Nigerian Journal of Technology

Compressive, bending and shear properties of reinforced concrete beams containing sawdust ash as partial replacement of cement

O.E. Osanyinlokun — 2024-04-12

150x600 mm for the bending test and 150x150x450 mm for the shear test) specimens were used for this investigation. The concrete cube and RC beam specimens had SDA as a partial cement replacement within the range of 0%–10% by weight of cement at 2.5% intervals. 120 RC beam specimens were cast, followed by curing and testing at 28, 60, 90, and 180 days. Using the 4-point loading method, the bending and shear responses of the beams and associated parameters, like the formation and growth of cracks, were determined during the testing. The impact of SDA replacement on the characteristics of fresh and hardened concrete was also assessed using 105 cube specimens cast, cured, and tested at 7, 14, 21, 28, 60, 90, and 180 days. A concrete mix ratio of 1:1.3:2.4 and a constant water/binder ratio of 0.50 at optimum 5% SDA replacement produced (25 N/mm² ) the required compressive strength. The results show that workability decreases as the SDA percentage increases. Generally, the values of concrete’s densities containing SDA in the mix were in the range of standard weight applications. At 28 days, samples up to 5% recorded a higher compressive, bending, and shear strength development rate than the control mix. The results show that cement partially replaced with up to 5% SDA can produce RC that meets the requirements for concrete for structural application.

Development of geotechnical properties geo-database for soil in Kano metropolis to enhance building construction

G.H. Yunusa — 2024-04-12

Building collapse is a prevalent and concerning issue that resulted in significant loss of lives and properties in many places in Nigeria including Kano state and determination of Geotechnical properties of soil could play a crucial role in preventing building collapse. This study uses Geographic Information System (GIS) methodologies to create a geospatial database of soil properties in Kano Metropolis. The database, created using Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) and spatial interpolation techniques, provides 212 sets of soil properties being meticulously mapped across the study area. These meticulously generated maps illustrate various soil characteristics prevalent in the metropolis, offering invaluable insights for preliminary designs and construction planning for buildings within Kano Metropolis. The soils in this area are predominantly classified as CL (Clay of low plasticity), SC (Sandy Clay), and SM (Silty Sand) using Unified Soil Classification System (USCS). The moisture content spans from 2.01 to 46%, specific gravity within the range of 2.32 to 2.75, liquid limits varying between 17.2 and 45%, plastic limits within the range of 10.1 to 40.5%, and linear shrinkage values spanning from 1 to 13%. Furthermore, the shear strength parameters of the soil across the study area varies. The unit weight varies between 15.61 and 22.16 kN/ m3 , the cohesion (c) values ranging from 1.28 to 29.1 kN/m² , and the angle of internal friction (ϕ) spanning from 5.5° to 32.2°. Despite variations in ultimate and allowable bearing capacity with depth, the ultimate bearing capacity (qult) generally ranges between 108 and 1150 kN/m² , with the corresponding allowable bearing capacity (qall) falling between 40 and 343 kN/m². This research provides valuable geospatial knowledge to engineers, architects, and construction professionals in Kano Metropolis, enhancing decision-making and project planning precision, ultimately contributing to sustainable development and growth of Kano metropolis.

Evaluation of the challenges facing small and medium-scale building contractors in Nigeria

D. Mbazor — 2024-04-12

In this study, the challenges associated with the operations of small and mediumscale building contractors in Nigeria were considered. Globally, the construction industry is faced with several notable challenges in terms of technological advancement, development of operational processes and mechanisms, and keeping up to date with the prevailing business trends. The main objective of this study is to examine the problems that are facing small and medium-scale building contractors in Nigeria. The study employed a questionnaire survey as a data collection instrument. A total of 317 closed-ended questionnaires were administered to small and medium-sized contractors in Akure Nigeria. However, only one hundred and seventy-two (172) returned questionnaires were found valid for analysis. The data was analyzed using the simple descriptive statistical method of percentage and weighted mean score (WMS). Findings revealed that inadequate startup capital for contractors was the major problem facing small and medium-scale building contractors in the study area given its highest mean score of 4.0697. In light of the above, the study recommends that the government being the major player in the building industry should endeavour to initiate, create, and implement policies such as grants and aids for small and medium-sized contractors to enable them to remain in business no matter the state of the economy. It is concluded that the ineffectiveness of the small and medium-sized contractors in the study area is influenced by the un-availability of startup capital, lack of political will in implementing policies that assist small and medium-sized contractors, delayed payment, high-interest rates on loan facilities, and difficulty in getting guarantors for the loan facility.

