Prediction And Optimization Of En8 Mild Steel Material Removal Rate And Surface Roughness Using Response Surface Methodology

The demand for EN8 mild steel in the industry is high due to its integral mechanical properties. However, conventional machining of EN8 mild steel is a challenging task. In this research work, prediction and optimization of EN8 mild steel Material Removal Rate (MRR) and Surface Roughness (Ra) using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was investigated. The dimension of the EN8 mild steel material was 120 mm diameter and 80 mm in length. The turning operation of the ENS mild steel was carried out using a M42 HSS single point cutting tool. To minimize any form of error, the machining operation was done in a dry environment. A TR 100 Surface Roughness Tester was used to carry out the surface roughness measurement of the EN8 mild steel in a transverse direction. This process was repeated three times and the average value of three measurements recorded. The data generated was analyzed using Response Surface Methodology. The results obtained revealed an R2 value of 0.9985 and 0.9978 for Material Removal Rate (MRR) and Surface Roughness (Ra) respectively. Besides, it was observed that the feed rate, spindle speed, and depth of cut, had significant influence on material removal rate.  Nevertheless, unlike the other parameters evaluated, it was only feed rate that had significant influence on surface roughness. The results obtained from the numerical optimization solution revealed that optimum machining setting of spindle speed of 220 rpm, feed rate of 0.14 mm/min and a depth of cut of 1.5 mm will result in a turning process with an optimum material removal rate of 12598.5 mm3/min and surface roughness of 0.87785 µm, and with a composite desirability value of 98.9%

Review on Solid Waste Generation and Management in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Case Study of Nigeria

Nigeria just likes every other country in sub-Sahara Africa is faced with solid waste generation and management. Solid waste is dump indiscriminately and seen in huge heaps on any piece of unused land, around buildings, drainage system, institutions, playing ground, roads side, and in the open market places in major cities and towns. Living with solid wastes littered around seems to be an acceptable way of life among the people in this part of the world. This research work reported intensive review on solid wastes generation and management in this region using Nigeria as a case study. The application of knowledge of solid waste generation and management approach is crucial for inculcating a change of attitude towards improving the management of generated solid waste in this region. From the review, it was observed that biodegradable solid waste that can be managed via the biogas technology and landfill technology have the highest percentage fraction while the remaining fraction that comprised of non-biodegradable and combustible solid waste can be managed via other technology such incineration, gasification, pyrolysis, etc. Besides, the inefficient management of generated solid waste by individuals, households, institution, consumers and waste management companies can be attributed to inadequate information on waste management benefits, insufficient academic research and industry linkages, financial constraint, economic constraint, cultural constraint, lack of planning and projection, social constraint, lack of producers’ involvement in waste management as well as poor implementation of government policies and lack of comprehensive legal framework.Keywords: Solid waste generation, solid waste management, biodegradable solid waste, combustible solid waste

Effects of Landfill Gas Flow Trajectories at Three Distinct Temperature Phases on the Stress-Strain-Displacement Properties of a Gas Extraction Pip

The rate of MSW generation is increasing and at present, there is no single engineered landfill designed to address the challenges posed by MSW generation in Nigeria. Unmanaged open dump sites and uncontrolled MSW disposal is currently practiced in Nigeria, thus this research work which is focused on the effects of landfill gas flow trajectories at three distinct temperature phases on the stress-strain-displacement properties of a gas extraction. Conservation mass equation was derived for solid, liquid, and gaseous phase. A PVC plastic with a linear elastic isotropic property was used. Von Mises Stress was used as the default failure criterion. The material yield and tensile strength were 52 N/mm^2 and 30 N/mm^2. Other properties of the material include; elastic modulus of 3000 N/mm^2, poisson's ratio of 0.394, mass density of 1020 g/cm^3, shear modulus of 318.9 N/mm^2, and thermal expansion coefficient of 79/K. The results obtained reveal that the rate of gas generation in a landfill is dependent on the increase in temperature and pressure within the landfill system, usually causing subsurface pressures in the landfill to be higher than either the atmospheric pressure or indoor air pressure.Keywords: Landfill, Gas flow trajectory, temperature, pressure, PVC plastic, open dump sit

