Arid Zone Journal of Engineering, Technology and Environment (AZOJETE)
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Homer Pro-Based Approach for Designing and Optimizing a Grid-Tied Hybrid Renewable Energy System for a Rural Community
Get PDFOne of the most important elements in our planet is energy, there is a daily rise in the global demand of energy and so renewable sources of energy need to be employed to meet this demand. We understand that renewable sources of energy are not continuous; to resolve these issues, research have proven that combining several renewable sources in a hybrid form would compensate for the discontinuity and decrease emission of harmful chemicals to the environment. Based on the epileptic power supply issues for residents in Sango Ota, an alternative source of power is suggested in this study. Sango Ota is a fast-developing area with population increasing daily, and load demand needs to be met for residential and commercial activities. This paper presents the optimal planning, design, operation, and techno-economic assessment of a sustainable hybrid renewable energy Microgrid system using Sango Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria as a case study. The sources of renewable energy considered in this study are wind turbines, solar photovoltaic (PV), diesel generator and storage system (battery). The study employs HOMER Pro application and algorithm to simulate models of the design. This study helps to proffer a solution or an alternative means of generating power at a lesser cost with several options as backup. The study focuses mainly on the residential whose lifetime is 25 years. The Return on investment (ROI) of this study is positive, which indicates that the project is viable, profitable, efficient and should yield a payback after 4 years. This study has been able to show that a sustainable power supply can be generated using hybrid renewable energy sources from wind, solar, diesel generator and battery. Enough energy was generated to meet the load demand, it was cost effective and the capital would be regained in 4 years. Auto size Gen was preferable for the simulation as it is flexible and adjustable to meet the load demand
Design and Fabrication of Solar and Gasoline Dual-Powered Lawn Mower
Get PDFThe need to improve existing lawnmowers is highly essential, especially when there is availability of alternative and renewable sources of power (solar energy). A readily available two-stroke internal combustion engine and solar panel were used to drive a cutting tool made from a locally available cutlass. The Mechanical power from the internal combustion engine was converted by an alternator to Electrical power and transmitted through the electric motor. The mower's battery is recharged by a 30W solar panel. To avoid completely draining or overcharging the battery, the solar panels were linked in series with an electric charge controller. The lawn mower's cutting blade is fixed to a 12-volt, one-horsepower DC motor, which is powered by two series-connected 12-volt, seventy-five-amp lead accumulators. Through the use of solar energy captured by the solar panels, the DC batteries (lead accumulators) are replenished. The hybrid powered lawn's intricate design was developed and the performance demonstrated the field efficiency of 83% and 87% when powered with solar and combustion engines respectively. The blade height is adjusted for the desired height of the cut. The battery which takes approximately 2 days to recharge mows a total area of 455m2 of lawn. The mower showed neat mowing of the grasses with ease of operation
Biogas Production and Nitrogen Recovery from Cattle and Chicken Dung Through Anaerobic Digestion
Get PDFThis study was conducted to determine the biochemical methane potential (BMP) of cattle and chicken dung through anaerobic digestion. Essentially, manure from animal waste could be a valuable resource in the production of high-grade organic fertilizer. To achieve this, chicken and cattle dung were collected at Ramat polytechnic farms in Maiduguri for the assessment. All samples were prepared and the digestates analysed to determine the nutrient composition using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS), UK, 2005. Thereafter, the nitrogen (N) content was measure using Kjeldal method. This process was observed for seven (7) days. Finally, the water displacement method was adopted to measure the amount of biogas produced. The results show that at a ratio of 2:3 cattle to chicken dung, the highest gas yield was 117 mg/l on the first (1) day and the lowest gas yield was 53 mg/l using the blank sample on the seventh (7) day. Nevertheless, using blank sample and ratios of 1:1, 2:3, and 3:2, the amounts of nitrogen compounds in the substrates prior to and following digestion were 1.17, 1.66, 2.45, and 2.39 mg/l and 2.17, 2.66, 3.25, and 3.19 mg/l, respectively. Consequently, it is evident that the production of biogas and biofertilizer from agricultural waste has the potential to be a promising technology in low-income society
