Investigating water absorption and thickness swelling tendencies of polymeric composite materials for external wall application in refrigerated vehicles

Replacing external metallic wall of refrigerated vehicles has been on the front burner in many published works as weight of the metallic insulated panel continues to pose a challenge on refrigeration unit and environment. As a follow - up to this problem statement, five (5) composite materials were fabricated as replacement options for metallic external sheet for refrigerated vehicles. The key study of this paper is to investigate the moisture absorption and thickness swelling tendencies of these composite specimens as these properties determine the suitability of these materials for refrigerated wall. Part of the methodology adopted in the manufacturing of these composites were based on fibre loading and orientation in the composite panel. Key findings from this experiment shows that the absorption behaviour of composites at 30 oand 60o was consistent until 60 hours duration of immersion before a significant disparity was observed. In addition, G30E (30% reinforced glass fibre in the epoxy composite) was more resilient to moisture attack as a result of enhanced fiber content. The implication of the study is that G30E reinforced composite material could be adopted as external wall of food transport s ystem because of its lower thickness swelling and water absorption properties. Keywords : Composite materials, refrigerated vehicle, orientation, water absorption, thickness swelling

A Review on Application of Natural fibre in Structural Reinforcement: Challenges of Properties Adaptation

The foray of natural fibre reinforced composite in structural application is not new and researchers are currently considering different approaches of maximizing its performance. In many published works, natural fibres have enjoyed reasonable patronage in cooling applications and in cementitious structural materials. The moisture affinity of these fibres is another challenge that have dominated literature for ages. Moreover, modification of natural fibre in structural application is a herculean tasks that have not been established in many published works. In this work, properties and characteristics variation of natural fibre in structural reinforcement are discussed. Substantial part of this work is also dedicated to main properties inherent in natural fibre inimical to structural applications. It is expected that this work will assist researchers to formulate new compatible matrix materials suitable for further research works

GLASS-FIBRE REINFORCED COMPOSITES: THE EFFECT OF FIBRE LOADING AND ORIENTATION ON TENSILE AND IMPACT STRENGTH

The primary objective of this research work is to analyse the effect of fibre loading and orientation on the tensile and impact strength of the polymeric composite materials. Fibre reinforced composite materials have been reported to have attracted many applications in view of its low weight and superior strength when compared with the metal matrix composite. While researches have established the weight reduction of fibre reinforced polymer material, few works have reported the impact of orientation on the manufacturing of polymer composite. In this study, series of experimental works were done to demonstrate the manufacturing of glass-fibre reinforced epoxy resin with special attention on the influence of oriented reinforced composite material. The composites were manufactured using hand-lay technique with three different fibre loadings (10, 20, and 30 wt. %) and at two different fibre orientations (30o and 60o). Key of the finding drawn from this research form the basis of discussion and, composite with 60o fibre orientation showed better tensile strength when compared with the neat resin and other oriented (G10E30) fibre reinforced composite. Similar observations were also noticed on the impact strength of these composites which signify the improved mechanical properties of oriented reinforced composite materials. http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/njt.v36i3.1

Adaptation of plastic waste to energy development in Lagos: An overview assessment

In view of the financial challenges experienced currently by government at all level in Nigeria occasioned by dwindling oil and gas revenue, this paper evaluates the possibility of adapting plastic waste to energy development for sustainable growth. Volume of wastes for the month of January, July and September, 2014 were reported to be 340,016.62m3, 302699.59m3 and 298791.81m3 respectively as contained in a report released by LAWMA. These specific months were primarily used as a case study to portray the fact that all measures put in place by government may not after all give required results. Although governments is making spirited efforts to reduce waste volume to considerable size, there appear to be unsurmountable obstacles ahead. These published waste volume results show clearly that wastes generated in Lagos is on the high side and concerted efforts need to be sustained in other to effectively contain these wastes. At a time, government is finding it difficult to generate adequate power supply to residence, the authors therefore recommend that alternative source of energy could be explored from these wastes which invariable may boost the economic fortunes of the people. The authors equally discussed some of the energy recovery process that may aid the reduction of waste volume in Lagos state. http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/njt.v35i1.1

