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FUTOSpace is the Federal University of Technology, Owerri open-access repository that collects, preserves and make available in digital format the intellectual output of the university's community:
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Recent Submissions
Analysis of factors influencing effective safety programme implementation in pipeline construction projects in Port-Harcourt, River State
(Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2023-11) Mbachu, Nneamaka Chioma
This study examined the success factors influencing safety Programme implementation in pipeline construction project in Nigeria using Greenocean Pipeline Services Limited, Port Harcourt, Rivers State as a case study. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the data concerning success factors influencing safety Programme implementation, and data analysis was done using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21. The target population of the study was 112 respondents. Tables and simple percentage were used to present the data collected. Kaiser-Mayer-Olkin (KMO) and Bartlett's Test was employed to test the research hypotheses. Relative importance index (RII) was used to rank the factors influencing accident causation. From the study, carelessness and negligence were ranked first with a RII value of 0.93. The estimation of the possible factors that affect safety Programme implementation on pipeline Construction is done using the Critical Factor Analysis technique (CFA), Motivation and Appropriate supervision are positively correlated to the principal component 1 (PC1), It was therefore concluded that each of the factors has indicated a high potential of improving Safety Programme implementation on pipeline Construction projects in Port Harcourt, River State. Successful safety programme implementation would need an effective enforcement plan, motivation of workers, appropriate supervision, safety training, and education.
Analysis of metals and pesticide residues in selected beans samples in Port Harcourt
(Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2023-10) Kalu, Samuel Nnanna
Analysis of metals and pesticide residues were evaluated using four (4) beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) varieties. The varieties were Iron beans, Patisco beans, Brown beans and Local beans and they were grouped into raw and parboiled samples. Proximate analysis of the samples was done using standard method while metal analysis was done using Atomic Absorption Spectrometer and the analysis of pesticide residues was done using gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detector (GC - MS) after careful extraction and clean up. Results showed that all the beans samples contained metals, mercury which is a toxic metal was also detected and at a level above the maximum permissible limit of 0.0005mg/kg in all the samples. It was observed that parboiling of the beans, reduced the accumulated metals in the beans. The results of the study also showed the presence of 17 different pesticide residues in all samples of beans. 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 2,2-dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate (DDVP) were detected in all samples of beans and at levels above European Union’s (EU's) MRL except in iron beans samples. Glyphosate was detected in all the samples at concentration above EU’s MRL. However, pesticides in Raw iron beans such as carbofuran (0.43±0.03 mg/kg), Endosulphan (0.18±0.01 mg/kg), HCB (0.62±0.10 mg/kg) Profenos (0.55±0.04 mg/kg) and t-nonachlor (0.32±0.00 mg/kg) decreased significantly to 0.23±0.10 mg/kg, 0.09±0.01 mg/kg, 0.31±0.01 mg/kg, 0.38±0.01 mg/kg, and 0.22±0.00 mg/kg respectively in Parboiled iron beans. These results indicate reduced Health Risk Index (HRI) to pesticides of parboiled beans samples. Similar results were also recorded in other raw and parboiled beans varieties studied. Of all the samples studied, parboiled local beans had the least pesticide residue concentration. Series of soaking and washing is generally advised in preparation of beans samples. Stringent monitoring of the use of pesticides in agriculture and food storage in Nigeria should continuously be encouraged to ensure pesticide residue level does not exceed FAO/WHO limits. Parboiling of beans samples before cooking should equally be encouraged.
Cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of crude oil polluted agricultural soil on selected plants during rhizoremediation
(Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2023-11) Madubuike, Mercy Ngozi
Oil spills devastate farmlands, destroying agricultural crops that affect humans through the food chain. Assays for this study were conducted between two soil groups polluted with 100ml crude oil (A - soil polluted before planting [PB] and B - soil polluted two weeks after planting [PA]) within a period of 28 days from their pollution time. The impact of oil spill on three edible plants (Allium cepa, Telfairia occidentalis and Zea mays) were evaluated through plant growth measurement, total chlorophyll test, tissue sectioning of leaves and alkaline comet assay. Results obtained showed a decrease in plant height, leaf area and leaf number for all the polluted plants compared with their controls. However, plants grown on “soil polluted before planting” experienced delayed emergence and retarded growth but survived better than plants grown on “soil polluted two weeks after planting”. The comet frequency values obtained were statistically lower (P<0.05) in all the control samples for T. occidentalis (UC) = 8.00±3.61bc , Allium cepa (OC) = 11.67±3.06b and Zea mays (MC) = 4.67±2.08c . However, higher but non significant comet values were recorded amongst the polluted soils for T. occidentalis polluted before planting (UPB) = 46.33±2.08a , T. occidentalis polluted after planting (UPA) = 50.00±0.00a , Allium cepa polluted before planting (OPB) = 49.67±0.58a , Allium cepa polluted after planting (OPA) = 48.67±1.53a , Zea mays polluted before planting (MPB) = 49.33±1.16a and Zea mays polluted after planting (MPA) = 50.00±0.00a ). The photomicrographs revealed alterations and anomalies in leaf structures for both polluted groups as compared to their control. A notable decline in total chlorophyll contents occurred amongst the plants grown on “soil polluted two weeks after planting” when compared to plants grown on “soil polluted before planting”. Therefore, this study deduced an elevated cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of crude oil in all the polluted plants, except for mild anomalies observed in the leaves of T. occidentalis grown on “soil polluted before planting” (UPB); which also showed no physical signs of crude oil pollution based on the non-observance of leaf yellowing, deformity or defoliation.
