Design and Construction of Parabolic Solar Heater Using Polymer Matrix Composite

A parabolic dish is a type of concentrating reflective device that uses the shape of a circular paraboloid to collect or project energy such as light, sound, or radio waves. The parabolic reflector transforms an incoming plane wave traveling along the axis into a spherical wave converging toward the focus. In this work concentrating dish was moulded from polyester resin reinforced with fiber glass mat and inner surface lined with Aluminum foil to increase the reflectivity. The design was made up of a moulded dish of 246cm diameter with a height of 58.2cm which has a concentration factor of 54.9. The collector was mounted on a site with latitude 6 40 22.19 and longitude 3 09 47.12 and water at 270C was heated to a temperature of 850C within 20 minutes

Electromechanical Systems in Building Services Engineering

There are myriad of electromechanical systems in domestics, commercial and industrial buildings. Part or most of these systems hardware are hidden from the public though they do account for between 50% to 75% of the total construction cost and take up to 15% of the building volume. This paper is aimed at enumerating their functions as a prerequisite for designing (including modelling and simulation), selecting, integrating, managing and reduction in energy usage. The electromechanical systems included in this paper are cold and hot water supplies, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, drainage, sanitation, refuse and sewage disposal, gas, electricity, access control, communication, oil installation, fire fighting and transportatio

Nigerian Capacity for the Development of Advanced Engineering Materials

This paper try to address the Nigeria capacity to develop advanced engineering materials in the line of availability of raw materials, human resources, infrastructure and appropriate technology. In conclusion, after dwelling on these topics, it was found out that Nigeria has the capacity to start to produce advanced engineering materials for national development. 1.0 Introduction Nigeria as a nation is blessed with abundant of human and mineral resources. With our population over 140 million (1), and about 100 universities and many other tertiary institutions in the country, our ability to develop Advanced Engineering materials should not arise at all. The question that should come to mind is, whether the country is ready to venture into the world of advanced engineering material? This is the answer this paper will try to address in the modest way by outline our capacity as a nation to develop Advanced Engineering materials. Then what is advanced Engineering Materials? They are either traditional materials whose properties have been enhanced or they are newly developed, high-performance materials and may cut across wide spectrum; metal, ceramics, glass, and polymers. These advanced engineering materials are used in high technology. Such materials can stand up to the high-temperature, highly radioactive environment of a nuclear reactor, the appropriate wear and equipment for the astronauts, heat-resistant ceramic tiles to enable the space shuttle to re-enter the earth’s atmosphere without burning up, and semi conductors and multi-million chips for sophisticated computer circuits and telecommunications equipment are examples of such materials. Without them, some of the greatest achievements we are witnessing in the developed world today would not have been possible. The development has been possible through the use of advanced engineering materials in form of composites, superconductivities, super alloys, polymers, ceramics, optic fibres, and semi conductors have revolutionized the developmental process in the world. Thes

Effect of alumina nano-particle size and weight content on the corrosion resistance of AA1070 aluminum chloride/sulphate solution

The effect of specific alumina (Al2O3) nano-particle sizes (500 nm and 80 nm) and weight content (5% and 10%) on the electrochemical characteristics and corrosion resistance of AA1070 monolithic aluminum alloy (1070AL) in 0.1 M H2SO4, 1.78% NaCl and 0.1 M H2SO4/1.78% NaCl solutions was evaluated by potentiodynamic polarization test, open circuit potential measurement and optical microscopy analysis. The composite specimens at 80 nm particle size generally had lower corrosion rates than their composite counterparts. Results showed the combined sulphate/chloride solution severely deteriorated the surface properties of 1070AL and the alumina aluminum matrix composites (1070AL/Al2O3) coupled with having the highest corrosion rate values. The extent of surface deterioration was relatively smaller for 1070AL/Al2O3 specimens. Corrosion pits and intergranular cracks were observed on the surface morphology of 1070AL and 1070AL/Al2O3 specimens in NaCl solution despite having the lowest corrosion rate values. Significant passivation behavior was observed the specimens during potential scanning despite their highly electronegative corrosion potentials. SO42− anions in H2SO4 solution did not cause any significant change on morphology of the aluminum specimens with respect to the corrosion rate values being the second highest by comparison. 1070AL/Al2O3 at 80 nm and 10% weight content had the lowest corrosion rate among the composites which was comparable to 1070AL in 0.1 M H2SO4 and 1.78% NaCl solution