Characterization and morphological properties of glass fiber reinforced epoxy composites fabricated under varying degrees of hand lay-up techniques

In this paper, attempts were made to study the progression of fibre-matrix adhesion of five composite specimens taking into consideration the hand lay-up method of composite formation. The ampreg 21 epoxy resin was used as the matrix for the glass fibre-epoxy resin formation. E- Glass fibre was used as matrix reinforcement. The morphology and the XRD of these composites were examined. Key of the findings from the morphological analysis of these composites showed that the fractured surface of the samples depicted better adhesion between the matrix and the fibres. The micrographs and EDS of the composite specimens also showed the retention of elemental composition of the glass fibre which is in line with other published works. The XRD results of these composites indicated a peak at Bragg’s angle 2θ=20.6o, affirming the remnant crystalline silica in the composite. Hence, these composites are projected to possess better dimensional stability adaptable for high performance structural applications.Keywords: composite, interfacial adhesion, morphology, reinforcing fibr

Experimental Characterization of Maize Cob and Stalk Based Pellets for Energy Use

The quest for alternative energy sources is gradually shifting from natural fossil fuel to alternative bio-resources especially agricultural waste products due to their reduced pollution risk and sustainability. This study seeks to investigate the suitability of plant residue pellets to produce biomass. The plant residues investigated include corn cob and corn stalk. Three samples produced include 100% granulated corn cob residues, 100% granulated stalks and a composite of 50:50% granulated corn cobs and stalk residues. The mixed residues were pelletized using cassava starch as a binder. The pellets were experimentally analyzed using ultimate, proximate and calorimetry analyses. Among three sets of maize residue pellets investigated, the result of the cob-stalk 50:50% combination show that it has 0.64% nitrogen, 48.57% carbon, 0.38% Sulphur, 6.22% hydrogen, 55.81% oxygen, 3.25% moisture content, 2.20% ash content, 80.0% volatile matter, 17.80% fixed carbon percentage, HHV of 32.9 kJ/kg, an average CO2 value of 563±50 PPM, an average CO value of 100±50 PPM, an average value of 69±4% relative humidity and an average temperature of 27.5±0.5%. The study reiterates that corn stalk is a good bio-fuel and should be encouraged to address the current energy shortfalls in the country

Effect of Drilling Cuttings Transport on Pressure Drop in a Flowing Well

Cuttings transport has a major impact on the economics of the drilling process. It is one of the major factors affecting cost, time and quality of drilling wells. In spite of the many technological advances that have attempted to prevent the cuttings transport along the fluid, one significant challenge remains predicting the effect of cutting transport on pressure drop. Many interdependent variables affect cuttings transport and the complexity of the phenomena present challenges to the production engineer whose tries to determine how the cuttings transport affect the pressure in vertical flow. Meanwhile, many correlations have been developed to determine the effect of cutting transport in vertical flow but there is little information related to effect of cuttings transport on pressure drop and cutting hold up along the vertical pipe. This paper presents comprehensive details of effect of cutting transport on pressure drop and the detrimental effect of drill cutting hold-up on fluid flow along the vertical pipe

Characterization and Degradation of Viton Fuel Hose Exposed to Blended Diesel and Waste Cooking Oil Biodiesel

Degradation and material incompatibility between biodiesel and fuel system are the major concern associated with the adoption of biodiesel. In this research, effects of different mixture of waste cooking oil biodiesel/diesel blends (B10, B20 and B40) were investigated on the basic fuel properties such as density, kinematic viscosity (KV), flash point (FP), pour point (PP), cloud point (PP), freezing point (FRP) and sulphur content (SC). Viton fuel hose exposed to different fuel of types and their degradation characteristics, total acid number and change in the surface morphology were studied. It was found that density, KV, FP, FRP, CP and PP increased while SC decreased with increasing biodiesel content in the blends. The biodiesel concentration was noticed to affect the properties of elastomers, causing swelling of Viton fuel hose. The exposure of Viton fuel hose to fuel types of increasing biodiesel content led to reductions in tensile strength, harness and compressive strength