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    636 research outputs found

    Dynamic modelling and simulation of a power gas turbine using artificial neural network: A comparative study

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    The thesis contains tables and figuresThe dynamic modelling and simulation of a power gas turbine by comparing three forms of Artificial Neural Network was adopted given the complexities of the physics and mathematical based turbine models. Layer Recurrent Neural Network (Layrecnet), Feed Forward Back Propagation (FF BPP) Network and Non Linear Autoregressive Network with Exogenous Input (NARX) were selected for the dynamic modelling of the turbine. The start up data was trained with these networks and Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) and Multiple Input Single Output (MISO) models were developed for the machine. Furthermore; the selected models were validated with operational data from the turbine similar in manouver to the data adopted for modelling. It is observed that “Layrecnet” has the least Mean Squared Error (MSE) of 1.12 and Mean of Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) of 0.7310 in the MIMO model while “FF BPP” network comes a close second with MSE of 1.74 and MAPE of 1.4249. “LayRecNet” MIMO and MISO models were used to simulate the start-up of the gas turbine because it ranked the highest among the three networks with the use of MSE and MAPE error performance metrics. However; the “FF BPP” network also performed well as it had the best performance for the Turbine Outlet Temperature MISO model with MSE of 0.296 and MAPE of 0.495. The research showed that the “Layrecnet” Network is a better tool for dynamic time series modelling as the network had the least MSE and MAPE with FF BPP coming a close second, while the much acclaimed NARX Network is the least performing network. It was shown that neural networks can be considered a reliable alternative to conventional mathematical driven techniques. Therefore, by using the developed tool, an optimization of the plant operation and maintenance is rendered possible

    Communication factors for managing construction projects delivery amidst corona virus pandemic in Anamabra State

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    Award of Masters Degree (M.Sc.) in Project management TechnologyThe activities of the construction industry are very vital to the growth anddevelopment of every society especially in developing nations like Nigeria, but the success of a project largely depends on the efficiency of its communication network, especially in the wave of Corona virus (COVID 19) with its attendant protocols. The restriction on movement due to lockdown during this time has really bridged the communication factors. This research therefore is on communication factors for managing construction projects delivery amidst Corona Virus pandemic in Anambra State. To elicit responses for the study, specific objectives include: to identify the major communication factors affecting managing construction projects delivery amidst COVID-19 pandemic in Anambra state, to analyze the extent of effect of drone technology for managing construction projects delivery amidst COVID-19 pandemic in Anambra state, to evaluate the influence of written communication in managing construction projects delivery amidst COVID-19 pandemic in Anambra and to investigate the extent of effect of communication with a social medium on project delivery performance amid COVID-19 pandemic in Anambra State while hypotheses and research questions were also formulated to align with the objectives of the study. Literatures were reviewed, and the study adopted exploratory survey research designs. Data were sourced from 87 respondents from the company. The instrument was validated and was also subjected to reliability which has internal consistency of 0.7r was used for data collection. A test re-test method was used to determine the reliability of the instrument and the result were appropriately scored. The data obtained were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The results show that Oral and visual communication, social media communication, electronic communication and written communication are the major communicating factors for the company during pandemic. Recommendations were made towards adopting appropriate communication factors during construction project delivery in Anambra State during COVID-19 pandemic

    Development of intelligent master controller for hybridized power pool system applications

