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Photocatalytic degradation of Congo red using doped zinc oxide nanoparticles
No full textThe article contains plates, figures and tablesThe photocatalytic degradation of Congo Red (CR) was studied using zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles as catalys (ZC, NZ, AZ and ANZ) under UV light, solar and dark. ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized by one-step liquid impregnation and each nanoparticles was calcined at 60 oC for 4 hours. The UV-vis spectra study assured that the band gap decreased as N and Ag doped to ZnO and hence the absorption band shifts toward the longer wavelength region (red shift). The morphological structures of as-synthesized nanomaterials were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The parameters studied were catalyst dosage and the pH of the reaction mixture. The degradation of the dye was found to be effective in the range; catalyst dose of 0.10, 0.20, 0.30 and 0.4 g ZnO catalyst/100 mL of dye solution, initial concentration 10 mg/L, and pH 8.11. Experimentation on different catalyst dosage of ZnO nanoparticles showed that 0.2 g ZnO catalyst/100 mL with the percentage degradation (ZC 70%, ANZ 99.7%, AZ 92.5%, NZ 85.8%) is the most suitable catalyst dosage for degrading CR under UV irradiation at 120 min of irradiation time. Photocatalytic processes were found to work better in basic condition and the best pH value was 8.0. The results showed that a percentage Congo Red degradation of 99.7% could be obtained when treating an effluent with 10 mg/L of Congo Red for 120 mins at 0.2 g ZnO catalyst/100 mL of effluent and pH 8 under UV irradiation using nitrogen doped silver co-doped zinc oxide, ANZ) both under solar and UV than (NZ) and silver- nitrogen doped zinc oxide (A), this was attributed to the lower rate of recombination of the photo-generated electrons and holes as well as its lower gap energ
Design and simulation of a controller scheme to mitigate process flow errors in oil and gas industry.
Full text linkMaster's thesis n control engineering .Flow in a process industry is characterized with issue of frictional force in the medium in which the fluid is being transported thereby creating pressure loss which leads to loss of time and output product. In this research, Direct Synthesis(DS) method is used, while the tools used include: Proteus version 7.6, MATLAB/Simulink software, LabVIEW Control Design and Simulation Module. A Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) and Distributed Control System (DCS) controllers are utilized in order to control the flow rate of the process fluids by controlling the loss in pressure due to frictional forces in the transport medium to ensure that the flow remains in laminar condition. Firstly, the PID was modeled, and the PID controller was designed and configured into the flow system, then it was simulated using MATLAB/Simulink and the result of the performance showed that when the PID was independently controlling the flow system, there was over shoot which was over come after some wasteful time before achieving steady or stability. Secondly, DCS was also used independently in the flow loop and it was simulated using Proteus software. The performance was observed in the software environment and it showed that when DCS was used independently, it had a good control efficiency but some percentage of transient and overshoot was noticed from the output result. Thirdly, the DCS and the PID were installed together and simulated using LabVIEW and the results obtained showed that the cascading of the two controllers cut down the time of attaining stability and the problems of drag and pressure loss were eliminated in a very short time. The research work achieved 99 percent of the results anticipated as all the specific objectives were achieved. The research was validated using Routh- Hurwitz stability criterion
Big data application and analyses in construction project delivery in Oyo state, Nigeria
Full text linkA Master's thesis on Big data application and analyses in construction project delivery. it contains tables, graphs, charts and mathematical equations.This study aimed at big data application and analyses in construction project delivery in Oyo state, Nigeria. The study was inspire by the need to employ application and analyses of big data in the construction project delivery. The study also identified the big data application influencing construction project delivery, evaluated and established the determinants and the extent of deployment of big data application in construction project delivery in construction industry in Nigeria. Factor analysis and descriptive survey design were used for this research study to obtain data through sample selection and analysis. One hundred and fifty (150) copies of questionnaires were administered to the construction industry in Oyo state through the random sampling technique, a total of one hundred and twenty-four (124) copies of questionnaires were properly retrieved and adequately completed which represent a feedback ratio of 82%. Factor analysis was used for the analysis of the data, descriptive analysis was also used. This study is backed up with the following theories viz; schumpeter