Optimal Analysis of Packaging Products of MAHEU Plant in Intafact Beverages Limited Using GPALS and MATLAB Optimization Software

This work focused on the optimization of the two packaging products; Supershake and Chibuku made up of three and two parts respectively. Copolymer polypropylene and white or colored batch materials are the two raw materials needed to produce the two packaging products. The manufacturing plan was developed for the organization. The production inputs of 1.11, 6.67, 15.78, 2.47 and 7.70 units were generated as the objective function coefficients; 308 hours per month for day shift and 364 hours per month for night shift were established. Production time of 10 seconds, 20 seconds, 12 second, 10 seconds and 12 seconds per unit of the five parts were established. The manufacturing constraints in terms of machine capacities, material availability, time and labour were extensively used to develop an integer linear programming model to obtain the optimum quantities of each part that will yield the maximum profit. The developed model was analyzed with GPALS and MATLAB optimization solver to obtain results for the linear programming model which gave a monthly production net profit of N3,751,932. A decision support system was developed for the manufacturing planning to assist the management of Maheu plant in Intafact Beverages Limited in decision making. The model is now being used in the manufacturing plan of the company and also recommended for application in organizations with similar production inputs. Keywords: Manufacturing plan, Production inputs, Manufacturing constraints,  Optimization, Profit and Decision makin

RSM and ANN modelling of the mechanical properties of self-compacting concrete with silica fume and plastic waste as partial constituent replacement

In this study, Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) was used to predict the mechanical properties of self‐compacting concrete (SCC) with silica fume as partial cement replacement and Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) solid waste as partial sand replacement. PET plastic was varied between 0 and 20 wt% while the silica fume was varied between 0 and 40 wt%. The parameters investigated were the compressive strength, tensile strength and impact strength of SCC. The RSM model was fairly accurate (R2 ≥ 0.92) in predicting the mechanical properties. The model was statistically significant (p‐value 0.93) for training, testing and validation. Parity plots revealed that both the ANN and RSM models do not have any prediction bias. However, the ANN model is superior because of its higher accuracy and the use of admixtures enhanced the workability suitability for dataset. The 3D microstructural analysis showed that the interfacial adhesion between the aggregates and the cementitious materials reduced at increased partial replacement leading to a decrease in the strengt

Biochar from <i>Delonix regia</i> pod: consideration of an updraft retort carbonisation process

Retort carbonisation is a novel technology especially suited to the sub-Saharan Africa energy conversion challenges. This study aims to produce and characterise biochar from Delonix Regia pod (DRP) via the retort carbonisation process. The process achieved a Delonix Regia pod biochar (DRPB) yield of 29.48 wt% at a peak temperature of 375 °C and a process time of 150 min. The average pore volume, specific surface area, and average pore size of DRPB were 0.0352 cm3/g, 88.03 m2/g, and 1.6 nm, respectively. Morphological analysis revealed that DRPB had a heterogeneous surface morphology with an average roughness of 12.96 × 103 µm. Functional groups such as C-O, N-O, O-H, C = O, CO-O, and C-H are present in the biochar. DRPB compares well with other retort carbonisation biochar. Potential applications were also discussed based on the biochar properties and the product can be tested for water treatment applications and as an additive for improving the tribological and rheological properties of lubricating oils.</p