Potential Recovery of Biogas from Lime Waste after Juice Extraction Using Solid–Liquid Extraction Process

A large percentage of fruit mass is left as waste after the consumption or processing of citrus fruits. The inappropriate disposal of these wastes directly leads to environmental and economic concerns. However, scientific investigations have demonstrated that citrus wastes, due to their high concentration in soluble sugars, can be a source of cellulosic biomass for biogas recovery. d-Limonene, the major constituent of essential oils present in citrus wastes, is however, known to hamper the conversion process of citrus wastes to biogas. With the aim of improving biogas production, a study on the pre-treatment of lime fruit waste to reduce the e�ect of d-limonene was carried out. The pretreatment process was done using hexane as the solvent in a solid–liquid extraction process to leach out essential oils from lime wastes. Solid–liquid extraction was carried out in a Soxhlet apparatus with pulverized lime waste at 68 �C for 180 min; then the residue was washed and aerated. From the pre-treatment procedure, 21.3 mL of essential oil was recovered, indicating an oil yield of 3.8%. Substrates of untreated and pre-treated lime waste were digested in batches under mesophilic conditions for a period of 28 days. The biogas yield of each substrate was evaluated and the results compared. Substrate of untreated lime waste yielded 66.9 mL/g VS. biogas after the digestion period. In comparison, pre-treated lime waste gave a better biogas yield of 93.2 mL/g VS. after 28 days, indicating an improvement in biogas yield by about 40%. The findings of this research show that there is a viable recovery option of biogas from lime waste, and recommendations of this research can be further explored to develop an economically viable biogas plant process that e�ciently utilizes citrus wastes. This would boost the drive of government towards alternative sources of energy and also fulfil two of the sustainable development goals presented by the United Nations

Development and performance evaluation of a natural draft mixed-type solar dryer for agricultural products

Reduced moisture content enhances storage properties of agricultural products and reduces post-harvest losses. Effective drying can be achieved using solar dryers in regions with abundant solar radiation. In this study, a natural draft mixed-type solar dryer suitable for rural communities of developing countries was developed. The performance of the solar dryer was also investigated using pepper, okra and tomato. The temperature taken at different points of the drying chamber and the auxiliary collector show that the temperature within the drying chamber is higher than the ambient temperature. The temperature within the drying chamber was also found to depend on the atmospheric conditions. The maximum drying rate was obtained at periods between 1200 and 1400 hrs Nigeria local time during which the temperature within the solar dryer is also maximum. Temperature within the solar dryer reached up to 62°C. The solar collector efficiency was 52.0% while the drying efficiency was 21.9%.Peer reviewe

COVID-19: Impacts and implications on waste management, the Nigeria economy and the way forward

The coronavirus disease, popularly known as COVID-19, is a new infectious disease and Nigeria is one of the 213 countries and territories affected by its pandemic. The pandemic has practically affected every sector of the economy with substantial impacts and implications. The current waste management practice at all health care and isolation centres during this period also calls for concern. This paper focuses on the effects of COVID-19 on Waste Management Practices, the Nigeria Economy, and the Way Forward. Responses at the three tiers of government are identified; the involvement of private and public sectors with the role of international organizations, donors, public participation, and the impact of religion on COVID-19 response in Nigeria are also considered. The implications on Sustainable Development Goals, Agriculture, Manufacturing, Trade, Mining and Quarrying, and Education Sectors are discussed. SWOT analysis of waste management processes in Nigeria during the pandemic is presented. Based on the study, it is recommended that concerted effort on the part of the government be focused on maximizing welfare policy programs that would erase the sufferings of the people as regards access to primary health care and other social infrastructure that could enhance peoples' living standard. Effective responses and recovery plans in the short-, medium and long-term should also be prioritized and consider the pandemic's different dimensions, as a measure to grow truly necessary extraordinary change toward a sustainable society

Assessment of Biogas Generation Potential of Mixed Fruits Solid Waste

Increase in the demand for fruit has led to more wastes to contend with. The build-up of this waste typically signifies an economic and environmental nuisance owing to disposal problems. This study focuses on assessing biogas generation potential of mixed-fruit solid waste comingled with cow dung for biogas production. Fruit wastes consisting of pineapple peels, watermelon peels, banana peels, and orange peels were used for the experiment. Comparison between the mixture of pineapple peels, banana peels, and cow dung with the mixture of watermelon peels, banana peels, and cow dung was carried out in an experiment by anaerobic digestion at a laboratory scale. Tyre tube storage method was used to measure the amount of the biogas yield. The result from the experiment indicated that pineapple peels, banana peels, and cow dung produced more yield of biogas of (1.4 kg) than that of watermelon peel

An Investigation of the Effects of Manufacturing Parameters On Properties of Binderless Boards Produced from Abura (Mitragyna Ciliata) Sawdust

