This paper analyzes the suitability of mixed waste cooking oil (WCO)biodiesel as a viable fuel for diesel engines. WCO feedstock was purchased from a Enfields Chemicals a waste cooking oil buying firm based in Durban, boiled and cleaned to remove food particles and water. The oil was then evaluated for free fatty acid (FFA) composition and acidvalue and other physiochemical properties.The WCO acid value was found to be higher than the stipulated value for a single-step process hence a two-step production method of esterification and transesterification was instituted. Esterification was performed using sulphuric acid and methanol at a molar ratio of 9:1, 1 wt% H2SO4, 60 °C for 90 minutes until it became 0.688 mg of KOH down from an initial value 8.67 mg of KOH. Thereafter homogenous alkali transesterification was performed with a methanol molar ratio of 6:1, 1 wt% NaOH and temperature 60 °C for 60 minutes. Four factors selected for optimization were: molar ratio, catalysts concentration, reaction time and reaction temperature. The process parameters were optimized using a combination of Taguchi method using the MINI TAB-16 programming tool and ANOVA test. A total of27 experiments were performed by varying the process parameters and manipulation of the S/N ratio. The best conditions found were molar ratio of 7:1, temperature of 65°C, catalyst concentration of 1.5wt% and reaction time of 80 minutes. In terms of influence on yield the ranking was: reaction temperature, catalysts concentration, molar ratio and reaction time. The optimal parameters resulted in an increase in yield from 93% to 96 %. The biodiesel was property evaluated and compared with fossil diesel (FD) using ASTM D6751standards.Four fuel samples namely,FD fuel, WCO100, WCO20 and WCO40 were formulated and tested in a single cylinder Kirloskar engine for performance and emissions behavior.The results showed a maximum reduction of BTE of 17.8 % with WCO100 and a BSFC increase of 23.7 % compared with FD fuel.Emission parameters revealed a reduction in CO of 62.5 %, UBHC of 27.2 % and smoke opacity of 34.45 %.However, an increase in CO2 of 28.43 % and NOX of 27.2 % were determined when compared with FD fuel.The researchers concluded that WCO biodiesel can be utilized as an alternative fuel for diesel engines as its properties conform to ASTM D6751 and EN14214 and its combustion and emission behavior showed similar trends to those of FD fuel.
The increasing interest in functionally graded materials for automobile, military, and aerospace structural applications in recent years is due to its admirable properties such as good resistance to thermal fluctuation, good formability, and good strength. This study investigates the tribological property of aluminum A356 composites reinforced with silicon carbide particles with varied weight-percents and particle sizes fabricated through centrifugal casting technique. Tribological, mechanical, and SEM analyses were carried out on fabricated composite samples, reinforced with SiCp of 7 µ and 15 µ particle sizes, respectively. The results indicated that the insertion of the reinforcement particles in the aluminum matrix improved the microstructural properties of the fabricated composites and enhanced their tribologicalproperties.Furthermore, this study confirms that the size of the reinforcement particles influences the overall properties of aluminium metal matrix composites.
The use of renewable energy has rapidly gained acceptance in many industries worldwide, not only for electricity generation but for thermal applications as well. In the food industry and many other agricultural applications, renewable energy is utilized in aiding the drying processes of food products such as grains. This paper focuses on sustainable ways of drying grains using biomass energy and solar energy technologies. The aim of the research study was to investigate drying methods that rely on green energy solutions in order to optimize the drying of grain. The research conducted identified three conceptual designs that were found to be economically viable for the design and construction of sustainable grain dryer systems using biomass energy and solar energy for heat generation. As discussed in this paper, concept 1 uses an air-to-air heat exchanger to transfer the heat generated by the biomass burner in order to initiate the drying process. Concept 2 uses the same principles as those of concept 1 but the heat from the biomass burner is transferred through a combination of an air-to-water heat exchanger and a radiator. Due to the abundant production of corn and sugar cane in South Africa, corn stovers and sugar cane waste are seen as potential sources of biomass energy for these concept designs. Concept 3 relies on the use of solar energy. In this concept, a forced convection multilayer solar dryer system is assisted by an electric heater which is powered through a solar panel system.This allows an electric heater to be used during off-peak sunshine hours such as when it is cloudy or at nighttime.