theory of innovation and big data, dynamic capabilities(DC) and big data, diffusion of innovation theory and resource based theory. The findings from this study revealed that effect of big data on project performance, Availability of big data technology, Accessibility of big data facilities and power, effectiveness and efficiency of big data are significant determinants of big data analytics in construction industry. The findings also demonstrated the significant methods of big data deployment which encourage construction industry to adopt these approaches as they motivate construction industry towards achieving the goals of the industry. The study recommends that construction industry should start with data that is already available in the enterprises, start with customer-centric outcomes, develop business case based on measurable outcomes and identify business priorities and build the strategy on that as they are crucial in ensuring the achievement of the construction industry
Genomic associations between transforming growtt factor β (TGFβ3) gene polymorphism with growth performance of Nigerian improved and exotic chicken
Full text linkA Master's thesis on n animal breeding and geneticsThis study focused on analyzing the TGF-β3 gene polymorphism and its association with important growth and morphological traits in chickens. A total of 150 chickens from three different breeds, namely Noiler®(50), FUNAABAlpha® (FA - 50), and Sasso® (50), were included in the study. These chickens were reared from day-old chicks until they reached 20 weeks of age. Throughout this period, growth and morphological traits such as body weight, height at withers, body length, breast girth, and wing length were measured at ages 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 weeks. Significant differences (PC) and SNP2 (A>T). Notably, the CC and TT genotypes exhibited recessive characteristics. To assess the genetic diversity within the TGF-β3 gene across the three chicken breeds, haplotype and nucleotide analyses were conducted. Results revealed that Noiler and FA breeds exhibited a higher number of sequences and haplotypes (5), while Sasso breed had 4. Furthermore, the association analysis between the identified SNPs and the measured growth traits revealed interesting findings. SNP1 showed a significant association(P<0.05) with body weight and height at withers. Notably, Sasso and FA breeds demonstrated a stronger association with these traits compared to the Noiler breed. Conversely, SNP2 did not exhibit any significant associations with the measured body traits. Overall, the findings of this study suggest that the TGF-β3 gene may play a crucial role as a candidate gene, significantly influencing the body composition traits of chickens
Toxicity of pesticides and heavy metals to bacterial isolates from aquatic ecosystem
Full text linkThis thesis is for the award of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) in Environmental MicrobiologyThe research work was carried out to determine the effect of pesticides and heavy metals on bacterial isolates from an aquatic ecosystem using Otamiri River as a case study. Otamiri River is the major river in Owerri metropolis and its environs, thus most of the drainages empty into the River. A total of seventy-two (72) water and twelve (12) soil samples were collected from the River. The physiochemical and bacteria diversity of Otamiri River was analyzed using standard microbiological methods, equally the heavy metal and pesticides content of the River was analysed. Finally, the toxicity assay was carried out using the preponderant organisms. Among the physio-chemical parameters analyzed in the River water and soil samples, pH was between 5.3 and 6.11. The BOD was 3-5mg/L which was above the recommended standard by World Health Organization (WHO). From the heavy metals and pesticides content of the river, Cd and Pb recorded the highest value of 0.03mg/l and 0.1 mg/l respectively while Hg was absent in most sampling site, it has its highest deposit at Umezuruike hospital sample site (0.1mg/l). The pesticides content analyses reveals the presence of Athrazine, Butachlor, Glyphosate DDVPandAlachlor in the River, The results of the standard plate count showed that heterotrophic bacteriacount ranged from 1.0×106Cfu/ml to 9.7×10 6Cfu/ml, fecal coliform count 2.0×10 5Cfu/ml to9.0×10 6Cfu/ml, almonella/Shigella count 3.5×10 5Cfu/ml to 1.5×10 7Cfu/ml, Staphylococcuscount 2.0×10 5 Cfu/ml to 1.8×10 7 Cfu/ml, coliform count 3.5×10 5 Cfu/ml to 4.6×10 8 Cfu/ml, Vibrio count 1.5×10 5 Cfu/ml to 3.5×10 7 Cfu/ml. Anaerobic bacteria count ranged from2.0×10 5Cfu/ml to 2.9×10 6Cfu/ml. The percentage occurrence of the bacterial isolates in the water and soil samples showed that Alcaligens sp had the highest 68(94.44%), 24(100%), followed by Lysinibacillus 54(75%), 21(87.5%) while Lactobacillus sp had the least in water sample 6(8.33%), Klebsiellasphad the least in soil 6(25%). The five highest occurring isolates were subjected to molecular identification using 16SrRNA and were confirmed to be Lysinibacillus macrolides (OK298881), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CP058331), Klebsiella pneumonia (MK641337), Alcaligenes faecalis(KX302624), Proteus mirabilis (MZ067158). Lysinibacillus