Influence of vibration on sub-ballast layer induced by loading application on a fouled track ballast

A.U. Onwube — 2024-04-12

The railway track’s sub-ballast layer is important, but it is often neglected, leading to the contamination and blockage of voids, as well as track deformation and degradation. These issues occur when fouling materials infiltrate the subballast due to load-induced vibration. The purposes of this paper are to investigate the influence of vibration on the sub-ballast layer when loads are applied to a fouled ballast and to determine whether sub-ballast saturation should be ignored. A ballast box was fabricated to represent actual railway conditions and filled with 100 kg of ballast aggregates containing fouling materials (crushed ballast, sand, clay, and coal) proportional to the ballast weight. In addition, a vibratory compactor plate machine was used to simulate load on the fouled ballast, inducing vibrations that caused fouling materials to migrate into the sub-ballast. The results indicate that 18% of crushed ballast, 20% of sand, 20.7% of clay, and 15% of coal infiltrated the sub-ballast due to loading-induced vibration, and fouling infiltration percentages rose as vibration from loading increased. These percentages exceeded the standard 10% weight of fouling infiltration into the sub-ballast, indicating an unfavourable subballast condition and showing that sub-ballast saturation should not be ignored. These findings have significant implications for maintenance engineers, as they underscore the need for continuous monitoring and upkeep to ensure optimal sub- ballast performance.

Numerical method for predicting first crack load on hollow-cored beams subjected to point load at Midspan

O.U. Orie — 2024-04-12

Predicting the initial crack load in concrete is important to detect early warning of a problem. In this study, a model for predicting the first crack load on a hollow-cored rectangular beam point loaded at mid-span was developed by combining a numerical method and an experimental approach. The modulus of rupture was introduced into the governing moment-curvature relationship. Experimentally, flexural testing with point loads at mid-span was performed on fifteen (15) beams made up of three (3) beam types at 1 kN intervals for a span of 750mm using the Universal Testing machine. The beams were simply supported by roller points. The dimensions of the beams were kept constant and later varied while investigating the following hollow diameters: 0, 30, 60, 75, and 105mm. Numerically, the beams were designed as a beam element point loaded at mid-span with a span of 700mm centers, and the support conditions were defined as pinned support. Governing equations relating failure load with the modulus of rupture, stiffness matrix, shape functions, and moment of inertia were developed. The equation for predicting the first crack load, incorporating the modulus of rupture, was derived. The moment of inertia was calculated by discretizing the hollow-cored beam section using an isoparametric geometric transformation. The experimental results were used to validate the numerical model. 90.55% agreement between experimental and numerical results was observed. The overall average percentage difference between the two methods recorded is 9.45%. This shows that at about 91% confidence level, both approaches are the same and can be applied with confidence in the prediction of the first crack load on hollow- cored reinforced concrete beams.

Comparative study on the extraction strength of solvents on tar sand from Okitipupa, Ondo State

U.G. Akpan — 2024-04-12

Tar sand, an aggregate of sand, clay, water and bitumen was sampled from Okitipupa area of Ondo State, Nigeria, extracted and optimized using n-hexane and toluene in a soxhlet extractor todetermine solvent effectiveness in extracting the bitumen content and their environmental effect. The experiment was carried out by heating the solvent at and above their boiling temperatures solely to get an optimum yield at a temperature and time of extraction of oil from the tar sand. The analysis gave an optimal yield of 9.07 % at 75^oC in 4 h when n-hexane was used and an optimal yield of 21.27 % at 120^oC in 4 h when toluene was used. A drastic change in colour was also notice in the sand residue to almost sandy soil nature when toluene was used as solvent compare to when n-hexane was used which shows a slight change from its blackish nature. The change in colour of the black tar sand is an indication of high extraction efficiency. Hence, owing to high demand for conventional oil supply in the country and the urgent need for an alternative source of oil, the bitumen extract can serve as an alternative source of unconventionaloil supply in Nigeria and feedstock in refineries.

