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Promoting the use of bioenergy in developing nations: a CDM route to sustainable development
Get PDFThe study focused on a forensic assessment of bioenergy utilization in developing
countries, emphasizing how to improve bioenergy resources for a sustainable
economy and development. First, a holistic review of energy sources and their
impacts on sustainable development was highlighted. The study also looked at the
relationships between various energy sources, both the supply and demand of
energy, as the population statistics in developing countries. However, renewable
energy is yet to be harnessed fully as it lagged by 0.7%. Shockingly, the African
continent is backward in both the global energy supply and in tapping renewable
energy sources, as only 6% is contributed. More so, applying a clean development
mechanism (CDM) for energy utilization and control shows that net emission
reduction and global temperature reduction of 1.5°C by 2030 is attainable. Thus,
helping to realize low-cost and sustainable energy (SDG 7) and sustainable cities
and communities (SDG11). Further, the assessment of the level of bioenergy
availability and its utilization shows that 10% of the world’s energy is provided
by bioenergy. Interestingly, it is available in every region in the form of biomass.
The study is helpful for stakeholders, policymakers, and governments managing
the affairs of the energy sector on the need to formulate policy that will guide
effective bioenergy utilization and reduction in greenhouse gas emissions,
especially in developing countries thereby, promoting sustainable
economic growth
Utilization of Agro-Waste Materials as Viable Strengthening Agents in Carburisation: Review
Get PDFWastes are unwanted by-products of a production process. Waste materials can be
recycled and cannot be recycled that are left over after producing or developing significant
products manufactured by humans. The rapid industrial revolution and urbanization have
brought about a rise in the human population, which led to a massive volume of waste
generation. It’s interesting to note that practically all agricultural activities produce huge
waste, in many nations. Agriculture generates a lot of waste that is typically unused and
poses a danger to food security and global health. However, treating these wastes could
cause significant financial loss and pose a substantial risk to human health through
environmental pollution. Organic wastes can be converted into gaseous, liquid, or solid
products through chemical, mechanical, or biological processes which can further be used
in industries including chemical, agricultural, food processing, and pharmaceuticals for the
development of novel goods for mankind. The drive to undertake this study was inspired by
the necessity of turning waste into wealth. This overview describes several agricultural
waste products and the various industrial uses for them, including coconut and palm kernel
shells, sawdust, charcoal, animal bones, and eggshells. This article also covered the state
of agro-residue development based on several value-added uses (carburise low-content
steel materials, remove heavy metal and dye, etc.), lowering production and
characterisation costs. This article also discusses potential future developments of more
effective and efficient bioconversion technology for transforming agricultural waste into highvalue
products
Development of eco-friendly brake pads using industrial and agro-waste materials
Get PDFThere has been an increase in research over the past decades into the use of environmentally
friendly materials in brake pads, such as natural fibres. This is due to the possibility
that natural fibbers could serve as an alternative to the noxious asbestos materials
in tribological applications like brake pads. As a result, utilizing the compacting mould
technique, an asbestos-free friction material was developed using agricultural waste
(coconut shell and oil bean stalk) as a filler element, alongside aluminium dross, metal
chip industrial wastes and carbon black. The filler material considered had particles
as small as 300 μm, with epoxy resin serving as the binding agent. Using these waste
materials can help reduce environmental pollution and the risk to animal and plant
life (Preeti et al., Pharma Innov J 7:94–102, 2018; Sajib, A Study on the effects of environmental
pollution on human life in the riverbank area of Barishal City Corporation
(Kirtankhola River), 2021). This research aimed to replace asbestos in brake pads due
to its carcinogenic nature, reducing the health risks associated with manufacturing
and using these brake pads. The brake pad materials were cast and produced using
square wooden moulds. Four samples were created, comprising the same mixing ratio
but varying in reinforcement fibre and particle size, with epoxy resin used as the matrix.
Various tests were conducted on these samples, including a water absorption test,
specific gravity test, compressive strength test, hardness test, thermal conductivity,
SEM and EDX. The developed brake pads underwent microscopic characterization
and structural examination using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) fitted
with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) for elemental characterization. Thermal
conductivity was obtained using automated Lee’s Disc apparatus. Comprehensive
strength analysis was conducted using a universal testing machine (UTM).
The specific gravity tests yielded values for the developed composites in the range
of 1.136–1.257, while the commercial brake pad had a value of 2.081, indicating
that the produced samples were lighter and less dense. The water absorptivity
of the developed samples ranged from 0.95 to 2.174%, while the commercial brake
pad had a value of 1.031%. For the hardness tests, at three different loads, the developed
values ranged from 16.4HV3 to 19.4 HV3; 26.4HV30 to 28.7HV30; and 25.5HV100
to 29.6HV100, while the commercial brake pad had values of 16.5HV3, 28.4HV30
and 28.2HV100.
