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Recent Submissions
Numerical and experimental studies of the energy requirements for cutting selected tuber crop tissue and vegetables
(Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2021-07) Asonye, Gladys Uche
Numerical and experimental studies of the cutting energy requirements for selected tuber crop tissue and vegetables was undertaken in this research work. Prediction models using dimensional analysis based on Buckingham pi theorem were developed for the cutting energy requirements for four selected crops which are indigenous to the area of study; tuber crop (cocoyam) (Colocasia esculenta), fruit vegetable (okra) (Abelmoschus esculentusL.), bulb vegetable (onion) (Allium cepa.) and fruit vegetable (garden egg) (Solanium marcrocarpon). The developed cutting energy prediction models using dimensional analysis based on Buckingham pi theorem for cocoyam (Colocasia esculenta), okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.), onion (Allium cepa) and garden egg (Solanium marcrocarpon) were validated with experimentations. High coefficient of determination (R2 ) values of 0.98, 0.99, 0.98 and 0.98 respectively obtained for cutting energy values between the predicted and the measured values with the developed automated cutter showed that the mathematical models are good. The developed arduino-controlled automated cutter consists of two parts; the hardware and oftware components. The hardware is composed of an electronic windshield motor, four 25mm2 stainless steel pipes of 4cm height for supports, a 35cm x 29cm x 8mm stainless steel plate for the base, a 12cm stainless threaded shaft and 4 pieces of 5cm stainless angle irons. The software consists of Arduino microprocessors (Integrated Development Environment, IDE), load cells (sensors) and a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD). The arduino processor automatically and effectively measures, records and stores cutting variables (speed, force, displacement and time) with minimum human supervision. Connecting the cutter to an electrical power source switches on the electronic windshield motor, which causes a rotational motion of the shaft and a subsequent reciprocating motion of the knife holder. The cutting process which is a non-reversible system involves both compressive and shearing deformations. The operational process involves speed selection, movement of knife edge through product, exertion of reactive force on the load cell and computations. The reactive force exerted on the load cell is measured and automatically relayed to a computer via a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port for storage and further processing. Matrix Laboratory (MATLAB) which is a high performance language for technical computing intercepts the stored values and plots the resulting graph of force of cut against displacement which is used in calculating the energy of cut. Variables involved in the model development using dimensional analysis based on Buckingham pi theorem were; tool weight, distance of cut, tool edge thickness, cutting speed, varying crop sizes, crop moisture content, crop contact area and crop density. Lastly, optimization of the cutting process was carried out by studying the interactive effects of three variables on the energy requirement to cut the select crops. It involved experimentations using the Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) layout and observing the effect of the different combinations on cutting energy requirements. These variables are cutting speeds and knife edge angles at 5 levels of 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40mm/min and 200 , 270 , 340 , 410 and 480 respectively with equivalent crop sizes of 33.68, 41.02, 45.34, 50.31 and 64.89mm for cocoyam (Colocasia esculenta); 11.23, 13.28, 17.82, 20.52 and 24.47mm for okra (Abelmoschus esculentusL.); 42.84, 51.78, 61.36, 77.35 and 84.10mm for onion (Allium cepa.) and 25.69, 32.87, 40.31, 47.69 and 52.73mm for garden egg (Solanium marcrocarpon). The three variables were observed to have significant effects on the cutting energy requirements for the four crops studied. The optimization of the cutting process was observed to occur at equivalent diameter of 33.68mm, cutting speed of 35mm/min and knife edge angle of 200 for cocoyam;47.61mm, 35mm/min and 200 for onion bulbs; 23.80mm, 50mm/min and 200 for okra and 45.41mm, 35mm/min and 200 for garden egg fruit. All the optimized results were at the lowest knife edge angle of 200 and the 35mm/min cutting speed except okra which occurred at the cutting speed of 50mm/min. The optimization study helped in the determination of the best combination of the chosen factors that would lead to maximizing energy consumption during the cutting process of the understudied agricultural crops. The results of this study find usefulness in designing, analyzing and optimization of the cutting process for these select crops.
Bioaccumulation of some heavy metals in tissues of the African catfish (clarias gariepinus) from selected markets in Delta State, Nigeria
(Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2021-06) Iloegbunam, Kelle Alfred
The increasing rate of consumption of the common African catfish, Clarias gariepinus, a popular delicacy in Delta State, Nigeria has raised worries about the safety of health of consumers in the face of perceived increasing input of recalcitrant pollutants such as the heavy metals in the aquatic habitats of the organism. This research therefore investigated the bioaccumulation of some heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn, Co) in the muscle and brain tissues of the catfish, C. gariepinus sourced from markets in Delta State. Replicate adult fish samples were obtained from seven market locations in Oleh, Asaba, Ekpan, OgwashiUkwu, Okere, Abraka and Ughelli towns, labeled and taken to the laboratory in iced coolers. The presence and levels of the heavy metals were determined with the Varian Spectra 600 AA atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The descriptive statistics, Student’s t-test, single factor ANOVA, as well as means and variation plots were used to analyze data. Of the heavy metals, only Zn was detected with variations ranging from 0.0150.19 (0.09 ± 0.02) mg/kg in the muscle and 0.035-0.36 (0.16 ± 0.03) mg/kg in the brain tissues. Accumulation levels showed significant difference (Sig. t=0.005) and correlation (Sig. r=0.000) between the muscle and brain tissues at p<0.05. There was also significant spatial heterogeneity in accumulations of the metal [F(100.97)>Fcrit(4.02)] at p<0.05; with least accumulation of 0.03 (± 0.01) mg/kg recorded in Ughelli and maximum accumulation of 0.28 (± 0.07) mg/kg recorded in Oleh locations. However, levels were below the Food and Agricultural Organization and World
Health Organization acceptable limits for Zn in edible fish. Results revealed that the lipophilic brain tissues accumulated more heavy metal than muscle tissues. It was concluded that since accumulation levels were low, they do not currently constitute public health risks to consumers in Delta State.