Effects of heat treatment on tensile properties of 3D-printed short fiber-reinforced composites

A. Shuaibu — 2024-04-12

3D-printed carbon fibre-reinforced composites (CFRC) using fused deposition modelling (FDM) offer the potential for building complex geometries and low waste. However, these composites have weaker interlaminar bonding and higher void content than traditional composites. This paper explores the effect of temperature on improving the mechanical properties of 3D-printed short carbon fibre- reinforced polyamide (PACF). Two types of printed structures were tested: one with a 0° build orientation (parallel to extruder movement) and the other with a 90° build orientation (perpendicular to extruder movement). Both samples were heat-treated at 150°C. Force vs. displacement data was obtained from the MTS testing machine. After that, the tested samples were viewed under an optical microscope. Images obtained from the optical microscope are then analyzed to see how the samples failed by checking the microstructure. The average ultimate strength, ultimate strain, and elastic modulus were used for the analysis. The sample follows a trend where the strength and elastic modulus increase after heat treatment. The result also showed that the 0° build orientation samples have higher mechanical performance than the 90° build orientation sample. Also, from the ultimate strain values, it was evident that samples printed in the 0° absorbed more energy, exhibiting 83% higher resistance before final failure. Lastly, an optical microscope was used to investigate the failure mechanisms of the samples.

Reinforcement of cement tiles with palm kernel shell particles as natural fibre

J.C. Edeh — 2024-04-12

This study focused on the experimental investigation of the effect of palm kernel shell particulate reinforcement on the mechanical properties of cement-based tiles. Five samples of cement tiles reinforced with different compositions of kernel shell of 1440 µm particle size at predetermined moisture content were produced against a control sample to ascertain the composition that offered the best suitable properties for the functional requirements of cement tiles at reduced cost. For all the samples produced, evaluations for bulk density, apparent porosity, water absorption capacity, and flexural strength were investigated. The results showed that porosity, water absorption capacity, and apparent density decreased with an increase in the palm kernel shell compositions while bulked density increased. The variation with 80 % cement and 20 % palm kernel shell fibre reinforcement (Sample B) demonstrated optimal tile quality with apparent porosity of 10.35 %, a water absorption capacity of 5.47 %, bulk density of 1.89 g/cm³, and flexural strength of 37.21 kgF/ cm². It was evident that the flexural strength of sample B met the ASTMC293 standard cement tiles requirement of 35 kgF/cm²to 40 kgF/ cm²thus the optimal volume fraction with improved surface characteristics and recommended for applications where hard and heavy materials are used on tiles.

Exploring the prevalence of internet crimes among undergraduate students in a Nigerian University: A case study of the university of Ilorin

N.A. Balogun — 2024-04-12

Internet crime, also known as cybercrime, encompasses various illicit activities conducted through computer system and online platforms. It is a global menace that has become a pervasive issue in our contemporary society. This study delves into exploring the prevalence of internet crime among undergraduate students at the University of Ilorin with the view to examine the level of involvement of undergraduate students, identify the underlying factors, the perceived consequences, and potential control measures associated with undergraduates' involvement in internet crime. The study engaged a sample size of 400 undergraduate students, employing a stratified sample technique for comprehensive data collection using a structured questionnaire. The research revealed that the participants acknowledged the prominence of internet crime within their peer group. It uncovered the multifaceted factors contributing to the prevalence of internet crimes. The respondents acknowledged the perceived consequences of undergraduates' involvement in internet crime, encompassing financial mismanagement, expulsion from educational institutions, societal stigma, loss of personal integrity, legal consequences, and limited access to future opportunities. To mitigate this growing concern, respondents recommended various control and combative measures. These encompass the implementation of stringent rules within educational institutions, effective monitoring of students' financial activities, awareness campaigns against internet crime, provision of employment opportunities, engaging experts to address the issue, banning tools facilitating internet crime, and organizing training workshops to enhance legitimate ICT skills and wealth generation. This study sheds light on the pressing need for proactive interventions to curb internet crime among undergraduate students, emphasizing education, awareness, and policy implementation to foster a safer online environment and deter involvement in criminal activities.

