Characterization of Eggshell: A Heterogeneous Catalyst in Transesterification of Sand Apple (Parinari polyandra) Seed Oil

The objective of this study was to characterize a low cost heterogeneous catalyst from the transesterification of sand apple (Parinari polyandra B.) biodiesel. Sand apple fruits were processed and oil was extracted using solvent extraction method. Raw eggshells were calcined at 800°C for 120 min in the muffle furnace. Surface properties of the raw and calcined eggshell were characterized using Fourier Transformed Infrared Radiation (FTIR) and X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF). Transesterification of the Sand Apple Oil (SASO) with ethanol in the presence of the calcined catalyst to produce ethyl ester and glycerol were optimized using Central Composite Design at different temperatures and time. Reactants for the transesterification process were the raw SASO and anhydrous ethanol. The study shows that raw eggshell was more stable with hydrogen bond form at 2,724 cm-1an while oil yield of 53.13 % was obtained from sand apple kernels. Ethyl ester yield of 90% was obtained from SASO. The results of transesterification shows the maximum biodiesel yield of 90% was obtained at reaction temperature of 65°C and time of 120 min, while the minimum yield of 70% was obtained at temperature of 55°C and time of 60 min; indicating that biodiesel increase with increase in time. Similarly, yield of ethyl ester of SASO also increased when the reaction temperature increased. The percentages of biodiesel yield obtained from SASO transesterification in this study showed that sand apple is promising oil for biodiesel production as compared with other vegetable oil crop obtained in previous studie

Effects of floor space area in battery cages on the bird weight and egg production of olympia black layers

The impact of varying floor space area in battery cages have been evaluated on the weight and egg production of olympia black laying birds. The experiment was carried out using battery cages with varying floor spaces area of 300 mm by 300 mm, 380 mm by 380 mm and 460 mm by 460 mm also stocked with 2 and 3 birds per cage cell. The experimental birds used were 45 Olympia black layers, which are seventeen weeks old and the experiment lasted for twelve weeks. The birds’ weights were measured while egg production was determined on weekly bases. Design expert software 6.0.8 version was used for experimental design and analysis of the experiment. The results obtained shows that Cage cells 380 mm × 380 mm with 2 birds gave the optimum weight of birds to be 1.46 kg and also gave the optimum egg production of 7 eggs per bird per week while cage cells (300 mm × 300 mm) with 3 birds gave the lowest productivity with egg production 4 eggs per bird per week. There was a significant effect of stocking density on the weight of bird and egg production at P ˂ 0.05. The study was able to established a template for the development of battery cage, which caters for maximum productivity and welfare of laying birds Keywords: Stocking density, battery cages and egg production. DOI: 10.7176/ISDE/10-7-05 Publication date: September 30th 201

Determination of Fuel Properties of Biodiesel from Sand Apple Seed Oil with Automotive Gas Oil Blend

The objective of this study was to determine the fuel properties of Sand Apple Ethyl Ester (SAEE) and its blends with Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).using eggshell as catalyst. Sand apple seed oil (SASO) obtained was characterized based on America Society for Testing and Material (ASTM D6751) to determine acid value, saponification, iodine content, density, kinematic viscosity, flash point, cloud point and pour point. Sand Apple fruits were processed and oil extracted using solvent extraction method. Raw eggshells were calcined at 800oC for 120 min in the muffle furnace. SAEE was blended with AGO at 5 – 25 % mix. Data obtained was analyzed using ANOVA at P < 0.05 significant level. Cloud and pour points obtained for SASO are 4.68 and 3.09℃ . Flash point was 103℃ which fell within ASTM D93 range indicating that SASO is safe for handling and storage. Heating value was 42.61 MJ/kg, slightly lower than that of diesel oil of 44.8 MJ/kg shows that AGO has ability to produce heat of combustion than SASO. Iodine value was 80.71 g I/100g while acid value was determined to be 2.62 mgKOH/g, which was higher than that of ASTM D6751 of 0.5 mgKOH/g. Sulphur contents for AGO and SASO–AGO blends were 0.006, 0.009, 0.014, 0.016 and 0.004%, respectively. Low sulphur values indicates that hazardous sulphur dioxide emission of SAEE has reduced. This study established that all the properties obtained, except acid value, fell within the ASTM specification and could suitably be compared with those of fossil diesel

Effects of Fish Feed Carbohydrate Sources on the Floatation and Water Stability of Fish Feed Pellets

Three feeds were formulated to carry out a study on the floatation test and water stability tests of fish pellets. The feeds were formulated using different sources of carbohydrate (Maize, Guinea corn and Wheat). After 30 minutes of exposure to water, Guinea corn maintained 90% of floating pellets while the other two sources had 80% floating pellets respectively. There were significant differences in the percentage number of pellets floating between 0 and 30 minutes (P<0.05). There were also significant differences in the water stability of the pellets, between 10 and 30 minutes. Wheat had the highest water stability of 87.8% while Maize had 75.4% water stability and Guinea corn had the lowest percentage of 71.6% but after 50 minutes Maize had the highest percentage of 61.8% and Guinea corn had the lowest percentage of 52.4%. Keywords: Carbohydrate sources, Floating ability and Water stability. DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/9-18-06 Publication date:September 30th 2019

