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Recent Submissions
Influence of chelating agents and nickel on phenol utilization by pseudomonas species
(Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2016-08) Ahumibe, Nkenna Chinonyerem
The effects of nickel and four chelating agents, trisodium citrate, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, tannic acid and potassium ferricyanide, at different concentrations in nutrient broth and a mineral salts medium supplemented with phenol, on the dehydrogenase activity of a Pseudomonas species, as well as the effects of nickel and trisodium citrate on phenol
biodegradation were investigated. The results showed that the bacterium was sensitive to nickel with an observed half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 0.613 mM and 0.0017 mM in nutrient broth and mineral salts medium, respectively. Trisodium citrate and ethylene diaminetetraacetic acid were most efficient in reducing the inhibitory effect of nickel mwhile the effects of tannic acid and potassium ferricyanide were not very pronounced. Nickel inhibited phenol degradation by Pseudomonas sp. The addition of trisodium citrate stimulated 84 the growth rate of the bacterium but had no significant effect on phenol degradation rate. The progress of growth was described by the integrated Haldane model with kinetic constants of µm 0.0967 h-1, Ks 78.289 mg/l, and Ki 346.687 mg/l at 500 mg/l initial phenol concentration. Maximum specific growth rate (µm) decreased in the presence of nickel, and increased with trisodium citrate addition. The results of the study showed that chelating agents could mitigate nickel toxicity. Also, they suggest that trisodium citrate could be used as a possible carbon
source in biodegradation studies.
Corrosion of high carbon steel by bacteria under aerobic and anerobic conditions
(Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2018-02) Nwokorie, Romanus Chukwudi
The role of bacteria in the corrosion of high carbon steel under aerobic and anaerobic conditions was investigated using sulphate reducing bacteria and other aerobes. The microbes isolated from the soil included; aerobes (Bacillus species, Pseudomonas species) and anaerobes (Desulfovibriospecies, Thiobacillusspecies). The role of bacteria in the corrosion of high carbon steel was estimated using the weight loss technique and the electrochemical potential measurement technique. Eighteen samples of a high carbon steel of known compositions were exposed to sulphate reducing bacteria under different environments (aerobic, anaerobic and control). The physical and chemical changes were examined and monitored on weekly basis for six weeks. It was observed that the coupons immersed in the media with sulphate reducing bacterium underwent fast activation and numerous corrosion sites were formed on the surfaces. The average corrosion rate for six weeks (42 days) period of time as determined by the weight loss method and electrochemical testing were found to be 0.0004595mm/year, -0.712mV in aerobic environment, 0.0005646mm/year, -0728mV in anaerobic environment and 0.0004458mm/year, -0702mV in the control or reference environment (distilled water environment). High carbon steel was found to corrode more only in the anaerobic environment. In view of this, high carbon steels were found to be relatively more corrosion resistant than mild and medium carbon steels and may be suitable for application in industries such as the petrochemical industry.
Effects of garlic and ginger grates on microbial profile and physico-chemical properties of fermented cassava products
(Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2016-05) Emekoma, Ezinne Abigail
The effects of ginger and garlic grate on the microbial succession, sensory, cyanide and physicochemical properties of fermented cassava products prepared in different methods were investigated. The results showed that species of Bacillus, Lactobacillus, E.coli,Rhizopus, Aspergillus, Geotrichum and Trichoderma were implicated in the fermentation process. Microbial successions monitored every 48hours for 10days showed that among the species already prevalent, Proteus spp were isolated on the 6 th to 10th day of fermenting unpeeled cassava with ginger and cassava only. The microbial counts increased following days of fermentation with decline from the 8 th and 10th day. The results for the sensory evaluation, showed an overall acceptability of the products for aroma, colour and texture. The fermented cassava products were analysed for nutritional, anti-nutritional and mineral properties using standard methods. The mean cassava preparations averaged over rates and treatment types revealed that the percentage Moisture contents of 19.702, 16.987 and 16.723% has unpeeled, peeled and mashed cassava preparations, Ash; 1.022, 0.796 and 1.373%, Fat; 3.305, 2.66 and 3.059%, Protein; 4.341, 4.66 and 4.955%, Carbohydrate; 67.671, 69.219 and 70.845% and Fibre; 3.953, 5.67 and 3.042% respectively. The investigation also revealed that Calcium contents were 0.258, 0.152 and 0.102mg/100g, Magnesium; 0.2099, 0.1639 and 0.1598mg/100g, Sodium; 0.0623, 0.0517 and 0.05mg/100g, Phosphorus; 40.548, 56.994 and 44.678mg/100g and Potassium; 0.125, 0.143 and 0.086mg/100g for unpeeled, mashed and peeled cassava preparations respectively. The contents of cyanogenic glucosides were 18.017, 16.348 and 15.075mg/100g, Flavonoid; 1.78, 2.03 and 1.83mg/100g, Alkaloid; 2.47, 2.83 and 2.58mg/100g and Tannin; 0.108, 0.244 and 0.128mg/100g for unpeeled, peeled and mashed cassava preparations averaged over treatment types and rates respectively. In conclusion, the results obtained in this work, revealed that cassava prepared in different preparation of cassava in different methods with the addition of varying quantities of garlic and ginger grates significantly affected the microbial, sensory and physicochemical properties of the fermented cassava products.
