Investigating the Effect of Initiation Device on Environmental Effect of Blasting: A Case Study of Beautiful Rock Lokoja, Nigeria (A subsidiary of resurrection Power Inv. Ltd)

The research investigates the effect of initiation device on environmental effect of blasting.    The objectives of the research were achieved through field measurement and data collection. Vibration and noise generated during blasting operations were estimated using mathematical models. Various blasting agents and accessories used for blasting operations were also collected. The results revealed that the noise and vibration generated during blasting with NONEL is minimal as compared to the safety fuse and the electrical methods. It also has high blasting efficiency of 99.1%. Keywords: Initiation device, vibration, noise, blasting agents, blasting accessories, NONEL, safety fuse method, electrical method

The Economics of Network Reconfiguration and Shunt Compensation on a 33 kV Distribution Network

This work studies the cost benefits derivable from network reconfiguration and shunt compensation of a Nigerian 33 kV distribution network. The approach adopted requires that the base case power flow analysis of the distribution network was first carried out, after which a shunt capacitor was used for compensation. The introduction of a tie-line in the network and a combination of capacitor and tie-line on same network were also carried out. The costs analysis of compensation and reconfiguration was carried out to understand their financial worthiness. The results obtained showed that the payback period (PP) for the introduction of compensation only, reconfiguration only and combination of compensation and reconfiguration are 1286.89 hr, 328.58 hr and 1043.31 hr, respectively. Though, reconfiguration only gives the least PP, a combination of compensation and reconfiguration has a long time cost benefit. At time above 5147.57 hr, it generates more profit than others

Environmental Impacts of Sand Dredging in Awoyaya, Lagos State, Nigeria

The research analysed the environmental impacts of sand dredging in Awoyaya, Lagos State. Water and soil samples were collected from three different locations in the study area. The results of water analysis reveals that average pH of water is 6.16, the average temperature of water is 27.55?C, the average chloride of water is 0.11mg/l, the average turbidity of water is 118ppm, the average sulphate of water is 45.67ppm, the average total dissolve solid in water is 98.3mg/l, the average total suspended solid in water is 114.1mg/l, the average total solid of water is 213ppm, the average iron present in water is 0.07ppm, and the average Zinc present in water is 0.015ppm. The results of the physiochemical and geochemical parameters of soil show that the average pH of soil is 7.78, the average organic carbon, organic matter, nitrogen and phosphorous of soil are 0.42%, 0.72%, 0.05%, and 10.73% respectively and the average values of SiO2, TiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3, MgO, CaO, Na2O, K2O present in the soil are 80.97%, 1.64%, 1.33%, 1.55%, 1.00%, 0.20%, 0.21%, 0.15 respectively. The analysis carried out shows that the dredging in Awoyaya has little impact on water and soil in the dredging area. Keywords: Environmental impact, Turbidity, Temperature, Organic Carbon, Organic Matter, Total dissolved solid, total solid, total suspended solid

Evaluation of Water Quality and Heavy Metal Concentration across Two Connecting Tropical Lagoons in Lagos, Nigeria

Ologe and Badagry Lagoons are important tropical lagoons in Lagos, Nigeria. The water quality and heavy metal concentration were studied for a period of 2 years (Aug. 2016 to Jul. 2018) using standard methods. The least temperature obtained was 28.70±0.05 °C in Ologe Lagoon during the wet season and the maximum recorded was 29.41±0.08 in in Badagry Lagoon during the dry season. During the wet season (May- October) the temperature was steady and similar between the two connecting tropical lagoons. The salinity values vary at different stations in both Lagoon, 0.06 to 0.44 % in Ologe Lagoon and 0.08 to 0.28 % in Badagry Lagoon. Badagry Lagoon showed significant higher values in conductivity, total dissolved solid, chemical oxygen demand, biological oxygen demand, total suspended solid and total hardness across seasons. Heavy metal results showed that except for lead (0.25±0.10 mg/L), Ologe Lagoon had higher concentrations of all examined heavy metals (Zinc, copper, iron, chromium, lead, cadmium, manganese and cobalt) than Badagry Lagoon across season. Furthermore, cadmium, manganese and cobalt were not detected in Badagry Lagoon across season. The two studied connecting Lagoons especially Ologe Lagoon is exposed to dramatic deterioration in its water quality due to different wastes that discharge into the water body. These lagoons are clearly polluted by metals for various utilizations. As a result, the study suggests enforcing the controls on waste discharged into lagoons

Botanical Survey of Poisonous Plants within the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria

A total of 125 respondents were interviewed through the use of structured questionnaire administered within five randomly selected local council areas in the FCT, through which demographic data and information on the poisonous plants, poisonous parts, poisonous effects, modes of poisoning, and antidotes was obtained. Forty two species of plants belonging to 34 genera in 19 families were identified. The most frequent families are; Leguminose, (27.2%), Euphorbiaceae, (12.8%); and Solanaceae, (9.6%), while the most frequently identified toxic plant species are Erythrophleum guineense, (15.2%), Sacciolepis africana, (14.4%), Erythrophleum africana, at (6.4%), Datura metel, (6.4%), and Ricinus communis, (5.6%). The result showed the profile of poisonous plants present in the FCT graze land. This data will help clinicians to make quick and rational diagnosis, and management of phytotoxicosis. This study is intended to create more awareness of these plants to the public so as to take caution while consuming them or use them as alternative medicine. Keywords: Poisonous plants, Toxic, Livestock, FCT-Abuj