macrolides and Alcaligenes faecaliswere futher subjected to toxicity assay using five heavy metal ions (Pb(II), Zn(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and Cd(II)) and two pesticides fomulations (Glyphosate and DDVP -(2,2- dichlorovinyldimethyl phosphate)). This analysis was done in singles, as well as mixtures (binary, ternary and septenary)using inhibition of dehydrogenase activity as a response. The EC50 equieffect concentrationratio(EECR-50) and fixed ratio ray design (Arbitrary concentration ratio- ABCR) were used to evaluate the toxicity of the mixtures to the bacterial isolates. The effects of the mixtures on the dehydrogenase activities of the preponderant organisms were assessed using toxic index (TI) and isobolographic analyses. The EC50s were compared statistically by two way ANOVAusingPOSTHOC= TURKEY ALPHA at P GLY. The toxic index of the mixture analyses showed that the toxic effect was increasing progressively as concentrations were increased
Analysis of the effects of maritime clusters on hindtherland operations in Nigeria
Full text linkThis thesis is for the award of Doctor of Philosophy(PhD.) in Maritime ManagementThe study was carried out to analyze the effects of the performance of selected port-based maritime clusters business components on hinterland operations in Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study were among other things, to determine the determinant maritime cluster business component that contributes significantly to maritime sector Development in Nigeria; to model the effects of maritime cluster development on the shipping export and import capacities in hinterland locations in the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria and the federal Capital Territory, Abuja; and the determine the significant factors influencing the decision of maritime and allied firms, to locate operational basis in port-based maritime clusters in Nigeria. The study used a mixed research design method in which both survey methods involving the use of primary data sourced through the use of questionnaire as survey instrument, and quantitative research methods which involved the use of time series quantitative data on the shipping export and import capacities of each of the hinterland zones in the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria were sourced from the Nigeria ports Authority Statistical reports, covering a time period of 19 years, were used. The statistical methods of principal component factor analysis (PCFA) and the log-linear multiple regression analysis were used to analyze the data obtained. The findings of the study indicate that the offshore oil and gas maritime-cluster business component has Eigen values greater than 1 (5.904>1) and constitute the determinant maritime-cluster business component that significantly contribute to the development of the maritime sector in Nigeria over the years. The findings of the study also indicate that there is significant relationship between maritime-cluster development and the shipping export and import capacities of hinterland regions in the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. The result however indicate that, the North-East and Federal Capital territory hinterland regions each recorded zero shipping export operations over the period covered in the study. The findings of the study further reveal that the significant factors that contributes to the decision of firms to locate investments in maritime clusters in Nigeria include: Guaranteed security of investment, Favourable Government policy, The ease of administration and coordination of the business divisions of a firm from the cluster location, Reduced labour cost and access to professionals and Access to transport cum optimization of logistics and production cost, with each having Eigen values of 2.992, 2.244, 1p.241, 1.145, and 1.039. the policy implications of the findings were also discussed. It was recommended that, Government policies such as policies creating free trade zones in maritime regions and tax exemptions for new firms should be used to attract more maritime firms to locate in port-based maritime clusters in Nigeria. The significant relationship between maritime sector development, export and import capabilities of hinterlands in Nigeria,
suggest that the hinterlands can guarantee the achievement of higher output in the maritime sector if necessary investment is made by Government to improve the shipping export and import trade potentials of the hinterlands
Application of some metal oxide nanoparticles for the removal of heavy metals from wastewater