Application of deterministic and stoichastic analysis of fault seal integrity in Baka Field, Niger Delta
(Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2015-12) Njoku, Ikechukwu Onyema
Fault seal analysis in fault dependent reservoirs were carried out at different reservoir levels in the Baka Field, Niger Delta. These involved stratigraphic correlation, 3-D seismic interpretation of faults and horizons, time-depth conversion of all interpreted faults and structural maps using both check-shot and synthetic seismogram. Also, static models of all interpreted reservoir levels, and 3-D deterministic and stochastic fault seal integrity models were carried out. The deterministic approach applied in this study is sensitive to uncertainties associated with mapping of horizons in the proximity of faults and the inherent uncertainties in the static fault interpretation in both position and fault zone properties complexity. However, the integration of stochastic approach captured the uncertainties in the position of the reservoirs at all interpreted faults by allowing multiple realizations of stacking geometries relative to their lateral reservoir distribution. All hydrocarbon bearing reservoir levels and faults were interpreted in detail on seismic and a structural framework model was built for juxtaposition analysis and fault shale gouge ratio calculation. The interpreted hydrocarbon columns of the reservoirs in the field are mostly controlled by structural spill points, implying that the faults affecting the accumulation must be effectively sealed which is evident from calculated high SGR values. Some reservoirs are under filled, indicating that the faults are leaking. It was shown that these fault intervals have relatively low SGR. There is high degree of conformity between field hydrocarbon column heights and the stochastic column heights predicted from the shale gouge ratio. The calculated shale gouge ratio quite matched with the shale gouge ratio related column height distribution used in exploration. Top shale thickness played a role (impede up dip fluid conduit), but not a major factor in the Baka reservoirs as regards to column controls. Also, faults in the Baka Field leaks at <20% shale gouge ratio with varying weak points, mainly 20 – 35% shale gouge ratio and more. Good fault seal capacity exists in the Baka Field at >40% shale gouge ratio. Shale gouge ratios are higher at the boundary fault.
Comparative economic analysis of compressed natural gas and automotive gas oil as automobile fuels
(Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2015-06) Ubani, Uzodinma Byron
Comparative economic analysis of the use of compressed natural gas (CNG) and the use of AGO for power generation was presented. The data for costs of constructing and running CNG-powered vehicles were obtained for the study. Separate economic analyses of running the CNG-powered vehicles and running AGO vehicles were performed. The initial capital cost for CNG project amounted to N4.31 million and that for diesel was N3.60 million while the annual operating cost for CNG is N1.47 million and that for diesel is N2.98 million. This difference in the capital costs is basically due to the addition of the extra parts and connections to convert the AGOl powered vehicle to a bi-fuel-powered vehicle which would be able to use CNG as fuel. The difference in the operating costs is due to the fact that the costs of the two fuels are not the same. The net revenue for CNG is N2.85 million while that for diesel is N1.34 million. This difference in net revenues is resultant from the difference in their gross revenues resultant from the difference in operating costs. Figures in the text were used to determine the pay-out of the projects which is 1.45 years for CNG and 2.7 years for diesel respectively. The NPV and other parameters that make up the project economics were estimated for CNG and diesel. The NPV for CNG at an expected rate of return of 10% is N17.56 million while for AGO, the NPV is N5.86 million. The summary of the result of the calculations of all the parameters examined for both CNG and diesel was also presented. From the whole analysis done it is easily seen that using CNG for powering vehicles is more profitable than using AGOl.