Evaluation and Comparison of some Infiltration Models on Agricultural Soils of Bosso Local Government Area, Niger State, Nigeria

Over the last few decades, researchers have developed a great interest in fabricating and synthesising zinc silicate-based glass ceramics. However, using waste materials as precursors for the fabrication is yet another milestone in waste management. Thus, this study fabricated zinc silicate glass-ceramic using sola lime silica (SLS) glass waste as a silicon source. The series of precursor glass in the  the conventional solid-state melt-quench technique prepared system through a controlled crystallisation process. The glass system’s physical, structural, and optical properties were obtained by density measurement, X-Ray diffraction, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, and Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, respectively. The density of the   glasses series was observed to be decreasing with the increment of  content. The XRD spectra of the   samples with 0 and 0.01 wt.% , exhibits major diffraction peaks attributed to the ZnO phase in the glass matrix. However, as  content  increased, the precursor glass sample shown by the XRD spectra depicted a broad halo characteristic, which reflected the properties of amorphous glass that were observed at the composition of 0.05 wt.%  From FTIR spectra, the bands at 500, 688, 902 and 1243  can be associated with stretching vibrations of ZnO4 and Si-O-B bending vibrations, stretching vibrations of the B–O bonds in the  units, and modes of boron–oxygen triangular units. The intensity of the IR band increases with increasing percentage of . The UV-Vis analysis of the samples with 0 and 0.01 wt.%  demonstrates crystalline hump and varies at 370 nm. It was observed that the addition of B2O3 to the ZnO-SLS glass network caused the glassy amorphous state without a sharp absorption edge at 0.05, 0.10, and 0.15 wt.% B2O3.The  system  shows the increase in band gap when the composition of   increased. When  serves as a modifier, the number of NBOs will increase, and this will cause the expansion of glass network. The zinc silicate-based glass-ceramic produced has been classified as a semiconductor due to the vast optical band gap energy obtained and may have vital potential applications for future LED and other optoelectronic lighting devices. &nbsp

Effect of Moisture Content on some Physical Properties of Red Kidney Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Seed Grown in North Eastern Nigeria

This study was aimed at determining some physical properties of red kidney bean seed as a function of moisture content. In the moisture range of 6.84-15.74% (d.b), seed length, width and thickness increased from 11.4-16.83mm, 6.2-8.87mm and 4.3-5.16mm, and Arithmetic and Geometric diameters increased from 8.6-10.29mm and from 8.3-9.14mm, respectively. In the above moisture range, one thousand seed weight, seed surface area, true density, and porosity increased linearly, while sphericity increased logarithmically, and angle of repose increased as a polynomial of the second order with moisture content. Bulk density decreased with increase in moisture content in the above moisture range. Static coefficient of friction on all the structural surfaces applied increased logarithmically with moisture content, and kinetic coefficient of friction on the surface all increased linearly with moisture content except on fiber glass where the increase was polynomial of the second order. Static and kinetic coefficients of friction were highest on Hessian bag material and lowest on fiber glass. Regression models that could be used to express the relationship between the physical properties and moisture content, with high coefficients of determination, were established. The data obtained in this study would be applicable in the design of red kidney bean seed handling and storage facilities. &nbsp

Effects of Diboron Trioxide on Zinc Silicate-Based Glass-Ceramic Derived from Waste Soda Lime Silica for Potential Phosphor Materials Application

Over the last few decades, researchers have developed great deals of interest focusing on the fabrication and synthesis of zinc silicate-based glass-ceramic. However, using waste materials as precursors for the fabrication is yet another milestone in waste management. Thus, in this study, zinc silicate glass-ceramic was fabricated using sola lime silica (SLS) glass waste as a source of silicon. The series of precursor glass in the  system was prepared by the conventional solid-state melt-quench technique through a controlled crystallization process. The physical, structural, and optical properties of the glass system were obtained by density measurement, X-Ray diffraction, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, respectively.  The density of the   glasses series was observed to be decreasing with the increment of  content. The XRD spectra of the   samples with 0 and 0.01 wt.% , exhibits major diffraction peaks attributed to the ZnO phase in the glass matrix.  However, as  content  increased, the precursor glass sample shown by the XRD spectra depicted a broad halo characteristic, which reflected the properties of amorphous glass that were observed at the composition of 0.05 wt.%  From FTIR spectra, the bands at 500, 688, 902 and 1243  can be associated with stretching vibrations of ZnO4 and Si-O-B bending vibrations, stretching vibration of the B–O bonds in the  units, and modes of boron–oxygen triangular units. The intensity of the IR band increases with increasing percentage of . The UV-Vis analysis of the samples with 0 and 0.01 wt.%  demonstrates crystalline hump and varies at 370 nm. It was observed that the addition of B2O3 to the ZnO-SLS glass network caused the glassy amorphous state with an absence of a sharp absorption edge at 0.05, 0.10, and 0.15 wt.% B2O3.The  system  shows increase in band gap when the composition of   increased. When  serves as a modifier, the number of NBOs will increase, and this will cause the expansion of glass network. The zinc silicate-based glass-ceramic produced has been classified to be a semiconductor due to the wide optical band gap energy obtained and may have key potential applications for future LED and other optoelectronic lighting devices.         &nbsp

