ENGINEERING

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    2-WAY DOUBLE LAYER SPACE GRID AS ROOF STRUCTURES
    (1984-07) ABDULLAHI, OYI
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    ADSORPTION AND PHOTOCATALYTIC DEGRADATION OF ACETAMINOPHEN USING ZnFe2O4-TiO2 COMPOSITE
    (2016-11) ZUBAIR, AISHA
    Frequent occurrence of pharmaceutical compounds in aquatic environments and drinking water has raised a concern about their potential effects on environment and human health. Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) including heterogeneous photocatalysis have proved to be one of the most effective methods for water treatment. The coupling of TiO2 and ZnFe2O4 semiconductors results in a composite having high photocatalytic activity under solar and/or visible light irradiation. Thus, ZnFe2O4-TiO2 composite was synthesized using microwave assisted combustion method. The ZnFe2O4-TiO2 composite was characterized using XRF, XRD and SEM techniques. Adsorption of acetaminophen in the dark onto the ZnFe2O4-TiO2 composite nicely fitted pseudo second-order kinetic model and the Langmuir isotherm model. The maximum adsorption capacity of the ZnFe2O4-TiO2 composite was 26.88 mgg−1. Control experiments showed that the percentage removal of acetaminophen via adsorption in the dark, photolysis (irradiation with visible light) and photocatalysis were 35%, 4% and 88%, respectively. The kinetics of photocatalytic degradation of acetaminophen under visible light irradiation using the ZnFe2O4-TiO2 composite obeys pseudo-first order approximation of the Langmuir-Hinshelwood kinetic model. Quadratic model equations that adequately describe photocatalytic degradation and mineralization of acetaminophen were developed using RSM (response surface methodology). The significant photocatalytic process parameters were: initial concentration of acetaminophen, dosage of ZnFe2O4-TiO2 composite (photocatalyst) and irradiation time. Numerical optimization of the process parameters was carried out for photocatalytic degradation and mineralization of acetaminophen. The predicted optimum conditions for photocatalytic degradation of acetaminophen were initial acetaminophen concentration of 11.0 mg/l, photocatalyst dosage of 0.6 g/L and irradiation time of 42.0 min. The predicted optimum conditions for photocatalytic mineralization of acetaminophen were initial acetaminophen concentration of 11.2 mg/l, photocatalyst dosage of 1.0 g/L and irradiation time of 28.7 min. Under the predicted optimum conditions, photocatalytic degradation and mineralization of acetaminophen were 91.5% and 96.3% respectively. The validated experiments for photocatalytic degradation and mineralization of acetaminophen were 90.9% and 95.9 %, respectively.
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    AIR INJECTION STUDIES FOR ENHANCED OIL RECOVERY
    (2016-12) BELLO, TAJUDEEN KOLAWOLE
    Conventionally, air injection has been used for recovery of heavy crude oil in the production field, but studies have shown that depletion of light crude oil in the reservoir leads to abandonment of such wells. Hence, this work studied the kinetics and combustion of light crude oil in-situ the reservoir to understand their potentials for high-pressure air injection (HPAI) enhanced oil recovery (EOR). Advanced thermo-kinetic simulation and Pressure-Volume-Temperature tools (AKTS and PVTsim) were coupled with non-isothermal Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) measurements and Accelerating Rate Calorimeter (ARC) for the studies. The combustion and kinetics of three (3) light crude oils obtained from Offshore of Newfoundland, Canada were precisely described by the methods. It was observed that the crude with the lowest API of 30.214 had the lowest enthalpy change of 10.9 J/g and the highest onset oxidation temperature of 220 oC, while the crude with the highest API gravity of 46.963 had the highest enthalpy of 24.6 J/g and the lowest onset oxidation temperature of 140 oC. Effect of 10% water saturation of one of the crude samples (Sample A) was studied and it was observed that there was increase in the onset oxidation temperature by 40 oC and lowering of the enthalpy change by 9 J/g. These findings provided evidence that the versatile Differential Scanning Calorimetry thermograms when coupled with kinetic simulation technique can yield reliable results with respect to oil recovery with high correlation coefficient (r > 0.9). This reliable information such as onset, peak and endset temperatures with their respective heat flow patterns, could then be used to provide precise thermo-kinetic parameters. Kinetic triplets such as activation energy, pre-exponential and the reaction model necessary for reservoir screening in an air injection EOR process can also be accurately determined. Mine tailings containing high pyrrhotite content were
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    AIR INJECTION STUDIES FOR ENHANCED OIL RECOVERY
