Abstract: The Sila sorghum stalks are agri residues which are generated after harvesting the grain from Sila sorghum plant. Sila sorghum is a fast maturing sorghum variety grown mainly in the western Counties of Kenya. These wastes can be put into profitable use by using them as raw material (fillers) in the production of building boards. On the other hand, waste plastics are a menace to the environment due to irresponsible disposal and the fact that they do not degrade. In order to find a way of addressing the problem associated with disposal of plastics, this research proposed a method of producing building materials (boards) from Sila sorghum stalks and High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) using molasses as the coupling agent. The factors studied were particle size of Sila sorghum stalks filler. The size of Sila sorghum stalks was varied at 100, 125, 250 and 500 and 1000µm. HDPE and molasses were blended at a ratio of 1:0.25. The effect of these factors on density, compressive strength, water absorption and the thickness swelling of the boards was studied. The results of this study established that at particle size of 250µm for the Sila sorghum stalks filler, the density, compressive strength, water absorption and thickness swelling of the resulting building boards to be 1024kg/m3, 20.5MPa, 2.85% and 3.4% respectively.
Keywords: Board, Molasses, Plastics, Residues, Sorghum, Waste.
Title: PRODUCTION OF BUILDING BOARDS FROM WASTE PLASTICS BLENDED WITH SILA SORGHUM STALKS USING MOLASSES AS COUPLING AGENT
Author: Wiseman Tumbo Ngigi
ISSN 2394-7349
International Journal of Novel Research in Engineering and Science
Novelty Journals

Abstract: The study was aimed at evaluating the levels of Safety performance of selected companies in the Oil and Gas companies in Nigeria. A Likert-styled questionnaire was used to gather information from respondents in Upstream, downstream and servicing companies in Port Harcourt, Rivers state. A total of six hundred and sixty (660) copies of questionnaire were distributed to the sample population out of which six hundred and fifty one (651) were returned, representing 98% response rate. Eleven (11) of the returned questionnaire was voided. A total of six hundred and forty (640) valid questionnaires were used for analysis. The result indicated that there was Safety consciousness amongst the workforce in the three sectors, and the level of Safety Awareness in the upstream sector is higher. Management in the upstream sector had 96% commitment, the servicing sector 91% and 67% in the downstream sector. An ANOVA on safety management system gave a p-value of <0.001 signifying that the difference in the implementation of Safety Management System (SMS) in the three sectors is statistical significant. Kendall W coefficient statistics result showed the w-value of the upstream sector at 0.735 with 74% concordance, downstream sector, 0.767 with 77% concordance and servicing sector, 0.702 with 70% concordance. The study therefore recommended that the downstream and servicing sectors management should improve on their safety commitment; personnel motivation awards and safety awareness programs to enhance better safety performance.

Abstract: In this paper, a new multiband planar antenna with a compact size is designed and developed for mobile devices. The proposed antenna consists of a two-strip monopole and two meandered strip antenna which occupy a compact area of only 15 mm 42 mm. A meander monopole is added to the antenna to cover DVB-H and T-DMB for mobile broadcasting. A prototype of the antenna was fabricated using FR4 substrate. This paper proposes a new mobile handset antenna structure with low SAR and covers most of the mobile operating bands and other wireless applications. The covered bands are the DVB-H, T-DMB, GSM 900, DCS 1800, PCS 1900, UMTS 2100, and most of the LTE bands including the LTE 700 band. Furthermore, it covers the ISM, WIMAX and the WLAN bands. The SAR calculations are done using the CST 2016 commercial package. It is worth mentioning that the antenna has compact size, multiband operation including the low frequency bands, and low SAR radiation. The simulation results are compared to the experimental measurements and a good agreement is observed.

Abstract: This paper is aimed at designing a microcontroller based distribution substation monitoring system that monitors the voltages, current, oil temperature and the moisture content of the silical gel. The generation and the transmission sections are properly monitored by the utility companies involved in its operations. The distribution, seems not to be given the same level of monitoring as the other two sections. Most of the times, when their is a fault in a distribution substation, it always take some time before the utility will be able to restore the supply majorly due to poor monitoring to easily detect the cause of the fault. The design is to cordinate the sensing and tripping of the transformer based on the defiation of the parameters from referenced value set in the programm that controls the operation of the microcontroller. The sensing elements measures  the transformer parameters and feeds the information into the ADC port of the microcontroller and a GSM module interfaced with the microcontroller sends the transformer’s voltage, current, temperature and the moisture content of the silical gel to the utility station via SMS messages for quick response.
Keywords: GSM Module, AVR Microcontroller, Distribution Transformer.
Title: Design Of A Distribution Station Monitoring System Using Nigeria Secondary Distribution Substation As A Case Study
ISSN 2394-7349
International Journal of Novel Research in Engineering and Science
Novelty Journals

Abstract: In the Nano magnetic material Usually the most emerging is the Fe2O3 magnetite compound, and Nano magnetics provide unique opportunities to address the fundamental limitations of traditional electronic materials diversifications, such as Ni, Co, Mn, Zn, has strength to magnetic force but not Cu mean they have combine ZnFe, or CuFe, mainly in partcle size. With proper preparation then the desired form of the compound can be realized.  Just as the Flow Injection Synthesis model Circular Hose Tube Coil is capable of realizing CuZnFerrite.