Artificial Neural Network Prediction of Aluminium Metal Matrix Composite with Silicon Carbide Particles Developed Using Stir Casting Method

Aluminium matrix composites (AMCs) are range of advanced engineering materials used for a wide range of applications. AMCs consist of a non-metallic reinforcement incorporated into Aluminium matrix providing advantageous properties over base metal alloys. In this paper, artificial neural network (ANN) is used to predict the micro-hardness, yield strength, tensile extension, modulus, ultimate tensile strength and stress, time to fracture, load at maximum extension, tenacity, electrical resistivity and conductivity. Information obtained from ANN model predictions can be used as guidelines during the conceptual design and optimisation of manufacturing processes; thus, reducing time and costs

Artificial Neural Network Prediction of Aluminium Metal Matrix Composite with Silicon Carbide Particles Developed Using Stir Casting Method

Aluminium matrix composites (AMCs) are range of advanced engineering materials used for a wide range of applications. AMCs consist of a non-metallic reinforcement incorporated into Aluminium matrix providing advantageous properties over base metal alloys.In this paper, artificial neural network (ANN) is used to predict the micro-hardness, yield strength, tensile extension, modulus, ultimate tensile strength and stress, time to fracture, load at maximum extension, tenacity, electrical resistivity and conductivity. Information obtained from ANN model predictions can be used as guidelines during the conceptual design and optimisation of manufacturing processes; thus, reducing time and costs

Design and construction of tilting furnace for producing aluminium matrix composites

Aluminium matrix composites (AMCs) are a range of advanced engineering materials that can be used for a wide range of applications within the aerospace, automotive, biotechnology, electronic and sporting goods industries. AMCs consist of a non-metallic rein~orcemeht (SiC) incorporated into Aluminium matrix which provides advantageous properties over base metal (AI) alloys. These include improved thermal conductivity, abrasion resistance, creop resistance, dimensional stability, exceptionally good stiffness-toweight and strength-to-weight ratios and better high temperature performance. Oil fired 20 kG tilting furnace with integral mixing mechanism was designed and constructed for the production of AMC. This cost effective furnace can be used in cottage industries without electric power

Development of Aluminium Matrix Composites: A review

Aluminium matrix composites (AMCs) are a range of advanced engineering materials that can be used for a wide range of applications within the aerospace, automotive, biotechnology, electronic and sporting goods industries. AMCs consist of a non-metallic reinforcement (SiC, B4C, Si3N4, AlN, TiC, TiB2, TiO2) incorporated into Aluminium matrix which provides advantageous properties over base metal (Al) alloys. These include improved abrasion resistance, creep resistance, dimensional stability, exceptionally good stiffness-to-weight and strength-to-weight ratios and better high temperature performance. Fabrication of these advanced engineering materials through liquid state and solid state routes are considered in this paper

The Development of Molecular-Based Materials for Electrical and Electronic Applications

Aluminum silicon carbide (AlSiC) metal matrix composite materials have a unique set of material properties that are ideally suited for electronics, hence the development of molecular-based materials (MBM) for the electrical and electronic industries. The low material density of AlSiC (3 g/cm3) makes it ideal for weight-sensitive applications such as portable devices over traditional thermal management materials like copper molybdenum (10 g/cm3) and copper tungsten (16 g/cm3). The aim of this work is to develop MBM for electrical and electronic industries. Aluminum (99.66% C.P.) and silicon carbide (SiC) particulates of 240 grit (45 lm), 320 grit (29 lm), 600 grit (9 lm) and 1200 grit (3 lm) at 2.5% weight fraction were used to achieve the objective. The aluminum was melted at 750�C for 25 min in a graphite crucible tilting furnace designed for this work using oil as a firing medium. After melting, a two-step mixing method of stir casting technique was adopted. The cast samples were further analyzed for mechanical and electrical properties. The electrical properties were carried out by using a 4-point probe machine. The result showed that hardness increases at lower grit level, while the electrical properties marginally increased at higher grit. It is therefore recommended that, to make AlSiC composite materials for electrical industries, the higher grit of SiC should be preferre