    (2016-12) BELLO, TAJUDEEN KOLAWOLE
    Conventionally, air injection has been used for recovery of heavy crude oil in the production field, but studies have shown that depletion of light crude oil in the reservoir leads to abandonment of such wells. Hence, this work studied the kinetics and combustion of light crude oil in-situ the reservoir to understand their potentials for high-pressure air injection (HPAI) enhanced oil recovery (EOR). Advanced thermo-kinetic simulation and Pressure-Volume-Temperature tools (AKTS and PVTsim) were coupled with non-isothermal Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) measurements and Accelerating Rate Calorimeter (ARC) for the studies. The combustion and kinetics of three (3) light crude oils obtained from Offshore of Newfoundland, Canada were precisely described by the methods. It was observed that the crude with the lowest API of 30.214 had the lowest enthalpy change of 10.9 J/g and the highest onset oxidation temperature of 220 oC, while the crude with the highest API gravity of 46.963 had the highest enthalpy of 24.6 J/g and the lowest onset oxidation temperature of 140 oC. Effect of 10% water saturation of one of the crude samples (Sample A) was studied and it was observed that there was increase in the onset oxidation temperature by 40 oC and lowering of the enthalpy change by 9 J/g. These findings provided evidence that the versatile Differential Scanning Calorimetry thermograms when coupled with kinetic simulation technique can yield reliable results with respect to oil recovery with high correlation coefficient (r > 0.9). This reliable information such as onset, peak and endset temperatures with their respective heat flow patterns, could then be used to provide precise thermo-kinetic parameters. Kinetic triplets such as activation energy, pre-exponential and the reaction model necessary for reservoir screening in an air injection EOR process can also be accurately determined. Mine tailings containing high pyrrhotite content were then used as catalyst to study its effect on the onset oxidation temperature of the crude oils using ARC. An amount of 20% tailings in crude oil lowered the average onset oxidation temperature from 148 oC to 116 oC. It also had the widest oxidation temperature range of 63 oC between the onset and endset temperature, as well as the highest pressure drop of 2.4 bar, which signifies high conversion in the crude oil oxidation reaction as well as production of miscible flue gas which favoured enhanced oil recovery process. Products of air combustion products in-situ was studied as an injectant in a light oil Nigerian reservoir using a simulated slim tube experiment and was observed than flue gas products from air oxidation at high temperature and pressure favoured enhanced oil recovery.
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    ANALYSIS AND OPTIMISATION OF INTER CELL HANDOVER DYNAMICS IN A GSM NETWORK
    (2014-08) ABEDNEGO, ANDIRYA GALADIMA
    Efficient Handover mechanism in a GSM network is one of the parameters critical to GSM network service quality (QoS) and customer satisfaction. Handover is the process that transfers an ongoing call from one cell to another as the users move through the coverage areas of the cellular systems. This research focuses on analyzing and optimizing intercell handover dynamics in Airtel Network in Kano. A three months call record sample data was used. Several cells in the Airtel Network in Kano were investigated by profiling and analysing their performance using standard mathematical relationships of Handover success rate, Call setup success rate, Blocking probability, Call drop rate which are relevant Key Performance Indicators. Data was obtained in Microsoft Excel format. Performance evaluation was carried out using Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) QoS standard for Macrocell as benchmark. The evaluation revealed that seventy two percent (72%) of cells considered performed below NCC targets for Call Setup Success Rate (CSSR), sixty four (64%) failed to achieve NCC targets for Handover Success Rate (HSR) and sixty four percent (64%) failed to achieve Standalone Dedicated Control Channel blocking rates targets, twenty one percent (21%) failed to achieve congestion targets. Average call drop rate per cell was predicted to be six percent (6%). An optimal solution was provided using dynamic cutoff priority channel allocation scheme, this improves performance of handover dynamics when simulated. An object oriented simulation technique was employed using a JAVA variant NETBEANS 6.1 because of its moderate system resource requirement, fast and responsive user interface. The result showed that handover failure rate was reduced by an average of Ninety percent (90%) for varying loads. System validation was achieved by comparing the real and simulated load characteristics which have similarities. A correlation coefficient was calculated using MATLAB to be 0.9122