No full textDoctoral thesis "metal oxide nanoparticles for the removal of heavy metals from wastewater". It contains pictures, tables, diagrams and graphs.The present work involves the study of the removal of As3+, Cd2+, Cr6+, Ni2+ and Pb2+ from synthetic wastewater solutions using metal oxide nanoparticles. Laboratory experiments were used to investigate the efficiency of adsorbents in the uptake of heavy metals from industrial wastewater. These include equilibrium tests and kinetic studies. The physical and chemical characterization of the metal oxide nanoparticles was carried out using different analytical techniques such as Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), X – Ray Diffraction (XRD), X – Ray Fluorescence (XRF), and Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) Spectroscopy. The kinetic study indicated the suitability of the modified nanoparticles for the removal of As3+, Cd2+, Cr6+, Ni2+ and Pb2+ ions from synthetic wastewater. Column experiments were used to identify the effect of parameters that affect the rate of adsorption such as the effect of contact time, the effect of adsorbeThis nt mass, effect of initial solution concentration, and the effect of temperature and evaluated their impact on the efficiency of modified and its control of the metal oxide nanoparticles in the removal of heavy metals from industrial wastewater. The kinetic studies showed that the capacity of the adsorbents for the removal of heavy metals increased with contact time, increased with a greater mass of absorbent, higher solution concentration as well as the solution temperature. The results from the equilibrium studies positively demonstrated that metal oxide nanoparticles synthesized modified and nonmodified can be used as an excellent adsorbent for removing heavy metals from wastewater solutions. The equilibrium experiments indicated that the capacities of metal oxide nanoparticles for the uptake of heavy metals increased when the adsorbent mass increased. The results indicated that the maximum removal capacities Q were 67.11, 67.11, 54.05, 55.56 and 84.74 mg/g of modified and its control of the metal oxide nanoparticles for Arsenic, cadmium, chromium nickel and lead respectively. the Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin isotherm models were used to characterize the experimental data and to assess the adsorption behaviour of modified and its control of the metal oxide nanoparticles for arsenic, cadmium, chromium nickel and lead. The experimental data were slightly better suited to the Langmuir isotherm than the Freundlich isotherm. The value of the correlation coefficients R 2 ranged from 0.93 to 0.99 for the Langmuir isotherm and from 0.90 to 0.99 for the Freundlich isotherm. The results indicate that starch modified metal oxide nano adsorbents showed higher adsorption. Therefore, starch modified nanoparticle or adsorbents should be incorporated in the synthesis of metal oxides used as adsorbents, due to its ability to improve the surface area and enhance greater adsorption of metal ions
A study on occupational health hazards among oil and gas company workers in ONELGA Rivers State Nigeria
No full textMaster’s thesis on "occupational health hazards among oil and gas company workers". It contains tables, diagrams and pictures.Occupational health hazard has continued to have a serious public health impact with oil and gas sector being highly affected. Identification of these hazards provides the best approach on how to prevent their occurrence. This study was aimed to identify the occupational health hazards among oil and gas company workers in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA (ONELGA) the study is a descriptive design with a study population as 1233, three oil and gas companies were selected from one Local Government Area using simple random sampling technique. The sample size was 400 oil and gas company workers in ONELGA LGA, Rivers State. A well validated questionnaire was employed as part of the data collection process. The collected data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2010 and presented in frequency and percentages. A total of 312 and 88 male and female respectively as well as 240 and 160 tertiary and secondary educational certificates holders respectively responded to the test instrument. The null hypotheses were tested using z-test statistics at 0.05 level of significance. The result of this study revealed that 62% of the respondent are aware of the physiczl hazards in their work place, 59% were aware of the chemical hazards in their work place, 53% were aware of the mechanical hazards in their work place, 50% of oil workers agreed that they sustain injuries due to impact force collision and falls, 50% were exposed to heavy metals 75 % were exposed to noise. The study showed that there was a significant association between exposure to chemical hazards and occurrence of diseases. z-critical value of +1.96. The mean and standard deviation for the exposure to chemical hazards were 2.89 and 1.69 respectively. This study shows that workers in the oil and gas companies are exposed to physical, mechanical and chemical hazards, according to findings it is therefore recommended that Management should provide appropriate, adequate and modern Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs,) for workers in the oil and gas companies to improve the health and well-being of their workers. The management should provide first aid equipment in every working site to give first aid/ emergency treatment in case of accidents before being taken to the hospital. Management should provide a functional firefighting system in case of fire outbreaks. The workers should ensure to always put on their personnel protective equipment (PPE) no matter how small or short the job may be to avoid injuries
Modeling 5D building information modeling drivers for efficient construction project delivery.
