Modified Water Displacement Method and its Use for Determination of Bulk Density of Porous Materials

In this research work, a modified water displacement method (MWDM) was designed and used in addition to geometry method (GM) to measure the bulk volume and then determine the bulk density values of asbestos ceiling board, cardboard paper, chalk, clay (compacted) and gypsum board that have been sun-dried to constant weight. The mean bulk densities determined by both methods were compared with the reference bulk density values of the same porous materials obtained in this work using standard test procedure in accordance with ASTM D6683-14. It was observed that, for all the tested porous materials, the percentage error in the mean bulk density values ranged from 2.3% to 49.6% when using GM and 0.9% to 5.7% by using the MWDM. Also, at 0.05 level of significance with a degree of freedom of 3, correlation coefficients of 0.7430 and 0.9955 were obtained in the cases of GM and the MWDM respectively. Again, all other analyses performed similarly revealed that the mean bulk densities obtained by the MWDM only were in close agreement with their corresponding reference values, thereby implying that apart from being cost-effective, the MWDM is better than GM in terms of accuracy, reliability, and validity. More importantly, it is noteworthy that even if the glass cylinder available for use is ungraduated, this MWDM can be employed to obtain accurate, reliable and valid bulk density values of porous materials in order to enhance thorough physical characterization, proper selection and suitable applications of such materials

Cross plot Analysis of Rock Properties from Well Log Data for gas detection in Soku Field, Coastal Swamp Depobelt, Niger Delta Basin

The cross plotting of rock properties for fluid and lithology discrimination was carried out in a Niger Delta oil field using well data X-26 from a given oil field in the coastal swamp depobelt. The data used for the analysis consisted of suites of logs, including gamma ray, resistivity, sonic and density logs only. The reservoir of interest Horizon 1, was identified using the available suite of logs on the interval where we have low gamma ray, high resistivity and low acoustic impedance specifically at depths 10,424ft (3177.24m) to 10 724ft (3268m). We first obtained other rock attributes from the available logs before cross plotting. The inverse of the interval transit times of the sonic logs were used to generate the compressional velocities and the S-wave data was generated from Castagna´s relation. Employing rock physics algorithm on Hampson Russell software (HRS), rock attributes including Vp/Vs ratio, Lambda-Rho and Mu-Rho were also extracted from the well data. Cross plotting was carried out and Lambda Rho (λρ) versus MuRho (μρ) crossplots proved to be more robust for lithology identification than Vp versus Vs crossplots, while λρ Versus Poisson impedance was more robust than Vp/Vs versus Acoustic impedance for fluid discrimination, as well as identification of gas sands. The crossplots were consistent with Rock Physics Templates (RPTs). This implies the possibility of further using the technique on data points of inverted sections of various AVO attributes within the field in areas not penetrated by wells within the area covered by the seismic

Using VES and GIS-Based DRASTIC Analysis to Evaluate Groundwater Aquifer Contamination Vulnerability in Owerri, Southeastern Nigeria

This study assesses groundwater vulnerability in Owerri, Nigeria, using Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) and Geographic Information System (GIS)-based DRASTIC modeling. The research methodology includes literature review, field survey, geological feature mapping, hydrogeological assessment, geo-electrical sounding, and data interpretation. Owerri, a rapidly developing city with flat topography and a growing population, uses the DRASTIC model to construct a groundwater vulnerability map. The model evaluates the risk of groundwater contamination using seven critical criteria, including depth to water table, net recharge, aquifer media, soil media, topography, vadose zone impact, and hydraulic conductivity. Each parameter was given a weight and rating, and the DRASTIC Index (DI) was calculated by summing the products of the weights and ratings for each factor. The results of the vulnerability assessment indicated that approximately 49% of the study area falls into the high vulnerability category, around 45% is classified as moderate vulnerability, and the remaining 6% is labeled as low vulnerability. The study reveals moderate to high vulnerability zones in Owerri, Nigeria, due to factors like lower slope terrain, permeable aquifer media, and vadose zone impact. The use of VES and GIS-based DRASTIC mapping techniques provides insights into groundwater vulnerability, aiding in sustainable resource management and environmental protection. The findings emphasize the importance of understanding potential risks and the need for effective management strategies to safeguard clean water supplies. Further research and mitigation efforts should focus on highly vulnerable areas

SEISMIC ANALYSIS OF THE TRANSGRESSIVE SYSTEMS TRACTS (TSTS) OF THE NIGER DELTA

One way of identifying our MFSs is to look out for shale tops of high acoustic properties within a shale interval that corresponds to the lowest resistivity values and widest separation between neutron and density values. The TSTs culminate to a MFS as it comprises the deposits accumulated from the onset of coastal transgression until the time of maximum transgression of the coast, just prior to renewed regression (SepmStrata, 20). The seismic character of the shales within these TSTs could vary factoring the effect of depth trends, hence a need to understand the trend with increasing depth and thereby increased compaction. From generated synthetic, using the seismic responses at interfaces within the lithologies cut across by one of our HP well in the Central Swamp depobelt, a study integrating Reflectivity Pattern Analysis (RPA) and Sequence Stratigraphic analysis was carried out to understand the behavior of our shales within the TSTs. Key bounding surfaces which subdivide the strata into contemporaneously deposited sediment packages were identified from well log responses from a complete suite of logs which included Gamma Ray, Resistivity and Porosity logs. It was observed that shales in the TSTs were of higher acoustic properties compared to sales in the HSTs