The purpose of this research was to select the optimal materials for various spur gear designs.Three gears were designed using three variables: the number of teeth, the material weight constant, and the Lewis factor form.The objective function was set to minimize mass based on the restriction of bending fatigue failure criteria and bending strength. A variety of gear designs were carried out with different types of materials by using MATLAB to demonstrate the variations between the weights of the parts. To verify the data from the spur gear design, numerical simulation was carried out by finite element analysis (FEA) using ANSYS R17. Lightweight and high-strength materials have beenparticularly recommended for the design of spur gears.
Cloud manufacturing is a modern paradigm of intelligent, effective, and service oriented production that has been proposed in recent years.This paper applies the 3D printing industry to the cloud manufacturing model which by combining these two new eras of manufacturing a new manufacturing system namely collaborative design and manufacturing paradigm in the intelligent platform of additive manufacturing is born.According to this research, the system design and key technologies of the additive manufacturing intelligent cloud platform are systematically analyzed on the basis of the cloud manufacturing concept, a system architecture has been proposed and Using PHP Language and MySQL Server a WordPress web server which represents as prototype platform has been developed and finally based on the current technological issues advantages and disadvantages of this new era of manufacturing is analyzed.
Studies in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) have focused considerably on issues related to underrepresented groups’ participation in STEM disciplines. Students with disabilities are among the groups that are underrepresented in STEM careers worldwide. The problem is of great concern as persons with disabilities are rarely found in stem career fields. This study investigated whether and to what extent the selected factors predict STEM career interest in students with disabilities in senior secondary schools in Nigeria. A quantitative approach was utilized in the study, using descriptive research design. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, three subscales were of the interest in STEM career questionnaire developed by Halim et al., (2018), and stem Career Interest Survey (STEM-CIS) (Kier et al., 2014). Data analyses were conducted using descriptive statistic and regression analyses. Descriptive statistics showed that participants recorded high score in social influences on STEM career interests (Mean= 3.42, SD=.69) and poor perception of STEM career (Mean=2.45, SD=.72)among students with disabilities. Regression analysis showed that interest in STEM career fields, such as science, technology, engineering and mathematics related careers were predicted by social influences, perception of STEM career and STEM self-efficacy in the participants. It was concluded that social influences, perception of STEM careers and STEM self-efficacy were the major determinants of STEM career interests in students with disabilities. These findings can be used to inform career counseling and research.
Renewable energy based hybridised systems are considered to be the future of electricity generation and the most costeffective means of attempting to satisfy energy generation targets and development goals in the immediate and near future. Although, the feasibility of hybridised systems seems certain in the energy sector, the sourcing of funds to finance the implementation of systems such as photovoltaic microbial fuel cells (PV-MFC) technology is difficult. This paper attempts to indicate the financing models that can be pursued with great confidence by organisations such as uMhlathuze municipality. When considering funding issues, it is appropriate to consider the targeted payback period of the 'initial' (feasibility and capital) investment made. Three funding mechanisms have been identified as potential avenues that the municipality can pursue together with identified advantages and disadvantages. The cost-benefit analysis is briefly described in evaluating the feasibility or readiness of a project for implementation. Lastly, the payback period is briefly outlined from the perspective of using different tools such as net present value (NPV), return on investment (ROI) to establish the costs of pursuing such a project against planned payback targets.
This study included an experimental investigation for the purpose of improving the performance of a conventional double-pass solar air heater at the climatic conditions of Mosul city/Iraq by replacing the flat absorber plate of the conventional solar air heater with a V-corrugated plate and adding steel wool in the lower passage of the air heater while keeping all dimensions constant for the two heaters. The two heaters were operated together under the same conditions and at a constant air flow 0.0416 kg/s. The results showed that the thermal efficiency and air temperature exiting from the solar heater can be improved using the improvements that have been indicated. As the average thermal efficiency was 66.78% for the improved heater and 30.35% for the conventional heater in the month of March 2020. The results also showed that the improved heater retains the heat gained from solar intensity for a longer period compared to the conventional heater at a constant solar radiation intensity. These improvements also contributed to a clear increase in the temperature of the air exiting the system. The maximum difference in the temperature of the air entering and leaving the heaters in February 2020 reached 28.75°C, and 16.75°C for the improved and conventional heaters, respectively. The results also proved that the improvements over the conventional system led to a reduction in the amount of heat lost from the solar heater.
