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Development and Quality Analysis of a Direct Solar Dryer for Fish
Get PDFThe study investigates drying characteristics of common species of fish in the
tropics, catfish (Clarias gariepinus ) and tilapia fish (Oreochromis niloticus )
using a direct solar dryer. The drying process was carried out during the dry
and wet season under natural (0 m/s) and forced convective drying (1.5 m/s,
2.5 m/s, 3.5 m/s fan speed). Results obtained showed that the drying air attained
by the dryer was satisfactory and the maximum temperature difference
between the dryer and the ambient temperatures was 35˚C. The moisture
content of the dried samples was 13.97% for catfish and 13.35% for tilapia fish
during dry season and during the wet season it was 15.68% for catfish and
14.9% for tilapia fish while for the open sun dried samples it was 21.7% for
catfish and 17.0% for tilapia fish. Maximum drying efficiency of 74.3% was
recorded for the dryer during dry season and the dried samples at 3.5 m/s fan
speed were better in drying rates. The proximate compositions of the fish before
and after drying were determined. There was significant difference in
proximate composition before and after drying (P < 0.05) and no significant
difference in proximate composition at fan speeds considered for both fish
species (P < 0.05)
USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA TOOLS FOR KNOWLEDGE SHARING BY UNIVERSITY LIBRARY STAFF IN NIGERIA
No full textGlobally, libraries and information centres have been faced with the evolving hi-tech innovation, a revolutionary novel trend that has altered knowledge sharing practices among information professionals, and one of these evolving technological products is known as social media tools. This paper examines the use of social media tools for knowledge sharing by university library staff in Nigeria. A descriptive research design was adopted for this study. Simple random sampling technique was used to select one hundred and sixty five (165) responded from thirty nine (36) university libraries. A structured questionnaire was the major instrument of data collection and was administered at Nigeria Library Association Annual conference. The data was reported in descriptive statistics and Statistical Software Package for Social Science (SPSS) was used for data analysis. The study revealed that university library staff in Nigeria (= 3.28±SD= 1.223) always use Instant Messaging App and Social networking sites such as Whatsapp, WeChat, LinkedIn, Facebook, Google+, Fortuito, My space, Academia and Research Gate for knowledge sharing. To a great extent majority of library staff (= 3.07±SD= 0.989) used social media tools to share personal journals and conference proceedings with users and professional colleagues. Also the study revealed that the factors inhibiting library staff use of social media tools (= 3.63±SD= 0.484) in Nigeria is poor internet connectivity
FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE METHANOGENIC ACTIVITIES IN A LOW SULFATE OIL-PRODUCING FACILITY
Get PDFStaff PublicationsMolecular analysis of a low sulfate oil bearing environment was carried out using 16S rRNA gene sequencing technique and the effects of some environmental factors like pH, temperature, salinity on methane production and corrosion rates were determined. Pyrosequenced data revealed dominance of hydrogenotrophic (Methanobacterium) andMethylotrophic (Methanolobus) in samples. Results showed that samples had their optimal temperature for maximum methane production at 35–40oC and higher temperature (55oC) was inhibitory to methane production. Methanogens in samples produced methane over a wide pH range but the pH optima for maximum methane production ranged between 6 and 7. Sodium chloride was tolerated better at lower concentrations (300mM) drastically inhibitedmethane formation, an indication that themethanogens involved are not halophytes. Because different methanogens require different substrates and reacts to changes in environmental conditions, environmental factorsmay indirectly control the diversity and activity of methanogens in low sulfate oil bearing environments
Scarification of Exotic and Indigenous Plant Seeds in Nigeria: Effect on Dormancy and Germination
