Design of Automated Walk-Through Sanitizing Booth: A Preventive Measure Against Re-Emergence and Spread of COVID-19 Related Diseases

Considering the alarming rate with which the Corona-virus spread around the globe and its devastating effect on the economic, social and psychological well-being of the people worldwide, it is necessary to take measures that may prevent such re-occurrence in the nearest future. The impact of the virus was quite severe, indicating the importance of taking precautions. Realizing the gravity of the situation, governments all over the world, imposed a nationwide lockdown early on, which helped to decrease the possibility of community transmission. However, even after the lockdown, the risk of cross-contamination continues to be a significant concern. This risk was particularly high with asymptomatic individuals who can unknowingly spread the virus without exhibiting serious symptoms. Even now, that clinical trials have demonstrated the effectiveness of some vaccines in reducing mild, moderate, and severe cases of COVID-19. It is necessary to set up preventive measures in combating the occurrence or re-emergence of such pandemic Corona-virus related diseases in the nearest future. A full body sanitizing machine which can be easily constructed was designed in this work. This machine takes the form of a door and tunnel structure, with two sides enclosed by Chaka Plates and two sides open for entry and exit purposes. When a person enters the tunnel, a sensor located at the top center detects its presence and activates the motor, which initiates the entire system. A total of 8-10 sprayers are activated and spray the person's body, automatically stopping after 4 seconds. This machine is capable of sanitizing fifteen people per minute. The discharged fluid and the temperatures of ten individual samples were tested and analyzed in order to ensure that the booth is working effectively. The tested samples confirmed that the tested samples have not been previously infected with the COVID-19 virus.&nbsp

Feasibility and optimal design of a hybrid power system for rural electrification for a small village

A hybrid renewable energy system is at present accepted globally, as the best option for rural electrification particularly in areas where grid extension is infeasible. However, the need for hybrid design to be optimal in terms of operation and component selection serves as a challenge in obtaining reliable electricity at a minimum cost. In this work, the feasibility of installing a small hydropower into an existing water supply dam and the development of an optimal sizing optimization model for a small village-Itapaji, Nigeria were carried out. The developed hybrid power system (HPS) model consists of solar photovoltaic, small hydropower, battery and diesel generator. The optimal sizing of the system’s components for optimum configuration was carried out using Genetic Algorithm. The hybrid model’s results were compared with hybrid optimization model for electric renewable (HOMER) using correlation coefficient (r) and root mean square error (RMSE) to verify its validity. The results of the simulation obtained from the developed model showed better correlation coefficient (r) of 0.88 and root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.001 when compared to that of HOMER. This will serve as a guide for the power system engineers in the feasibility assessment and optimal design of HPS for rural electrification

MODELING AND SIMULATION OF SMALL HYDRO-SOLAR PV HYBRID GENERATING SYSTEM FOR COMPLEMENTARY POWER SUPPLY IN A METROPOLITAN CITY

In this work, a grid-connected small hydro-solar PV hybrid power system (HPS) was modeled to complement electricity supply in Ado-Ekiti metropolis in Nigeria, and hence, investigated the steady state stability of the distribution networks with and without HPS integration. Consumers’ load audit was carried out through measurement of apparent load at peak periods on each outgoing cable riser from the low voltage circuit of the distribution transformer using clamp-on ammeter which represents loads on respective 11 kV feeders. The solar PV system employed the use of JAP6-72-30/4BB solar PV module and average solar radiation intensity of 4.95 w/m 2 was considered when sizing the solar PV power system. The designed and modeled HPS was integrated into the grid through a hydro inverter and five numbers of parallel-connected 2000 kVA grid-tie solar PV inverters. Simulation analysis of the distribution networks with and without renewable energy integration was carried out using DigSILENT power factory. This work analyzed two scenarios for each of the distribution networks. Simulation results indicated that the networks were stable as evident in the analyses of the renewable grid integration and notable improvement on profile voltage (pu) of all the 11 kV distribution networks were observed

Power Loss Reduction and Voltage Profile Improvement in Electrical Power Distribution Networks Using Static Var Compensators

Rising demand for electrical power due to the global technological advancement has brought so many challenges such as instability of voltage, huge power loss, and unstable power factor on the distribution network. This work applied Static Var Compensator (SVC) to the power distribution network of Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria, to study its effect on active power loss reduction and voltage profile improvement of the network.  The bus voltage, power, and the current flowing through the selected feeders were measured and recorded accordingly for analysis. Test network parameters like route length, transformer parameters, and maximum power flow were obtained from Benin Electricity Distribution Company, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria. The distribution network was then modeled and simulated with and without SVC in NEPLAN software environment. The simulation results of the power flow and voltage stability analyses of the network without SVCs showed that some distribution lines were overloaded and that the network parameters were not within the statutory tolerable limits of 0.95 p.u. and 1.05 p.u. nominal voltage.  There was 9.73% reduction in the active power loss when SVCs were incorporated into the test network. The voltage stability curve showed an increase in distribution network capacity from an initial steady-state of 150% to 263% of the total active load when the SVCs were incorporated. Hence, the need to normalize the network by applying SVCs to all the buses with very low voltages. This work will assist the power distribution supply companies in making some informed decisions in reducing power losses on their networks