Local exergy cost analysis of cullet glass heating by microwaves

In this paper, the analysis of the local exergy costs of a cullet glass heated by microwaves in a cubical cavity activated by a susceptor is presented. The analysis is based on a previously validated 3-D electromagnetic model, but goes further by applying the concepts of local exergy efficiency and local unit exergy consumption, what enables a local analysis (in time and space) of the process efficiency. Furthermore, local exergy cost quantifies in detail the path of the exergy cost formation during microwave heating, which is determined by the local irreversibilities taking place in this transient process. Four different susceptor positions have been also compared, in order to find out not only which one is the most efficient but also to justify in detail this result by the time and space evolution of efficiency, unit exergy consumption (both external microwave power and conduction contributions) and unit exergy cost. The best conclusion of the paper is that the local exergy cost approach can contribute to the design of more efficient energy conversion systems, as it could be noted in its application to a complex process like this 3-D example of microwave cullet heating

Improving the distillate prediction of a membrane distillation unit in a trigeneration scheme by using artificial neural networks

An Artificial Neural Network (ANN) has been developed to predict the distillate produced in a permeate gap membrane distillation (PGMD) module with process operating conditions (temperatures at the condenser and evaporator inlets, and feed seawater flow). Real data obtained from experimental tests were used for the ANN training and further validation and testing. This PGMD module constitutes part of an isolated trigeneration pilot unit fully supplied by solar and wind energy, which also provides power and sanitary hot water (SHW) for a typical single family home. PGMD production was previously estimated with published data from the MD module manufacturer by means of a new type in the framework of Trnsys® simulation within the design of the complete trigeneration scheme. The performance of the ANN model was studied and improved through a parametric study varying the number of neurons in the hidden layer, the number of experimental datasets and by using different activation functions. The ANN obtained can be easily exported to be used in simulation, control or process analysis and optimization. Here, the ANN was finally used to implement a new type to estimate the PGMD production of the unit by using the inlet parameters obtained by the complete simulation model of the trigeneration unit based on Renewable Energy Sources (RES)

Sustainable Socio-Economic Development In Nigeria: A Case For Road Infrastructure Maintenance

Roads are among the vital assets of any nation. Apart from carrying people, vehicles and goods, roads also provide avenues for such service apparatuses as water, electricity, sewerages, etc. thereby serving as a veritable tool for socio-economic development. A close look at the Nigerian road network reveals the enormous infrastructural systems problems. These problems, in the main, are more maintenance related. Since the provision of roads is cost intensive, one would have expected appropriate maintenance to safeguard them from total deterioration which ultimately leads to eventual rehabilitation or reconstruction with its cost implications. Regrettably, this is not so in the country for no sooner these road infrastructure are commissioned than they are abandoned to dilapidate. Roads, like any other development assets function maximally over the whole period of their economic life when regular maintenance is applied. This paper therefore examined the road maintenance situation in Nigeria and concluded that there is virtually no noticeable road maintenance culture in the country. It therefore proffers pro-active road maintenance strategies for sustainable socio-economic development and good governance. Keywords: Infrastructure, Road Maintenance, Sustainability and Economic Development

The Dynamics of Land Ownership by Deities in Anambra State Nigeria.

Anambra State is one of the five Igbo-speaking States that make up South Eastern Nigeria. Among the Igbos of South Eastern Nigeria, land is believed to be owned by both natural and supernatural persons (deities). Ownership of land by the deities in Igboland is as old as the communities themselves. These lands owned by deities include ‘Ajo-ofias’ meaning ‘evil forests’, ‘okwu muo’, or ‘sacred groves’, ‘ana nso’ or sacred land. People who died of dreaded illnesses or who committed grievous ‘offences’ or ‘nso ani’ were deposited in the evil forests. Ownership of an evil forest by any deity arose where someone who committed an offence against the deity died from retribution and the corpse deposited on the deity land thereby converting the land into an Ajo Ofia or an Evil forest. Okwu Muo or Sacred Groves are the earthly abode of the guarding spirits in Igbo land while Ana Nso or Sacred land are such lands where mystical and miraculous events took place in the past. Most Igbo villages had Deity lands. A critical look at the villages in recent times revealed that most of these lands owned by deities are disappearing at an alarming rate while some still remaining exhibit serious human incursions. This paper therefore explored the dynamics of land ownership by deities in Anambra State of Nigeria and concludes that, at the rate the deity lands are disappearing, in the next few decades, all such lands would have disappeared with serious implications on land ownership by deities. Keywords: Dynamics, Land Ownership, Deities, South Eastern Nigeria

Establishment of Criteria for Standardized Land Valuation Mechanism within the Context of Land Titling and Registration in Nigeria

The topic envisages a discussion on the establishment of criteria for standardized land valuation mechanism within the context of land titling and registration in Nigeria in furtherance of the implementation of the land reform agenda of the Federal government. The imperative to reform the existing land policy in Nigeria presupposes that a more functional, dynamic, development friendly and user/owner security conscious land policy should be articulated. Generally, land valuation mechanism is dynamic and evolves to suit the peculiar motive, time and system in place in a particular society. It is necessary, therefore that methods put in place are such that would ensure success and efficiency in achieving the set objective. It is only through the continuous monitoring and assessment of any existing principle can the long-term favorable strategies be achieved. The work attempts to analyse the different approaches and recommends the most appropriate mechanism towards achieving the set objectives. Keywords: Criteria, Standardized, Land Valuation, Mechanism, Land Titling, Land Registratio

Awareness and Utilization of Social Media by Tertiary Institutions’ Librarians in Abia and Imo States, Nigeria.

