Investigation on the Suitability of Fobur Granite in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria for Road Construction

The suitability of Fobur granite for road construction was investigated. Three samples A, B and C were handpicked from various locations on the quarry site using random sampling method. The samples were subjected to different tests namely chemical analysis, radioactivity, polishability, oxidization properties, porosity, compressive test and hardness test. The chemical analysis of CaCO3 with assays for samples A, B, and C are 52.33%, 48.5%, and 54. 28% respectively; specific gravity obtained are 2.07, 2.27 and 2.28 for samples A, B and C. The values of porosity test for samples A, B, and C were 0.02,0.03 and 0.03; while Oxidation properties test reported- with no peeling was observed, the polish stone value (PSV) test was for the samples resulted in good abrasiveness and yielding attractive color tints. Also, the polishability test indicated that the samples are good for lapidary; while Radioactivity test estimation were gotten to be 6.8, 7.7 and 8.3 microR/hr. for samples A,B and C respectively. Hence, thevalues obtained from investigation on the suitability of Fobur granite in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria for road construction are within the accepted equivalent maximum permissible level, suitable for road construction. Key words: Granite, Road Construction, Random Sampling, Porosity, Abrasiveness, Radioactivit

Effects of Increasing Chitosan Nanofibre Volume Fraction on the Mechanical Property of Hydroxyapatite

This work attempted to synthesize chitosan (CH) nanofibre from crab shell and hydroxyapatite, HA, from limestone with the objective of studying the effects of increasing volume fraction of chitosan nanofibre on the mechanical properties of HA. Mechanical characterization of different fraction composite was carried out to study the effects of increasing volume fraction of chitosan nano fibre on the mechanical properties of HA. In addition, surface characterization of the composite was carried out using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry, FT-IR. Results obtained indicated that the optimum mechanical properties were obtained at a volume fractions of 30: 70, CH: HA respectively; average compressive strength of 10.12 MPa; average tensile strength of 173.9 MPa; average hardness value of 420.80 HV; average fracture toughness of 14.72 MPa.m1/2; average elastic modulus of 0.1583 GPa and average bending strength of 157.96 MPa were obtained for this optimum volume fractions. Increasing volume fractions of chitosan nanofibre was therefore found to result in decrease in compressive strength, hardness and elastic modulus of HA while its tensile strength, bending strength and fracture toughness increased. The FTIR revealed that possible interaction between the NH2 group and the primary and secondary –OH group of CH with Ca2+ (metal coordination interaction) of HA might be responsible for the higher mechanical property of HA. In conclusion, it was found that increasing chitosan volume fraction in chitosan/HA composite results in increasing strength of hydroxyapatite, consequently enhancing its load bearing ability

Extraction of a low grade zinc ore using gravity and froth flotation methods

Extraction of low grade zinc ore found in Gumau- Toro town was carried out using gravity and froth flotation methods. Analysis of the chemical composition reveals that the crude ore contains 20.20% Zinc and other related minerals such as  66.72% SiO2, 2.36%.Pb, 16.62%Fe, 0.001%Ag, these are impurities that  hindered the grade of zinc in this ore from appreciating. Fractional and grain sieve size results revealed that the liberation size of the ore is at -355+250μm assaying 32.41%Zn. At this liberation sieve size, the low grade zinc ore was subjected to four different beneficiation methods using five kilograms (5kg) each as charge into  Wilfley shaking Table, Humphrey spiral concentrator, Air floating Machine and one kilogram (1kg) for froth flotation. Resulting products (concentrate and tailing) from these processes were analyzed using instrumentation method. Percentage recovery of each applied process was calculated. This was used to ascertain that the use of froth flotation that gives 74.32%Zn at a recovery of 84.62% stands out the best method for zinc extraction towards value addition to the low grade crude zinc ore. ©JASEMKey words: Extraction, Upgrading, Gravity, Froth flotation, Mineral, Fractional  analysis.

Synthesis and Characterization of Cowry and Crab Shells Based Chitosan for Drug Delivery

This work aims to synthesize chitosan from locally available cowry and crab shells for Pharmaceutical application in drug delivery. Chitosan was synthesized from both shells using standard deacetylation technique. The synthesized chitosan, piroxicam and lactose were employed in preparing the drug loaded tablets by direct compression technique and subjected to characterization with the aid of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Spectroscopy (SEM) and optical microscopy. Finally, the drug release rate was investigated with in vitro drug dissolution test. The results of FTIR spectra confirmed that the biopolymer extract was chitosan and it also shows that there was no interaction between chitosan and the piroxicam. The morphological properties of the samples were found to be suitable for drug delivery. The applied load and composition of tablets influenced the drug release rate

Investigation of Physicochemical and Mechanical Property of UTAN Granites for Building Applications