Maximizing network capacity, control and management in designing a telemedicine network: A review and recent challenges

B.O. Sadiq — 2024-04-12

Telemedicine networks have seen significant changes in their capacity, monitoring, management, and control framework during the previous decades. The evolution of network capacity, control, and management for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) & Software-Defined Networks (SDN) as support to telemedicine, artificial intelligence in telemedicine networks, and capabilities in designing a telemedicine network with respect to its performance and customization is presented in this study, with a historical history and a future view. The first section of the article goes over the history of traffic and capacity expansion, as well as future projections. By introducing a medical and image data communication protocol for telemedicine, the second section examines the technological constraints of expanding capacity in the era of UAV & softwaredefined networking. The third section discusses ways to maximize network capacity by considering quality of service (QoS) capacity issues. Finally, the article explores how to construct a telemedicine network that can provide performance, customization, and capabilities to keep up with increased traffic in the coming decades. Research gaps and future directions were presented in the last section.

Investigating the optimal Photovoltaic (PV) tilt angle using the Photovoltaic Geographic Information System (PVGIS)

K.N. Ukoima — 2024-04-12

This work presents an investigation of the optimal tilt angles for mounting pv panels in South –South and South - East States in Nigeria when no tracking system exists using the photovoltaic geographic information system (PVGIS). Experiments were carried out to verify results obtained from the PVGIS database. The experimental set up consist of five PV panels each rated 10Watts inclined at five different angles including the optimal angle obtained from the PVGIS database. South-South Nigeria consists of six states (Rivers, Delta, Bayelsa, Edo, Cross-Rivers and Akwa-Ibom). South-East Nigeria consists of five states (Abia, Enugu, Imo, Ebonyi and Anambra). The optimal installation angle of selected cities within each of the States was identified. Results from experiments conducted showed that from January to April and September to December, the yearly optimal tilt angle (11^o for Port Harcourt, 12^o for Yenagoa, 11o for Benin City, 10^o for Calabar, 11^o for Asaba and 10^o for Uyo) is suitable for use in the South – South while from January to April and September to December, the yearly optimal tilt angle (10o for Umuahia, 11o for Awka, 12^o for Enugu, 10o for Owerri, and 11^o for Abakaliki) is suitable for use in the South – East. The horizontal plane (0^o ) is suitable from May to August in both South – South and South – Eastern States. The untapped solar potential in the South – South was observed to be as high as 286.62kWh/m2 for Port Harcourt and a low value of 19.34kWh/m² was recorded in Calabar when solar panels are not installed at the optimal angles. For the South –East, the untapped solar potential was observed to be as high as 222.11kWh/m² for Umuahia and a lowest value of 21.31kWh/m² was also recorded in Umuahia when solar panels were not installed at the optimal angles. Installing PV panels at the optimal tilt angle can improve the efficiency of solar energy generation, making it more cost-effective by maximizing the total amount of diffused and direct radiation.

Large scale penetration impact of PMS-WTGS on voltage profile and power loss for 5-bus, 330kV system of the Nigerian grid

O. Olanite — 2024-04-12

In recent times, adverse environmental changes and the gradual reduction in fossil fuel deposits is making integration of renewable energy secure global attention. This paper therefore investigates the effect of high penetration of wind power on power loss and voltage profile of 52-bus, 330kV Nigerian grid. Modeling and simulation of the study were successfully done using the Continuation Power Flow method and Power System Analysis Toolbox in the Matrix Laboratory environment. The Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) technique codes were used to determine the best sites and sizes of Permanent Magnet Synchronous-based Wind Turbine Generators (PMS-WTGs) on the grid as nonoptimal placement and size of PMS-WTGs will result into active power losses and poor voltage profile. The ACO and power flow analysis indicated two load buses, Aladja bus and Yola bus as best sites for PMS-WTGs with optimal sizes of 100MW and 197MW respectively. The result shows a decrease in the system's active (42.1%) and reactive (43.9%) power losses while heightening voltage magnitudes of critical buses to statutory values and enhancing the grid power quality. The overall results indicate that integrating 297MW PMS-WTGs improves voltage stability and power loss reduction by maximizing system loadability and reducing line losses.