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    ANALYSIS AND OPTIMISATION OF INTER CELL HANDOVER DYNAMICS IN A GSM NETWORK (A CASE STUDY OF AIRTEL KANO, NIGERIA)
    (2014-08) GALADIMA, ABEDNEGO ANDIRYA
    Efficient Handover mechanism in a GSM network is one of the parameters critical to GSM network service quality (QoS) and customer satisfaction. Handover is the process that transfers an ongoing call from one cell to another as the users move through the coverage areas of the cellular systems. This research focuses on analyzing and optimizing intercell handover dynamics in Airtel Network in Kano. A three months call record sample data was used. Several cells in the Airtel Network in Kano were investigated by profiling and analysing their performance using standard mathematical relationships of Handover success rate, Call setup success rate, Blocking probability, Call drop rate which are relevant Key Performance Indicators. Data was obtained in Microsoft Excel format. Performance evaluation was carried out using Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) QoS standard for Macrocell as benchmark. The evaluation revealed that seventy two percent (72%) of cells considered performed below NCC targets for Call Setup Success Rate (CSSR), sixty four (64%) failed to achieve NCC targets for Handover Success Rate (HSR) and sixty four percent (64%) failed to achieve Standalone Dedicated Control Channel blocking rates targets, twenty one percent (21%) failed to achieve congestion targets. Average call drop rate per cell was predicted to be six percent (6%). An optimal solution was provided using dynamic cutoff priority channel allocation scheme, this improves performance of handover dynamics when simulated. An object oriented simulation technique was employed using a JAVA variant NETBEANS 6.1 because of its moderate system resource requirement, fast and responsive user interface. The result showed that handover failure rate was reduced by an average of Ninety percent (90%) for varying loads. System validation was achieved by comparing the real and simulated load characteristics which have similarities. A correlation coefficient was calculated using MATLAB to be 0.9122.
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    ANALYSIS AND QUANTIFICATION OF DROUGHT USING METEOROLOGICAL INDICES IN THE SUDANO-SAHEL REGION OF NIGERIA
    (2000) OTUN, JOHNSON ADEBOLA
    Unlike the common use of only ‘rainfall amounts’ in indexing the drought in a place, this study have identified, verified and validated the potentials of nine (9) other precipitation effectiveness variables (PEV) that can equally reflect the drought conditions in any place. The 10 PEVs have been effectively combined to derive a ‘at-site’ operational drought index called the Conjunctive Precipitation Effectiveness Index (CPEI). A historical daily rainfall record from 1916-2003 for seven (7) stations in the SSRN was used to estimate CPEI for these stations. The CPEI obtained, using the 1023 possible arrangements for the various combinations of the 10 PEVs, were respectively statistically compared with the values for the Standard Precipitation Index (SPI), Rainfall Anomaly Index (RAI), Bhalmey-Mooley Drought Index (BMDI) and Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI). Results obtained showed that a maximum combination of six (6) PEVs gave an average correlation (r) value above 0.8. Those arrangements with r > 0.8 were further ranked and through a descriptive analysis, it was shown that the ultimate number of PEVs that can be effectively combined to get the optimum CPEI values for indexing the drought is three (3) PEVs for Gusau and Kano, five (5) PEVs for Sokoto and Maiduguri and four (4) for the rest stations under study. The drought conditions for over 50 years, in the SSRN, were therefore examined using the derived optimum CPEI index and other four indices. The results obtained for each of the indices compared very well with notable historical drought years. These preliminary applications show that most of the indices used can be considered as operational tools for a national drought watch system in the SSRN to quantify and characterize the drought conditions ix objectively. As the significant level of occurrence observed with one of these PEVs, i.e. dry spell occurrence within the wet season and year, for each of the station under study, initiated some concerns and interests. The study therefore also attempted to further analyze the incidence and distribution of the dry spell occurrences in the SSRN as a way of making suggestion on how the incessant spell in the SSRN can be well accommodated. The analysis involves an empirical analysis of the dry spell (EADS) in the SSRN. The results from the EADS provided an ample of information that can be used as guides for various agricultural applications.