Effects of Ergonomic Intervention Approach on Some Occupational Hazards in Automobile Workshop in South Western Nigeria
Get PDFAutomobile workshops house the auto-mechanic, auto-electrical, painting, and panel-beating units. Activities carried out in these units expose the workers to some occupational hazards and some musculoskeletal risk factors with perceived consequences on their health. Therefore, this study assessed selected automobile workshops within southwestern Nigeria to establish the prevalence of ergonomic hazards. A sample size of 496 auto-repair workshops (auto-mechanic, auto electrical, painting, and panel-beating units) was randomly considered. Data was collected using observation, interaction, and structured questionnaires. The structured questionnaires were administered to the respondents to seek their demography and occupational hazards information. Standard weighing scale and stadiometer were used to collect the weights and status of the respondents, respectively. Some of the common hazards identified in the auto-repair workshops are poor workstation design, poor equipment and tool layout, noise, wet floors, poor lighting, and an unguarded working area, which often lead to slips, trips, and falls, muscle strains, equipment accidents, overexertion injuries, and scald injuries, among others. Common occupational risk factors in different workstations across the workshops visited were identified and ranked to establish their prevalence as non-usage of personal protective equipment, PPE, awkward posture, repetitive motion, repetitive manual tasks, and exposure to sharp objects. However, panel beaters (55%) and auto-mechanic technicians (49%) have the highest percentage of people who are normal weight, while painters (62%) and auto-electricians (38.5%) have the highest percentage of people who are above normal weight. Quick Exposure Check, QEC results showed that lower back pain and neck pain are the most prevalent musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and are majorly caused by awkward posture at work in an auto-repair workshop. According to this study, vehicle repair professionals were exposed to a variety of risks and hazards, with the lower backs of the workers being the most severely impacted. Auto-mechanical technicians in auto-repair workshops are most at risk
Analysis of the Properties of Spark Plasma Sintered Ti6al4v Matrix Composites Enhanced with Nitride Nanoparticles
No full textTi6Al4V alloy serves as an optimal lightweight structural material. However, its restricted hardness adversely impacts its abrasion resistance under high performance structural conditions, thereby hindering its extensive use in the aerospace industry. This study employed spark plasma sintering (SPS) to develop Ti6Al4V matrix composites reinforced with 1, 3, and 5 wt. % of three refractory nitride nanoparticles of h-BN, TiN, and AlN. The developed composites were analyzed for microstructure, phase composition, densification, microhardness, and potentiodynamic polarization using field-emission gun scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, the Archimedes' method, microindentation, and linear polarization investigations. The microstructure and phase analyses revealed marginal porosity and cracks, with no indications of detrimental intermetallic phases. It was observed that as reinforcement content increased, composite densities decreased from 98.4 to 97.4 %, 98.62 to 97.63 %, and 98.64 to 95.14 % for h-BN, TiN, AlN reinforcements, respectively. The microindentation test indicated that, relative to the unreinforced alloy (331.79 HV), hardness increased proportionally with reinforcement content. Interestingly, h-BN exhibits a range of 672.05 to 740.43 HV, TiN ranges from 427.18 to 491.06 HV, and AlN shows values from 441.25 to 504.68 HV. The composite with 3 wt. % AlN presented the best potentiodynamic polarization behaviour with a superior polarization resistance of 5246.2 Ω and a lowered corrosion rate of 0.14321 mm/year. Meanwhile, 5 wt. % AlN-reinforced composite showed the worst densification and potentiodynamic polarization behaviour with a relatively decreased polarization resistance of 219.13 Ω and a higher corrosion rate of 3.6935 mm/year. Additionally, among the developed composites, the 3 wt. % h-BN-reinforced composite exhibited optimal properties, showcasing a microhardness of 716.80 HV, a markedly improved polarisation resistance of 4011.2 Ω, and a considerably reduced corrosion rate of 0.21444 mm/year. Therefore, Improved mechanical and corrosion performance of Ti6Al4V matrix composites tends to reduce the weight of aerospace structures, improve fuel efficiency, and thereby enable the advancement of sustainable and benign aerospace technologies
