Volume - 2 Research Trends IN CHEMICAL SCIENCES CHAPTER THREE: CORROISON CONTROL

Corrosion, if not properly controlled, can result to high cost of maintenance, loss of life or in some cases shut down of industries. Corrosion control is a method of combating degradation challenges on metals in industries. The major forms of corrosion control include: Cathodic protection, Linings and Coatings,selection of materials and the use of inhibitors. Research on inhibitors has over the years been tailored to green technology via the use of plant extracts because they are cheap, readily available and also environmentally friendly. It can be concluded thatinhibitors have been confirmed to be one of the most effective methods for corrosion contro

Development of a paddy rice de-husking cum polishing machine

Locally processed rice by small to medium scale processors are still not fully appreciated due to low quality. Paddy rice de-husking cum polishing machine was designed, fabricated and evaluated for its performance efficiency. The effects of paddy moisture content, speed of rotation, and polishing time on the machine performance and milling properties were evaluated. The economic analysis of the machine was also evaluated. Moisture content and speed of rotation of the shaft had effect on the throughput capacity (TC), head rice yield (HRY), percentage broken rice (BR), but not on the percentage un-dehusked (PUD) in production of brown rice. The moisture content, speed of rotation, and polishing time had effect on the BR and PUD, but not on the HRY in the production of polished rice. The minimum and maximum values for brown rice were TC (25.38 and 41.25 Kg/hr), PUD (15.77 and 46.42 %), HRY (50.47 and 67.75 %), BR (2.17 and 12.03 %). Minimum and maximum values for polished rice were PUD (1.12 and 7.34 %), HRY (78.97 and 90.50 %), BR (2.77 and 10.41 %). Economic evaluation shows that the developed de-husker cum polisher is beneficial and can be adopted by small to medium scale rice processors

The effect of processing variables on the biscuit-making potential of cocoyam-brewer’s spent grain flour blends

In developing nations, the use of composite flours in baked products through value addition is increasing. This study investigated the effect of processing variables on the biscuit-making potential of cocoyam-brewer spent grain flour (CYF-BSG) blends. Blends were prepared in ratios (100:0, 90:10, 80:20, and 70:30). Response Surface Methodology consisting of three independent variables at three levels: CYF-BSG (90:10, 80:20, and 70:30) flour blends, mixing time (5, 10 and 15 minutes), and baking time (30, 40, and 50 minutes) were employed to optimize the effects on the biscuits’ proximate and physical properties. The results showed that moisture, protein, crude fibre, carbohydrates, and ash were significantly (p<0.05) affected by brewer spent grain (BSG) substitution. The protein was significantly (p<0.05) affected by baking time and the interactive effect of mixing and baking time, while the texture was significantly (p<0.05) affected by baking time and the interactive effect of the BSG substitution and mixing time. The spread ratio was significantly (p<0.05) linearly affected by the BSG substitution and the interactive effect of mixing and baking time. The optimum conditions for producing the biscuits based on 65.29% desirability were 25.24% BSG substitution, 13.54 minutes mixing time, and 33.14 minutes baking time at 160 C baking temperature. This study showed that CYF-BSG flour blends have great potential for biscuit-making

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF CITATION PATTERNS IN CIVIL AND MECHANICAL ENGINEERING RESEARCH PROJECTS

This study investigated the citation patterns in Civil and Mechanical Engineering research projects in a private university in Nigeria. The study adopted Bibliometric method was used to analyse the research projects submitted by graduates of the Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Nigeria from 2016 to 2018. All the references of the research projects were examined. For each research project retrieved, data were obtained manually on some characteristics of cited materials. The findings revealed that the citation in the projects in the two programmes were high. The average number of citation per project was higher in civil engineering than mechanical engineering. It was also discovered that most of the cited documents were very recent in the two programmes. The findings also shows that the most cited materials in the two programmes was journal articles, followed by books among others. It was also discovered that mechanical engineering students cite more books and internet materials than civil engineering students. Also the result shows that civil engineering students cite more multiple authored materials than mechanical engineering students. Based on the findings, the study concluded and made recommendations

The Potential of Biomass in Africa and the Debate on Its Carbon Neutrality

To enhance the energy security and promote energy diversity, biomass sources of energy are viable resources worldwide. Bioenergy is an organic source of power derived from various feedstock including fuel wood, energy crops, solid wastes, and residues of plants. This book chapter explores the use of biomass in Africa and the technical and economic potential of these resources for energy supply in the continent. Findings of literature revealed that the potential of biomass is high in Africa due to availability of land, its preference due to limited electricity supply and the exorbitant nature of fossil fuels, the assorted variety of energy crops suitable for growth in the continent and the green nature associated with the resource. The chapter also established that bioenergy is renewable and not carbon neutral. As such, accurate computation of its resultant greenhouse gas emissions based on their sequestration and emission rates is strongly advised to optimize biomass for energy utility and sustainability compared to conventional energy sources

Examining Rational Bubbles in Oil Prices: Evidence From Frequency Domain Estimates

This study examined the existence of rational bubbles in oil prices by employing a frequency domain econophysics technique that have capacity to identify both explosive behaviour and bubbles in oil prices for the three largest oil future markets – WTI, Brent and OPEC basket. Our results show that the three prices experienced bubbles in four distinct periods. We attempt to provide some explanations on each of these bubbles using geopolitical, war and economic events. We equally noted that oil prices bubbles are largely influenced by the fact that oil is a major source of energy and is non-renewable. The study observed that existence of bubbles have some economic consequences such as welfare loss resulting from distortion in prices and economic instability among others. We provide some policy recommendation. Keywords: oil prices, rational bubbles, energy JEL Classifications: C22, C50, G10, G12 DOI: https://doi.org/10.32479/ijeep.746