DESIGN, FABRICATION AND OPTIMIZATION OF OPERATIONAL PARAMETERS OF A SMALL SCALE DE-FEATHERING MACHINE

The aim of this work is to design and fabricate a small scale de-feathering machine and investigate into the optimal operational parameters for de-feathering. The fabricated de-feathering machine has its electric motor placed by its side for easy coupling, detachability and prolonged life span of motor. It has a door by its side for easy removal of the carcass.  The materials used for the fabrication of the de-feathering machine were carefully selected to ensure minimal damage to the carcass. The optimal scalding temperature of 60 oC, scalding time of 56.56 seconds, and de-feathering time of 12 seconds was found to have the highest efficiency of 96.6 %. The machine was able to achieve the desired quality. It saves time and it is of high efficiency. Keywords:  DESIGN, FABRICATION AND OPTIMIZATION, DEFEATHERING MACHINE DOI: 10.7176/ISDE/12-3-04 Publication date:September 30th 2021

Performance evaluation of a Compression Ignition Engine using Sand Apple (Parinari polyandra B.) ethyl ester (biodiesel)

The quest for non-edible oil for the production of alternative fuel (bio-fuel) using homogeneous catalysts continues to supplement and replace in totality the traditional transportation fuels that are not environmentally friendly. The use of biodiesel in Compression Ignition Engines (CIE) to evaluate the engine performance is a norm and blends of biodiesel and Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) are also used in the engine performance processes to ascertain its usage in the CIE. Therefore, this study evaluated the performance of a compression-ignition engine (CIE) fuelled with biodiesel produced from sand apple oil using eggshell as a heterogeneous catalyst. Transesterification of Sand Apple Oil (SAO) with ethanol to produce ethyl ester and glycerol was optimized. Sand Apple Ethyl Esters (SAEE) was blended with Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) at 5 – 25% mix to evaluate the performance of a 3.68 kW diesel engine at five loading conditions (0, 25. 50, 75, 100%). Performance tests were carried out to determine torque, speed, exhaust gas temperature and fuel consumption rate. Data obtained were analyzed using ANOVA at P < 0.05 significant level. Results of parameters tested ranged from 6.50 – 6.60 Nm, 2795 – 2950 rpm, 385 – 400 °C and 2.93 – 5.00 × 10−6 kg/s, respectively for all the blends. The study established that the performance of the diesel engine using 5 – 25% SAEE-AGO blends was similar to using AGO alone and SAEE is therefore suitable for use in the CIE

Effect of Temperature on Drying Characteristics and Quality of Three Nigerian Onion Varieties Using a Fabricated Electrically Powered Dryer

The research work is done to evaluate the effect of temperature on drying characteristics and quality of red, cream and white varieties Nigerian onion using a locally fabricated electrically powered dryer. Clean onion samples of 1.5 kg from each of the three varieties were sliced into 3 mm thickness. Fresh samples of the three onion varieties were analyzed to determine the initial values of protein, fat, ash, crude fibre, and moisture content on a dried basis (m.c.d.b.) using recommended AOAC methods.. Vitamin C and microbial loads content were determined before loading into a locally fabricated electrically-powered dryer. The onion samples were dried at varying pre-determined temperatures of 50, 60, and 70 oC. After drying, the proximate compositions, vitamin C and microbial loads were also determined. The protein, fat, ash and crude fibre of the fresh onion samples were 1.5, 0.5, 0.6 and 0.5%, respectively, while m.c.d.b, vitamin C content and microbial loads ranged from 85.1-88.2%, 8.1-8.3 mg/100 gm and 4.45-5.39 mg. Red onion samples were dried for 13:15h, 12:10h and 10:30h; white onion samples for 13:00h, 12:25h and 10:40h; while cream onion samples for 13:10h, 12:35h and 10:15h at 50, 60, and 70 oC, respectively. The protein, fat, ash, crude fibre, m.c.d.b, vitamin C content and microbial loads of the dried onion samples at all the drying temperatures ranged from 10.110.4, 1.1-1.5, 3.3-3.5, 5.5-5.8, 5.5-6.9%, 3.1-4.9 mg/100 gm, 1.314.17 mg, respectively. The drying temperature had a significant effect (p-value < 0.05) on the quality of all the onion samples. At 70 oC, protein, fibre, ash, fat and pungency retention were significantly (p< 0.05) high and within acceptable limits while microbial loads were low with the reduction in Vitamin C contents in all the onion varieties. Therefore, onion can best be dried at 70 oC to achieve the optimum quality and flavour required for its use as a spice