Parametric analysis for an algal oil production process

Microalgae are considered to be one of the most feasible options that have the potential to serve as a major feedstock for biofuels and bio-products production. However, the economic viability of commercial scale production remains questionable by many researchers and investors. There are several uncertainties in the technology for microalgae growing and harvesting, and the extraction of algal oil, which makes it difficult to identify the technology most suitable for minimizing cost and maximizing profits. Therefore, there is a need to carry out parametric analyses to identify the influence of system configuration and process on the economic viability. This study establishes an economic analysis for a microalgae oil production pathway to determine the minimum cost of producing algal oil. Taking the capital and operating costs parameters from the economic analysis, some of the key parameters are changed across a range of values and their influence on the final cost of algal oil is analysed. Each of the parameters is analysed across a range of production scale from 5 to 75 g/m2/d. The results show that the most important cost-driving parameters are the pond cost (especially the liners) and the harvesting costs, and that the costs can be reduced from £1.87/L to £1.58/L for a growth rate of 25 g/m2/d and £1.34/L for a growth rate of 50 g/m2/d. This ultimately suggests that to achieve economic viability, improvements to cell biology (both growth rates and lipid content) and reducing systems unit costs while improving performance will be required together

Effect of thermal ageing treatment on the mechanical properties of antimony-modified A356.0-type Al-Si-Mg alloy

Studies have been made on the mechanical properties upon thermal ageing of a sand cast antimony-modified A356-type Al-Si-Mg alloy. The produced alloy was solution heat treated at 540oC/1 h then subjected to thermal ageing treatment at 180oC for 1-5 h. There mechanical properties; Tensile properties, Hardness and Impact strength were used as criterion. From the results, the tensile properties and hardness increased with thermal ageing treatment. While the impact energy and elongation decreased upon ageing. The tensile properties of antimony-modified Al-Si-Mg alloy improved with ageing time and that the microstructures indicate spherodization of the silicon flakes to fine structures, which account for the improved propertie

A novel model for solar radiation prediction

Energy for fulfilling basic community/individual needs has come to constitute the first article of expectation in all contemporary societies. The exploitation of renewables notably solar in electricity generation has brought relief to the fulfilment of energy demand especially among susceptible communities. In this paper yearly minimum solar radiation of Kano (12.05°N; 08.2°E; altitude 472.5 m; 3 air density 1.1705 kg/m3) for 46 years is used to generate a prediction model that fits the data using autoregressive moving average (ARMA) and a new model termed autoregressive moving average process (ARMAP). Comparison between the ARMA and ARMAP models showed a tremendous improve in the sum of square error reduction between the actual data and the forecasted data by 47%

Improvement of composition of CdTe thin films during heat treatment in the presence of CdCl2

CdCl2 treatment is a crucial step in development of CdS/CdTe solar cells. Although this rocessing step has been used over a period of three decades, full understanding is not yet achieved. This paper reports the experimental evidence for improvement of composition of CdTe layers during CdCl2 treatment. This investigation makes use of four selected analytical techniques; Photo-electro-chemical (PEC) cell, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). CdTe layers used were electroplated using three Cd precursors; CdSO4, Cd(NO3)2 and CdCl2. Results show the improvement of stoichiometry of CdTe layers during CdCl2 treatment through chemical reaction between Cd from CdCl2 and elemental Te that usually precipitate during CdTe growth, due to its natural behaviour. XRD and SEM results show that the low-temperature (~85ºC) electroplated CdTe layers consist of ~(20-60) nm size crystallites, but after CdCl2 treatment, the layers show drastic recrystallisation with grains becoming a few microns in size. These CdCl2 treated layers are then comparable to high temperature grown CdTe layers by the size of grains

Malaria Diagnosis And Treatment Practices By Patent And Proprietary Medicine Vendors In Bauchi Metropolis, Bauchi State in North Eastern Nigeria

Malaria is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in Nigeria with about 50% of the population having at least an episode of clinical malaria each year. Patent medicine vendors are the first and most common source of malaria treatment in Nigeria. This study assessed malaria diagnosis and treatment practices by Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendors (PPMVs) in Bauchi metropolis, Bauchi L.G.A., Bauchi State, Nigeria. This study was a cross sectional analytical study involving PPMVs in Bauchi metropolis. A total of 396 PPMVs were recruited into the study. The data was collected using 40 items questionnaire and were analyzed with frequencies, percentages and chi-square. The hypotheses postulated were tested at 0.05 level of significance. The data was analyzed by using SPSS Version 16.0.Respondents consisted of 253 (63.9%) health professionals (HPs) and 143 (36.15) non professionals (NHPs). About two third of the respondents; 99 (69.2%) among HPs and NHPs 88(61.3%) have good knowledge about malaria transmission. Only few respondents used Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) in identifying malaria; 12 (8.7%) among NHPs and 22 (12.6%) among HPs. The difference is not statistically significant (P-value 0.217). Moreover, 121 (47.8%) and 48 (33.6%) for both NHPs and HPs respectively reported lack of skills as the reason for not using RDT. Majority of the respondents are still dispensing Chloroquine (CQ) for malaria with 68.4% and 69.2% among NHPs and HPs respectively. The used of RDT by the respondent is poor. There is need to train PPMVs on current national policy onmalaria, especially malaria identification using RDT kits and used of Artemisinin –based Combination Therapy (ACT) in treatment of malaria. The RDT kits should also be made available.Keywords: Malaria, Diagnosis, RDT, Patent Medicine Vendors, Bauchi metropolis