Full text linkA Master's thesis on 5D building information modeling driversThis study models 5D BIM drivers for efficient construction project delivery in Nasarawa State. This study was motivated by the need to deploy 5D BIM in construction projects for efficient project delivery. This study specifically evaluated the extent of deployment of 5D BIM on construction project, identified the drivers of 5D BIM on construction project delivery. The study is guarded by the technology acceptance model (TAM), lean theory and social network theory. This study adopted a survey mix of quantitative and qualitative research methods, while the census sampling technique was used in selecting a total of 71 population as the sample size, and 5 construction companies currently undertaking projects in Nasarawa state were consulted. The instrument for data collection and measurement consist of well structured questionnaire modeled in likert scale in addition to semi structured interview as well as personal observations used in eliciting information from the construction firms. The questionnaires were validated for reliability using the Crombach’s alpha test. The data collected were presented using descriptive statistical tools in the form of frequency, figure and charts, while the factor analysis and DEMATEL(decision making, trail and evaluation laboratory) analysis was used. The findings from the study indicated that there is a low level of deployment of 5D BIM and non utilization of the identified drivers for efficient construction project delivery. The factor analysis reduced the twenty two drivers into eight namely: procurement and supply management, real time monitoring, visualization enhancement, adoption of technology and innovation, change management, shorter project life cycle, early involvement of contractors and improved cost estimation. The eight drivers were subjected to cause and effect test where five drivers with low influence fell within the effect group and three drivers with higher influence fell within the cause group. This study’s recommendations include; to create awareness for professionals in construction company on 5D BIM, acceptance of digital modernization by construction companies, provisions of lecture and seminars by companies to educate professionals on the usage of 5D BIM on construction, provision of simple software applications and platforms for 5D BIM and inclusion of 5D BIM study in educational curriculum to allow for students to be conversant with 5D BIM in construction
Effects of maritime logistics on port efficiency in Nigeria
Full text linkThis thesis is for the award of Master of Science (MSc.) in Maritime Management TechnologyThe study analyzed the effects of maritime logistics on port efficiency in Nigeria. It used the Lagos Apapa port and Eastern port of Onne to investigate the effects of maritime logistics performance on port efficiency in Nigeria. The ex-post facto research design was used in which secondary data on the ship turnaround time, waiting time, time at berth and cargo dwell time prevailing in Lagos Apapa port and Onne port each year between 2007 and 2019 was obtained and used as proxies for maritime logistics performance and the cargo throughput performance and ship call handled by the port was used as indicators of productivity. The time expended per annum in port operations measured in man-hours and the average time vessels spent at berth annually in the ports between 2007 and 2019 were obtained and used as input to estimate the efficiency of the port in cargo handling relative to expended efforts in man-hours, the efficiency of the port in handling ship calls and the berth efficiency of the port. The augmented efficiency model was used to estimate the efficiency of the port as described above while the log-linear multiple regression analysis was used to estimate the effects of maritime logistics performance on the cargo handling efficiency, ship output efficiency and berth efficiency of the seaport. The test of hypotheses reveals that in all cases, there is a significant effect of maritime logistics performance on each of cargo handling/throughput efficiency, ship output efficiency and berth efficiency in both ports. The models showing the relationships and effects of maritime logistics on the various components of port efficiency in Onne are shown: In EFFICARPUT = 1.366 - 0.072InSHTRTIME + 0.081InCARGODWELLTIME + 0.014InWAITINGTIME -0.16InBERTHTIME + e; In EFFISHTR = 0.007+ 0.109InSHTRTIME - 0.001InCARGODWELLTIME + 0.001InWAITINGTIME + 0.003InBERTHTIME + e; and In BERTHEFFICIENCY = 1.103+ 1.667InSHTRTIME + 0.193InCARGODWELLTIME + 0.264InWAITINGTIME - 5.706InBERTHTIME + e. For Lagos Apapa port, In BERTHEFFICIENCY = 23.320 + 0.252InSHTRTIME + 0.072InCARGODWELLTIME - 0.041InWAITINGTIME - 8.535InBERTHTIME + e; In EFFISHTR = 0.698+ 0.27InSHTRTIME + 0.031InCARGODWELLTIME -0.004InWAITINGTIME - 0.025InBERTHTIME + e. It was recommended among other things that, port authorities and terminal operators must implement maritime logistics strategies to improve the maritime logistics performance indicators and subsequently improve port efficiency