Utilization of functionalized biochar derived from water hyacinth eichhornia crassipies as green nano-fertilizers
(Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2025-10) Irewale, Adewale Tolulope
This study investigated the production, characterization, and application of nano-biofertilizer synthesized from biochar (BC) derived from the aerial tissues of Eichhornia crassipes (water hyacinth), an invasive aquatic plant known for rapid growth and nutrient uptake that has adversely affected the aquatic ecosystem. BC was produced from its leaves (D1) and stems (D2) via pyrolysis at 600°C with residence times of 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes, yielding 31% and 34% respectively. Incomplete carbonization was observed at residence time of 15 minutes while optimum pyrolysis occurred at 30 - 60 minutes. SEM and FTIR analyses revealed porous structures with surface functional groups including –COOH, –OH, C=C, and –S=O in but biomasses, although predominantly in D1. The biochar was alkaline (average pH 10.7), exhibited liming capacities of 14.76–28.94% CaCO₃ equivalent, zeta potentials of –34 to –38 mV, and particle sizes ranging from 146 to 583 nm. Although, deficient in copper and zinc, high nutrient availability was recorded with nitrogen (34,550 ppm), phosphorus (56 ppm), potassium (609 ppm), and water holding capacities between 1.58 and 2.26 g/g. BET isotherm modeling showed surface areas of 236.44–249.41 m²/g and pore volumes of 0.061–0.087 cm³/g, indicating mesoporous to microporous structures suitable for nanonutrient adsorption. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed thermodynamically favorable adsorptions between BC and ZnO and/or CuO nanonutrients, with a higher affinity for CuO. Comparative pilot field trials with nano-biofertilizer (NF) applied at 10 g, 20 g, and 40 g per 10 kg soil and a conventional fertilizer (CF) at 15g per 10kg soil (per manufacturer recommendation) showed that 10 g NF significantly enhanced growth and physiological parameters over other treatments. CF application resulted in higher plant mortality, indicating possible phytotoxicity of CF under the pilot field conditions. Comparative data obtained for plant height, leaf nitrogen content, chlorophyll concentration, number and surface area of leaves support the potential of biochar-based nanofertilizers as a low-dose, sustainable alternative to chemical fertilizers. Further studies are recommended to validate the predictions from molecular dynamics simulations, as well as to assess the environmental safety and scalability of the nanofertilizer in larger field trials.
Some occupational and ecotoxicological hazards associated with selected industries in South-Eastern Nigeria
(Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2021-09) Obinwanne, Carol Chioma
This study was focused on ascertaining some occupational and ecotoxicological hazards associated with healthcare, quarrying, road construction, asphalt and brewery industries in South-Eastern Nigeria. The sample population comprised one hundred and thirty-five female and male workers within the ages of twenty-one and sixty years who had been on the job for three or more years. For the control group, fifteen human subjects who were non-industrial workers within the same age bracket were used. Health status of workers was assessed using chest x-ray, specimens of sputum, full blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and hair washings. Air quality was assessed with CROWCON Gasman II monitor/analyser while Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy was used to identify heavy metals in hair, water, soil and leaf samples. Physicochemical and microbiological properties of water and soil with heavy metal accumulation and proximate analysis of plants, in and around work environment were determined using standard methods. Results obtained from the health status of workers showed that 16% of males and 13% of females sampled had a high incidence of consolidation of the lung as well as peak values of the cardiothoracic ratio (0.45±0.06 cm) and (0.40±0.08 cm) respectively, in road construction industries. Sputum for Mycobacterium tuberculosis tested positive in 5% of the males in the asphalt industry. Lymphocytosis among males; eosinophilia and high ESR among females, were significantly different (p<0.05) from their controls in five (5) industries. Peak values of lead (0.26±0.04 mg/l) and cadmium (0.79±0.03 mg/l) from hair washing were recorded among quarry and healthcare workers, respectively. In air quality results, sulphur (IV) oxide was significantly different (p<0.05) from their controls in the five industries. Asphalt industry was recorded to be the worst, with a pollution level of 92.35±3.49 μg/m³ for particulate matter (μg/m³), while the brewery industry had the least with a pollution concentration level of 5.19±3.09 μg/m³. Physicochemical and microbial analyses of freshwater and soil, showed that Nworie river near healthcare industries had a dominance of pH (8.07±2.11); total dissolved solids (TDS), biochemical oxygen demand, nitrate, nitrate-nitrogen, phosphate, phosphorous, lead, cadmium and chromium, but had least