Biodiesel from Household/Restaurant Waste Cooking Oil (WCO)

The use of waste cooking oil (WCO) from extended household and restaurants was considered as a suitable feedstock for biodiesel production in this paper. The paper also focuses to showcase the qualities of biodiesel produced from WCO compared to that of other virgin oil. The oil that was supposed to be disposed, at times indiscriminately was de-odoured and purified using appropriate solvents. The purified oil was characterized and used for biodiesel production. The physical and fuel properties such as density, viscosity, cloud point, pour point, cetane number etc were determined according to ASTM standards. The properties obtained were not only comparable with that of others but also within standard limits

STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS OF A LIGHTWEIGHT ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHASSIS

This study presents a comprehensive investigation into the design and structural analysis of lightweight chassis for electric vehicles. A chassis needs to be able to withstand twist, shock, vibration, and other stresses caused by acceleration, braking, road condition, and shock initiated by other parts of a vehicle. It should carry a maximum load under all operating conditions. Two materials, 304L steel, and Ti-6AL-4V alloy were evaluated, with parameters such as total deformation, equivalent stress, and equivalent elastic strain under consideration. The outcome of the Finite Element Analysis revealed that Ti-6AL-4V can withstand higher stresses than 304L Steel. By investigating the static behaviors of the chassis under static loading due to weight and overload conditions, Ti-6AL-4V was chosen as a suitable replacement for a 304L Steel chassis

Methyl orange, an organic dye: its health impact and sorptive removal from waste water

AbstractMethyl Orange (MO) a member of Azo dyes are commonly used as synthetic dyes in textile, food, paper and cosmetics. Their use is easy and cost-effective, compared with natural dyes. However, azo bonds are hardly removed because of their high water solubility as well as low exhaustion with the potential for persistence and accumulation in the environment, therefore aqueous solution of MO is toxic and irritating. Thus, the removal of them from industrial wastewaters is capital with regard to protect public health, environment, and aquatic life

ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF MICROCRYSTALLINE CELLULOSE FROM OIL PALM FRONDS USING CHEMO-MECHANICAL PROCESS

This study investigates the characteristic of the microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) isolated from oil palm (Elaies guineensis) fronds using acid hydrolysis method. The morphology and size of the MCC were characterized using both Sherrer equations for X-ray diffraction (XRD) result and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The thermal stability of MCC was determined from thermogravimetry analysis (TGA) profiles whilst, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to analyse the chemical modifications that occurred under these conditions. The XRD results showed that the MCC isolated from oil palm fronds (OPF-MCC) fibres had an average diameter and crystallinity index of 12.15 nm and 60.1 % respectively. Both the FTIR and the XRD indicated that lignin and hemicellulose contents decreased while the cellulose-I polymorph remained constant. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) revealed that OPF-MCC had higher thermal stability compared to the OPF fibres. The study revealed the potential applications of the MCC isolated from the oil palm biomass as green reinforcement or/and fillers in the production of biodegradable biocomposite

Factors Affecting the Competencies and Project Delivery of Small-Sized Indigenous Construction Firms in Lagos State

Every industry is prone to problems Performance is a general challenge affecting construction and most especially small-sized indigenous construction companies. The study focused on determining the likely factors affecting the competencies and project delivery of small-sized construction firms in Lagos. 60 questionnaires were designed and administered to professionals (15-Architects, 15-Builders, 15-Engineers, and 15-Quantity Surveyors) working in the construction companies in Lagos State and 48 questionnaires were retrieved. These questionnaires were analysed with SPSS and several findings were derived from this analysis. The various factors affecting the performance and project delivery at varying degrees are: high cost of plants, equipment, materials and labour, lack of skilled craftsmen, unavailability of funds, poor managerial skills, lack of government patronage, and poor communication among stakeholders. The study found out that the most prominent factors are poor managerial skills, lack of project planning and unavailability of funds. The main factors affecting the performance of small sized indigenous construction firms are based on three key elements namely time, quality and cost. These three elements when properly harnessed will increase the performance of small sized indigenous firms. The study recommended that the use of ICT would help improve performance by making work flow more easily. Access to bank loans and more machinery on site and sufficient government patronage would improve performance. It concluded that better management and project planning would go a long way in improving competencies and project delivery of small sized construction firms

Neural Network-Ant Colony Optimization Model of Residential Building Project Cost: Exploratory Approach