The production of particle boards without the use of synthetic binders is desirable to prevent environmental problems. This study has produced experimental binderless boards from untreated sawdust from Abura wood using a laboratory press. Box-Behnken experimental design was utilized to investigate the effects of the pressing variables including pressure, temperature and pressing time. The density of the boards produced ranged between 523.69 and 738 kg/m3 which was within the range specified for medium density fibreboards . The maximum values for Modulus of Elasticity (MOE), Modulus of Rupture (MOR) and Internal Bonding Strength (IB) were 100.4 MPa, 1.1 MPa and 0.049 MPa, respectively. It was shown that, for the range of factors studied, pressure and the pressing temperature were the more significant factors in determining the density, MOE and IB. This study showed that the sawdust can potentially be used for the production of binderless boards

An Investigation of the Effects of Manufacturing Parameters On Properties of Binderless Boards Produced from Abura (Mitragyna Ciliata) Sawdust

The production of particle boards without the use of synthetic binders is desirable to prevent environmental problems. This study has produced experimental binderless boards from untreated sawdust from Abura wood using a laboratory press. Box-Behnken experimental design was utilized to investigate the effects of the pressing variables including pressure, temperature and pressing time. The density of the boards produced ranged between 523.69 and 738 kg/m3 which was within the range specified for medium density fibreboards . The maximum values for Modulus of Elasticity (MOE), Modulus of Rupture (MOR) and Internal Bonding Strength (IB) were 100.4 MPa, 1.1 MPa and 0.049 MPa, respectively. It was shown that, for the range of factors studied, pressure and the pressing temperature were the more significant factors in determining the density, MOE and IB. This study showed that the sawdust can potentially be used for the production of binderless boards

Integrated water resources management in Nigeria: Implications for sustainable national development

This research is aimed at reviewing the current position and implication of sustainable national development of Nigeria as it concerns holistic water resources management. A new model of integrated water resources management (IWRM) has been developed by researchers and theorists and supported by international organisations that emphasize the multifunctional nature of water. However, there has been much debate on the feasibility of IWRM especially in the African context. The approach adopted in this paper is the review of literature centred on the implementation of IWRM in developing countries and with particular reference to Africa and makes recommendations that would ensure continued progress in the management of water resources in Nigeria. Among the conclusions reached in this paper is the fact that although the process of implementing IWRM in Nigeria may be difficult, a progressive approach that prioritises capacity development, policy and institutional reforms, and transparency will go a long way towards ensuring that Nigeria’s vast water resources are managed and developed in a way that maximises benefit while maintaining the health of the natural environment

Integrated water resources management in Nigeria: Implications for sustainable national development

This research is aimed at reviewing the current position and implication of sustainable national development of Nigeria as it concerns holistic water resources management. A new model of integrated water resources management (IWRM) has been developed by researchers and theorists and supported by international organisations that emphasize the multifunctional nature of water. However, there has been much debate on the feasibility of IWRM especially in the African context. The approach adopted in this paper is the review of literature centred on the implementation of IWRM in developing countries and with particular reference to Africa and makes recommendations that would ensure continued progress in the management of water resources in Nigeria. Among the conclusions reached in this paper is the fact that although the process of implementing IWRM in Nigeria may be difficult, a progressive approach that prioritises capacity development, policy and institutional reforms, and transparency will go a long way towards ensuring that Nigeria’s vast water resources are managed and developed in a way that maximises benefit while maintaining the health of the natural environment

Physico-Chemical Properties of Yellow Oleander (Thevetia peruviana) and their effects on the Qualities of Biodiesel

This study investigated the effects of physico-chemical properties of Yellow oleander (Thevetia peruviana) on quality of biodiesel. The seeds were processed and extraction of oil was carried out using solvent extraction method. Biodiesel was produced from the extracted oil using trans esterification process. Physical and chemical properties of Thevetia peruviana biodiesel were determined using the ASTM standard test procedures. Results showed that the biodiesel contained little sulphur (3.0 mg/kg) and exhibited a high cetane number of 55 that exceeded the standard limit of 47 and 51 prescribed for EN 14214 and EN 590 respectively, which is a good indication of fuel’s ignition and combustion quality. Kinematic viscosity of the biodiesel at 40°C was 4.81 mm2/s, which was within the range specified by EN 14214. The density at 15°C was found to be 0.89g/cm3 which was well within the range specified by EN 14214. 0.16 mg/g of acid level was obtained for the bio-diesel, which conformed to the standard set by  Calorific value of the biodiesel produced from Yellow oleander seed oil was obtained as 40.42 kJ/g which indicated good fuel properties such as density, ignition quality, viscosity, cetane number, heating value and flash point. Carbon residue of the biodiesel was 0.14 mass %. Quality of the biodiesel produced conform to biodiesel and petroleum diesel standards of EN14214 and EN590 respectively

Significance of clean water for sustainable good health in Nigeria

The significance of the impact of water-related diseases on human health has been recognized as a major threat to sustainable human development in some international forums. This study is an investigation into the correlation between unclean water and the outbreak of water-related diseases in Nigeria. It was established from the review of previous researches that the concept of clean water and sanitation is critical to the good health and well-being of all individuals. Nigeria still has a long way to go towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goal number 6 (SDG 6) of the United Nations, hence it is high time government at all levels and individuals embraced Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) agenda 2030