Determination of Proximate, Ultimate and Structural Properties of Elephant Grass as Biomass Material for Bio-oil Production

Elephant grass was analyzed for its chemical properties, proximate, ultimate and structural composition and high heating value using the American Standard for Testing and Materials. (ASTM) methods. Results of proximate analysis showed moisture and ash content, fixed carbon and volatile matter content to be 0.85%, 5.86%, 14.22% and 79.24% respectively. The composition of ultimate analyses showed carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur content to be 54.44%, 5.59%, 0.67%, 40.95% and 0.35% respectively. The results of structural analyses showed cellulose, hemicelluloses, lignin and high heating value to be 46.26%, 29.90%, and 24.60% and 18.52MJ/kg respectively. The results of proximate, ultimate and structural analyses and high heating value showed an indication that the elephant grass is suitable for pyrolysis process because a relatively higher bio-oil yield would be expected

The Application of Taguchi Technique in Mild Steel Weld Prediction and Optimization

Welding is a key joining operation in many production and manufacturing industries, and it requires a scientific approach in obtaining a weld of high quality. This study focuses on the prediction and optimization of the weld parameters of a mild steel plate using Taguchi technique. For experimental examination, a mild steel plate of 10mm thickness, along with input process parameters such as weld current, arc voltage, gas flow rate, and output process parameter such as hardness were studied.  With the statistical tool, ANOVA, further analysis performed to determine the significance of the data obtained shows that for all the responses, a Model F-value of between 64 and 129.85 was obtained, along with a P-value less than 0.05, implying that the model is significant. Furthermore, based on statistical evidence using P-values, all the model terms; welding current, arc voltage and gas flow rate recorded significant contribution to the outcome of the welding experiment, with the weld current having the most significant effect. The optimal result for the responses was obtained 192BHN for the hardness, at a combined process parameters as follows; 200amps, 20v and 20lt/min for the weld current, arc voltage and gas flow rate respectively

A Review of Field Corrosion Control and Monitoring Techniques of the Upstream Oil and Gas Pipelines

All steel pipelines used in hydrocarbon transportation are susceptible to either electrolytic or galvanic corrosion attack which deteriorate with time leading to failure even before end of design life. Consequences of corrosion attack and eventual failure of pipelines within oil and gas industry has been classified into economic, health, safety and environmental impacts. The present study considers detailed review of practical field corrosion control and monitoring mechanisms necessary to preserve, extend service life of pipelines and reduce corrosion impacts. The corrosion controls are various preventive strategies considered during construction and prior to pipelines’ commissioning which include design, material selection, protective coating, chemical treatment and cathodic protection system. But the corrosion monitoring strategy is aimed at establishing condition of pipelines and environmental variables that may accelerate corrosion process and this includes potential survey, bacteria count, corrosion coupons and intelligent pigging. The identified corrosion control and monitoring techniques are not governed by any industry code and standard but has been generally accepted as best practice within the oil and gas industry as ways of combating corrosion and evaluating pipelines condition. Therefore, effective implementation of the identified corrosion control and monitoring strategies would limit corrosion attack and guide pipelines’ operators to make informed decision and timely respond to corrosion threat before failures