Further studies on flow distribution on distillation sieve trays

The thesis describes experimental work on the possibility of using deflection baffles in conventional distillation trays as flow straightening devices, with the view of enhancing tray efficiency. The mode of operation is based on deflecting part of the liquid momentum from the centre of the tray to the segment regions in order to drive stagnating liquid at the edges forward. The first part of the work was a detailed investigation into the two-phase flow patterns produced on a conventional sieve tray having 1 mm hole size perforations. The data provide a check on some earlier work and extend the range of the existing databank, particularly to conditions more typical of industrial operation. A critical survey of data collected on trays with different hole sizes (Hine, 1990; Chambers, 1993; Fenwick, 1996; this work) showed that the hole diameter has a significant influence on the flow regime, the size of the stagnant regions and the hydraulic and mass transfer performance. Five modified tray topologies were created with different configurations of baffles and tested extensively in the 2.44 m diameter air-water pilot distillation simulator for their efficacy in achieving uniform flow across the tray and for their impact on tray loading capacity and mass transfer efficiency. Special attention was given to the calibration of the over 100 temperature probes used in measuring the water temperature across the tray on which the heat and mass transfer analogy is based. In addition to normal tray capacity experiments, higher weir load experiments were conducted using a 'half-tray' mode in order to extend the range of data to conditions more typical of industrial operation. The modified trays show superior flow characteristics compared to the conventional tray in terms of the ability to replenish the zones of exceptionally low temperatures and high residence times at the edges of the tray, to lower the bulk liquid gradient and to achieve a more uniform flow across the tray. These superior flow abilities, however, tend to diminish with increasing weir load because of the increasing tendency for the liquid to jump over the barriers instead of flowing over them. The modified tray topologies showed no tendency to cause undue limitation to tray loading capacity. Although the improvement in the efficiency of a single tray over that of the conventional tray was moderate and in some cases marginal, the multiplier effect in a multiple tray column situation would be significant (Porter et al., 1972). These results are in good agreement with an associated CFD studies (Fischer, 1999) carried out by partners in the Advanced Studies in Distillation consortium. It is concluded that deflection baffles can be used in a conventional distillation sieve tray to achieve better liquid flow distribution and obtain enhanced mass transfer efficiency, without undermining the tray loading capacity. Unlike any other controlled-flow tray whose mechanical complexity impose stringent manufacturing and installation tolerances, the baffled-tray models are simple to design, manufacture and install and thus provide an economic method of retrofitting badly performing sieve trays both in terms of downtime and fabrication. NOTE APPENDICES 2-5 ARE ON A SEPARATE FLOPPY DISK ONLY AVAILABLE FOR CONSULTATION AT ASTON UNIVERSITY LIBRARY WITH PRIOR ARRANGEMEN

Influence of Instagram Influencers in Promoting Brand Patronage in Nigeria: A Study of Pepsi Brand

Influencer marketing is an important marketing concept in today's world, and brands are utilising influencers to sell their products due to their large followership on various social media platforms such as Instagram. Hence, the study examined the influence of Pepsi brand Instagram influencers in promoting brand patronage in Nigeria. The study was anchored on technological determinism theory and attitude change theory. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The survey method was used to gather data from the population of 5,500,000 Instagram followers. A sample size of 385 was arrived at using the Australian sample size calculator. The systematic sampling technique was used. Questionnaire was employed as the instrument for data collection. Findings revealed that, at an average mean of 3.3 (N=380), Instagram users' level of exposure to the Pepsi brand on Instagram large extent is high. The results also revealed that the perception of Instagram users towards the Pepsi brand promoted by Instagram influencers is positive at an average mean of 3.2 (N=380). It was also further revealed that the influence of Instagram influencers makes Instagram users purchase Pepsi products at an average mean of 3.4. The researchers concluded that Instagram users have very high exposure to Pepsi brands promoted by Instagram influencers, and Instagram influencers are very effective in promoting brand patronage. It was recommended, amongst others, that Pepsi manufacturers should continue to engage the services of Instagram influencers to create more awareness for the brand among social media users

Anesthesia for deep brain stimulation in traumatic brain injury-induced hemidystonia.