values (2.9x10⁵±3.0 CFU/ml) of total bacteria. Akpoha river near quarry had peak values of temperature (33.20±1.97°C); conductivity (6262.67±10503.89 μS/cm) mercury, total fungal count and total hydrocarbon utilizing fungi (HUF). The river Akpou-ga Nike near asphalt industry had peak values of total bacterial count (7.3x10⁵±8.1x10⁵ CFU/ml) and the least values (2.0x10³±2.6 CFU/ml) of total fungal count. Njaba river near the brewery, had the peak values of dissolved oxygen, arsenic and total petroleum utilizing heterotrophic bacteria but recorded least values of temperature, pH, conductivity, TDS, lead, cadmium, mercury and chromium. For soil, the industries: healthcare, road construction and brewery had loamy sand soils, while quarry and asphalt had sandy soils. The peak values (7.45±0.01) of pH was recorded in samples from the brewery and least values (1.96±0.02) from asphalt industries. Soil mean values of pH, lead, cadmium, chromium, total bacterial count and total hydrocarbon utilizing fungi, were significantly different (p<0.05) from their controls in five industries. The peak values of soil total bacterial count (6.2x10⁶±1.0x10⁵ CFU/g) was recorded in the healthcare industry. There was no growth of hydrocarbon utilizing bacterial (HUB) and fungi, in quarry and asphalt industries. In the determination of the presence of heavy metals and proximate analysis of plants, it was discovered that the mean values of lead, in the leaves of Manihot esculenta and Carica papaya, were significantly different (p<0.05) from their controls in the industries studied, as well as the mean values of macronutrients, in healthcare, asphalt and brewery industries. There were significant occupational and ecotoxicological hazards associated with industries studied, such as pneumonitis; and possible inflammatory biomarkers: lymphocytosis among males; eosinophilia with high ESR values among the female workers; Alopecia areata (with "i hair" as a potential biomarker), in the brewery industry and air pollutant, TSPM10 μg/m³. There was a significant effect of poor air quality around the work area, such as Status Asthmaticus and sulphur (IV) oxide pollution. Industrial toxicants had significant effects on the physicochemical and microbial properties of water and soil around the workplace, and adjoining environments such as the predominance of lead and total bacterial count. The workplace was indeed contaminated and had adverse health effects on both workers and the environment.
Application of oil palm mill effluent and palm bunch emulsion as chemicals in enhanced oil recovery
(Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2025-07) Ndem, Daniel Oji
Chemical enhanced oil recovery is one of the popular techniques used in the petroleum industry, and most of the chemicals are imported and expensive. Therefore, it is important to develop cheaper and indigenous chemicals for enhancing oil recovery from Nigerian oil reservoirs. This research focused on the formulation of emulsions for emulsion flooding of residual oil from oil reservoirs using locally available agricultural waste materials from palm oil mill. Oil was extracted from palm oil mill effluent using a centrifuge; alkaline solution was prepared with distilled water and ash from burnt empty fruit bunch. Oil/Alkali solution emulsions were formulated using different ratios of oil/palm bunch ash solution (5/95, 10/90, 15/85, 20/80, 25/75, 30/70, 35/65, 40/60, 45/55). Nine core samples of determined dimensions were initialized at reservoir conditions by flooding them with brine of salinity of 30000ppm until the differential pressure became stabilized. To produce the brine upon pressure stabilization, and determine the original oil in place, the brine- saturated core samples were flooded with crude oil (32.9 API). Then the crude oil-saturated core samples were firstly flooded with water till oil production ceased with 58.3% of oil recovered. Lastly, to produce the oil-in-place, the previously water flooded core samples, were respectively flooded with the formulated emulsions of 15/85, 25/75, 30/70, 35/65, 40/60 and Oil/Alkali solution ratios due to their stability performance. The results revealed that water flooding yielded 32.5% of the oil in the respective core samples while different ratios of formulated emulsion (15/85, 25/75, 30/70, 35/65, 40/60) yielded incremental oil recovery of 30.4%, 32.8%, 35.2%, 51.6%, and 55.2% ..The experiments suggest that certain emulsion compositions enhance the mobilization and displacement of oil better, leading to high reservoir sweep efficiency.. The economic analysis shows that t investment in the production of conventional emulsion sample has negative net present value of -499,507,552,185.00 Naira throughout a 10-year period, while investment in the production of 30/70 emulsion sample with oil extracted from palm oil mill effluent and palm bunch ash solution has positive net present value of 26,940,828,073.20 Naira. A mathematical proxy model developed for oil recovery efficiency prediction gave an R-square of 95.2%. This work has established that these emulsion samples can yield encouraging oil recoveries when used in enhanced oil recovery.