Hydrothermally-calcined waste paper ash nanomaterial as an alternative to cement for clay soil modification for building purposes

It has been observed that clay soil cannot be used for building design, unless it is modified by firing or with cement. Either method of stabilization can adversely affect the environment and public health just like indiscriminate dumping or open burning adopted in developing countries as the prevalent disposal technique for waste papers. This paper sought to examine the feasibility of using assorted waste papers to derive an alternative stabilizer to Portland Limestone Cement for modification of clay soil into composite materials suitable for building design. Specifically, clay-based composites were fabricated at 0 %, 5 %, 10 %, 15 %, and 20% replacement levels by weight with cement, and then hydrothermally-calcined waste paper ash nanomaterial (HCWPAN). Water absorption, sorptivity, bulk density, thermal conductivity, specific heat capacity, thermal diffusivity, flaking concentration, flexural strength, and compressive strength were investigated for each of the fabricated samples. Irrespective of the stabilizing agent utilized, 10% loading level was found to be the optimum for possession of maximum mechanical strength by the samples. Only samples with the HCWPAN content were found to be capable of reducing building dead loads and improving thermal insulation efficiency over un-stabilized clay material, if applied as walling elements in buildings. Generally, it was revealed that the cement and HCWPAN have comparable influences on the properties of clay soil, thus indicating that HCWPAN could be utilized as an alternative stabilizer to cement. In addition, the preparation of HCWPAN was found to be more energy-saving than that of the cement

Analysis of Reservoir Properties and Quantification of Hydrocarbon Volumes Within LK Field, Niger Delta, Nigeria

This work analyzes and estimates the qualities and volumes of hydrocarbons in the identified reservoirs (Thin Sand and Sand B) of the LK field in the Niger Delta, Nigeria. The LK field is a promising hydrocarbon reservoir located at the border of the Greater Ughelli Depobelt in the Niger Delta Basin. The data utilized encompassed a 3D seismic survey, which was analyzed to delineate faults, identify stratigraphic horizons, and generate maps illustrating the time and depth structures within the subsurface. Well log data, including gamma ray, resistivity, and density/neutron measurements, were analyzed to evaluate and describe the petrophysical characteristics of the subsurface rock formations. The Thin Sand reservoir unit contains natural gas, while the Sand B reservoir is divided into two separate zones: the first zone (Z1) contains natural gas, and the second zone (Z2) contains oil. For Sand B, Z1, and Z2, the gross thicknesses are 13.16m and 57.46m, net thicknesses are 11.32m and 45.39m, NTGs are 0.86 and 0.79, shale volumes (Vsh) are 0.13 and 0.21, effective porosities (?e) are 0.28 and 0.21, water saturations (Sw) are 0.11 and 0.39, and hydrocarbon saturations (Sh) are 0.89 and 0.61, respectively. For the Thin Sand reservoir, the gross thickness is 6.00m, net thickness is 4.74m, NTG is 0.79, Vsh is 0.21, ?e is 0.23, Sw is 0.12, and Sh is 0.88. The stock tank oil initially in place (STOIIP) in the Sand B, Z2 reservoir is estimated to be 46.8 million barrels, with a recoverable oil volume of 9.4 million barrels, assuming a 20% recovery factor. The stock tank gas initially in place (STGIIP) is estimated at 10.4 billion cubic feet (Bcf) in the Thin Sand reservoir and 30.6 Bcf in the Sand B, Z1 reservoir, with recoverable gas volumes projected at 8.3 Bcf and 24.5 Bcf, respectively, assuming 80% recovery factors. After estimating the volume of hydrocarbons in the known reservoirs, significant and economic amounts of gas and oil for commercial purposes were discovered. However, this research study faces challenges such as uncertainty, unreliability, and varying scales due to different origins within the field. Further research using unconventional computational tools together with high-resolution simulating software is needed to produce more detailed and accurate results

Evaluating the Effects of Real Estate Development in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria: Emphasizing Changes in Land Use/Land Cover (LULC)

Analysis of the impacts of real estate development on biodiversity within the confines of Imo State, Nigeria, was the main objective of this study. The investigation included a look at how land use and land cover (LULC) changed between 2017 and 2022. The study made use of Sentinel-2 image with a spatial resolution of 10 m. The research team used supervised classification algorithms to classify the imagery, which were then compared to find changes in land use and land cover (LULC). The following categories apply to the land use and land cover (LULC) of the study area: In 2017, trees accounted for 58.84 % of the total land surface and covered the most land, covering an area of 315.05 km2. The amount of developed land, or 30.23 % of the total land area, was assessed to be 161.84 km2. Approximately 61.91 % of the entire land surface in 2018, or 331.47 km2, was covered by arboreal vegetation, which dominated the landscape. Comparatively, urbanised regions made up 177.41 km2, or 33.14 % of the total land area. With trees making up 59.434 % or 318.22 km2 of the total land area in 2019, trees were found to be the most prevalent kind of land cover. Concurrently, built-up areas accounted for 34.30 % of the land, or 183.66 km2. The LULC map for 2020 showed a comparable pattern, with trees covering 58.46 % (equivalent to 313.02 km2) of the total land area and built-up areas covering 34.71 % (equivalent to 185.88 km2). According to the research, the impact of real estate development on the environment is primarily negative, resulting in habitat depletion, ecosystem fragmentation, and the introduction of pollutants. The researchers advised using sustainable development practises to mitigate the aforementioned negative effects

