Adama Science and Technology University (ASTU) is a public university first established in 1993 as Nazareth Technical College (NTC) and one of the two Science And Technology Universities of Ethiopia. It is located in Adama, a city in the Oromia Region, Ethiopia.
Demand for sustainable energy systems has resulted in building interest for converting agricultural residues such as coffee husk and sugarcane bagasse into usable syngas through the biomass gasification. This is done by burning the biomass in limited air or other gas supply and converting it into a mixture of carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and methane. Hence, in this paper, performance of a throated updraft gasifier is analyzed by utilizing coffee husk and bagasse biomass feedstocks. As such, a detailed study on the thermodynamic equilibrium model and experimental analysis is performed. Syngas composition, lower heating value (LHV), gas yield, and cold gas efficiency (CGE), were predicted using a stoichiometric equilibrium model. Moreover, experimental analysis is performed for the analysis of syngas composition. Thus, for both feedstocks when equivalence ratio (ER) is increased the value of CO2, N2, and gas yield increases. Nevertheless, the value of CH4, CO, H2, and LHV, and CGE has decreases. Similarly, with increased moisture content (MC), the value of CO, N2, CH4, LHV, and CGE have fallen, however, the value of CO2, H2, and gas yield have increased. At optimum operating conditions corresponding to an ER of 0.30 and a MC of 12
The overuse of mineral fertilizer has led to soil degradation; hence, making a sustainable alternative is essential and recommended. This study investigated the potential of biofertilizer derived from compost and biochar to increase agricultural productivity and achieve zero hunger, which is a goal of the Sustainable Development Goals. This study aimed to boost soil productiveness, nutrient availability, and crop performance while addressing environmental concerns associated with mineral fertilizer. Initially, coffee husks were used to synthesize biochar through pyrolysis. Then, quality compost was produced using kitchen scraps, newspapers, leaves, and cow dung by adjusting the carbon to nitrogen (C/N) ratio. For the compost, the maximum C/N ratio achieved was 17.8 at optimum conditions. Furthermore, the biofertilizer was prepared over a 45-day composting period using compost-biochar mixtures inoculated with effective microorganisms (EM) fermented for 21 days. Finally, the performance of the developed biofertilizer is tested in a pot experiment with barley to assess its efficacy over 12 weeks using pre-analysed soil (a neutral pH of 7.02 and low electrical conductivity of 0.21 ds/cm). The biochar exhibited an alkaline pH of 9.74, and significant nutrient retention potential, while compost had a pH of 7.38, and high organic carbon content (17.7
In the contemporary knowledge-driven economy, knowledge sharing has emerged as a critical organizational process for strengthening competitive advantage. Knowledge sharing helps organizations turn what people know into value for everyone, but it is still not common in many government workplaces, especially in developing countries. This study examines how knowledge is shared and what factors affect it in some government organizations in the Oromia National Regional State, Ethiopia. The research uses surveys from 242 employees and leaders, as well as interviews and group discussions. The study uses basic statistics and regression analysis. The results show that people who want to share knowledge, believe technology is essential, and work in a supportive culture are more likely to do so. On the other hand, the way the organization is set up and a person’s rank make it harder to share. Factors like age, education, and work experience do not matter much. Based on these results, the study introduces the Knowledge-Enabled Public Service Efficiency Theory, which sees knowledge sharing as a link between culture, leadership, technology, and how well things work.
Despite its longevity, the cottage industry has failed to transition in Ethiopia. This study, thus, aims to examine the transformability of cottage industries and main challenges that impeded its ability to sustain its growth and transformation. The study implemented SFM and SEM models to estimate efficiencies and estimate indexes. Findings from the research indicate the absence of economies of scale in cottage industry of Ethiopia. The investment in overhead capital improves cost efficiency of the cottagers, however, the type of technology (obsolete) used in the production system is the main source of its inefficiency. In Ethiopia, where cottage is largely perceived as women’s job, gender difference matters most on efficiency, with female cottagers relatively more efficient than males. The cottage industry as a whole is cost inefficient. With average monthly income of ETB 9600 (USD 175), the industry is largely abandoned for the marginalized groups and remained one of the lowest income generating business venture in the country. The industry failed to transition to medium scale mainly because of operating technology (cost inefficiency), limited access to capital, lack of incentive and poor market linkage. The study recommends improved technology adoption, market integration and government incentives for cost efficiency improvement and transition.
Hydrogen production from sustainable resources could hold the key to solving the current environmental concerns. To further advance in this area, in our work, we focus on the production of green and sustainable hydrogen through water splitting using photocatalysis and electrocatalysis. The processes are being performed using Zn-substituted cobalt ferrite, fabricated via the sol–gel auto-combustion process (SGC). The structural traits are analysed through XRD and Rietveld refinement studies. Spherical-shaped grains, having an approximate size of 70.88 and 71.61 nm, are observed for the CZ1 and CZ3 spinel nanoferrites. With the Zn doping, an uneven trend has been observed for the band gap varying from 2.07 to 1.73 eV, whereas the specific surface area goes on to increase from 6.418 to 8.566 m2/g. This will result in the enhancement of photo/electrocatalytic properties of developed nanocatalysts. Thus, the CZ3 catalyst shows the highest photocatalytic H2 yield of 15 mmol g_cat^-1 , having a Tafel slope of 99.75 mV/dec. Therefore, with excellent photo/electro-catalytic properties, the pristine and Zn-substituted cobalt nano catalysts can be suitable candidates for the green H2 energy generation. The work indicates the potential of cost-effective spinel ferrites as catalysts for hydrogen production.
