Characterisation of activated charcoal, sawdust charcoal and rice husk charcoal as adsorbents in water treatment

This study is an investigation into the characterization of commercial activated charcoal, sawdust charcoal and rice husk charcoal as adsorbents for water treatment. The ground rice husk and waste sawdust collected, were sieved to obtain a nominal size of 1mm, washed and oven-dried for 12hours. The two materials were pyrolysized in a furnace for 30minutes, and the chars produced were later air-dried. The three charcoals (sawdust charcoal, rice husk charcoal, and the activated charcoal purchased from the market) were all subjected to X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) analysis, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) analysis and Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis in order to characterize the filter materials. The SEM analysis showed that the three materials developed more pores, which is a property of an adsorbent. Likewise, the XRF and EDX analyses confirm that all the three adsorbents possess larger proportion of Silica, Carbon and Oxygen

Significance of clean water for sustainable good health in Nigeria

The significance of the impact of water-related diseases on human health has been recognized as a major threat to sustainable human development in some international forums. This study is an investigation into the correlation between unclean water and the outbreak of water-related diseases in Nigeria. It was established from the review of previous researches that the concept of clean water and sanitation is critical to the good health and well-being of all individuals. Nigeria still has a long way to go towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goal number 6 (SDG 6) of the United Nations, hence it is high time government at all levels and individuals embraced Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) agenda 2030

Significance of clean water for sustainable good health in Nigeria

The significance of the impact of water-related diseases on human health has been recognized as a major threat to sustainable human development in some international forums. This study is an investigation into the correlation between unclean water and the outbreak of water-related diseases in Nigeria. It was established from the review of previous researches that the concept of clean water and sanitation is critical to the good health and well-being of all individuals. Nigeria still has a long way to go towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goal number 6 (SDG 6) of the United Nations, hence it is high time government at all levels and individuals embraced Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) agenda 2030

COMBUSTION AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF BAMBOO (BAMBUSA VULGARIS) AND THREE INDIGENOUS WOOD CHARCOALS

This study investigated the combustion and mechanical properties of bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris) charcoal and three indigenous wood charcoal (Teak ,Tectona grandis; Afara, Terminalia superba  and Omo, Cordia millenii). Results revealed that there were no significant differences in the properties charcoal produced from bamvboo and the tree indigenous wood. Bamboo and Afara were the most efficient out of the charcoal samples considered in the study. Although the fuel value index of Bamboo was quite lower than that of Afara and other samples considered in the study, but its calorific value was higher than Afara.  However, it has greater potentials to replace woody biomass as fuel. Bamboo can replace other wood species in the production of charcoal because of its faster growth rate

OPTIMIZATION OF CHAR IN THE PYROLYSIS OF PALM KERNEL SHELL USING RESPONSE SURFACE METHODOLOGY

Palm oil production yields a considerable quantity of palm kernel shell (PKS). This is locally burnt as fuel for domestic cooking as well as in blacksmith and goldsmith operations. Medium-grade fuel such as char can be derived from PKS through pyrolysis. The optimization of the char yield was investigated using a central composite design of the response surface methodology in a batch reactor. A three -factor three-level design comprising the reaction temperature and provenance were taken as quantitative variables, while varieties a qualitative variable and yield was taken as the response. This study optimized char yield from palm kernel shell (PKS)through pyrolysis. Increasing reaction temperature generally decreased char yields. Variety type, reaction temperature, and provenance all significantly (p < 0.05) affected char yields for both Dura and Tenera varieties studied. The char yield obtained from Tenera variety was greater than Dura variety.  The optimized temperature for both Tenera and Dura varieties was 400oC with yield of 46.85 and 42.68 % respectively, while Odeda provenance representing derived savannah provenance was the best location producing the optimal yield

QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF WATER SUPPLY IN MURTALA MUHAMMED INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, LAGOS, NIGERIA