Development and performance evaluation of a tray dryer powered by generator exhaust gas waste heat
(Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2022-01) Ononogbo, Chibuike
Development and performance evaluation of a tray dryer powered by generator exhaust gas waste heat are presented. The test rig comprises a tray dryer, a turbine, a heat exchanger, an air blower, weight and temperature sensors and an Arduino driven control panel. The waste heat recovery equipment uses an axial flow turbine and a heat exchanger to extract the energy of the exhaust gas of a diesel engine generator for the purpose of drying. The system was assembled and subjected to no-load tests, and testing independently with indigenous variety of fresh maize grains of 1,500g batch size, and yam slices of 2200g batch size. Samples of the white yam slices of different thicknesses (1.0, 1.5 and 2.0cm) were prepared for the study using blanching water of 800 C and 30 minutes soaking time. The maize grains and yam slices were dried from initial moisture contents of 35.6% and 69.5% (wet basis) to final moisture contents of 10% and 12% (wet basis), respectively. The studies focused on the impacts of the drying air temperature and velocity on the drying energy indices (specific energy consumption, specific power demand, and thermal energy), drying rate, thermal efficiency of the crop dryer, moisture diffusion coefficient, and activation energy of the studied samples. The tests were run at varying drying air temperatures (50, 55, and
60℃ for the maize grains, and 55, 65 and 75℃ for the yam slices); and air velocities of 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0m/s for both sample products. The results of the no-load tests revealed that the higher the speed of the inlet ambient air through the waste heat recovery equipment, the faster the rate of heating of the drying chamber. It was also noticed that the drying chamber, initially at 31℃, was heated to a maximum temperature of 116.1 ℃ after only a period of 39 mins. Furthermore, the results obtained for the drying of the crop samples showed that the drying parameters had noticeable influences on the moisture diffusion of both the maize and yam samples. The drying air temperature and velocity had a direct relationship with the diffusion coefficient and drying rate of the crop samples, but showed an inverse relationship with the drying time of the crops. The thermal efficiency increased as the drying air temperature increased; whereas its values decreased as the drying air velocity increased. The drying air temperature had an inverse effect on the values of the specific power consumption of the dryer at constant air velocity, whereas its values increased as the drying air velocity increased at constant air temperature. The results of the optimization of the drying process parameters using Surface Response Methodology showed that the optimum drying conditions were 600C and 1 m/s for the maize grains; and 75 0C, 1.0 m/s and 1.0 cm thickness for the yam slices. For testing with existing thin-layer drying models in the literature, the Aghbashlo model was observed to be the most suitable drying model for describing the thin-layer drying behavior of the maize grains and 1cm yam slices; whereas the Demir et al model was the most suitable for the 1.5cm and 2cm yam slices. With visual inspection of the dried samples after a period of six months storage, it was observed that the dried products did not experience any form of deterioration like any bacterial growth. Hence, it is concluded that the application of waste exhaust heat gases of diesel standby generators to the drying of food products,
would be helpful in preserving a considerable amount of primary fuel, thus providing a viable means of cost saving and amelioration of environmental degradation. Prospects for commercial applications as well as recommendations for additional studies were stated.
Comparative analysis of IPR model for oil & gas well optimization using production performance software ( PERFORM) for steady state horizontal wells
(Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2021-04) Nwude, Afam Anthony
In this work an investigation of the formulations and solution methods for the following optimization problem was done. Determination of the optimal production rates, lift gas rates, and well connections to maximize daily operational objectives subject to multiple flow rates and pressure constraints. The main materials used in this research are presented as software platforms. IHS PERFORM Ver 500 simulator was used to generate PI, determine Inflow and Vertical Lift Performance of the case study well at varying well pressure and flow rates (first on natural flow without artificial lift installed).Microsoft Excel package was used for Economic Analysis to determine the profitability of PERFORM when compared with other software tool such as Petex-Prosper, or with no software tool used. All of the optimization problems are solved using derivative-free optimization based on a constrained well Performance Analysis, PERFORM. General descriptions of the software simulations were provided in the work. Results of the sensitivity analysis on the hypothetical case using the IPR Models for horizontal gas wells provided the effect on pressure and liquid drop out. This method is very efficient. However, it may lead to bad solutions when the flow interactions among wells are significant.