Abstract: Amidst all engineering disciplines, mechanical engineering tends to be women abhorrent in West African countries. The presence of women in industries and technical workshops is so insignificant. From facts gathered from Mechanical Engineering workshops, through personal interviews and questionnaires, women are absent in 99% of these workshops and industries. The major causative factors being the use of crude tools and technology, poor and highly polluted environment as well as the labor-intensive nature of the jobs and the male-dominant associated mindset. This paper focuses on the stimulation and the effect of females in mechanical engineering, the encouragement of available female engineers to pursue excellence, productivity, research and deliberate involvement is greatly emphasized and the place for engineering bodies and establishment to proffer a solution to this menace. The methodology of improving the presence of innovative women into Mechanical Engineering as well as other STEM disciplines in West African Countries (using the eastern part of Nigeria as a case study) is outlined well.

Abstract:This research adopted a descriptive study to obtain information about the role of project management planning on project success in Kenya. The target population of the study was all the 177 project managers managing all the 177 Kenya Power Infrastructure Development Projects approved in the financial year 2016/2017. The study adopted a census survey to collect data from all the project managers. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data. Quantitative data analysis included descriptive and inferential statistics used to analyze the data collected. Qualitative data was analyzed through content analysis and presented in continuous prose form. The study was governed by four theories; Project Management theory, the Logical Framework Model, Goal-Setting Theory of Motivation and competence theory. The role of project management planning functions: Scope Planning, Cost Planning, Time Planning and Quality Planning on the success of Kenya Power Infrastructure Development Projects were deduced from the results of the study.

Abstract: One of the objectives in the orbit transfer problem is to achieve the optimal time of flight and the fuel consumption for the orbital transfer maneuver between two orbits. The transfer of satellites in too high orbits as geosynchronous one (geostationary), usually is achieved firstly by launching the satellite in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) (Parking orbit), then in elliptical transfer orbit and finally to the final orbit (Working orbit).
In this paper, the Monte Carlo Simulation will be used to determine the optimum three tangent impulses maneuver (Bi-Elliptic Hohmann transfer) and determine the optimum One Tangent Burn transfer. From respective simulation, determine the optimum altitude of the transfer tangent point for Bi-Elliptic Hohmann transfer and determine the optimum angle true anomaly (υtrans) of the One Tangent Burn transfer to create minimum change of velocity and optimum time of flight for transfer and with minimum fuel consumption of this transfer.

Abstract: The presence of heavy metals in digested sewage sludge presents an environmental concern of great proportions owing to the large per capita sludge volumes involved globally.  Besides, sludge having high heavy metal concentration is also not suitable for agricultural purposes hence the need for heavy metal removal prior to disposal or use at the farm level. Determination of the optimal conditions for heavy metals extraction from anaerobically digested sewage sludge is thus warranted. The goal of this study was therefore to employ a response surface methodology to optimize chemical extraction of heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Pb, and Ni) using the full factorial design. The three factors considered were pH, hydrogen peroxide dosage, and extraction time. The results were analyzed statistically using analysis of variance, F-test, and lack of fit to identify the most important process variables affecting the heavy metal extraction efficiency. For the heavy metals studied, the most significant effect was ascribed to extraction time followed by Hydrogen peroxide dosage and the interaction of the two. The pH effect and the interaction between pH and time also had an influence in the heavy metal extraction efficiency. There was no significant interaction between pH and Hydrogen peroxide dosage in the extraction of heavy metals under the tested conditions. The optimal conditions of heavy metals extraction obtained were pH (3), extraction time (10 days) and Hydrogen peroxide of (1g/l). The percentage extraction at these conditions was above 98% for all the heavy metals. These results are promising for the management of digested sewage sludge.

Abstract: Biosorption potentials of acid (HCl) modified Awka clay for the removal of cationic dye (Crystal violet) from aqueous solution was investigated. The raw and modified clays were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis. The modification caused an increase in surface area and as a result increases the adsorption of CV+ in batch system studies. The effect of contact time, initial concentration, pH, temperature, particle size, adsorbent dosage was studied. It was observed that dye adsorption increases with decrease in adsorbent particle size, increase in: initial dye concentration, contact time, temperature and dosage. Optimum dye removal was observed at pH 4. Adsorption equilibrium was determined at 323k and the experimental data obtained were fitted with Linear and non-linear models of Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin and Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) isotherms. Adsorption kinetic was determined at 323k and the experimental data obtained were fitted using linear and non-linear models of the pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, Elovich and Intra-particle diffusion kinetic. By considering the experimental results of equilibrium and kinetic adsorption models applied in this study, it can be concluded that equilibrium data were best fitted to Langmuir isotherm using linear model and D-R isotherm using non-linear model while the pseudo second order kinetic fitted best in adsorption kinetic of both models. The results of this research indicate that modified Awka clay is a good activated carbon alternative non-conventional and naturally abundant adsorbent to rely on for dye removal from aqueous solution.