This study appraised the extent of funding and provision of physical facilities as quality assurance measures in the management of public secondary schools in South East Nigeria. Descriptive research design was adopted for the study using a sample of 1, 456 respondents which comprised 343 principals and 1,113 teachers was used for the study. A researcher developed instrument known as Appraisal of quality assurance measures in the management of secondary schools questionnaire (AQAMQ) was used for data collection. The instrument was face validated and properly trial tested.Reliability indices of 0.72 and 0.75 were estimated using Cronbach alpha method for the two clusters of the instrument. Data collected were analysed using mean and standard deviation to answer the research questions and independent samples t-test to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The findings of the study showed that funding of secondary education and provision of physical facilities are carried out to a low extent in secondary schools in South EastNigeria.Further analysis showed that there were significant (p ≤ .05)differences in the mean ratings of principals and teachers with respect to how those quality assurance measures are being carried out in secondary schools.This finding implicates the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Education (STEME) career in the sense that students' choice of careers in STEME will be very low if adequate provision of funds and physical facilities are not ensured at secondary education.
The study was aimed at understanding the safety narratives on travel among rural adults and, the implications of this for community development in rural Nigeria. Key Informant Interview and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) approaches were adopted. Cluster, purposive and convenience sampling techniques aided the sampling of fifty rural adults, ten tourism development experts and ten community development experts from selected communities in Southeast Nigeria. Moreover, Yaro Yamene Fomular aided in downsizing the huge study population to a sample size of 354 respondents who were shared questionnaires. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions while analysis of variance was used to test the null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The result shows that rural adults perceive huge safety threats in travels and this indirectly affects community development in rural Nigeria. Also, that travel motivates rural development through necessary exposures, new ideologies, critical criticisms, and trending community development approaches. This study has implications for exploring travel as an alternative route to community development in rural areas.
The study investigated the perceived influence of home information and communication technology (ICT) on the social skills development of primary school children in Igbo-Etiti Local Government Education Authority, Enugu State, Nigeria.The study adopted a descriptive survey research design.The population of the study comprised 1,803 primary five pupils in the 62 public primary schools in Igbo-Etiti Local Government Education Authority, Enugu State.A sample of 317 primary 5 pupils drawn through simple random sampling technique was used for the study.The instrument used for data collection was a Perceived Impact of Home ICT on Social Skills Development Questionnaire.The reliability of the instrument was determined through a preliminary survey in Udenu Local Government Education Authority, Enugu State.Using Cronbach Alpha reliability estimate, reliability indices of 0.84 and 0.75 were obtained for the two clusters of the instrument.Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions.The null hypothesis was tested using t-test statistic at 0.05 level of significance.The results showed that majority of the pupils do not have access to home ICT.The findings also revealed that home ICT has positive impact on pupils' social skill development.Based on the findings, it was recommended among others that provision for easy access to home ICT should be made by the Local Government Education Authority to enable the pupils develop their social skills.
India has a very large hub of garment manufacturing industry. Several reports reveal that the garment industry in India is one of the largest manufacturing sectors. There is continuous upgradation in this sector. Still, several workers like sewing machinists from garment industry suffer various health problems. One of the main problems is musculoskeletal disorder of the neck and shoulder. It has been observed that the working posture and repetitive hand and arm movements are some of the main reasons for these health issues. These causes increase in leave periods of workers, which also cause mental disturbances in workers in turn decreases productivity. This can be dealt with by modifying the workstations in garment industry, which may help in improving workers posture. To improve or modify the workstations of garment industry, a thorough study of this workstation as well as a study of ergonomic issues are very important. Hence the investigation of ergonomic issues becomes a need in a sewing machine workstation of garment manufacturing industries. The purpose of this paper is to describe some of the key areas that influences machinists suffering from several health disorders, includes problems in studying cumulative trauma in garment manufacturing industry. This paper presents findings of the previous research work and various methods for investigating worker's problems. It also discusses some of the possible solutions which suggests ergonomic controls and preventive measuresfor these issues.This may be very useful for improving the operator's working postures, which may help to reduce the incidence of musculoskeletal disorders by eliminating or reducing exposure to the associated risk factors.