Deep brain stimulation in an awake patient presents several unique challenges to the anesthesiologist. It is important to understand the various stages of the procedure and the complexities of anesthetic management in order to have a successful surgical outcome and provide a safe environment for the patient

Anesthesia for deep brain stimulation in traumatic brain injury-induced hemidystonia

Deep brain stimulation in an awake patient presents several unique challenges to the anesthesiologist. It is important to understand the various stages of the procedure and the complexities of anesthetic management in order to have a successful surgical outcome and provide a safe environment for the patient

HISTORY OF IGBO PEOPLE AND EDUCATION: A PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPLICATION

This paper argues that it is the duty and intellectual responsibility of indigenous elites to write the history of their own people. It claims that the knowledge of the language of peoples’ birth, history, cultural values, traditional norms, geography and education, to mention but a few place aborigines of a an area on a vantage position to deliver this crucial service to their people and humanity. This paper of the opinion that a few weeks’ vacation by expertrates to Igbo land; Nigerian is quite insufficient to equip any expatriate with the full knowledge and endowments needed to write about this fascinating people and area. That was the reason why theses researchers written what they know about their people, their history as it is and as it should be, to put records straight and decimate misinformation. Key Words: Agriculture; Cultural Values; Igbos’ History; Indigenous Education; Language; Local Technology; Religions; Socialization. DOI: 10.7176/HRL/53-05 Publication date: June30th 202

A Remote Sensing-Based Inventory of West Africa Tropical Forest Patches: A Basis for Enhancing Their Conservation and Sustainable Use

The rate of tropical deforestation is increasing globally, and the fragmentation of remaining forests is particularly high in arable landscapes of West Africa. As such, there is an urgent need to map and monitor these remnant forest patches/fragments and so identify their multiple benefits and values. Indeed, recognizing their existence will help ensure their continued provision of ecosystem services while facilitating their conservation and sustainable use. The aim of this study is therefore to inventory and characterise the current extent and change of remnant forest patches of West Africa, using multi-source remote sensing products, time-series analyses, and ancillary datasets. Specifically, we collate and analyse descriptive and change metrics to provide estimates of fragment size, age, biophysical conditions, and relation to social-ecological change drivers, which together provide novel insights into forest fragment change dynamics for over four decades. We map forests patches outside protected areas with a tree cover ≥30%, a tree height of ≥5 m, an area ≥1 km2 and ≤10 km2. Appended to each patch are descriptive and change dynamics attributes. We find that most fragments are small, secondary forest patches and these cumulatively underwent the most forest loss. However, on average, larger patches experience more loss than smaller ones, suggesting that small patches persist in the landscape. Primary forest patches are scarce and underwent fewer losses, as they may be less accessible. In 1975 most patches were mapped as secondary, degraded forests, savanna, woodland, and mangrove, and relatively few comprised cropland, settlements, and agriculture, suggesting that new forest patches rarely emerged from arable land over the past 45 years (1975–2020), but rather are remnants of previously forested landscapes. Greening is widespread in larger secondary fragments possibly due to regrowth from land abandonment and migration to urban areas. Forest loss and gain are greater across fragments lying in more modified landscapes of secondary forests, while forest loss increases with distance to roads. Finally, larger forest patches harbour a denser tree cover and higher trees as they may be less impacted by human pressures. The number and extent of West African forest patches are expected to further decline, with a concurrent heightening of forest fragmentation and accompanying edge effects. Lacking any conservation status, and subject to increasing extractive demands, their protection and sustainable use is imperative

Comparative Study of Academic Performance of Undergraduates admitted through UTME, Pre-Degree and Direct-Entry into the Federal University of Technology, Owerri.