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    A Doctoral thesis in Control EngineeringThe development of an intelligent master controller model for hybridized power pool system applications has become necessary in the contemporary society where much resources are allocated in a decentralized scenario which does not encourage high productivity. Many metropolitan cities are endowed with several scattered energy resources within its locality and when aggregated in a power pool, its energy resources aggregation for continuous energy supply in order to curtail energy wastage may likely be posed with the challenges associated with uncoordinated system. In view of this therefore, an Intelligent Master Controller (IMC) is proposed to oversee and regulate the unified energy potentials in some metropolitan cities in order to ensure efficiency, reliability, and optimal utilization. In the conceptual framework deployed in this study, Afikpo Metropolis was used as a case study to demonstrate a typical power pool architecture with the intelligent master controller. The network voltage level for the five experimented communities were used with respect to the available energy sources. Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) was adopted for the renewable energy synchronization and hybridization through virtual demonstration; the integration of their hybridized renewable energy sources with other available sources like the public power supply and the generating system were made possible through intelligent master controller. The intelligent master controller operation sequence was simulated with proteus software. The hardware was implemented with electronics components, whereas the remote monitoring and control was achieved with Hypertext Mark Language (HTML), Cascaded Style Sheet (CSS), JavaScript and Hypertext Preprocessor (PHP) design. The HTML, CSS and JavaScript provide an app for human and machine interactivity and MongoDB gives the data documentation platform, whereas the ThingSpeak gave the real time analytical scheme for the system. The result from the software simulation conformed with that of the hardware implementation which reveals that energy from metropolitans’ cities could be centrally monitored and controlled using intelligent master control model. This model was demonstrated remotely through the web/Android App, and the energy generated and consumed by the pooled communities were documented in the cloud. The system performance was validated within 6hours of operation, and the system reliability prediction was carried out to ascertain the model functionalities. The developed intelligent master controller model was stable, observable and controllable from the MATLAB simulation result

    Advanced technology and new approaches to teaching information literacy at the universities in a developing country context: Challenges and the way forward

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    A paper presentation on ICTs and 4th industrial revolutionThe study examined, advanced technology and new approaches of teaching information literacy at the universities in a developing country context: challenges and the way forward. The study adopted a qualitative approach. Five universities in Nigeria were purposively sampled for the study. Observation, document analysis, and review of literature were conducted. Documents reviewed include the existing curriculum on information literacy courses in Nigerian universities. The findings revealed that the face to-face method is the most common method used by most of the universities in Nigeria to teach information literacy instruction, and it is currently complemented with technological tools and platforms such as tablets, Google classroom, Microsoft team, Moodle, Online forums like yahoo and Google forums, among others. Contents of discussion focus mostly on the use of word processors, PowerPoint presentations, excel, and some minor applications on laptops or desktop computers, sending and receiving mails, troubleshooting computer problems, and the likes. The library instruction contents found in the curriculum include information about libraries, their meaning, the arrangement of the materials, and access to the materials. Advanced information technology such as Artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, Machine learning, Virtual/Augmented Reality, and Robotics are now being used to teaching information literacy. Power failure, inadequate access to laptops, tablets, and Android phones, and inadequate funding are identified as challenges associated with using advanced technology to teach information literacy

    Hydrogeophysical and aquifer protective capacity studies of Enugu and environs Southeastern Nigeria.