Anaerobic conversion of Chromolaena odorata (Siam weed) to biogas

This study evaluated the anaerobic mono-digestion of two different samples of Chromolaena odorata. Combinations of mechanical and thermo-alkaline pretreatments were applied to one of the two samples and labeled as ‘‘X’’ while the second had no thermo-alkaline treatment and was labeled as ‘‘Y’’. The Central Composite Design was used to design the pre treatments. The physicochemical characteristics of the substrates were carried out using standard methods after appropriate pretreatments. From the experimental set-ups, the most probable actual biogas yields in experiments ‘‘X’’ and ’’Y’’ were 0.3554 m3/kg Total Solid (TS)fed and 0.1803 m3/kg TSfed with the desirability of 99 and 100%, respectively. Further shown in the result is a 49.2% higher experimental (actual) biogas yield in experiment ‘‘X’’ over ‘‘Y’’. Gas chromatographic analysis revealed the CH4 and CO2 content of both experiments to be 65±1.5%; 21±3% and 53.5±2.5%; 26±3%, respectively. Combination of different pretreatment methods enhanced enormous biogas yield from the digested substrates. Optimization of the generated biogas data was carried out using the Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and the Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs). The coefficient of determination (R2) for RSM was lower compared to that of ANN. This shows that ANN

Silver nanoparticle synthesis by Acalypha wilkesiana extract: phytochemical screening, characterization, influence of operational parameters, and preliminary antibacterial testing

© 2019, The Author(s). Introduction: The application of skin bleaching products to inhibit melanogenesis is a common practice within the African diaspora. Despite the adverse health effects of skin bleaching, rigorous studies investigating skin bleaching behavior among these populations in the United States are limited. In our P30 pilot study, we explored predictors of skin bleaching practice intensity among African and Afro-Caribbean women. Methods: In collaboration with our Community Engagement Core, we conducted a cross-sectional study to investigate the relationship between demographic and psychosocial predictors and skin-bleaching-related practice patterns among African and Afro-Caribbean women in New York City. Results: Among the 76 participants recruited, the median age at the initiation of skin bleaching was 19.5 (16–25) years, yielding a median duration of 13.5 (6–23) years. Although pregnant women were not actively recruited for the study, 13.2% (n = 10) of the participants used skin bleaching products while pregnant or possibly breastfeeding. Nativeness and education were associated with various components of skin bleaching practice intensity, including duration of skin bleaching, daily use of products, and bleaching of the entire body. Participants’ perceived skin-color-related quality of life was not associated with skin bleaching practice intensity. Conclusion: Skin bleaching is a habitual practice that likely requires culturally sensitive interventions to promote behavioral change. The existence of prenatal and postnatal exposure to mercury, hydroquinone, and other potentially harmful chemicals in skin bleaching products highlights an urgent need to explore the adverse effects of skin bleaching practices on birth outcomes and the growth and neurodevelopment of young babies

Biochemical conversion of fruit rind of Telfairia occidentalis (fluted pumpkin) and poultry manure

Environmental pollution by solid wastes and inadequate energy supply are some of the major challenges facing the developing world. This study evaluated the potentials of Fluted pumpkin fruit rind and poultry manure for biogas generation. Mechanical and thermo-alkaline pre-treatments were applied to two samples labeled ‘O’ and ‘P’ while the third sample (Q) had no thermo-alkaline treatment. The physicochemical characteristics of the substrates revealed richness in nutrients and mineral elements. The results showed that use of a combination of pre-treatment methods enhanced the biogas yield in the pre-treated substrates. Analysis of the gas composition showed 66.5 ± 2.5% Methane, 25 ± 1% Carbon dioxide; 58.5 ± 2.5% Methane, 26 ± 1% Carbon dioxide; 54.5 ± 1.5% Methane, 28 ± 2% Carbon dioxide for the three experiments, respectively. All the obtained values show the models had a high predictive ability. The substrates should be further used for energy generatio

Assessment of the contribution of TEX air pollutants from Nigeria’s petroleum refineries to the ambient air quality: Part II

Environmental hazards associated with release of emission from petroleum refineries have caused serious concerns for the host communities. The study focused on the assessment of the contribution of Nigerian refineries to the ambient air quality. Total emission of toluene, ethyl benzene and xylene (TEX) from Nigerian twenty-six (four existing and twenty-two proposed) refineries were estimated using emission factor approach, under no-control measure (worst case scenario) option. Results showed that the four existing refineries emit 2.90 × 1013 tons of toluene, 1.93 × 1013 tons ethyl benzene and 1.06 × 1013 tons per year while the twenty-two proposed refineries have the capacity of releasing annually 9.17 × 1013 tons of toluene, 6.69 × 1013 tons of ethyl benzene and .95 x 1013 tons of xylene. If operated at full capacity, the total estimated TEX emission from the existing refineries stood at 5.89 × 1013 tons/year while the proposed refineries have the potential of adding additional 2.01 × 1014 tons/year. These concentrations were considered as environmental menace that could have adverse health challenge of the residents of the host communities. Some technologically driven measures to control and subsequently reduce TEX emission from these refineries were suggested