A survey on the effects of air pollution on diseases of the people of Rivers State, Nigeria

The effect of air pollution on diseases of the people of Rivers State, Nigeria has been studied by analyzing epidemiological data collected from the State Ministry of Health, Nigeria in relation to ambient Air Quality data of the State and National Ambient Air Quality Standard data. It was found that a total number of 30,435 disease cases were reported during 2003 to 2008, out of which 61 patients died. The diseases found to be prevalent in the study area as a result of air pollution were pertussis, pulmonarytuberculosis, cerebrospinal meningitis (CSM), pneumonia, measles, chronic bronchitis, and upper respiratory tract infection (URT). The ambient air quality observed in the state (lead = 0.1115 ppm/year, particulates = 10 ppm/year, N-oxides = 2.55 ppm/year, SO2 = 1 ppm/year, VOC = 82.78 ppm/year) was far worse than the World Health Organization Air Quality Standard (Lead = 1 × 10-6 ppm/year, particulates = 105 ppm/year). This clearly indicates their unsafe levels and concomitant health risks. This study (survey on diseases) showed that air pollution has direct impact on health of the people. The intensification of environmental education, especially among rural dwellers in the state is very essential to overcoming the health as well as pollution problems.Key words: Air pollution, air quality standard, environmental education, epidemiological data, health effects, Niger-Delta, rural dwellers, World Health Organizatio

The performance characteristics of lead acid deep cycle batteries through voltages and round-trip energy efficiency for solar power application.

The performance characteristics of lead acid deep cycle batteries through charge/discharge voltages, charge/discharge ratio and round – trip energy efficiency were studied by using two solar panels (model: 80 W, SF 125 x 35V/ 4 Amps), one solar panel (model: 45 W, STP 045 - 12/Rb), 2000 VA inverter, 2 Gaston Sealed Rechargeable Deep cycle batteries (12V / 200 Amp-hr), 2 GA Lead Valve Regulated batteries (12V/100 Amp-hr), a digital multimeter, two light bulbs (100 W) and a digital thermometer. The study shows that the i - v characteristics of the two different batteries were non-ohmic. The Gaston deep cycle battery when discharged has a nominal voltage of 1.69V. The Gaston battery when charged has a nominal voltage of 1.94V and a maximum voltage of 2.04V. The GA lead acid battery when charged has a nominal voltage of 1.94V and a maximum voltage of 2.08V. When discharged, a GA battery has a nominal voltage of 1.80V and a minimum voltage of 1.68V. The ratio of charge/discharge for both Gaston and GA batteries is 1:1. The round-trip energy efficiency for the GA battery is 79.2% while that of Gaston battery is 84.3%. This result shows that a Gaston battery is 5.1% more efficient than the GA battery. The lowered nominal voltage and higher round-trip energy efficiency of Gaston battery favour its comparative usage for solar power generations and other uses.Key words: Nominal Voltage, Battery, Deep cycle, Ambient temperature, Electrochemistry

The effect of pole’s height on the output performance of solar power system

Solar energy is a renewable (non-conventional) source of energy supply that has been used as a reliable energy source in view of its economic importance and its wide range of applications. In this study the effect of pole’s height on the output performance of solar power system has been investigated. A solar panel of 45 watts in capacity and an inverter of 0.5KVA were used. This panel was mounted on a fabricated metallic fixed pole of initial height 298cm from the ground level, adjacent to Ofrima complex, Abuja campus, University of Port Harcourt (Latitude 040 551 North and Longitude 600 591 East). The height of the pole was increased by 10cm daily from initial height 298cm up to 468 cm. The open circuit voltage and the short circuit current were measured at every 15 minutes interval from 7.00am to 6:15pm in the month of October to November. When the height of the pole was 318cm, the obtained maximum daily average output power was 16.83 Watts. At an increased height of 458cm, the minimum daily average output power was found to be 5.53 Watts. Thus, the power output decreases as the pole height increases daily at some instances. The trend is not uniform at all instances. It is assumed that more of the incoming solar radiation that impinges the solar panel surface area are reflected away or diffused. This study reveals that power output produced from solar power system is independent of the height of installation of solar panel from ground level. In fact, the maximum height of pole at which the solar panel may be installed is infinitesimal small compared to the distance between the sun and the solar panel. Hence, height of mount of solar panel has no significant contribution to its power output.Key words: Open Circuit Voltage, Short Circuit Current, Pole’s height, Renewable energy, Meter rule, Solar radiation

The effect of relative humidity on output performance of inclined and automatic tracking solar power system

The effect of relative humidity on the output performance of a solar power system using 70 Watts Multi-Silicon and 80 Watts Mono-Silicon Solar Modules that were set up independently in Port Harcourt (latitude 40 55’ 58” North and longitude 60 59’ 55” East), Rivers State, Nigeria (tropical climate region) was studied during the month of October and November in University of Port Harcourt environs. The set-up of 70 Watts solar panel was inclined stationary at 150 for maximum solar reception while the set-up of 80 Watts solar panel had automatic solar tracker for effective capturing of solar radiation. For 70 Watts solar panel, the maximum power output of 59.99 Watt was obtained when the relative humidity was 30%. The minimum power of 0.00 watt was recorded when the relative humidity was 92%. There was 14.3% loss from maximum power output produced by 70 Watts solar module when compared with solar panel manufacturer’s power rating. For 80 Watts solar panel, the maximum output of 77.20 Watts was recorded when the relative humidity was 41% while minimum power output of 0.00 watts was recorded when the relative humidity was 100%. The percentage loss in power output of 80 Watts solar module was 3.5% when compared with the solar module manufacturer’s power rating. The results in both cases show inverse proportionality between solar panel’s power output and relative humidity. In addition, the use of automatic solar tracker effectively improved the efficiency of the solar power system in the environment (i.e. from 14.3% loss to 3.5% loss). Specifically, the efficiency of the power output of solar module in this environment was improved by approximately 11% when solar tracker was installed with solar power system