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    A Master's thesis in hydrogeology.Hydrogeophysical Studies of Enugu and environs were carried out using geophysical and hydrogeological method. This study was designed to evaluate the aquifer system of the study area as well its protective capacity and vulnerability by applying the models (Lc and IEC, GOD and DRASTIC), and also to evaluate soil corrosivity of the area by utilizing the topsoil (first layer) resistivity values obtained from the interpreted VES results. A total of eighty-five (85) vertical electrical sounding points were made in the study area that has three to nine geo-electric layers using the digital ABEM SAS 4000 model Terrameter with its accessories. The Schlumberger electrode configuration was adopted for data acquisition with half current electrode separation (AB/2) of 500m and half potential electrode separation (MN/2) of 55m. Nineteen (19) parametric soundings were carried out near existing boreholes where pumping data was available for correlative purposes and to constrain model predicting parameters. The aquifer resistivity of the area ranged from a value of 2.8 Ωm to 88745.0 Ωm, with a mean value of 5434.6 Ωm. The estimation of the characteristics of the aquifer hydraulic using the new set of model equations showed that hydraulic conductivity values varied between 1.05m/day and 34.06m/day with a mean value of 5.59m/day, while transmissivity values varied between 25.70 m2/day and 2767.81 m2/day with a mean value of 500.05 m2/day. Generally, the groundwater potentials of the area are classified into three categories: moderate, high, and very high potential zones. The multiple geophysical models were used together to develop maps of hydraulic parameters. The obtained GOD, and DRASTIC models were together used for the production of the vulnerability map. Results based on the GOD model clearly show that about 60% of the study area is within the class of extremely low groundwater vulnerability zones, 33% is within the class of low vulnerability zones, and 7% of the area is within the class of moderate vulnerability zone. Also, results based on the DRASTIC model revealed that about 31% of the study area is within the low class of vulnerability zones, 67% is within the class of moderate zones, while 2% is within the high class of vulnerability zones. The evaluated soil corrossivity of the area showed that 78% of the area is practically non-corrosive (PNC) and can be rated as moderately competent to highly competent strata; 13% of the area is said to be slightly corrosive, which is rated as moderately competent to incompent strata; and the remaining 9% is moderately and very strongly corrosive, which is rated as an incompenet material to construct on. The aquifer protective capacity of the study area were determined using longitudinal conductance technique. The protective capacity of the area classified into zone ofexcellent, very good, good, moderate, weak and poor protective capacity rating. Similarly, IntegratedElectrical Conductivity technique was also used to determine the protective capacity of the area, the result indicates that the aquifer system in the study area has low protective capacity and the areas are susceptible to contamination based on the IEC technique

    Modelling of Nigeria’s Liquefied Natural Gas Shipping Trade

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    Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) In Maritime Management TechnologyNigeria has the largest proven natural gas reserves in Africa and its reserves ranked as ninth (9th) largest in the World- accounting for 188.8tcf (trillion cubic feet) of proven reserves as at the year 2019. However, Nigeria’s capacity to participate in the global natural gas shipping trade and earn freight revenue has been constrained by shipping tonnage market domination by other nations. Thus, as the nation strives to improve her revenue earnings through robust visible and invisible trade policy; it has become imperative to investigate empirically the determinants of Nigeria’s international shipping trade in Natural gas. This research developed the gravity model of Nigeria’s natural gas (NLNG) shipping trade to determine the factors affecting NLNG international freight market. The secondary data for the study comprised of volume of natural gas production (in billion cubic meters) shipped between Nigeria and other trading partner countries, geographical distance data between trading partner countries, population mass of trading partners, price of natural gas and bilateral trade agreements. Others include: logistics performance indices and shipping freight rates. These were sourced from global databases, Nigeria LNG limited, the Nigerian Ports Authority and covered the periods between years 2003 to 2020. To address the hypotheses governing this research, we developed an augmented gravity model of natural gas shipping trade in Nigeria’s international freight market and examined trends in demand. The following variables were found statistically significant in explaining NLNG trade namely: quality of transport infrastructure (-225.448), geographical distance (-232.721), trade agreement (42.534) and population mass (0.955). These coefficients are in their natural logs and can therefore be interpreted as elasticities. In terms of most important trading blocs or shipping routes, the most important shipping routes (which are dummy variables) are namely: The United States of America (3,360.056), EuroAsia (3,090.082), Europe (904.810) and South America (786.413). These findings indicate that robust policy interventions are needed to promote trade with our trading partners. Robust investments are also needed in our transport infrastructure quality (especially that of bunkering facilities for LNG vessels) in order to reduce impediments to trade. From the positive trend analysis results, demand for natural gas is positive and the federal government should encourage more private sector investment in LNG shipping fleet to increase Nigeria’s participation in LNG international freight market. As recommendation for further studies, modelling of constraints of natural gas trade involving gasification and re-gasification stations should be explored in order to expand the scope of the present work.Department of Maritime Management Technology, FUTO