This research assessed the quality of water and by implication the functionality of the treatment plant units in Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Nigeria. Raw water samples were collected at eight different points from the plant to the end users for three consecutive months. Physico-chemical properties of collected samples were analysed using standard methods and compared with the World Health Organization (WHO) standard. The values of properties obtained for plant raw and treated water ranged from .19 - 7.4, 24.60 - 26.00oC, 3.79- 0.00 NTU, 33.30-16.70Hazen,0.17 -0.00mg/l and 36.7 -44.30 ppm, for pH, temperature, turbidity, hazencolour, iron content, total dissolved solid respectively. While the values obtained for total hardness, calcium hardness, magnesium hardness, residue chlorine, odour, electrical conductivity, nitrate, BOD and  Dissolved Oxygen, were 7.3 -5.7mg/l,3.7 -3.00 mg/l3.7-2.7mg/l,0.00 -0.00mg/l,46– 72µs/c, 0.59 - 0.56 mg/l,  3.23 - 4.17mg/l and 2.66 - 2.75 mg/l respectively. The values of parameters for the treated water were in all cases always better than those obtained for the raw water. All the physico-chemical properties obtained for the treatment line were within WHO standard except for raw water pH whose value was lower than the recommended WHO value. This observation showed that the treatment units improved the quality of the treated water and it is safe to use as potable water

DRYING CHARACTERISTICS OF KEREWA TOMATO UNDER INFRARED DRYING

 In Drying characteristic for infrared drying of tomato slices were investigated. The drying experiments were carried out using Kerewa local varieties of tomato at five infrared drying power (150, 250, 300, 400 and 500 W) with slice thickness of 10 mm. For all drying powers there was a reduction in moisture content with increased drying time, the drying took place in the falling rate period. The drying time reduced as the infrared heating power increased from 150 to 500W. The diffusivity obtained for the tomato slices were within the range specified for fruits and vegetables with a value of 5.6132 x 10-7 m/s2.  Blanched tomato varieties had better rehydration capacities than all unblanched samples

Characterisation of activated charcoal, sawdust charcoal and rice husk charcoal as adsorbents in water treatment

This study is an investigation into the characterization of commercial activated charcoal, sawdust charcoal and rice husk charcoal as adsorbents for water treatment. The ground rice husk and waste sawdust collected, were sieved to obtain a nominal size of 1mm, washed and oven-dried for 12hours. The two materials were pyrolysized in a furnace for 30minutes, and the chars produced were later air-dried. The three charcoals (sawdust charcoal, rice husk charcoal, and the activated charcoal purchased from the market) were all subjected to X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) analysis, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) analysis and Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis in order to characterize the filter materials. The SEM analysis showed that the three materials developed more pores, which is a property of an adsorbent. Likewise, the XRF and EDX analyses confirm that all the three adsorbents possess larger proportion of Silica, Carbon and Oxygen

A Tool for Biotechnological Advancement 1

Bioinformatics has been a useful tool for the advancement and enhancement of biotechnology in recent times with its application in various fields. Bioinformatics has thereby helped invent useful products and create solutions to problems in aspects including utilization of the genome attributes of various living organisms to acquire a better understanding of their biology. It has been used to understand the biology of pathogenic microorganism’s product developments such as reverse vaccinology, drug discovery, personalized medicine, waste clean-up, climate change, and crop improvement. We highlight, in the section, some of the bioinformatics components of biotechnology that are used for translational research in the life sciences

SPARC 2021 - Against all odds : Salford postgraduate annual research conference book of abstracts

Welcome to the Book of Abstracts for the 2021 SPARC conference. Our conference is called “Against All Odds” as we celebrate the achievements of our PGRs and their supervisors, who have continued to excel despite the most challenging circumstances. For this reason, we showcase the work of our PGRs alongside the outstanding supervision that they receive, with our Doctoral School Best Supervisor awards. We also focus on developing resilience and maintaining good mental health in the research environment, supported by exceptional keynote speakers, including our very own Dr Michelle Howarth and Ruby Wax OBE, which makes this year’s conference extra special