Modelling of electromagnetic wave propagation at free space-human skin interface

G. Biowei — 2024-04-12

The proliferation of the ambient environment with many wireless communication infrastructures has constituted a source of concern, at least from health point of view. Hence, there is a need for the investigation of electromagnetic wave interaction with human tissue. This paper models electromagnetic wave propagation at the free-space-human tissue interface, in an attempt to understand how electromagnetic waves interact with the human skin. Maxwell’s equations were used to derive the governing equations of propagating electromagnetic waves in free space while the solution of the boundary-value problem arising from the incident electromagnetic wave at the free space-human tissue interface was found through the use of appropriate boundary conditions. The solution led to the emergence of four Fresnel equations, a pair each for perpendicular and parallel polarizations of the incident wave, at the boundary. Through the use of the Fresnel equations obtained, components of the incident electromagnetic wave power at the boundary can be quantified. Typical profiles of the normalized reflected and absorbed powers at the free space-human skin interface at 28, 60, and 73 GHz were computed, using measured values of permittivity of human tissue. It is found that the total absorption of the power of the incident wave by the human skin occurs when the angle of incidence is between 690 and 770 for the three frequencies used. This is irrespective of the polarization of the incident wave. Information on such distinct angles of incidence for total absorption of power does not appear to exist in the literature as they represent new, previously unreported facts in the existing body of research. Furthermore, computed profiles of reflected power versus incidence angle displayed here, for perpendicular polarization, demonstrate strong alignments with established literature, thus reinforcing the credibility of the results presented in this paper.

Optimization and modeling of solar energy with artificial neural networks

B.E. Ntekim — 2024-04-12

Solar energy represents one of the emerging frontiers in renewable energy, offering significant potential to address the issues of energy unavailability and instability in Uyo (Nigeria). A crucial step in overcoming these challenges is accurately predicting the amount of solar energy that can be harnessed at a specific location. This research focused on achieving optimal solar power prediction, with the following objectives; identifying and investigating the mathematical relationships between relevant variables and parameters. To ensure precise predictions, artificial neural networks (ANN) were employed, utilizing both forward and backward propagation techniques. The input data for the ANN comprised radiation data obtained from a secondary source, the solar panel's size or area from the manufacturer, the panel's efficiency, and its performance ratio – all of which determined the electricity produced in kilowatts. The ANN was trained and tested using meteorological data, enabling accurate predictions of optimal electricity generation for the location. Notably, the hourly predictions reached their peak by 1 PM at the geographic location (5.2N and 7.5E), indicating that the highest levels of solar power were attainable during this daily period. Moreover, the pattern of monthly average solar power exhibited optimal predictions in January. Influenced by meteorological factors, a significant rise and fall in August, commonly referred to as the 'August Break’ featured. The results demonstrated exceptional accuracy with minimal error margins (mean absolute error (MAE) of 0.03, mean squared error (MSE) of 0.0, and root mean squared error (RMSE) of 0.03). This high level of accuracy rendered the predictions reliable, making them suitable for consultancy services. Additionally, the potential for future work and expansion was evident, as the ANN could incorporate five or more years of radiation data for further improvements and insights.

Investigation of the feasibility of alternative burnout material (maize cob) versus the traditional material (sawdust) for point-of-use ceramic water filter production