Get PDFDormancy is exhibited in many seed producing plants. It could be endogenous or exogenous, depending on the plant and the type of seed the plant produce. A survival strategy, plant use to conserve their genetic materials during unfavourable conditions. Scarification treatments has been used in this work to break the dormancy of Anacardium occidentale, Annona muricata, Jatropha curcas, Tamarindus indica and Artocarpus heterophyllus using 65% Nitric acid (HNO3), 65% Sulphuric acid (H2SO4), 0.5% Potassium tetraoxosulphate(VI) (K2SO4), 0.5% Urea (CH4N2O), 43% Ethanol (C2H6O) and Distilled water. Nitric acid (65% HNO3) produced the best result for Anacardium occidentale with high numbers of seedlings and a germination period of 15 days. Jatropha curcas did not produce a favourable result from the treatments. Tamarindus indica, water treatment produced the best result with six days of germination shorter than the controlled value (16 days). Nitric acid (65% HNO3) and water favor Annona muricata with germination period of 19 days as against 24 days for control experiment. Water and Potassium sulphate are the best treatments for Artocarpus heterophyllus as they produce viable seedlings with short germination period of 14 and 15 days which give a good result better than the 18 days of the control experiment
Removal of metals from flat lubricating oils using a fabricated packed-bed reactor
Get PDFPacked bed reactor (PBR) was fabricated and its performance in removing metals from used (flat) lubricating oils was evaluated. A blend of locally produced diatomaceous materials was employed as sorbent. Flat lubricating oils from two brands (Mobil Super SAE-20W-50 and Total Quartz 5000 SAE-20W-50) were run through the PBR. Concentrations of the analysed metals in the used and treated oils were measured using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer and the results compared with those of unused (virgin) oils. Zinc, Mg, Ca, Na and K were detected in virgin oils; while all the analysed metals were detected in the treated and used oils but are of higher concentrations in the used oils. Cross plots have R2 values > 0.96, indicating high linear relationships of the impact of the treatment on the used oils. T-test results indicated that most of the metals showed significant differences between the mean values of the treated and used oils, indicating good treatment effects; while most of them indicated no significant differences between the mean values of the brands of oils used, indicating similar treatment effects on the two brands of oils. These results confirmed the high efficacy of the fabricated PBR for the purpose of recycling used oils
Comparative Evaluation of Antioxidant Properties of Methanol Extracts of Allium cepa bulb, Allium cepa bulb peels and Allium fistulosum.
Get PDFMedicinal plants have protective effects against many physiological diseases because of their phytochemical components which are better antioxidants. This study was aimed at comparing the in vitro antioxidant activity, phenolic and flavonoid content of the methanol extracts of Allium cepa bulb, Allium cepa bulb peel and Allium fistulosum. The antioxidant activity was determined by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), iron chelating activity and molybdate ion reduction assays. The total flavonoid and total phenolic content (TPC) were carried out using aluminium chloride and Folin-Ciocalteu assay respectively. The results showed that A. cepa bulb peel has the highest phenolic content and the antioxidant activity while the A. fistulosum showed the least. Furthermore, the total flavonoid content and metal iron chelating activity was highest in A. cepa bulb, while lowest values were obtained in A. fistulosum and A. cepa bulb peel respectively. The results suggest that the A. cepa bulb peel, A. cepa bulb and A. fistulosum extracts can be used as sources of natural antioxidants. However, A. cepa bulb peel may be the most potent
Geomechanical Characterization of a Reservoir in Part of Niger Delta, Nigeria
Get PDFGeomechanical characterization of a reservoir in the Niger Delta basin, using geophysical well-logs was adequately evaluated. The deformability and
strength of delineated unconsolidated sandstone and compacted shale were investigated by determined elastic moduli (Poisson ratio, Young modulus,
Bulk modulus, Shear modulus and Compressibility) and the unconfined compressive strength (UCS), cross plots of the parameters were done for
validation. Sand production prediction was used to adequately analyse sanding. The results show average parameters of weakly cemented sand to
have lower Poisson ratio, Young, Bulk, Shear modulus and Unconfined compressive strength of magnitudes of 0.28, 2.4GPa, 10.5GPa, 6.83GPa,
14.44MPa respectively, high compressibility (0.1 GPa-1), and porosity (0.25) the compacted shale have higher Poisson ratio, Young, Bulk, Shear
modulus and rock strength as (0.35, 8.93GPa, 18.08GPa, 21.01GPa, 56.17MPa respectively, lower compressibility (0.06 GPa-1) and porosity (0.06).