Analysis and Performance Evaluation of Microbial Fuel Cells for Electricity Generation

This research work is focused on the analysis and performance evaluation of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) consisting of multiple one chamber connected in series and parallels for investigation of electricity generation. Using six units (i.e., unit A, unit B, unit C, unit D, unit E, unit F, unit G and unit H) stacked MFCs, the fuel cells were analyzed and evaluated for performance. The results obtained with a single unit microbial fuel cells show that, unit (A) produced an average power of 0.224mW, unit (B) an average power of 0.179mW, unit (C) an average power of 0.138mW, unit (D) an average power of 0.092mW, unit (E) an average power of 0.058mW, unit (F) an average power of 0.036mW, unit (G) an average power of 0.018mW, and unit (H) an average power of 0.005mW. It was observed that decrease in number of microbial fuel cells lead to a corresponding decrease in voltage and current generated, thus drop in power. Conversely, when the unit microbial fuel cells were connected together in series and parallel, improvement in power generation was recorded. An average power of 2.681mW and 2.572mW were obtained from series and parallel connection respectively.Keywords: Microbial fuel cells, anode, cathode, power, renewable energy, electricity generatio

Performance Evaluation of a Designed Simple Interlocking Tile Blocks Machine

Interlocking tile blocks have been extensively used in several countries for providing pavement in areas where conventional types of construction are less durable due to operational and environmental constraints. In this paper, we carried out performance evaluation on a designed simple interlocking tile blocks machine. The machine was designed, constructed, and used to produce samples of interlocking tile blocks. The produced samples were tested for compression strength using non-destructive testing. Computer Aided Design and failure analysis were carried out on selected part of the machine using SOLIDWORK 2017 version. The results obtained show that an average compressive strength of 52.16MPa, average production time of 12.21sec, and average destructive force of 2083.429KN were achieved. Besides, the compressive strength increase and decrease with aging of the interlocking tile blocks with optimum and minimum values obtained in day 28 and day 2 respectively. The outcome of the Von-Mises failure criteria showed that the Von-Mises stress is less than the yielding stress, thus the design is safe. Keywords: Interlocking tiles blocks, performance, compressive strength, simple machine, Von-Mises failure criteri

Numerical Optimization of the Input Factors and Responses of an Experimental Design Reinforce PVC Composite

In this study, the input factors (PVC, rattan, plantain peduncle, and temperature) and the responses (flexural strength and modulus of elasticity) of an experimental design to reinforce PVC composite were investigated. The assessment of suitability and ultimately the choice of the models were done based on the values of statistical parameters like coefficient of determination (R2 value), p value, F value, etc. The experimental data was carried out by fitting a second-order model in the Design Expert model library to the data to estimate the unknown model parameters. This process was accomplished by applying multiple regression analyses to the data. The optimum values of the responses were obtained by numerical optimization based on the criterion of desirability. The results obtained showed that the design was adequate, and the models developed from it were useful because the off-diagonal values were close to zero. Also, increasing the proportion of PVC resulted in a steep and significant increase in the flexural strength of the composite. More so, this trend was similar to the flexural strength for the response surface and the corresponding contour plots representing the relationship between PVC, rattan, and modulus of elasticity. Besides, at higher temperatures, the PVC material could act as a binder, which results in a strong interaction between the components of the composite material