In this research on comparative study of academic performance of undergraduates admitted through UTME, Pre-Degree and Direct-Entry into the Federal University of Technology, Owerri. Seven (7) Schools/Faculties were randomly drawn for the study, from where sixteen (16) departments were randomly selected and the CGPA of their graduated students 2011/2012 – 2015/2016 used for the research. A total population of 1280 students out of which a sample of 668 students’ CGPA across the departments were drawn. We analyzed the CGPA data using different sample sizes for each admission mode and found that the average performance of graduated students, their standard deviation, their range, from DE, PD, and UTME were consistent with the one where the sample sizes were the same. We saw that the performance was generally better with those that gained admission through UTME: the difference between their best students and the lowest student are closer than those in other modes, their average performance was higher than others and the closeness on performance among one another are smaller and better than others. Viewing the analysis of the students’ CGPA from the gap between the extreme values, we observed that the gap exists most in PD, followed by DE and finally, UTME. Hence, UTME mode of admission was better, followed by PD and lastly by DE mode of admissions on the general not

Library Internet Use and Demographic Characteristics of Undergraduates in a Nigerian University: Uncovering the Areas of Need.

This study investigated undergraduates of Federal University of Technology Owerri, Nigeria to ascertain whether their demographic profile was a characteristic of library internet usage. Data used for the study was a textual analysis of statistic register on library internet use from May 2017 – June 2018. The study population consisted of 2682 valid name entries during the period under study. Findings revealed that FUTO has greater number of male undergraduates and this is due to the academic structure of the institution.  Discipline wise demographic characteristics showed that undergraduates from Agricultural Economics made most use of the library internet in School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology (SAAT) while those in department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EEE) were the most users in School of Engineering and Engineering Technology (SEET). Also, undergraduates from Information Management Technology (IMT) and Project Management Technology (PMT) used the internet most in School of Management Technology (SMAT) while those in Biotechnology (BIO) were the most users in School of Biological Sciences (SOBS). Further findings revealed that undergraduates from Surveying and Geoinformatics (SVG) were the most library internet users in School of Environmental Technology (SOET) while Biomedical Technology undergraduates (BMT) made use of the internet more than their counterparts in the School of Health Technology (SOHT). Similarly, Computer Science (CSC) students used the internet most in School of Physical Sciences (SOPS). On the overall faculty level, School of Engineering and Engineering Technology (SEET) made most use of the library internet than other Schools. In terms of study level, it was revealed that final year (500 level) students used the library internet most. Having uncovered the disparity in library internet use, the study recommends among others that embedded librarians in FUTO should promote library operations and services through constant connection and communication with their various departments, continuous marketing and awareness creation of the library’s internet facility. Keywords: Academic library, Internet, Demographic characteristics, FUTO, Undergraduates, Nigerian University, Schools. DOI: 10.7176/IKM/10-2-08 Publication date: March 31st 202

Studies on soil quality indices and agricultural functionality potentials of Ariara Market Solid Waste Dumpsite Aba, Abia State, Nigeria

Soil physicochemical properties and selected enzyme activities were assessed at thirteen different points at a depth of 0-45cm (sample A) and 46-90cm (sample B) from Ariara Market solid waste dump site Aba, Abia State. Control samples were collected 100m away from discharge point devoid of solid waste impaction. The studied points were discharge point (DC), 4 meters away East (E1), West (W1), North (N1), and South (S1) from the center of the dumpsite and 8 meters away East (E2), West (W2), North (N2) and South (S2) from the center of the dumpsite. Results indicated an alkaline pH for all the studied points. Significantly high (p<0.05) temperatures and percentage moisture contents were also obtained at the discharge points (DC) of the dumpsite compared to control points. Similarly, dumpsite alkaline phosphatase, hydrogen peroxidase, dehydrogenase and urease activities were significantly (p<0.05) higher than those of control points at 0-45cm depth (sample A). These finding suggest that wastes from this dumpsite could be harnessed as biofertilizers for agricultural purposes