The granite formation for production of dimension stone blocks at Utan was investigated in three different locations A, B and C in a view to examine the physical properties of Utan granite using saturation and Buoyancy technique; evaluate some of its mechanical properties; determine its rate of emission of radioactive elements with Geiger Muller Counter; examine its polish-ability; and carry out chemical analysis of the granite samples with the aid of energy dispersive x-ray florescence (ED-XRF). The average porosity obtained is 0.53, 1.08; and 0.86 while the respective average density of 2.58, 2.62 and 2.60 g/cm3 were obtained for A, B and C. The compressive strength of 207.5, 204.6 and 203.4 MPa; and tensile strength of 13.86, 13.68 and 13.60 MPa were obtained for A, B and C respectively. Rockwell hardness values obtained are 89.0, 89.9 and 86.6 while the morh’s hardness values are 6.90, 6.96 and 7.03 respectively for sample A; B and C. The impact values obtained are 0.089, 0.092 and 0.094 for A, B and C respectively. The radioactive rates of samples A, B and C are 6.42, 8.86 and 8.16 Mrem respectively. Sample B is observed to be more radioactive. Both samples are polish able. Conclusively, the three tested granite rocks have suitable physical and mechanical properties that meant the requirement for building purposes; from the polish-ability test, it shows that the three (3) granite outcrops are suitable for the production of granite tiles; countertops; slabs. The chemical analysis revealed that the granite is dominated by quartz (SiO2) which contributes greatly to the hardness of the rock. Also from the radioactive test, the granite samples proved conclusively that the rate of radiation found occasionally in a slab of granite is not harmful to humans when exposed to it. Hence, granite the formation of Utan will be a good building stone material

Comparative Study of Local Mining Methods and Assay of Cassiterite with other Alluvial Mineral Deposits in Kuru-Jantar, Plateau State, Nigeria

This research attempt to investigate and compare the local mining methods of cassiterite in Kuru-Jantar with the view to determine the mean recovery per day using statistical approach, separating the valuable minerals through the gravity and magnetic techniques, determine the grade of cassiterite (tin oxide) with the aid of volumetric and energy dispersive x-ray florescence (XRF) analyses; and determine the percentage composition of metals in cassiterite as well as its associate ores with the aid of (XRF). Sub-surface (lotto) and surface (Hand paddock) mining methods were carried out and the respective recovery from each of the method was subjected to processing, sampling and assaying to determine the quantity, quality (grade) and expected smelter-yield. The mean recoveries per day are 14.48 and 11.28 kg/day for lotto and paddock mining methods respectively. The burretting differential obtained for the lotto and paddock methods are 18.80 – 19.80 and 18.80 – 19.30 respectively while their respective percentage tin metal burretted are 90.40 – 97.83 and 92.51 – 97.80 %. The recoveries from the magnetic and gravity separations are 10.91 kg and 9.06 kg for lotto and paddock methods respectively. The XRF analysis gave 68.69 and 66.462 % Sn respectively for the lotto and paddock while the assaying of other associate minerals are 40.4 % Nb; 26.5 % Fe; 22.3 % Ti; 2.5 % Ta; 2.3 % Sn; and 5.1 % W for the paddock and 37.6 % Nb; 24.8 % Fe; 21.5 % Ti; 2.3% Ta; 5.8 % Sn; and 4.9 % W for lotto. It can be observed that the lotto mining method has the highest recovery per day and hence, gives better recovery than paddock mining method. Lotto mining was found to yield higher grade tin-ore concentrate than the hand paddock mining method in both volumetric and XRF analyses but hand paddock gives higher quantity and more associate minerals. It was also found out that the lotto method is more risky and life threatening than paddock mining while the paddock mining practices render more danger to environment than the lotto mining

Investigation on the Suitability of Fobur Granite in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria for Road Construction

The suitability of Fobur granite for road construction was investigated. Three samples A, B and C were handpicked from various locations on the quarry site using random sampling method. The samples were subjected to different tests namely chemical analysis, radioactivity, polishability, oxidization properties, porosity, compressive test and hardness test. The chemical analysis of CaCO3 with assays for samples A, B, and C are 52.33%, 48.5%, and 54. 28% respectively; specific gravity obtained are 2.07, 2.27 and 2.28 for samples A, B and C. The values of porosity test for samples A, B, and C were 0.02,0.03 and 0.03; while Oxidation properties test reported- with no peeling was observed, the polish stone value (PSV) test was for the samples resulted in good abrasiveness and yielding attractive color tints. Also, the polishability test indicated that the samples are good for lapidary; while Radioactivity test estimation were gotten to be 6.8, 7.7 and 8.3 microR/hr. for samples A,B and C respectively. Hence, thevalues obtained from investigation on the suitability of Fobur granite in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria for road construction are within the accepted equivalent maximum permissible level, suitable for road construction. Key words: Granite, Road Construction, Random Sampling, Porosity, Abrasiveness, Radioactivit