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

Evaluation of the Performance of a Rotary screen Cowpea Cleaner-A Response Surface Approach

The performance of a rotary screen cowpea cleaner was evaluated at angles of inclination of 5, 10, 15 and 20o, screen speed of 115, 145 , 200 , 280  and 300 rpm with corresponding air velocity of 0.3, 1.3, 2.2, and 2.7 m/s using two varieties of cowpea namely Ife brown and IT90K-277-2.  The results show that for Ife brown the highest cleaning efficiency of 71.12% was obtained at angle   of inclination of 5o, screen speed of 315 rpm and air velocity of 3.5 m/s. The highest cleaning efficiency for IT90K-277-2 of 68.89% was also obtained at the same angle of inclination, screen speed and air velocity. Response surface plots for both varieties showed that increase in air velocity produced more increase in the cleaning efficiency than increase in screen speed. Mathematical equations for predicting the cleaning efficiency for both varieties were also determined. Keywords— Rotary screen, cowpea, cleaning efficienc

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

Development and Performance Evaluation of A Low-Cost Hydraulic-Operated Biomass Briquetting Machine

Large quantities of agricultural residues produced in Nigeria can provide an alternative way in meeting her energy demand through briquetting. Biomass briquetting is the process of compacting raw biomass materials (wood, charcoal, crop residues, and animal waste) into standard mini-brick units as solid fuel for improved handling and efficiency. A small scale, 40 bar hydraulic operated piston briquetting machine with a capacity of 120 briquettes per hour was developed. The machine comprised of hydraulic, control, press, power, ejection and frame sections, and adopted the binder-less technology. Sawdust and rice husk were used as sample biomass materials. The compressed biomass obtained from the developed machine in form of briquettes had mean diameter and height of 30 mm ±0.02 and 16 mm ±0.01 respectively. The force, deflection, and Young Modulus at peak were 16.30 N, 3.29 mm and 548.11 N/mm2 for Sawdust Briquettes (SB) respectively, while 12.50 N, 1.49 mm; and 481 N/mm2 were obtained for Rice Husk Briquettes (RHB).  The yield stress for SB and RHB were 12 and 9 N/mm2. The heating values obtained for SB and RHB were 51.0 Kcal/g and 39.4 Kcal/g respectively. The output efficiency of the machine was 88% indicating a satisfactory performance of the machine

Development of an Anaerobic Digester for Animal Waste

Advancement in biotechnology and bioengineering has provided ways that resources, which hitherto were classified as wastes, now form the basis for energy production. Anaerobic digestion is a highly promising technology used for processing biomass materials (crop residue, human excreta, animal waste and food) in the absence of oxygen to a methane-rich biogas. This work developed a small-scale anaerobic digester to produce biogas from animal waste. The anaerobic digester consisted of three major components: bioreactor with an incorporated stirrer driven by an electric motor, gas scrubber and gas collector.  Batch feeding operation was adopted while pig waste was used as test material. Lime water was used as a scrubbing medium for methane enrichment.  Loading result revealed that there was seven days delay in gas production from day of loading. The daily temperatures and pH recorded for a period of 50 days were in the range of 29 - 34°C and 5.5 - 7.5 respectively, and the average yield of clean biogas was 0.13 l/kg of slurry/day. Biogas generation increased with days in digester and was a two-stage process with a peak production day between 40 and 45 days.  There was observed reduction in carbon dioxide content and methane enrichment as the days increased confirming the effectiveness of the scrubber. The biogas produced comprised between 55.1 and 74.1% of methane, and a range of 22.5 to 38.2% of carbon dioxide and was combustible after the 10th day of digestion. The results obtained showed the overall functionability of the developed anaerobic digester. The digester could be deployed and adopted in farmsteads as well as household to meet their energy deman

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, Terminali a 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 va lue 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 rat

Development of an Anaerobic Digester for Animal Waste

Advancement in biotechnology and bioengineering has provided ways that resources, which hitherto were classified as wastes, now form the basis for energy production. Anaerobic digestion is a highly promising technology used for processing biomass materials (crop residue, human excreta, animal waste and food) in the absence of oxygen to a methane-rich biogas. This work developed a small-scale anaerobic digester to produce biogas from animal waste. The anaerobic digester consisted of three major components: bioreactor with an incorporated stirrer driven by an electric motor, gas scrubber and gas collector. Batch feeding operation was adopted while pig waste was used as test material. Lime water was used as a scrubbing medium for methane enrichment. Loading result revealed that there was seven days delay in gas production from day of loading. The daily temperatures and pH recorded for a period of 50 days were in the range of 29 - 34°C and 5.5 - 7.5 respectively, and the average yield of clean biogas was 0.13 l/kg of slurry/day. Biogas generation increased with days in digester and was a two-stage process with a peak production day between 40 and 45 days. There was observed reduction in carbon dioxide content and methane enrichment as the days increased confirming the effectiveness of the scrubber. The biogas produced comprised between 55.1 and 74.1% of methane, and a range of 22.5 to 38.2% of carbon dioxide and was combustible after the 10th day of digestion. The results obtained showed the overall functionability of the developed anaerobic digester. The digester could be deployed and adopted in farmsteads as well as household to meet their energy deman