients in whole fruits, rinds and seeds of a produce may differ. The objective of this study was to determine the proximate composition, minerals and phytochemical contents of guna (Citrullus vulgaris) whole fruits, rinds (peels) and seeds. The proximate composition (moisture, ash, protein, fat, fibre and carbohydrate), mineral contents (Ca, Mg, P, Fe, Na, K, and Zn) and Phytochemical contents (flavonoids, phenols, tannin, alkaloid, saponin, glycosides and steroids) of whole fruit, rinds and seeds of guna were determined using standard methods. The results show that moisture, ash, protein, fat, fibre, carbohydrate and energy contents ranged from 11.44-82.69%, 1.43 - 2.64%, 0.52-21.82%, 0.45-26.58%, 8.15-18.21%, 5.32-19.31% and 33.37 - 403.74Kcal/100g respectively. Additionally,guna seeds sample recorded the highest value in ash, protein, fat, fibre, carbohydrate and energy contents.Similarly, guna seeds was observed to have the highest Ca (5.52mg/100g), Mg (349.52mg/100g) and P (155.66mg/100g) contents while it has the least Fe (0.117mg/100g) and Na (18.74mg/100g) contents respectively. The phytochemical contents of whole fruits, seeds and rinds samples of guna differed significantly (p<0.05). The flavonoid, phenol, alkaloid, tannin, saponin and glycoside contents ranged from 6.23 - 55.18mg/100g, 4.61 - 38.11mg/100g, 642.69 - 785.12mg/100g, 0.52 - 44.79mg/100g, 15.75 - 131.79mg/100g and 0.068 - 0.255mg/100g respectively. Furthermore, guna seeds recorded the highest flavonoid, phenol, tannin and saponin contents and the least in glycoside content. The steroid content of guna seeds (62.05mg/100g) was higher than in the whole fruits (8.97mg/100g), and was not detected in guna rinds samples. Therefore, it could be concluded that guna seeds contained high protein, fat and energy values for nutrition compared to the whole fruits and rinds as well as relative high amount of mineral and phytochemical contents. Thus, guna seeds could be used for nutritional and therapeutic purposes.
 
Evaluation and Comparison of some Infiltration Models on Agricultural Soils of Bosso Local Government Area, Niger State, Nigeria
Get PDFOver the last few decades, researchers have developed a great interest in fabricating and synthesising zinc silicate-based glass ceramics. However, using waste materials as precursors for the fabrication is yet another milestone in waste management. Thus, this study fabricated zinc silicate glass-ceramic using sola lime silica (SLS) glass waste as a silicon source. The series of precursor glass in the the conventional solid-state melt-quench technique prepared system through a controlled crystallisation process. The glass system’s physical, structural, and optical properties were obtained by density measurement, X-Ray diffraction, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, and Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, respectively. The density of the glasses series was observed to be decreasing with the increment of content. The XRD spectra of the samples with 0 and 0.01 wt.% , exhibits major diffraction peaks attributed to the ZnO phase in the glass matrix. However, as content increased, the precursor glass sample shown by the XRD spectra depicted a broad halo characteristic, which reflected the properties of amorphous glass that were observed at the composition of 0.05 wt.% From FTIR spectra, the bands at 500, 688, 902 and 1243 can be associated with stretching vibrations of ZnO4 and Si-O-B bending vibrations, stretching vibrations of the B–O bonds in the units, and modes of boron–oxygen triangular units. The intensity of the IR band increases with increasing percentage of . The UV-Vis analysis of the samples with 0 and 0.01 wt.% demonstrates crystalline hump and varies at 370 nm. It was observed that the addition of B2O3 to the ZnO-SLS glass network caused the glassy amorphous state without a sharp absorption edge at 0.05, 0.10, and 0.15 wt.% B2O3.The system shows the increase in band gap when the composition of increased. When serves as a modifier, the number of NBOs will increase, and this will cause the expansion of glass network. The zinc silicate-based glass-ceramic produced has been classified as a semiconductor due to the vast optical band gap energy obtained and may have vital potential applications for future LED and other optoelectronic lighting devices.