C.C. Nnaji — 2024-04-12

Ceramic water filters, are a promising household water treatment technology. Filters were produced using clay as the base material and two locally available burnout materials (sawdust and maize cob). The clay which was classified as an Inorganic clay of low to medium plasticity has a liquid limit of 41.1% and plasticity index of 37.4%. The sizes of the combustible materials are 5,10, 22 microns mixed in proportions of 1:1 and 1:2 by proportions of clay and burnout materials respectively, moulded and fired to a temperature of 1000℃. In the end, ten filters were produced from various particles sizes and proportions of the sawdust and maize cob. The bulk density of the filters ranged from 1.67 to 3.5 g/cm3 with a typical value of 2.63±0.57 g/cm3 . Apparent porosity ranged from 94.94 to 99.87% with a typical value of 99.10±1.13%; while water absorption varied from 28.6 to 59.71 % with a mean of 40.02±9.49 %. Flow rate ranged from very slow rate of 0.051 to 0.92 L/h with a typical value of 0.354±0.226 L/h. Based on type of burnout material, filters made with sawdust had higher flow rates (0.433 L/hr) than those made from maize cob (0.291 L/hr). The percent turbidity removal ranged from 9.1% - 43.7% on the first week to 30.6 – 70.4% on the fifth week of the test for filters made from maize cob; whereas the percent turbidity removal ranged from 5.7 – 35.3% on the first week to 44.9 – 75.6% on the fifth day for sawdust. Filters made from sawdust performed significantly better than those made from maize cob (p = 0.044) at 95% confidence level. In terms of particle size, there was an increase in efficiency of Coliform removal efficiency from 99.6 to 99.8% as the particle size of burnout materials increased from 5 μm to 22 μm. Filters made with lower proportion (1:1) of burnout materials exhibited higher Coliform removal (99.76%) than those made with higher (2:1) proportion (99.63%). However, the proportion of burnout materials within the range used in this study did not significantly affect percentage Coliform removal (p = 0.247). Filters made from sawdust generally performed better than those made from maize cob.

Design and implementation of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) for image capture in enterprise farming

T.K. Ukwueze — 2024-04-12

Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), also known as drone is one of the most interesting emerging technologies with a wide range of applications including agriculture, surveillance, security, search and rescue, mapping, farmland surveying, and wildlife conservation, among others. In Nigeria, UAV is gaining popularity in applications such as in social functions for taking both moving and static pictures, military and security, mapping and agriculture. In this work, an UAV was designed, some components produced by 3D printing, coupled and tested with certain level of local content in view. The UAV is a quadcopter equipped with a camera for real-time image capture of farmlands and it can perform autonomous missions by using global positioning system (GPS) waypoints. The weight of the quadcopter was approximately calculated and hence the electrical and mechanical components selected using a standard empirical design table. The thrust to weight ratio was set at 2:1. Autodesk Maya and Inventor software were used to design the frame in two parts: the frame arms on which the propellers are mounted and the central connecting part that links the four arms. The arms are made up of aluminum square pipes while the central connecting part for the arms was printed with a 3D printer (200 x 200 x 200 Wanhao duplicator i3) using PolyEthylene Terephthalate Glycol (PETG) Filament material of 1.75mm standard gauge. Material selection was based on material strength, cost and availability. NCH Debut video and image capture software was used to record live feeds from the UAV onboard camera. Functionality tests for lift, stability, yaw, roll, pitch, loiter, auto landing, return to launch, flight time, altitude/signal, auto mission using GPS waypoints were carried out with the completed UAV on a less windy day to avoid the influence of wind. It was generally observed that the UAV successfully took off the ground, gained stability, flew to over 100m height, captured aerial photographs of the land below it while on flight at the required height and landed safely. Cost saving advantage of 45.28% was achieved when compared to imported equivalent types.

Investigation of leachate infiltration on groundwater using georesistivity and natural electric field method around Ojoou-Olayanju’s dumpsite, Ada, southwestern Nigeria

A.A. Adeniji — 2024-04-12

The investigation of groundwater within the dumpsite environment is highly important in geophysical study. This is because the extent of interaction between the aquiferous medium and the contaminated zone could pose a serious threat to the end users especially humans when consumed. This research aimed at investigating leachate infiltration and its potential influence on groundwater at Ojoou Olayanju's Dumpsite using combining geo-resistivity and natural electric field (NEF) methods. In this study, five dipole-dipole and five NEF measurements were obtained using the Omega resistivity meters and PQWT-150 equipment respectively. The dipole-dipole method was deployed to obtain a 2D near-surface pseudo-section, and the NEF method was used to obtain the frequency curve and profile maps of electric potential difference. The dipoledipole results revealed the lateral variation in the resistivity along the traverses, suggesting that the materials within this near-surface are heterogeneous, and the closely spaced contours' varying gradients indicate fracture, which would facilitate potential leachate filtration. The NEF results revealed curves, and a subsurface image with respect to depth and profile distance. The points of convergence signals on the frequency model correspond to a medium with low resistivity on the profile map. The conductive medium is seen as being saturated with leachate, which suggests that very large portion of the study area around the dumpsite has been contaminated by leachate. Conclusively, it was revealed that leachate filtration is evidence especially at the topsoil and due to the presence of fractured zones, the groundwater quality is at risk of contamination by continuous filtration of leachate