Transitioning to Sustainable Energy: The Promise of Solar Power – A Review
No full textOver time, the global energy landscape has shifted from localized, experimental systems to complex, interconnected power grids. Understanding the historical trajectory of these developments provides crucial insights into shaping a sustainable energy future. In light of escalating energy demand, environmental degradation and fossil fuel depletion, there is an urgent need to transit toward cleaner, more sustainable sources of electricity. While renewable energy technologies offer promising alternatives, countries like Nigeria face unique challenges in identifying the most viable options for large-scale deployment. This study employs a structured literature review to examine both the historical evolution and current landscape of power generation technologies. The review encompassed conventional systems (e.g., fossil fuels, nuclear) and renewable sources (e.g., hydro, wind, geothermal, solar). Findings show that past power transitions were driven by more than just technological superiority—they were shaped by economic, institutional, and societal factors. Drawing from this, the study identifies solar power as the most promising renewable option for Nigeria, due to its abundant sunlight, declining costs, and ease of deployment across diverse locations. Compared to wind, tidal, and geothermal energy, solar presents a more practical and scalable solution for off-grid and rural electrification. This insight is reinforced by historical parallels, such as the role of complementary innovations and institutional support in the dominance of alternating current power systems. Solar power stands out as Nigeria’s most feasible pathway toward sustainable and resilient energy development. Lessons from historical power transitions highlight the importance of aligning technological innovation with supportive policy, infrastructure, and public engagement. As the country navigates its energy future, prioritizing solar investment and integration will be vital for achieving environmental sustainability, economic growth, and long-term energy security
Biogas Production Using a Mixture of Avocado Seeds and Cassava Peels Blended with Cow Dung
No full textIncrease in the cost of fossil fuels as a source of energy, coupled with environmental pollution associated with their consumption, calls for the search for alternative energy sources. Therefore, this study focused on the construction and performance evaluation of a biodigester to produce biogas as a renewable energy source for domestic use. A 24-litre biodigester was constructed and used in this study. The biogas was produced using a mixture of cassava peels and avocado seeds with cow dung as inoculum under mesophilic conditions. The cassava peels and avocado seeds were mixed in the ratio 5:1. The experiment was carried out under mesophilic conditions, while the mass and composition of the produced biogas were measured. The findings showed the production of 256 g of biogas corresponding to 0.438 m3. The biogas produced was found to contain 64.4% of methane, 5% of water vapour, 0.9% of O2 content, 560 ppm of CO, and 478 ppm of H2S. interestingly, a relatively higher methane content was observed in this study than in previous studies. Thus, implying the influence of the choice of the agricultural wastes (cassava peels and avocado seeds in this case) and inoculum used as substrate which enhanced anaerobic digestion process in connection with the improved biodigester. These results revealed that biogas generation could be achieved using locally sourced agricultural wastes and thus promoting green and renewable energy in agreement with the Sustainable Development Goals. Therefore, Biogas production would not only provide an alternative source of energy but would also aid in farmland and marketplaces' waste management
Optimization of Process Parameters on Fatigue and Compressive Strength of AL7075/Coconut Shell Ash Composite