Sample C (212 μm: coconut shell powder) exhibited the most desirable characteristics
with five values: water absorptivity 0.95, compressive strength 120.5 MPa, hardness
value 29.6 HV100, wear resistance 0.099 mm/mm3, specific wear rate 1.00 mm3/
Nm.
The outstanding values were attributed to the chemical composition, particle sizes
and good interfacial bonding of the microstructure.
The developed brake pads performed favourably when compared with the existing
commercial brake pads. The chemical tests showed that the natural fibres bonded well
with the epoxy matrix. The thermal and mechanical tests yielded comparable results
with the values obtained from the commercial brake pads. Therefore, the developed
materials for brake pads can be considered suitable replacements for asbestos brake
pads
Universal Design Compliance in South-west Nigeria's Federal Universities' Faculty of Environmental Science Buildings
Get PDFTechnological advancements in construction and architecture have led to the neglect of some users' needs in building designs, this study assessed the compliance of selected faculty of environmental science buildings with Universal Design (UD) principles in southwest Nigeria. The paper reviews the evolution of higher educational buildings, UD principles, and their significance in academic environments. Using a case study approach, buildings at the University of Lagos, Obafemi Awolowo University, and Federal University of Technology Akure were examined. Data was collected through direct observation and document analysis. Findings revealed significant deficiencies in accessibility features, including inadequate ramps, non-functional lifts, poor wayfinding systems, and insufficient parking for people with disabilities. The study highlighted a systemic lack of consideration for diverse user needs in educational facility planning and execution. It emphasizes the need for a paradigm shift in academic environment design, aligning with national disability rights legislation. Recommendations include retrofitting buildings with UD structures, retraining professionals on UD principles, updating building policies, and ensuring new buildings incorporate UD principles. This research provides empirical data on UD compliance in Nigerian universities, serving as a baseline for future improvements in inclusive educational design
Groundwater Exploration Within Shallow Depths Around Distinct Litho-Petrological Contact Zones
Get PDFThe world's increasing demand for freshwater has put a strain on existing reserves in recent years,
necessitating further exploration of new groundwater reserves. However, geologic provinces located within
the contact boundary of Sedimentary Basin-Basement Complex region are somewhat faced with the
problem of shallow sediment thickness. As a result, exploring for groundwater poses a challenge as the
sediment thickness might be insufficient to host productive aquifers. Hence, exploring for faults and
fractures zones that are embedded on the hard rock underneath the sediment is very essential and
complimentary. In this study, high resolution aeromagnetic data over a litho-petrological contact zone of
the Middle Benue Trough (MBT) and the Adamawa Massif were analyzed to delineate groundwater
exploration areas using a simplified qualitative and quantitative approach. Visual inspection of isolated and
aggregate anomalies is performed by analyzing their shapes, dimensions, lateral extents, and discontinuities.
Lineaments were then extracted from the residual magnetic map to determine faults, fractures, and joints.
A two-source-depth model is indicated by the Spectral Analysis technique used to determine the thickness
of the sediments in the area. The deeper source (Z1) has a thickness of 0.9 - 3.6 km, while the shallow source
(Z2) has a thickness of 0.1 - 0.8 km. While in some areas the overburden thickness may be sufficient for
groundwater exploration, in others it was not, as indicated by the shallow magnetic depth, Z2. Nonetheless,
areas of shallow thickness but with aggregates of faults, fractures, and joints were identified as possible
locations for groundwater accumulation through magnetic lineament exploration
Evaluating the effect of unmodified and modified starch (EDTA-DSD) as fluid-loss control additives in locally-sourced bentonite water-based drilling mud
Get PDFDrilling oil and gas wells for hydrocarbon exploration involve high fluid loss costs. Minimizing the fluid loss
is crucial to the drilling process to preserve the mud's qualities and to avoid formation impairment. Research
has shown positive use of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and imported bentonite in the formulation of
water-based mud to minimize fluid loss, however, increases the operating cost while the local bentonite has
shown increased filtration losses. The aim of this study is to evaluate the rheological and filtration properties
of water-based muds formulated using unmodified and modified starch with ethylenediaminetetraacetic
acid (EDTA-DSD), a locally sourced material as a fluid loss additive and hyperdrill as a viscosifier at
low-pressure low temperature (LPLT) and high-pressure high temperature (HPHT) conditions, and their
performances were compared with CMC as reference fluid loss additives. Thermogravimetric Analysis
(TGA), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) were harnessed to study the properties of these starches while
the starch modification was achieved through acetylation and carboxymethylation. Full-set measurements
of laboratory tests were conducted to evaluate the influence of adding 0.5-2g of CMC, unmodified and
modified starch to the mud samples respectively, and measurements were taken using mud balance,
viscometer, low-pressure and low-temperature filter press, chemical titration, and other standard drilling
fluid laboratory equipment as recommended by API. Result showed that Plastic viscosity, PV for unmodified
starches ranged from 14-17cP, Yield point, YP ranged from 25-31lb. /100ft2,filtrate volume ranges from
18-31ml at LPLT and 30-43ml at HPHT while PV for modified starches ranged from 14-15cp, YP ranged
from 27-31lb. /100ft2, filtrate volume ranges from 17-31ml at 100psi and 19-43ml at 500psi of pressure.