Sustainable faecal sludge management in Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) settlements in tropical climate: A review

H.O. Orugba — 2024-04-12

In settlements for internally displaced persons (IDPs), achieving sustainable on-site faecal sludge management is crucial. Effective stabilization and treatment methods are vital, as the wrong choices can result in dire sanitary conditions. Tropical climate, marked by low- income settings and overburdened sanitation facilities, pose unique challenges that demand tailored solutions. This review paper focuses on simplicity, cost-efficiency, and minimal land requirements for stabilization, along with affordability, low health risks, and valuable end-products for treatment. Notable findings include mechanical presses, planted drying beds, and solar greenhouse drying beds as robust stabilization methods, while microwave heating, black soldier fly larvae, and anaerobic digestion show promise as sustainable treatment techniques. Adopting these techniques promises sustainable faecal sludge management and potential improvements in living standards. This paper guides the way toward enhanced sanitation and well-being in the toughest conditions.

Energy sources for poultry egg incubators’ efficiency and hatchability

W.I. Okonkwo — 2024-04-12

Artificial incubation is needed to multiply the chicken yield especially in the upcoming economies where the provision falls short of its demand. Heat is the major factor among the indispensable requirements of successful egg incubation. Hence, the main focus of this work is to identify the sources of energy used in poultry egg incubations and to determine the hatchability rate of the poultry egg incubators based on energy source used. The method of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) was used. Series of eligibility/exclusion criteria were applied: only journal articles, peer reviewed conference papers and government publications were selected; articles in English publications were chosen as well. Only papers published from April, 2022 downwards were covered. The study found that sources of energy for egg incubation are categorized into grid supply electricity, solar system, fossil fuel, biogas and thermochemical materials. From the reviewed articles, 50% identified grid-supplied electricity as energy source for poultry egg incubation and hatchability ranges from 80.9% - 98.39%. However, due to erratic nature of electricity supply and non-availability in rural areas especially in developing nations, the study recommends increased research interest on other energy sources to improve their hatchability.

Willingness to adopt precision agriculture: An analysis of Gombe and Bauchi States of Nigeria

C. Ezeaku — 2024-04-12

Adoption of Precision Agriculture (PA) technologies has apparent benefits for agricultural production management, cost savings, and environmental sustainability. However, these technologies are also extremely complicated and influenced by various social and economic forces, which impact their adoption rate, particularly in developing nations. Demographic and agricultural characteristics also play an important role in determining willingness to adopt PA. This study is a survey aimed at establishing the willingness indices of farmers and other relevant personnel to embrace precision farming technologies in Gombe and Bauchi states of Nigeria. The survey included individuals of varied ages; but an average age of 28.5 years for Gombe and 36.5 years for Bauchi, educational levels, and employment statuses, as well as agricultural and operational features. The willingness to adopt PA is high in both states, with 92% in Gombe and 96% in Bauchi. The findings suggest that, while high costs and a lack of technical know-how had a negative impact on readiness to adopt PA in both states, the level of complexity was rated higher by the older generation in Bauchi state, which had a comparatively high mean farmer age. The size of the farm and the number of employees had no direct influence on the adoption of PA technology. Other criteria, such as age and number of years of operation, indicate overlap between the various stages of internet and digital technology adoption, mechanization, and PA. The high willingness rating indicates that farmers are willing to adopt PA technologies if made accessible. It is therefore advised that legislative tools, training programs, and necessary access to financing facilities be employed to make these technologies available and cheap for farmers.

Editorial

Chidozie Charle Nnaji — 2024-04-12

No Abstract