Abstract This study investigated awareness and utilization of social media by tertiary institutions’ librarians in Abia and Imo states. The purposes that guided the study are to: establish the extent of awareness of social media for library services by tertiary institutions’ librarians in Abia and Imo states, ascertain the extent to which social media are used by librarians, and factors militating against the utilization of social media for library services. The survey research design was adopted for the study. The population of the study comprised all 149 librarians in 12 government-owned tertiary institutions in Abia and Imo States. The instrument used for data collection was the rating scale. To answer the research questions of the study, tables, mean () and standard deviation were used, while ANOVA statistics was used for testing the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significane. Findings of the study revealed that; tertiary institutions\u27 librarians in Abia and Imo states are aware of social media to a high extent; social media tools are used to a high extent; unreliable power supply, inadequate internet connectivity are among the factors militating against the use of social media by librarians in the provision of library services. Based on the findings, the following were recommended: awareness of social media should be intensified by librarians of these institutions; librarians and patrons should acquire the necessary technologies that are amenable to social media use and there should be steady and reliable power supply among others

A Monte Carlo study of two Compton camera’s first plane detectors

Purpose: The suitability of two possible detectors, silicon and germanium as the Compton camera’s first plane detector has been investigated using a robust Monte Carlo approach. Methods: The GEANT4 simulation software was used to simulate the radiation transport and interactions with matter. Investigations were first done by relating the impact of Doppler broadening on the Compton camera angular uncertainty, energy spectra and reconstructed source image. Then, the impact of geometry and interaction type on the Compton camera performance was evaluated as well. Results: Analyses suggest that silicon of about 1 cm thickness would be suitable as the Compton camera first plane detector. The choice of silicon is however not completely flawless, Doppler broadening for this detector material contributes as much as 7.3 mm and 2.4 mm to full-width-half-maximum image resolution at 140.5 keV and 511 keV respectively. Conclusions: It is envisioned that with improved reconstruction technique, silicon would be the best first plane detector for the Compton camera

Using a novel climate-water conflict vulnerability index to capture double exposures in Lake Chad

Climate variability is amongst an array of threats facing agricultural livelihoods, with its effects unevenly distributed. With resource conflict being increasingly recognised as one significant outcome of climate variability and change, understanding the underlying drivers that shape differential vulnerabilities in areas that are double exposed to climate and conflict has great significance. Climate change vulnerability frameworks are rarely applied in water conflict research. This article presents a composite climate–water conflict vulnerability index based on a double exposure framework developed from advances in vulnerability and livelihood assessments. We apply the index to assess how the determinants of vulnerability can be useful in understanding climate variability and water conflict interactions and to establish how knowledge of the climate–conflict linked context can shape interventions to reduce vulnerability. We surveyed 240 resource users (farmers, fishermen and pastoralists) in seven villages on the southeastern shores of Lake Chad in the Republic of Chad to collect data on a range of exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity variables. Results suggest that pastoralists are more vulnerable in terms of climate-structured aggressive behaviour within a lake-based livelihoods context where all resource user groups show similar levels of exposure to climate variability. Our approach can be used to understand the human and environmental security components of vulnerability to climate change and to explore ways in which conflict-structured climate adaptation and climate-sensitive conflict management strategies can be integrated to reduce the vulnerability of populations in high-risk, conflict-prone environments

Collective Coordinate Control of Density Distributions

Real collective density variables $C(\boldsymbol{k})$ [c.f. Eq.\ref{Equation3})] in many-particle systems arise from non-linear transformations of particle positions, and determine the structure factor $S(\boldsymbol{k})$, where $\bf k$ denotes the wave vector. Our objective is to prescribe $C({\boldsymbol k})$ and then to find many-particle configurations that correspond to such a target $C({\bf k})$ using a numerical optimization technique. Numerical results reported here extend earlier one- and two-dimensional studies to include three dimensions. In addition, they demonstrate the capacity to control $S(\boldsymbol{k})$ in the neighborhood of $|\boldsymbol{k}| =$ 0. The optimization method employed generates multi-particle configurations for which $S(\boldsymbol{k}) \propto |\boldsymbol{k}|^{\alpha}$, $|\boldsymbol{k}| \leq K$, and $\alpha =$ 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10. The case $\alpha =$ 1 is relevant for the Harrison-Zeldovich model of the early universe, for superfluid $^{4}{He}$, and for jammed amorphous sphere packings. The analysis also provides specific examples of interaction potentials whose classical ground state are configurationally degenerate and disordered.Comment: 26 pages, 8 figure

Exergy cost assessment of solar trigeneration plant based on a concentrated solar power plant as the prime mover

An exergy cost assessment of solar trigeneration plant to generate electricity, fresh-water, and heat is carried out in order to study the process of exergy cost formation, to determine the key components that contribute to the cost of each product, and to establish the best configuration in term of unit exergy cost. The solar trigeneration plants evaluated consist of a concentrated solar power (CSP), a multi-effect distillation plant, and a process heat module, in which the CSP plant is the prime mover. The methodology includes modeling and evaluating the performance of standalone and trigeneration plants using the symbolic exergoeconomic methodology. Results show that the best configuration, in terms of exergy cost, is when the multi-effect distillation plant replaces the power cycle condenser. Regarding the costs formation, the key components which could be improved in their design are: solar collectors, evaporator, re-heater, dissipative systems, and productive subsystems