Experimental results indicate that the filtrate volume and cake thickness compare favorably with CMC, has
the capacity to withstand HPHT conditions and are within the American Petroleum Institute specification
for water-based mud. Thus, demonstrate its suitability for current and future exploration and exploitation
of oil and gas resources
IMPROVING ZINC PHOSPHATING TECHNIQUE USING CALCIUM OXIDE AND MAGNESIUM OXIDE
Get PDFThis study aims to improve the zinc phosphating technique, an industrial conversion coating technique, by investigating
the performance of both calcium oxide and a combination of calcium oxide and magnesium oxide as particle modifiers
in the zinc phosphating process. Mild steel samples were subjected to chemical pretreatment (degreasing, pickling, and
activation) before being subjected to a zinc phosphate bath with process variables of phosphating temperatures (65℃
and 80℃), phosphating time (40, 60, and 80 minutes) and additive concentrations (calcium oxide and a combination of
calcium oxide and magnesium oxide) of 0.9 g/L and 1.8 g/L. The SEM/EDX analysis of the coated samples was carried
out before the sample weight loss test. For the calcium-modified phosphating process, bath conditions of 65 ℃ and 1.8
g/L produce a more uniform coating formation, with SEM/EDX analysis. A very high average inhibition efficiency of
54.11% was obtained for the coated mild steel at 65℃ and 1.8 g/L for calcium calcium-modified zinc phosphating
process. For the calcium-magnesium additive-modified phosphate process, conditions of 80℃ and 1.8 g/L concentration
gave the best coating. That is, the MgO and CaO-modified zinc phosphating process had a better synergetic and
compatibility behavior at temperatures of 80℃ and increased additive concentration, with an inhibition efficiency of
32.68%. Based on the values of Kads and ΔGads obtained, both the calcium additive adsorption process and calciummagnesium
additive adsorption process can be described by Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. In each case, the
adsorption process was physical adsorption and the process was exothermic, as justified by ΔHads
Contraceptive Utilization Among Married Couples in Nigeria: Socio-cultural Factors
Get PDFEffective spacing of births enhances the health and well-being of
reproductive-age women. The literature on socio-cultural factors affecting
contraceptive utilization is not well documented in Nigeria. This chapter aims
to fill this gap. The research is based on cross-sectional data gathered from
the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey consisting of 8061 married
couples. Data analyses were done via three levels of statistical analysis:
univariate, bivariate, and multivariate. For univariate analysis, descriptive
statistics were adopted to explore the socio-demographic characteristics of
married couples in Nigeria. Chi-square analyses assessed differences in the
utilization of contraceptives among married couples by way of sociodemographic
characteristics. Auto-fitted binary logistic regression model was
adopted to identify the socio-cultural determinants of contraceptive utilization
among married couples. Results show a clear regional difference in
contraceptive implementation among married couples with the least
acceptance from North-West (i.e., 7.2%) and highest in South-West (i.e.,
36.8%). The bivariate analysis shows that 36.8% of women with higher
education use contraceptives, while only 5.8% of women without an education
use them. Results from the binary logistic regression show that contraceptive
utilization among married couples in Nigeria was significantly correlated with
key socio-cultural factors: education, wealth index, religion, age, and an ideal
family size. This chapter explores the large unmet need for contraceptive
acceptance in rural Nigeria and indicates the need for improving women’s
health and well-being as enshrined by the United Nations Sustainable
Development Goals 3, 5, and 10—as we gradually approach 203
Capital flight, institutional quality and real sector in sub-Saharan African countries
Get PDFPurpose
This study aims to provide an empirical investigation into rising capital flight and the role of
institutional quality to mitigate its effect on the real sector in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)