Design and fabrication of an improved plantain processing machine

Nigeria is the largest producer of plantain in West Africa with large percentage of it obtained in the southern part of the country. Plantains are of great nutritional importance, and the proximate analysis reported for plantain shows that per 100g edible portion, plantains contain 67.30 g water, 116 kcal of energy, and 31.15 g of carbohydrate. Although there are several machines that can process plantain but a complete machine that does pulverization, milling, drying, etc. is not readily available in Nigeria. In this research work, an improved plantain processing machine that comprises of all the units was designed and fabricated from available materials in Nigeria. 32kg of plantains were thoroughly peeled, washed, sliced and loaded in the pulverizer unit which pulverized the sliced plantain into paste. The plantain paste was properly dried and ground to obtained plantain flour. Performance evaluation was carried out on the fabricated machine. The results of the performance evaluation show that force, torque, and power of 320N, 33.60Nm, and 2533.7088W were required for operation of the machine. Furthermore, the total mass of flour produced from 32kg of plantain was 4.29kg. It was observed that mass of water in 32kg of plantain was 19.25kg. The total mass of plantain pulp after addition of 5kg of water was 37kg. These values were used to determine the percentage composition of water in the pulverized plantain pulp which was obtained as 65.54%. Besides, the efficiency of the machine and machine throughput capacity were obtained asKeywords: Plantain, Processing machine, Design, Fabrication, Flour, Pulverize

Adoption of aquaculture management techniques in Delta state

No Abstract.Nigeria Agricultural Journal Vol. 38 2007: pp. 125-13

Design and simulation of continuous melon fruit depodding machine

Melon fruits are usually depodded in Nigeria using traditional/manual method which is not only curbersome, but equally time consuming, and poor quality of finished products obtained. In other to curb these problems, a continuous melon fruit depodding machine was designed and simulated for failure. The Melon fruit depodding machine was made up of the following main units; hopper, depodding chamber, electric motor, chain, sprocket, bearings, and frame which act as supporting base. The depodding machine has a maximum capacity of 0.185m3, and this volume can take melon fruit of 28.25 kg powered by 2.5 hp, 1440 rpm electric motor. The following parameters were design for; depodding force, torque, power, shaft diameter, bearing, density, basic dynamic load on bearing, basic dynamic life of bearing, velocity ratio, etc. The results obtained from the detail design show that a depodding force of 277.13 N and torque of 27.713 Nm was required for the operation of the machine. SolidWorks CAD was used for the simulation of the machine. The Von Mises stress obtained was less than the yield stress, thus the design is safe. The mass of melon fruit and depodded melon fruit were used to calculate the efficiency. The results obtained showed that an average efficiency of 73.55% was obtained.Keywords: Design, Simulation, Melon Fruit, Depodding Machine, SolidWorks CAD, Efficienc

Development Of A Modular Bıtter Leaf Washıng And Juıce Extractıon Machıne

Bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina) is one of the leafy vegetables that can be used to alleviate the problem of micronutrient malnutrition, prominent in tropical Africa. To ensure availability in non-growing areas, the vegetable needs to be preserved. Processing and preservation methods influence the nutrient content of the vegetables. This research work is therefore focused on the development of a modular bitter leaf washing and juice extraction machine. The machine is an electrically powered bitter leaf juice extractor that washes bitter leaf fed into it and at the same time squeezes out the juice. It uses stainless steel beaters inclined to angle of 0o to wash and squeeze the leaves against the cylindrical hopper incorporated with a perforated plate that drained juice while pulp is expelled. The beater is designed to work with the principle of oscillatory motion. The designed and fabricated bitter leaf juice washing and extraction machine was evaluated to determine the power, torque, force, etc., that are required to wash and extract the juice. The results obtained showed that the speed reduction, angular velocity, centrifugal force, torque, and power of 0.0127 m3, 480 rpm, 50.285 rad/sec, 303.430 N, 3.03 Nm, 0.75 hp are required. Also, a minimum bitter leaf extraction time of 398.28 seconds was required by the machine in comparison to manual extraction time of 724.13 seconds. Besides, the result of volume of bitter leaf juice extracted manually and mechanically from 407.54 g of bitter leaf were 3.60 litre and 3.63 litre respectively. The efficiency of the machine and the machine throughput capacity were obtained as 55.00 % and 1.032 g/sec respectively. This simply implies that the developed machine is 55.00 % efficient than manual method of washing bitter leaf