No full textThe study investigates the effect of coconut shell ash particulate (CSAp) on the fatigue and compressive strength of Aluminium (Al) 7075 metal matrix composite; and optimized by Taguchi Grey Relational Analysis (GRA). The composites were prepared by conventional double stir casting method with varying coconut shell ash content (5wt%, 10wt%, 15wt% and 20wt%). Five factors, four levels Taguchi experimental design were used to optimize the number of experiments. The factors considered were reinforcement fraction, processing temperature, stirring speed, stirring time and particle size of Al/CSAp reinforcement in the matrix. Taguchi L16 orthogonal array was employed in fabricating different samples of the composite. The significant effect of the experimental design parameters on the responses was investigated using analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The results for the fatigue strength of the Aluminium/CSAp composite showed that processing temperature with a contribution of 57.55% has the highest influence on the fatigue; followed by reinforcement fraction with 11.49%, particle size with 14.25%, stirring speed with 8.93%, and stirring time with 1.11% in addition, the ANOVA for compressive strength of the composite showed that stirring speed with a contribution of 70.38% has the highest influence on the compressive strength; followed by particle size, with 24.22%, processing temperature, with 0.55%, reinforcement fraction, with 0.11%, and stirring time, with 0.06%. The optimal combination for the Taguchi grey relational analysis was coconut shell ash particles at 10wt%, stirring speed at 600rpm, processing temperature at 850oC, stirring time at 120secs, and particle size at 25µm. Stirring speed and processing temperature were considered significant contributors to the change in grey relational grade (GRG) of the composite. Confirmatory experiments carried out using the optimal parameters (CSAp2SS4PT3ST2PS1) showed an improvement in the fatigue and compressive strength of the optimized composite of 36.4% and 30.7% over the initial settings
Studies on Starch Characteristics of Flour Produced from Six Varieties of Musa SPP. Fruits Grown in Southwestern Nigeria
No full textThis research work investigated starch characteristics of flour produced from six varieties of Musa spp. fruits with the view of promoting its usage as base composition in food development and innovation. There is dearth of information on prediction of glycemic response of different varieties of Musa spp. flour in literatures. This research work therefore investigated glycemic responses of six Musa spp. flour using standard procedures. The descriptive and inferential statistical analysis of measured data was done using Turkey’s post test procedures of GraphPad Prism version 4.00 for Windows. The results showed that the carbohydrate, total starch, slowly digested starch (SDS) and resistant starch (RS) composition of the samples ranged from 90.32 to 93.93%; 473.97 to 488.30mg/g; 33.02 to 36.38% and 21.16 to 27.54, respectively. Furthermore, amylose, amylopectin and predicted glycemic index (pGI) were ranged from 25.10 to 29.02%; 70.93 to 74.90% and 51.11 to 53.31%, respectively. Thus, the results of this study showed that Musa spp. varieties affected glycemic responses of the flour. Therefore, it is concluded that all the six varieties of Musa spp. have low glycemic index and appreciable levels of resistant starch. The data obtained will bridge the information gap for formulation and development of functional foods using Musa spp. flour as a baseline composition
Development of an Automatic Door Access Control System Using Fingerprint and Passcode Verification Technology
No full textAccess control systems are essential in modern security architecture, yet traditional methods such as mechanical locks and single-factor authentication remain vulnerable to duplication, spoofing, and environmental limitations. To address these challenges, this paper presents the development of an automatic door access control system that integrates fingerprint biometrics with passcode verification on an Arduino platform. The major contribution of this work lies in its dual-factor authentication design, which enhances security while maintaining affordability, scalability, and ease of use. The system was implemented using an AS606 fingerprint sensor for biometric enrollment and verification, complemented by a keypad for passcode input and an intruder alarm for intrusion response. Experimental results demonstrated that the fingerprint scanner reliably captured and matched minutiae with confidence scores ranging from 0 to 255, and that thumbprints provided higher accuracy rates than index fingers, with a maximum accuracy of 70%. The integration of a secondary passcode layer and an intruder alarm further improved the robustness of the system compared to existing single mode solutions. Future work will explore the integration of additional biometric modalities and IoT-based monitoring to expand functionality. Overall, this study demonstrates that dual-factor authentication on an open-source platform offers a practical, secure, and cost-effective solution for modern access control