Department of Agricultural and Environmental Resource Engineering, University of Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria

Austempering heat treatment is a proven way of obtaining the desired microstructure for improved mechanical properties. It is an isothermal heat treatment process in which an attractive combination of mechanical properties of austempered ductile iron (ADI) may be produced. In this paper, a statistical model for the determination of some mechanical properties was developed. The ductile cast iron was annealed after which it was austennitized at 850 and 950 °C. After the austenitizing process, it was then austempered in hot jatropha seed oil. The developed prediction model was then utilized to assess the tensile strength and hardness of the ADI. The result of the austempering process showed appreciable improvement in tensile and hardness values measured.  Optimum values of tensile and hardness were 962 kN/mm2 and 405 BHN respectively. Values of 961.4N/mm2 and 340.1BHN were obtained using the developed model. It can therefore be concluded that, the closeness in the values obtained from the experimental measurement and the prediction model is an indication of the effectiveness of the developed model. &nbsp

Fabrication and Evaluation of an Affordable Infant Radiant Warmer for use in Limited Resource Settings

The challenges of thermoregulation due to hypothermia, which is believed to underlie high infant morbidity and mortality rate, is common with underweight or preterm infants especially those from limited resource settings. Available devices in the market to check hypothermia are expensive, especially for most countries with between 2% to 10% of GDP on the healthcare budget. Affordable thermoregulation realization for infants is therefore of significant clinical importance in these settings. The aim of this study was to design and fabricate an affordable ($110) and clinically useful radiant warmer to facilitate hypothermia treatment. The radiant warmer was fabricated with an overhead radiant heater for heat radiation targeted at infants laid in a clinically comfortable foam mattress in a bassinet. A portable fan was placed above the heating element to facilitate downward heat flow. A biocompatible temperature sensor was also placed on the bassinet to monitor the infant’s body temperature. The warmer incorporated an Arduino-based PID temperature microcontroller to regulate the temperature of the heating element. The warmer, with castor wheels to aid the device’s mobility, has a strong and durable galvanized pipe stand capable of supporting the device. The device performance indicated an acceptable physiological heating temperature range of 36 °C - 36.5 °C within 20 min of warm-up and up to 36.7 °C in 30 min of use. Therefore, the device can be adjudged potentially useful in facilitating thermoregulation in infants by providing suitable thermal support. With these results and the potential of the device to reduce infant mortality rates and promote their growth, it is hereby recommended that the device may be fully deployed for clinical application. &nbsp

The Effects of Atmospheric Attenuations on C, Ku and Ka Frequency Bands on Satellite Communication System

This paper presents the effects of atmospheric attenuations on C, Ku and Ka microwave frequency bands. The atmospheric attenuations such as cloud, rain, oxygen and water vapour have a much significant effect on the transmitting and receiving of signals over satellite communication especially in locations prone to rainfall. This paper analyzed the effects of atmospheric attenuation on satellite communications in selected location in the city of Aba. The rainfall, cloud and gas data were measured and collected from the Nigerian meteorological agency for a period of three months using simulink model to determine the frequency bands within the areas affected by bad weather condition. The method employed the use of Matlab and International telecommunication union radiocommunication sector (ITU-R) prediction model which include the fuzzy logic system to improve the received signal on satellite communication. The results obtained shows that for the exceedance time of 0.01, the attenuation values recorded during the rainfall at elevation angles of 100, 200, 300 and 400 are 14.0440, 17.84080, 25.32430, 13.45070, 17.67230, 24.05440, 14.37360, 18.35890, 26.18720, 13.12440, 16.62090, 23.31440, 12.70280, 16.03920 and 22.36270 while for the exceedance time of 1.00, the attenuation values recorded are 0.639130, 0.88553, 1.41930, 0.605330, 0.834540, 1.32490, 0.62090, 0.91320, 1.48480, 0.585040, 0.804960, 1.26970, 0.560440, 0.767250 and 1.2080 respectively. Therefore, the work reported here showed that the effects of satellite connection which suffers from poor signal quality due to atmospheric disturbances in the study area was minimized. &nbsp

Arc Flash Study of IEEE 8 Bus Test System using Digital Simulation and Electrical Network Analysis Platform

