ABSTRACT The job scheduling mathematical model was applied to small scale oil winning processing in this paper with a view to develop a framework for the proper scheduling of jobs (orders) in oil winning processing firm in Nigeria. The problem is addressed by supposing we have (n) customers to be served (where n is large); in what way should customers’ order be processed such that the firm’s profit is maximized while the customers are not unnecessarily delayed? The paper addressed the pro...
ABSTRACT Sawdust particles soon after emission from the cutting machine usually move dynamically with transformation in some dimensions. This paper models the sawdust particle motion as a two dimensional transformation system of continuous time series. Cost could be saved using this approach instead of utilizing dynamic systems that depend on time history. TWP dimensional graphical representation of continuous time series of Duffing's dynamic system for sawdust particles was investigated with...
ABSTRACT Heat flow patterns in two salt bath furnaces were studied in this work using finite element(FE) analysis. The implications of the heat flows on long term stability of furnace performance were evaluated. One design had a purely silica brick back-up after the embedded heating element with asbestos and glass-wool fiber insulation just before the outer steel shell. The other had an additional air-gap insulation formed by cylindrical steel belts with spacers placed after the silica back-...
ABSTRACT Monitoring of surface roughness is an essential component in planning of machining processes as it affects the surface quality and dimensional accuracy of machined components. In this study, the development and application of a machine vision system suitable for on-line measurement of surface roughness of machined components using artificial neural network (ANN) is described. The system, which was based on digital image processing of the machined surface, consisted of a CCD camera, ...
ABSTRACT Fuel flexibility and capacity to burn broad spectrum of fuels at high combustion efficiency with minimum emissions of greenhouse gases are few of several key advantages fluidized bed combustion technology has over other existing combustion technology. This report examines the design, development and testing of an experimental model Bubbling fluidized bed combustor (BFBC). The developed BFBC has unique inert bed's temperature regulating system which implies that the use of external s...
ABSTRACT This paper considers the problem of scheduling in flow-shop by Johnson's Algorithm method and Genetic Algorithm method to find an optimal sequence for n jobs m-machine problem based on minimum elapsed time.
ABSTRACT The self-running pulse charger was designed and constructed using solid-state devices to produce pulse current for charging lead acid batteries. The aim of this research is to reduce the use of kerosene lanterns by rural dwellers and aid pupils to study at night in off-grid communities which do not have electricity. A coil of 200 turns, MJ11016 FET, NE555 IC and various values of resistors, capacitors and diodes were soldered on a printed circuit board (PCB) to ensure proper e...
ABSTRACT In this work, the effect of various heat treatments on ST 60Mn steel on its fatigue strength prior to use and after use was studied it was observed that by normalising for service conditions not exceeding 10 stress cycle, the fatigue strength was raised by a factor of 1 2.
ABSTRACT A solar-powered adsorption refrigerator using activated carbon1methanol.pair was designed and fabricated. The refrigerator has three major components: collector,condenser, and evaporator. A 3 mm thick flat glass was used as flat plate collector. The condenser was made of spirally 'coiled copper tube immersed in pool of stagnant water contained in a reinforced concrete tank. The evaporator was fabricated from standard ' 15.6, rnm diameter copper tubing. The activated carbon used as ad...
ABSTRACT Cubic equations of state are commonly used for predicting the properties of reservoir fluids.' They are simple to use and require few parameters during computations. They have also been found to produce results that are comparable to the more rigorous multi-parameter equations. However, they are still regarded by many as mere comprehensive correlations of fluid properties because of a number of weaknesses and /imitations. This work addresses two weaknesses of cubic equations of state...
ABSTRACT This work investigated the possible use of Ushafa clay in Abuja, Nigeria as a suitable replacement for bentonite clay in foundry use. Moulding sand mixes with compositions of 8,10 and 13 % Ushafa clay, silica sand and 5, 7,8,9,10 and 11 % coal dust additives were mulled. From each mix, cylindrical specimens were prepared and subjected to permeability, shatter index, compression and shear strength tests. The results from the Ushafa mix were compared with results from Bentonite mixes....
Abstract Interest is growing daily on the utilization of bamboo as a reliable supplement to wood in furniture production to mitigate the scarcity of wood raw material supply. This study explored the viability of recycling bamboo recovered from scaffold into intermediate raw material for indoor furniture production. Strips were processed from the recovered Bambusa vulgaris Schrad and were subjected to conventional treatment methods with some modification to simplify the treatment. The durabil...
ABSTRACT In an attempt to meet the food demand by the ever increasing human population, the use of machines in the performance of agricultural operations is increasingly being emphasized. Two of the most common operations for which machines are used on the farm are ploughing and harrowing. Tractor operators who perform these functions are known to spend long period of time working with the machines and various implements which generate substantial noise. Exposure to excessive noise could be...
ABSTRACT Abrasive materials are materials of extreme hardness that are used to shape other materials by a grinding or abrading action and they are used either as loose grains, as grinding wheels, or as coatings on cloth or paper. A grinding wheel is made of very small, sharp and hard silicon carbide abrasive particles or grits held together by strong porous bond. The manufacture of silicon carbide abrasives and grinding wheel in Nigeria has been severely impeded by the difficulty of identifyi...
ABSTRACT This work investigated the effect of annealing, normalizing and quenching heat treatments on the microstructure of some chromium alloyed grey cast iron. Three sets of ten samples each having chromium contents of 0.5, 1.5 and 2.5% were heat treated above the upper critical temperature, to austenitizing temperatures (800oC, 850oC, 900oC) for one hour each and then annealed, normalized and water quenched. Metallographic analyses of the heat treated samples were done. The results showed ...