Gorontalo District is one of the districts in Gorontalo Province, which can develop a beef cattle business.This study aimed to determine the beef cattle business's sustainability in the integrated system with food crops.This research was conducted in three sub-districts and six villages in Gorontalo District from April to June 2018 using a survey method. Primary data were collected through interviews, focus group discussions, and questionnaires for 100 respondents, while secondary data collected through documentation reports from related agencies and previous research. Data analysis used the Rap-SISPOTTA modified sustainability analysis method. Measurement sustainability based on economic dimensions, environmental dimensions, technical dimensions, institutional dimensions, and social dimensions and then analyzed by Multi-Dimensional Scaling using Exel for Rap-SISPOTTA. Wherewith this application, a feasibility and significance test is carried out with sustainability analysis, and simulation analysis of the sustainability model. The results show that each dimension's performance attributes are mapped into two reference points: bad points and good points, and the performance level is divided into four categories. The current resources owned by farmers make it possible to run an integrated crop and livestock business. The results showed that dimension's performance attributes mapped into two reference points: bad points and good points, and the performance level was divided into four categories. The current resources owned by farmers make it possible to run an integrated crop and livestock business. The results show that each dimension's performance attributes are mapped into two reference points: bad points and good points, and the performance level is divided into four categories. The current resources owned by farmers make it possible to run an integrated crop and livestock business.
Recently renewable resources are like solar energy; wind energy generation take place all over world.The reliability, availability of the system having some complex failure rate and repair rate in the electric generation or power generation, based on PV system is pass the signal to transformer line and it is connected to grid via to household can be calculated.The System effects, modelling type among component resistances, coefficients of variations of load and resistances The focus of these papers is primarily on how the collective structure of the specific pieces impacts the subsequent reliability., series, parallel, combination of both arrangements, complex system, failure rate, repair rate, The mean time to failure, the mean time between failures, and the mean time recovery rate. The possibility of increasing reliability through redundancy is explained, as is the allocation of reliability to individual elements. Recognize the system arrival of digital technologies and the incorporation of renewable energy into energy systems in future studies. It will also keep operators updated on the status of the system's different nodes.
This study surveyed school-based strategies that will facilitate the fathers' involvement in their children's early learning based on a quantitative research approach.Using a sample of 94 participants, a descriptive survey design was adopted.Data were collected using a questionnaire instrument.Data were analyzed using mean and independent samples t-test. The results showed that the school-based strategies that can facilitate fathers' involvement in children's education include organising meetings for the fathers, contacting fathers on several occasions, school rendering counseling services to fathers among others. The result also indicated taking seriously fathers' suggestions, arranging get together party for fathers, among others are the school-based support mechanisms to encourage fathers' involvement inthe education of children.The researchers recommend that the South African government should ensure that the identified school-based strategies and support mechanisms are fully implemented.
Automotive lubricating oil is a high pollutant that needs significant management and accountability from the community and government. These oils in soil or water currents, such as sewage, can harm the environment. Groundwater and soil may become polluted by this. Lubricant costs are lowered by recycling these pollutants into useful products. This is a creative way of treating waste and will have a huge effect on the environment as well. This will decrease air/water contamination and fresh raw materials as well and greenhouse gas emissions will be minimized by recycling. Refining therefore restores the substantial and chemical properties of lubricating oil, which is capable of reverting to the original and intended usage of the oil used for the production of mixed essential oils in lubricants, minimizing the use of virgin oils. To return to its original intended use, recycling reproduces the physical and chemical properties of lubricants. This article explores the refining of lubricating oil using the solvent process and vacuum distillation, by oil recycling technology. Using three types of solvents: 1-propanol, n-butanol, and ethanol, the laboratory experiment was based on a complete global design. The purpose of this document was to recycle engine oil and recover valuable products. Impuritieswere isolated by filtration and separation, then to recover useful products by solvent extraction.We measured the specific gravity, density, viscosity, flash point, fire point, pour point, sulphate ash content, total base quantity, colour, residue of carbon, water content and compared the original oil.The kinematic and dynamic viscosity of recovered oil was found to be greater by different separation methods at lower temperatures.