Nowadays, electricity plays an important role in our life and in our industries. However, when an arc fault occurs, it creates an incident that can cause a serious damage to the equipment and can cause serious injury to the workers. Arc fault is generated when electric current passes through air from one uncovered live conductor to another or to ground in electrical system. Analyzing the level of arc flash and providing a good protection to the workers is paramount. In this work DigSILENT software was used to study the Arc Flash of Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 8 Bus Test System. Firstly, a model of system was created in the DigSILENT environment and then arc flash study of all the buses in the system was carried out. Based on the simulation results obtained, Personnel protective equipment and labels were generated to inform the workers about the level of danger they are exposed to in the course of doing their work. The risk category for buses numbers 3 and 7 are cat 2 and 3 respectively while for buses 1and 5 and for buses 2,4,6 and 8 are cat 4 and 5 respectively. The results showed that there is a need for the personnel to equip themselves with the appropriate Personnel Protective Equipment (PPE) as suggested before access. Because, arc flash faults have significant effect on personnel and equipment. It’s really important for stability, energy continuity, human life and economy. &nbsp

Development of a Manually Operated Sleeve Puller Kit for Reciprocating Type Engine

This work describes design and construction of manually operated sleeve puller kit for removal of piston liners. Piston cylinder sleeves which are firmly fixed in the engine block of many reciprocating engines are normally removed for the purpose of repairs, maintenance and replacement, and is difficult to remove by hammering; hence the need for a puller. To demonstrate the workability of the design, a cylinder sleeve of 100KvA generator was constructed. The components for the device were: frame, screw and base, constructed from grey cast iron, unalloyed free cutting steel and copper alloy materials respectively. The components were constructed using cutting, drilling, rolling and arc welding machine operations. The sleeve puller was tested on a 100KvA parkins generator. The cost of producing the device was N9, 150:00, which was effective compared to similar devices in the market that cost within the range of N15, 000 to N20, 000. From the performance test results obtained, the maximum torque to raise the required load was determined to be 452.898 × 103 N-mm and shear stress of the screw as 23.697MPa which was less than the strength of free cutting steel (56MPa). Buckling criterion was 371.09KN>75KN, transverse shear at the root and body area of the screw are 8.768<19MPa and 10.484MPa<56MPa. A piston sleeve puller was successfully developed. A hydraulic or electrically operated can further be investigate. &nbsp

Evaluating the Effect of Temperature and Prolong Storage on Hibiscus Cannabinus (kenaf) Extracts in Drinking Water Treatment

Access to clean drinking water is a fundamental human right. Yet, improved drinking water is still a major challenge in many developing countries today, retarding progress and human development. This study investigated the coagulation performance of denatured kenaf crude extract (KCE) in water treatment using a jar tester. To assess its coagulation performance, KCE suspension samples were heated at 60, 97 and 140 °C for 2, 4 and 6 h while the remaining samples were stored for 3, 5, 7, 10 and 14 days respectively prior to the test. The results show that maximum turbidity removal of approximately 98, 97 and 99% was achieved with sample heated to 60, 97 and 140 °C from 86% recorded with the unheated sample. Interestingly, KCE which had been stored for 3-day duration achieved maximum turbidity removal of 84% compared with the 88% recorded with the fresh sample, although at a dosage, far lower (40 mg/l) than that of the fresh sample (80 mg/l). Therefore, the use of denatured KCE by heating is advantageous for people in developing countries which resulted in improved turbidity removal performance. Conversely, storing the crude sample did not improve the efficiency but its performance was remarkable at lower dosage. &nbsp

Assessment of PAHs in Borehole Water from the Vicinity of the Delta Steel Company, Warri, Delta State, Nigeria

Water contamination due to industrialization is a major problem affecting the environment and all life. This work evaluates the existence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in borehole water from Delta Steel Company in Warri, Delta State. The water sample was analysed in accordance with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) using a gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS). The concentration of Σ16 PAH in water from the sampling site shows that the concentration was in the range of 23.78 – 125.9 mg/L. The study further shows that groundwater in the area was polluted with both light and heavy PAH concentrations. The light PAH concentrations were about 43.8%, ranging from 26.4 mg/L and 50.04 mg/L. Whereas the heavy PAH concentrations were about 56.2%, ranging from 23.78 mg/L and 125.9 mg/L, with Benzo (a) pyrene at 0.0001 mg/L and 0.002 mg/L for all other PAHs that exceed the World Health Organization permissible limit of 0.002 mg/L. Heavy PAHs were dominant, with benzo(a)fluoranthene accounting for the highest concentration in the samples. The four- five- ring PAHs were the dominant group of PAHs in the study. This observation was attributed to the prolonged industrial practices in the area. Therefore, this study recommends that, for health and safety, the water be subjected to major treatment before consumption. &nbsp