The shale has maximum average rock strength value of 56.17MPa.These results can be useful in the planning of well drilling and sanding prediction
in the study area
RELIABILITY OF DISTRIBUTION NETWORKS IN NIGERIA
Get PDFThe incessant electric power supply problems facing the existence of industries in Nigeria
is a pointer to the fact that there is great need for fault evaluation and reliability assessment
of electric power system in the country and provide solutions. As it has been earlier said,
this problem has grounded many activities and has destroyed many industrial processes. In
view of this, a traditional analytical method is developed to access the occurrence of faults
and outages along each of the individual consumer point in a feeder, as well as optimizes
the reliability of the generation, transmission and distribution system. In view of this, it
will be possible to improve on the performance of the system. It will also assist in the
generation and transmission of sufficient power, clearing of faults, ensuring adequate
protection and reliability of the distribution system that is, bringing a steady uninterrupted
power supply to consumers within the distribution area and the entire country.Nigerians are experiencing a lot of difficulties as a result of poor Generation, Transmission and Distribution
of electricity. As of 2016, the electricity energy consumption in the world from the world fact book revealed
that the average power per capital (watts per person) in the United States is 1,377 Watts. In Canada, it is as
high as 1,704 Watts per person and in South Africa; it is 445 Watts per person. The average power per capital
in Australia is 1,112 Watts and in New Zealand it is 1,020 W per person. Whereas, the average electricity
consumed in watts per person in Nigeria is just 14 Watts. This has put Nigeria in a rank of 189 out of 219
countries estimated. Currently, power generating capacity in Nigeria is estimated to be 6,803 megawatts,
with average working capacity between 3,500 MW for over 170 million people (20.59 W/person). The power
Companies in Nigeria face a lot of problems. Some of the highest priority issues being low generation of
power, inadequate equipment and technical team for the clearance of faults, inadequate protection devices,
transmission losses and low reliability of the distribution system. The Nigerian power problem has resulted
to incessant planned, forced and unplanned outages. This has grounded many activities and has destroyed
many industrial operations and processes. In addition, it has resulted to erratic and unreliable supply of
electricity. It has reduced productivity and has increased unemployment and crime rates in the country.
Hence, an analytical method is developed to study the dynamic- reliability of the distribution system, as well
as optimizes the occurrence of faults and outages along the consumer point in each feeder in order to improve
the performance of the system. A great need for fault evaluation and reliability studies of electric power
system was observed. This research work analyzed the problems facing the Distribution System. Efforts were
made to provide adequate solutions to the problems. The research work evaluated the occurrence and causes
of faults and outages in the Distribution Network Area for a period of 8 years. In addition, it analyzed and
reduced the effects of power losses along each of the feeders in the Distribution Network Area. This research
work revealed the downtime, failure rate and reliability index along each of the eight feeders. It also improved
the reliability and performance of the distribution system.Elizade University, Ilara- Mokin, Ondo Stat
Selection of T cell epitopes from S. mansoni Sm23 protein as a vaccine construct, using Immunoinformatics approach
Get PDFSchistosomiasis, a neglected and most prevalenttropical diseases after malaria, have been a threat to
people living in endemic areas. With regards to possible resistance to the popular drug (praziquantel)
use for treatment of schistosomiasis, the need for a permanent vaccinating approach has been
justified. This study uses an in silico approach to identify potential target vaccine candidate or T cell
epitopes (T cell response activating epitope) for the treatment of schistosomiasis. This research
therefore identified some candidate T cell epitopes from Sm23 protein of Schistosma mansoni using
immunoinformatics tools. Nonameric epitopes like 85YMYAFFLVV93
,
83MLYMYAFFL91
,
8MRCLKSCVF16
,
41SQYGDNLHK49 and 104VAVVYKDRI112 was found to exhibit strong binding affinity with some human
leukocyte antigen (HLA). The predicted epitope was found to have no similarity with human proteome, a
good attribute that is conferred on any good vaccine candidate. The predicted epitopes provide
promising drug candidates and could be tested by wet laboratory as targeted vaccine against S.
mansoni infection
Parametric and Quantitative Analysis on the Development of Shell and Tube Heat Exchanger
Get PDFThis work is aimed at developing a prototype shell and tube heat exchanger using locally available technology and materials via design based on optimal combination of parameters using LMTD technique, fabrication, as well as, performance evaluation of the facility.The importance of mini shell and tube heat exchangers (STHEs) in industrial and other engineering applications cannot be underestimated. Hence, based on the problems associated with the design of STHEs, a mini STHE was developed for transfer of heat between two fluids without mixing on the laboratory scale using locally available materials and technology based on an optimized LMTD technique. The performance of the heat exchanger was assessed and evaluated to determine the optimum combination of design parameters. Copper was utilized for the tube side fluid due to its higher thermal conductivity and anti-microbial property, while galvanized steel was used for the shell side fluid due to its cost and corrosion resistance. Parametric studies were carried out on STHE design parameters to obtain an optimal design for efficiency and effectiveness after relevant design considerations. Experimental results were validated with quantitative models, and it was discovered that both Dell-Belaware and Engineering Science Data Unit (ESDU) approaches produced the optimal results required for the selection of shell side and tube fluid film coefficients, respectively over other correlations. In conclusion, the values of parameters of interest were also presented after rigorous mathematical calculations at optimal level and probable recommendations were later made.Self-sponsore