    Dietary paterns and the risk of hypertension among adults in Ehime Mbano Local Government Area, Imo State

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    The award of masters in Public HealthThe present study was aimed at assessing the dietary pattern and the risk of hypertension among adults in Ehime Mbano LGA, Imo State. Nigeria. It was designed as a descriptive community based cross sectional study for a rural setting in Nigeria. The study population involved adults of age 18 years to 65years who were residents of the study LGA. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to sample the study population. The participants were measured of their hypertension status and were also assessed of their food dietary patterns using a modified food frequency questionnaire that captured foods consumed in the area and the quantities consumed. Initial data analysis was performed using descriptive technique. Principal component analysis method was used to identify the dietary pattern in the area and Chi-square test was used to test for association in the independent categorical data with hypertension. Logistic regression was used to relate the dietary patterns and hypertension, while adjusting for other variables of age, gender, income, and family history of hypertension. There were a total of 424 subjects involved in the study, total of 156 (36.8%) were within 36-45 years old, 128 (30.2%) were of 46 – 55 years of age, 81 (19.1%) were between 18-35 year and the remaining 59 (13.9%) were above 55 years of age. The male subjects were 246 (58%) while the females were 178 (42%). The prevalence of hypertension was found to be 41.5%. In this study Age, gender and education showed significant association with hypertension among the study group, age (p =0.018, χ2 = 10.06), gender (p =0.030, χ2 = 4.73), and education (p =0.033, χ2 = 8.717). After adjusting the socio-demographics factors (alcohol intake, smoking status, Family history of hypertension) for hypertension and dietary patterns, local diet pattern is the only significant pattern found in this study (p =0.035,, 95% CI = 0.108 – 0.922). About 63.5% of the study participant with family history of hypertension had 4-fold risk of hypertension when compared to those with non family history of hypertension (OR=4.146, 95% CI = 2.483 - 6.924). In this study, three dietary patterns comprised of local diet foods, Fruits and vegetable diets and combined food diets were extracted. study participants comprising of Local diet foods, (p<0.001), fruits and vegetable patterns (p< 0.002) showed significant association with hypertension as independent variables, while only the local food diets showed significant inverse relationship with hypertension after adjustment (p=0.35, AOR=0.316). There is need to adequately study the local diet foods consumed in the study area while at the same time, other factor of age, income, family history associating with hypertension should be addressed. There is need to encourage the consumption of some of the local foods from rural communities, this will help to improve the quality of life of people with respect to their dietary patterns

    Determination of the durability of polyurethane coating on mild steel in various soil media

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    This article contain tables and figuresIn this paper, effort has been made to determine the durability of polyurethane coating on mild steel in acid, alkaline and neutral soil. A total of 42 mild steel coupons were used. Out of the 42 coupons, 21 were coated with polyurethane and the remaining 21 were left uncoated. Acid soil (pH = 4.5), Alkaline soil (pH =13.5) and neutral soil (pH = 6.8) were used as the test media. Seven each of the coated and uncoated coupons were buried in each soil media. On weekly basis, one coated and one uncoated coupon were withdrawn from each of the soil media and reweighed. The durability of the coating in each soil media was calculated using a proposed model. From the results obtained, the durability of polyurethane coating was found to be 7.0yrs, 4.5yrs and 2.9yrs in neutral, acid and alkaline soil respectivel

    Communication factors for managing construction projects delivery amidst corona virus pandemic in Anambra State.

