Comparative Studies of Ethanol and Kerosene Fuels and Cook Stoves Performance

Comparative studies of ethanol and kerosene fuels and their performance with household kerosene cookstoves of the same dimensions and geometry were carried out. The authors examined the different sources of domestic cooking fuels such as LPG, kerosene, fuel wood, and ethanol. The overview of the use of bioethanol and kerosene cookstoves in different countries such as Brazil, India, Ethiopia, Kenya and Malawi were also done by the researchers. Simple water boiling test was carried out to determine the boiling time for a specified volume of water. The result showed that kerosene fuel boils water in a shorter time. The study compared the advantages and disadvantages of the two brands of fuels. Keywords: cook stove, deforestation ethanol fuel, kerosene and performance

SARA Separation and Determination of Concentration Levels of Some Heavy Metals in Organic Fractions of Nigerian Crude Oil

Nigerian Crude oil samples were obtained from Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC). The samples were subjected to column chromatography.  Sequential leaching method was used to separate the crude oil into four distinct fractions based on leaching of crude oil with different organic solvents and mixtures. Saturated fraction was extracted with hexane- cyclohexane (1:1v/v), aromatic fraction was extracted with hexane- toluene (7:3v/v), while resin was extracted with tetrachloromethane-trichloromethane (7:3v/v), and asphaltene was extracted with acetonitrile-methanol (1:1v/v). The fractions were digested using sulphuric acid, nitric acid and hydrochloric acid method followed by the detection of metals in the samples using AAS analysis. The elements analyzed were Pb, Cu, Cr, Fe and Ni. The result shows that Fe had the highest concentration while Ni had the least concentration. The concentration (ppm) levels of these elements in the crude oil fraction analyzed range from 0.1307 – 0.4107 for Pb, 0.1796 – 1.1250 for Cu, 2.7420 – 10.1903 for Cr, 11.2962 – 21.8084 for Fe, and 0.0464 – 0.5876 for Ni. It was obvious from this study and previous ones that Nigerian crude oil fractions have low metal content. However, despite their low concentrations they can still be detrimental to the refinery operations and the immediate environment, and therefore, should be removed before refining. Keywords: Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy, Aromatic, Asphaltenes, Risens, Saturates, Heavy Metal

Determination of Some Heavy Metals in Soil Samples Obtained From Rimi Local Government in Katsina State, Nigeria

Abstract: The concentration of lead, chromium, iron, zinc, potassium, magnesium and sodium in soil samples obtained from Rimi local government in Katsina state was analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy Technique. The Highest Mean concentration of   the metals for each sample were as follows:  Lead (8.3 ± 0.000 mg/g), Chromium (3.125±4.4.42 mg/g), Iron (14.2±0.000 mg/g), Zinc (4.2 ± 0.000 mg/g), Potassium (218.7 ± 44.19 mg/g), Magnesium (68.75 ± 8.84 mg/g)  and Sodium (1446.45 ± 25.24 mg/g), The results were discussed in terms of effects of the concentration of these metals on the agricultural soil understudy and the concentration obtained was below the ECDG (2004), WHO (2008), Kabata-Pendias (1995), SEPA (2000) and  DPR (1991) Permissible limits of heavy metals in Agricultural land. Although it was concluded that the soil is suitable for agricultural purposes, Remediation of heavy metal contaminated soils is necessary to reduce the associated risks, make the land resource available for agricultural production, enhance food security and scale down land tenure problems arising from changes in the land use pattern. Keyword: Agricultural Soil Pollution, Trace and Heavy Metals, Environmental Pollution

Implementation of Standard Solar PV Projects in Nigeria

The basic operating principle of Photovoltaic device is the conversion of solar irradiation into electricity. There are several applications of this principle. In Nigeria, most solar PV projects are designed for street lighting, water pumping and general stand-alone/minigrid rural electrifications. However, several solar PV projects being installed in various parts of this country fail to meet the minimum life-span due to a number of limiting factors. These include poor or improper fundamental design, use of sub-standard components, adoption of poor installation procedure by inexperienced personnel, bad construction/civil works among other factors. This has become a problem in the country and many are beginning to feel disgusted with solar PV projects as the heavy investments in such projects do not seem to be commensurate with their performances and satisfactions derivable. This paper therefore presents an overview of the performances of solar PV projects and a concise procedural approach to the implementation of standard solar PV projects in the country. In-depth analysis of performances of existing systems was also considered and the limiting factors identified with specific recommendations for improvement. We believe that if power projects are designed and executed properly by experienced technical experts, using the appropriate components and best technical procedures, standard PV projects with maximum performance output could be achieved

AN ASSESSMENT OF NIGERIA WIND ENERGY POTENTIAL BASED ON TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL ANALYSES

The energy requirement of Nigeria is increasing exponentially with little projects available to carter for this increasing demand. The primary source of energy in the country which is fossil fuel creates environmental pollution and is also finite in nature. Hence, there is a serious need to look for other alternative ways to meet up with the energy requirement of the country. This paper analysed some of the economic and sustainability benefits for Nigeria by deploying and integrating wind energy into her energy mix. The study was done with the RETScreen Clean Energy software tool, designed by Natural Resources Canada. The study began with a brief review of the various wind energy resource assessment done previously in the country and Maiduguri town was selected as the area of study from the reviews. The technical and financial analyses of the study showed that if the project is implemented it will be beneficial to Maiduguri town and Nigeria in the long run. The process of electricity generation from 100 units of VESTAS V80 in Maiduguri yielded MWh 525,600 and saves about 202,881.6 tonnes of CO2. Without incentives, the financial analysis showed that the project is not financially viable with the equity payback greater than the project life. Key issues affecting the development of wind energy technology in Nigeria were also discussed

Identification of new critical points for logistics model in cumulative methane yield curves after co-digestion of apple pulp and chicken manure with sulphuric acid pretreatment and a new modelling study

WOS: 000520732400001In this study, anaerobic co-digestion of apple pulp (AP) with high carbon content and chicken manure (CM) with high nitrogen content was evaluated with regard to sulphuric acid pretreatment conditions in the concentration range of 1%-6% v/v. The best mixing ratio of CM:AP was determined as 3:1 w/w under untreated conditions for which the methane yield was 255.88 +/- 11.55 mL/g VS (volatile solid). Sulphuric acid pretreatments were applied to this mixture ratio. The highest methane yield after pretreatment was 466.01 +/- 10.85 mL/g VS in the reactor, where the sulphuric acid pretreatment concentration was 3.0% v/v. Control of acid pretreatment results were achieved by analysis of lignocellulosic degradation and increase in soluble chemical oxygen demand. The highest cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin degradation after pretreatment were 27.5% +/- 1.4%, 35.9% +/- 2.9% and 14% +/- 1.5% w/w, respectively. The cumulative methane yields (CMY) were analysed by the modified logistic model, modified Bertalanffy model (MBM), modified Gompertz model (MGM) and modified Holling model (MHM). The MBM and MGM were found to fit the experimental data better than other models. The MHM has not previously been applied to CMY. In addition to the kinetic studies, new critical points for CMYs were identified in the logistics model (lm). The importance and critical properties of these points with regard to CMY are introduced. The differences and superior properties of these critical points compared to other modelling methods are discussed