Estimation of main aquifer parameters using geoelectric measurements to select the suitable wells locations in Bahr Al-Najaf depression, Iraq

The aquifer parameters like hydraulic conductivity and transmissivity are extremely important for the management and development of groundwater resources. Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) and 2D Electrical Resistivity Imaging (ERI) techniques were adopted for geophysical investigation in Fadaq plantation area within Bahr Al-Najaf depression, Iraq. A total of 22 VES point distributed as a grid along six profiles in the plantation with half-current electrode spacing (AB/2) is 400 m are used to evaluate the aquifer geoelectric and hydraulic parameters, where six 2D ERI profiles were conducted and concatenated as one 2D ERI profile with a total length of 4525 m to verify the results of VES. The average formation factor of the aquifer is 22.33 with porosity and water saturation average of 22.62% and 0.59% respectively. Geoelectric and hydraulic parameters estimated values are; apparent resistivity 2.17–2.92 Ω, formation factor 6.23–31.18, porosity 17.91–40.06%, water saturation 0.18–0.85, longitudinal conductance 1.60–10.06 Ω-1, transverse resistance 3258–27200 Ωm2, hydraulic conductivity 0.62–0.68 m2/day and transmissivity 70.68–198.05 m2/day. The thickness and bulk resistivity vary between 112 and 320 m and 18–85 Ωm respectively. About 26% of the aquifer in the study area has an intermediate designation, while 73.91% of the aquifer has high designation. There is a linear relationship between transmissivity and water saturation. Based on designation, protective capacity, and groundwater supply potential VES 6C, VES 7A, VES 4C and VES 2E were recommended for new drilling sites.Godkänd;2020;Nivå 0;2020-07-14 (alebob)</p

Kompozyty papierowo-trocinowe: wytwarzanie i porównanie właściwości cieplnych i wytrzymałościowych

This study was designed to examine the feasibility of recycling cassava effluent, sawdust, and unused paper products to enhance their utilization for beneficial purpose. Waste newspaper paste (WNP), Waste writing-paper paste (WWP), and Waste carton paper paste (WCP) were prepared and then used separately to similarly fabricate composite panels with Sawdust particle (SDP) proportioned at 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% by weight. The binder used was cassava starch slurry prepared from the effluent. Bulk density, water absorption, thermal conductivity, specific heat capacity, thermal diffusivity, nailability, and flexural strength were determined for the developed samples. From the results obtained, the samples were found to be light-weight and their thermal insulation performance improved with increasing proportions of the SDP. Though samples containing the WCP exhibited the best satisfactory performance, it was found that all the studied samples could perform more effectively and efficiently as ceilings compared to some of those reported in the literature. From scientific-economic viewpoint, valorizing the above-mentioned wastes as described in this paper could help to protect the environment and also yield value-added insulation ceilings for enhancement of sustainable building construction especially in tropical areas.Celem pracy było określenie możliwości recyklingu ścieków z manioku, trocin i odpadowych materiałów papierniczych w celu ich szerszego wykorzystania. Nitki z makulatury gazetowej (WNP), nitki z makulatury z papieru do pisania (WWP) i nitki z makulatury z kartonu (WCP) zostały przygotowane, a następnie użyte osobno do wytworzenia paneli kompozytowych z dodatkiem trocin (SDP) przy udziale masowym 0%, 25%, 50 %, 75% i 100%. Zastosowanym spoiwem była przygotowana z odcieku zawiesina skrobi z manioku. Dla przygotowanych próbek określono gęstość nasypową, nasiąkliwość, przewodność cieplną, ciepło właściwe, dyfuzyjność cieplną, zdolność do wbijania gwoździ i wytrzymałość na zginanie. Na podstawie uzyskanych wyników stwierdzono, że próbki miały małą gęstość objętościową, a ich właściwości termoizolacyjne poprawiały się wraz ze wzrostem udziału trocin (SDP). Chociaż próbki zawierające WCP wykazywały najlepsze właściwości, stwierdzono, że z wszystkich badanych próbek można wytworzyć sufity o lepszych właściwościach w porównaniu z podobnymi opisanymi w literaturze. Z naukowo-ekonomicznego punktu widzenia zastosowanie wyżej wymienionych odpadów, jak opisano w tym artykule, może pomóc w ochronie środowiska, a także w uzyskaniu bardziej ciepłochronnych stropów, a co za tym idzie przyczyni się do rozwoju bardziej zrównoważonego budownictwa, zwłaszcza w obszarach tropikalnych