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    ANALYSIS OF FOUR-BAR MECHANISMS
    (1977-07) OLAMIGOKE, Ayodele
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    ANALYSIS OF INTRA-URBAN BUS TRAVEL TIMES
    (1982-04) CHIEJINA, EMMANUEL EJIKEMEUWA
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    ANALYSIS OF SELECTED TYPES OF ROAD SURFACINGS
    (1989-07) AKPOMIE, Bright Sunday Omo
    Various methods were used to design asphaltic concrete, hot rolled and mastic asphalts. Asphaltic concrete and mastic asphalt were designed principally using the Marshall procedure, while hot rolled asphalt was designed according to BS 594 and a method proposed for gap-graded mixes. A typical surface dressing design was also carried out for a lightly trafficked road suitable for Northern Nigeria. The optimum binder content and other design parameters were determined for the surfacings investigated. Some of the values obtained were 6.9%, 6.86% and 13.7% as binder content for asphaltic concrete, hot rolled and mastic asphalts respectively. 17.2kN, 8.4kN and 10.2kN for stability. 4.0%, 5.2% and 3.0% were obtained as voids in the mix. The analysis and cost estimates of test results showed that it would cost N3G5.17 to lay a m3 of asphaltic concrete against N341.70 for hot rolled asphalt. It will cost 84.86 to apply surface dressing on a m2 of road surface
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    ANALYSTS OF THE VARIATIONS TN SOME HETEOROLOGICAL ELEMENTS PERTINENT TO AIR POLLUTION PREDICTION
    (1992-01) SALAU, O.B. Elias
    Variations in the average daily windspeed, temperature and atmospheric pressure records in Ikeja and Kaduna were inverstiqated using time series analytical technique. Results of the harmonic analysis for windspeed showed that the periodic v a r i a t i o ns accounted for 40% of the total variance while the f i r s t , second and third harmonics were found significant. As for the temperature and atmospheric pressure records, the f i r s t and second harmonics were found significant accounting for 70% and 90% of the residual variance respectively. Further stochastic analysis on the windspeed residuals showed that the purely random components accounted for 70% of the remaining r e s i d u a l s while the corresponding values for temperature and atmospheric pressure were 50% and 20%. The good agreement between the observed and predicted values of the elements showed that the predictive models can bo useful in forecasting pollutant concentrations within an industrial area if incorporated into the Gaussian Flume model.
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    APPLICATION OF AN OPTIMAL TUNING TECHNIQUE OF ON-LOAD TAPCHANGING TRANSFORMER FOR POWER QUALITY IMPROVEMENT IN TRANSMISSION LINE NETWORK
    (2021) LAWAL, RABE
    For reliable and efficient operation of power system, voltage level and reactive power flow along transmission lines has to be adequately regulated. To control reactive power flow over transmission lines and compensate for varying voltage drops, tap changing transformers are required. By altering the voltage magnitudes at the windings of the transformers through winding tap adjustment, reactive power flow can be controlled. The transformers can be off-loaded or on-line tap changer. In the latter, the transformers are disconnected from the system when the tap setting is to be adjusted, while in the former, the tap adjustment is carried out with the transformers connected. In this research work, Grey Wolf Optimization (GWO) algorithm is applied to determine the optimal On-Line Tap Changer (OLTC) of the available transformers in the system in order to improve the voltage profile and regulate reactive power. The constraints considered in the formulation of the problem are demand-generation balance, bus voltage limits, line thermal overloading limits and tap-changer adjustment limits according to IEEE C57.131 2012 requirement. To verify the effectiveness of the developed technique, it is implemented on IEEE 14-bus, IEEE 30-bus and 57-bus Nigerian Transmission systems. The performances of the proposed technique is compared with those obtained using Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO). From the simulation carried out in MATLAB environment, it is observed there is significant reductions in the overall voltage deviation (VD) as well as the reactive power loss (RPL) when the OLTCs are optimized. For instance, in the IEEE 14-bus system, the VD was reduced from 2.0892pu (base case) to 1.0153pu due to the optimal tuning of the OLCTs using GWO and 1.4783pu when PSO was applied. This represents 51.40% improvement in the case of the developed GWO over that of the base case and 31.32% improvement over the case of the PSO. Similarly, the RPL was reduced from 277.298MVar of the base case value to 156.542MVar due to the optimal tuning of the OLCTs using GWO and 206.591MVar when PSO was applied representing 43.54% and 25.49% improvements respectively. These have demonstrated the applicability of the GWO and its superiority over PSO in optimizing the OLTCs in the IEEE 14-bus and 30-bus systems. In the Nigerian 57-bus system, by applying the GWO, the total VD was reduced from 6.7808pu (base case) to 4.4519pu representing 34.35% improvement. Finally, the value of RPL was reduced by 36.56% from its original value of 185.4685Mvar.