An Experimental Approach towards PV-Based Solar System Sizing for an Engineering Laboratory

This study aims at providing an experimental sizing procedure for a rooftop PV-based solar power system for an engineering laboratory. This was achieved by monitoring the peak power and energy delivered by an installed 20W solar panel into an 18 Ah battery. Knowledge of the average daily peak power and energy was used to determine the percentage rated capacity available for use and the sun hour. A load consumption comparison was also carried out with and without the connection of a load to inverter. In addition to this, the monitoring of the no-load consumption of the inverter was carried out. This was carried-out to ascertain the contribution of the inverter to the system. With the knowledge of the average daily energy deliverable, sun hour and the no-load power of the inverter, a sample sizing for basic electronic laboratory loads was done. The findings of the study reveals that the average available power is 89.35% of the solar panel rated capacity while the average sun hour is 4.38 h. It has also been shown that an approximate difference of 20 W exists between the power consumption of the load with and without its connection to the inverter. This value (i.e., 20W) has been recorded as the approximate no-load power for the inverter. The sample sizing done has shown that, the solar panel energy requirement of the system with inverter may be considerably higher than that without inverter

A Genetic Algorithm Approach to Optimal Sizing and Placement of Distributed Generation on Nigerian Radial Feeders

Mitigating power loss and voltage profile problems on radial distribution networks has been a major challenge to distribution system operators. While deployment of distributed generation, as compensators, has made a suitable solution option, optimum placement and sizing of the compensators has been a concern and it has thus been receiving great attention. Meta-heuristic algorithms have been found efficacious in this respect, yet the use of the algorithms in addressing problems of radial feeders is still comparatively low in Nigeria where analytical and numerical programming methods are common. Hence; the use of genetic algorithm to site and size distributed generator for real-time power loss reduction and voltage profile improvement on the Nigerian secondary distribution networks is presented. Backward-forward sweep load flow analysis, together with loss sensitivity factor, is deployed to identify the buses suitable for the installation of the distributed generation, while the algorithm is employed in estimating the optimum size. This approach is tested on the standard IEEE 15-bus system and validated using a Nigerian 11 kV feeder. The result obtained on the IEEE test system shows 183 kW loss using the compensator, as compared to 436 kW loss without the compensator; while on the Nigerian network the loss with the compensator was 4.99 kW, in comparison with no-compensation loss of 10.47kW. By the approach of this study, real power loss on the Nigerian feeder decreased by 52.3% together with energy cost reduction from N658,789.12 to N314,227.38. Likewise the minimum bus voltage magnitude and the voltage stability index of the network are improved to acceptable limits. This approach is therefore recommended as capable of strengthening the performance of the Nigerian radial distribution system

Notes on the composition, abundance and zonation of benthic invertebrate of an artificial rocky shore, Tarkwa bay, Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract: The composition abundance spatial and temporal distribution of benthic invertebrates on the artificial rocky shore of Tarkwa bay was investigated between May 2003 and April 2004. Samples were collected or counted in-situ in a 1m 2 quadrate along a transect at 2m intervals on the west mole. A total of 15 taxa made up of 14 genera dominated by crustaceans (Chthamalidae) and gastropods (Littorinidae and Patellidae) both accounting for more than 60% of the total number of individuals observed. Using the spatial distribution of the dominant species, two broad zones, Chthamalus/Patella zone, (0 -6m) and the Littorina zone (4 -12m) were observed. All species were recorded throughout the study period except for Tectarius granosus and Brachyodonte niger which were not observed in some months. These species appears to be seasonally distributed as they occurred only during late rainy season (August) and dry season months (September -October). Ligia gracilipes and Plagosia depressa were found on the littoral fringes, while the pin-hole limpet, Fissurrella nebecula and the sea urchin, Arbacia lixula were restricted to the sublitoral zone. In general, the distribution of macrobenthic fauna observed at the Tarkwa bay was typical of exposed rocky shore influenced by strong wave and tides

Evaluation of soybean meal replacement with sesame seed meal using activated charcoal as an additive in the diet of African catfish juveniles, Clarias gariepinus

This study evaluated the effects of 0.25% activated charcoal added to sesame seed meal (SSM) in partial replacement of soybean meal (SBM) of juvenile Clarias gariepinus diet on growth and haematological parameters for 70 day experimental period. Six experimental diets were formulated as: control diet 1 (100% SSM without activated charcoal), control diet 2 (100% SSM plus 0.25% activated charcoal), diet 3 (50% SMB+50% SSM), diet 4 (50% SBM+50% SSM+0.25% AC), diet 5 (30% SBM+70% SSM) and diet 6 (30% SBM+70% SSM+0.25AC). The inclusion of activated charcoal recorded significant improvement in mean weight gain, mean feed intake, specific growth rate (SGR), protein intake (PI) and protein efficiency ratio (PER). The control diet 2 recorded the highest values for growth and nutrient utilization parameters while diet 5 recorded the least values for these parameters. The best values for mean weight gain (65.33±5.57 g), specific growth rate (2.56±0.12% / day) and feed conversion ratio (0.71±0.05) were recorded in fish fed control diet 2 while the worst values (41.30±3.82 g, 1.92±0.11% / day, and 1.07±0.07, respectively) for these parameters were observed with diet 5. However, haematological parameters did not differ significantly across the diets. Thus, from this study 0.25% activated charcoal could favorably be added to the feed of C. gariepinusfor optimum performance without any adverse effect on the health status of the fish