Neural network and ant-colony are two important tools that could be used to provide solution in situation of multivariate environment that requires pareto optima solutions. In this study therefore, combination of neural network and ant colony method was used to generate an optimization cost model. Neural network is a conventional method currently being used in cost modeling, given its advantage over traditional regression method. It is based on this, that this study used the combination of neural network and regression method to model cost of residential building projects. One hundred and fifty (150) samples of residential building projects were selected at random and divided into two; one part is used in developing network algorithm for neural network and ant colony, while the second part is used for model validation. Neural network is used to generate which was divided into modules: the data optimization module, criteria selection with initializing and terminating modules. Regression analysis was carried out and model validated with Jackknife re-sampling technique and previously developed ant colony model (MOACO, MOTACO and MAWA). The co-linearity analysis indicates high level of tolerance and -0.0756 lowest variation prediction quotients to 0.8678 highest variation quotients. Also the Regression coefficient (R-square) value for determining the model fitness is 0.069 with standard error of 0.045. These results attests to the fitness of the model generated. The model is flexible in accommodating new data and variables, thus, it allows for continuous updating. Keywords: Expert system, Co-linearity, Informatics, Residential-Building

Neural Network and Econometric-Based Utility Parameter Model for Cost Management of Building Projects

The aim of the study is to develop a project cost centre utility parameter-based econometric model that incorporates econometric parameters using neural network. Construction cost of residential building projects was used in this study. Random sampling technique was used to select projects completed between 2009 and 2011 , and were examined for their cost centres validity. Final construction cost (As-built cost) of selected four hundred (400) projects were further modified with econometric factors like inflation index, cost entropy and entropy factor and were used to form and train neural network Back propagation neural network algorithm used. Probability technique was used to generate risk impact matrix and influence of entropy on the cost centres. In this study a parametric model similar hedonic models was generated using the utility parameters within the early and late elemental dichotomy. The developed model was validated through comparative analysis ofthe econometric loading attributes of the variables involved, using Monte Carlo technique of SPSS software by extracting the resultant contingency coefficient. This attribute would help client, project team and contractor manage cost of construction, also, it would enable a builder or contactor load cost implication of an unseen circumstance even on occasion of deferred cost reimbursement and hel

Modelling Sustainable Construction Workplace Management Practice and Job Satisfaction in Construction Firms in Lagos State

Importance of having a sustainable workforce management practice in construction firms cannot be overemphasized, especially when primary objective of an organization is high productivity. The study presents therefore, sustainable human resources management practice that could influence job satisfaction among construction workforce. One hundred and fifty (150) questionnaires were used for the study. Random sampling technique was used in sample selection, SPSS software was utilized in data processing and analysis while results are presented in tables and charts. The study generated a regression model that could be used to recommend sustainable work force practice. The following practices were recommended as a key to good workforce management: priority in training and retraining of workforce, good remuneration system, good occupational health and safety provision among others. It is believed that a good construction workforce management practice would induce high worker's productivit

Characterization of Antiallodynic Actions of ALE-0540, a Novel Nerve Growth Factor Receptor Antagonist, in the Rat1

There is growing evidence that nerve growth factor (NGF) may function as a mediator of persistent pain states. We have identified a novel nonpeptidic molecule, ALE-0540, that inhibits the binding of NGF to tyrosine kinase (Trk) A or both p75 and TrkA (IC50 5.88 6 1.87 mM, 3.72 6 1.3 mM, respectively), as well as signal transduction and biological responses mediated by TrkA receptors. ALE-0540 was tested in models of neuropathic pain and thermally-induced inflammatory pain, using two routes of administration, a systemic i.p. and a spinal intrathecal (i.th.) route. Morphine was also tested for comparison in the antiallodynia model using mechanical stimuli. We show that either i.p. or i.th. administration of ALE-0540 in rats produced antiallodynia in the L5/L6 ligation model of neuropathic pain. The calculated A50 values (and 95% confidence intervals) for ALE- 0540 administered i.p. and i.th. were 38 (17.5– 83) mg/kg and 34.6 (17.3– 69.4) mg, respectively. ALE-0540 given i.th., at doses of 30 and 60 mg, also blocked tactile allodynia in the thermal sensitization model. Although morphine displayed greater potency [A50 value of 7.1 (5.6–8.8) mg/kg] than ALE- 0540 in anti-allodynic effect when given i.p. to L5/L6-ligated rats, it was not active when administered i.th. These data suggest that a blockade of NGF bioactivity using a NGF receptor antagonist is capable of blocking neuropathic and inflammatory pain and further support the hypothesis that NGF is involved in signaling pathways associated with these pain states. ALE-0540 represents a nonpeptidic small molecule which can be used to examine mechanisms leading to the development of agents for the treatment of pain