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    Master's thesis on managing construction projects delivery amidst corona virus pandemic. It contains diagrams and tables.The activities of the construction industry are very vital to the growth and development of every society especially in developing nations like Nigeria, but the success of a project largely depends on the efficiency of its communication network, especially in the wave of Corona virus (COVID 19) with its attendant protocols. The restriction on movement due to lockdown during this time has really bridged the communication factors. This research therefore is on communication factors for managing construction projects delivery amidst Corona Virus pandemic in Anambra State. To elicit responses for the study, specific objectives include: to identify the major communication factors affecting managing construction projects delivery amidst COVID-19 pandemic in Anambra state, to analyse the extent of effect of drone technology for managing construction projects delivery amidst COVID-19 pandemic in Anambra state, to evaluate the influence of written communication in managing construction projects delivery amidst COVID-19 pandemic in Anambra and to investigate the extent of effect of communication with a social medium on project delivery performance amid COVID-19 pandemic in Anambra State while hypotheses and research questions were also formulated to align with the objectives of the study. Literatures were reviewed, and the study adopted exploratory survey research designs. Data were sourced from 87 respondents from the company. The instrument was validated and was also subjected to reliability which has internal consistency of 0.7r was used for data collection. A test re-test method was used to determine the reliability of the instrument and the result were appropriately scored. The data obtained were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The results show that Oral and visual communication, social media communication, electronic communication and written communication are the major communicating factors for the company during pandemic. Recommendations were made towards adopting appropriate communication factors during construction project delivery in Anambra State during COVID-19 pandemic

    Effect of saccharomyces boulardi adjunct culture on the quality of dairy and non-dairy (soya milk)Yoghurt

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    A Master's thesis on saccharomyces boulardi adjunct culture on the quality of dairy and non-dairy (soya milk)YoghurtThe effect of adjunct culture of Saccharomyces boulardii on yoghurt from dairy and non-dairy milk was studied and treatment made from both samples by adding 1%, 2% and 3% of Saccharomyces boulardii with yoghurt starter culture (Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus). S. boulardii was incorporated into dairy and non-dairy milk, fermented for 8 hours at 400C and stored at 40C for a period of 21 days. After fermentation, physicochemical, proximate, nutritional and sensory evaluations were conducted respectively. The results showed that non-dairy samples without the addition of S. boulardii was lower at 18.95±0.5 and 17.05+0.7 in total solids and total solids non-fat while dairy samples without S. boulardii had lowest at 0.68±0.2 in total nitrogen. Statistical analysis (p<0.05) showed a significant difference on the samples in the various physicochemical evaluation. Dairy samples without S. boulardii had the highest fat and carbohydrate content at 2.6±0.5 and 12.14±0.1 respectively. Statistical analysis (p<0.05) showed a significant difference in the sample during the proximate evaluation. The result of the sensory evaluation revealed that dairy sample with 3% S. boulardii was best in aroma, texture, colour/appearance, taste and general acceptability at 8.4±0.4, 7.8±0.4, 8.2±0.3, 7.8±0.3 and 7.51±0.2 respectively. The samples were observed to be significantly different (p<0.05). Dairy samples without S. boulardii and 2% S. boulardii had highest at 224.65+0.7 and 126.53+0.9 for calcium and sodium respectively while non-dairy sample with 1% S. boulardii was highest at 560.54+1.6, 401.06+1.1, 162.98+1.0 & 3.97+0.3 in potassium, phosphorous, magnesium and manganese. Non-dairy samples had the highest at 90.91±0.01, 39.11+0.00, 131.9±0.09 and 27.11±0.01 in vitamin A, B2, B3 and B9 while dairy sample had highest at 36.92±0.00 on B12. The samples were significantly different (p<0.05) during the statistical analysis. Syneresis, water holding capacity, titratable acidity and microbial viability were analyzed during 21 days of storage time. Titratable acidity, water holding capacity of the sample increased with the increase in percentage of S. boulardii: while syneresis of the sample decreased with the increase in percentage of S. boulardii. The lactic acid bacteria had the highest growth with 3% S. boulardii at 8.83 and 8.54 Log CFU/ml for L. bulgaricus and S. thermophilus respectively. S. boulardii count was at the range of 106 and 105 cfu/ml for dairy and nondairy samples respectively. The addition of S. boulardii improved the survivability of the bacteria starter culture

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