This study examined teacher creativity fostering behaviour and academic achievement inBiology among senior secondary school students in Enugu State, Nigeria.A total of 270 SS1 biology students (135 males and 135 females) from 10 public coeducational schools and 25 SS1 biology teachers participated in the study.They were selected through stratified and purposive sampling techniques respectively.The instruments used for data collection were Teacher Creativity Fostering Behaviour Index (TCFBI), Biology Achievement Test (BAT) and Eysenck General Intelligence Test (EGIT-4).Three research questions were posed while three hypotheses were formulated to guide the study.Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance.Eysenck General Intelligence Test was considered a covariate. Results showed that majority 14 (58.33%) of biology teachers do not foster creativity in teaching Biology. Students who were taught by teachers of high creativity fostering behavior had significantly better academic achievement in biology than those students taught by teachers of moderate and low creativity levels. There was no significant gender difference in students' academic achievement in Biology based on teacher creativity fostering behaviour. It was recommended that favourableclimate and conductive working atmosphere be put in place to ensure effective process of teaching and learning Biology using TCFB.
Centrifugal water-cooled chiller systems consume approximately 50% of a building's total energy and are an essential component providing indoor environmental quality (IEQ) and enhancing occupant productivity in large scale buildings. Therefore, research into reducing energy consumption required for air conditioning while maintaining the desired level of IEQ has been stimulated. The relationship between thermal energy and electrical energy in this system can be used to reduce the energy consumption of the system which will involve the overall design and operating parameters of rotating equipment, static equipment for heat transfer as well as how this equipment operate in relation to each other. This review provides a holistic approach to chiller system design and the potential it has to improve energy efficiency of the system. Based on the research, energy efficient equipment selection, the use of new technology, energy efficient design techniques/practices andthe use of control systems will optimize the energy consumption of the HVAC system.
The study investigated the extent of community participation in funding primary schools in Enugu state, Nigeria.The study was guided by one research question and one null hypothesis.The study adopted a descriptive survey research design.The population of study comprised 1,223 head teachers, 10,760 teachers in the 1,223 public primary schools in Enugu state.A multi-stage sampling technique was employed to arrive at the sample size of 30 head teachers and 170 teachers.The instrument used for data collection was a structured questionnaire with four-point rating scale titled Extent of Community Participation in Funding Primary School (ECPFPS) with a reliability index of 0.08, using Cronbach Alpha reliability estimate.Mean and standard deviation were used to answer research the question.The hypothesis was tested using t-test statistics at 0.05 level of significance.The result showed that the communities to a low extend participate in funding primary education.This finding implicates further research in the area of school funding by the community in Enugu state.Based on the finding, it was recommended among others that community members should be made aware of the importance of funding primary education.
In this study, a novel bio-based hybrid nanocomposite brake pad (BHN) has been developed and investigated to serve as a functional replacement for metallic, ceramic, and hazardous asbestos-based brake pad materials. Carbon nanospheres (CNSs) synthesized from agro-waste were incorporated with other carbon-based constituents and additives to produce brake pads. The tribological, mechanical, and solvent absorption properties of BHN brake pads were examined with caution and compared with conventional (CON) brake pads. In this work, the properties of friction materials varied with CNSs loading made with different parameters; the experimental results showed that the brake pad performance changed with each pad formulation. The BHN brake pad material showed better performance than the CON brake pad in most tests. The friction coefficient (COF) of the BHNs brake pad samples (0.3 to 0.5) was within the standard of SAE J661 CODE. The BHN brake pad (0.18 % to 1.97 %) absorbed lower water content than the CON brake pads (2.02 %), and most BHN brake pads similarly absorbed a smaller amount of oil (0.11 % to 0.42 %) compared to the CON brake pad. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image of CON brake pad worn surface was inconsistent with stress yielding surface texture, while homogenous dispersion, wear debris, flakes, and plateaus were observed in the BHN brake pad. These improved properties were attributed to CNSs incorporation and the homogenous dispersion of additives forming a synergistic effect, producing a tougher structure, which eventually improved BHN brake pad performance.