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    APPLICATION OF BAT ALGORITHM-BASED METHOD FOR MULTI-OBJECTIVE OPTIMAL NETWORK RECONFIGURATION AND DISTRIBUTED GENERATION PLACEMENT IN RADIAL DISTRIBUTION NETWORK
    (2018-02) MAGAJI, MUHAMMAD
    This dissertation presents an Application of Bat Algorithm-Based Method (BA) forMulti-Objective Optimal Network Reconfiguration andDistributed Generation placement in Radial Distribution Network. The BA approach presented in this work enables the reconfiguration of the network as well as the optimal distributed generation(DG) placement in one seamless algorithm. This would minimize errors encountered in using analytical approaches and also improve on the accuracy of the results obtained. In the developed method, the base case active and reactive power losses for the standard IEEE 33-bus were first determined using forward-backward algorithm as 208.46kW and 111.67kW respectively. Then, the developed BA method was applied on the IEEE-33 to determine the optimal DG sizes and the location as well as the optimal reconfiguration of the network.The DGssizes and locations were determined as 957kW, 870kW, 822kW as well as 593kVar, 539kVar, 509kVar at buses 29, 31 and 12 respectively. The total active and reactive power loss obtained after the DG placement as well as network reconfiguration were 15.2353kW and 12.0593kVAr respectively.Thus, the developed method recorded a loss reduction of 92.6915% and 53.56% for active and reactive power loss respectively over the base case, while the voltage profile of 0.91075pu for base casewas improved to 0.9918pu.Furthermore, the results were compared with the work of Syahputraet al., wherethe developed method recorded an improvement of 6.32% on active power loss reduction and 1.04% on voltage profile improvement over the results of Syahputra. The developed method was also implemented on a simulated feeder of Sabon-Gari at Zaria distribution network with the view to optimize the synchronous DG placement as well as network reconfiguration. The results indicated that active and reactive power losses were reduced by 88.77% and 88.18% respectively, while the voltage profile has beenimproved to 4.1% over the base case.All simulations were implemented on MAT LAB 2013b environment.
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    APPLICATION OF FIBRE REINFORCED CONCRETE IN THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF TENSION CONTROLLED STRUCTURES
    (1989-10) IBRAHIM, Yakubu
    Linear-elastic theory of fracture mechanics was reviewed and a proposed method for designing structural elements subjected principally to tension presented, based on the strain-energy-release-rate for the fibrous concrete mixes. Eighteen experimental models were provided and of which seventeen were tested and reported including the load ranges and associated circumferential strains upto failure of the experimental hollow cylindrical models. Test results and theoretical values are found to be in good agreement within the scope of the investigation, It is concluded that inclusion of steel fibres in the concrete mixes does not necessarily affect the cracking and crack propagation. It is also concluded that for a specific fibre diameter, using a higher aspect ratio for the given fibre favours failure of specimen by fibre fracture rather than pull-out. Decrease in the strain energy release rate is obtained and the economics of fibre concrete mixes was appraised without recourse to financial consideration.
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    APPLICATION OF FUZZY C-MEANS CLUSTERING AND PARTICLE SWARM OPTIMIZATIONTO IMPROVE VOICE TRAFFIC FORECASTINGIN FUZZY TIME SERIES
    (2015-05) YUSUF, SHEHU MOHAMMED
    Forecasting of voice traffic using an accurate model is important to the telecommunication service provider in planning a sustainable Quality of Service (QoS) for their mobile networks. This work is aimed at forecasting Erlang C – based voice traffic using a hybrid forecasting model that integrates fuzzy C-means clustering (FCM) and particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithms with fuzzy time series (FTS) forecasting model. Fuzzy C-means (FCM) clustering, which is an algorithm for data classification, is adopted at the fuzzification phase to obtain unequal partitions. Particle swarm optimization (PSO), which is an evolutional search algorithm, is adopted to optimize the defuzzification phase; by tuning weights assigned to fuzzy sets in a rule.This rule is a fuzzy logical relationship induced from a fuzzy set group (FSG). The clustering and optimization algorithms were implemented in programs written in C#. Daily Erlang C traffic observations collected over a three (3) month period from 1 December, 2012 – 28 February, 2013 from Airtel, Abuja region, was used to evaluate the proposed hybrid model.To evaluate the forecasting efficiency of the proposed hybrid model, its statistical performance measures of mean square error (MSE) and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), were calculated and compared with those of a conventional fuzzy time series (FTS) model and, a fuzzy C-means (FCM) clustering and fuzzy time series (FTS) hybrid model.Statistical results of MSE 0.9867 and MAPE 0.47 %were obtained during training of the proposed hybrid forecasting model. Compared with the training results ofMSE 845.122 andMAPE 13.47 %, for Chen‟s (1996) FTS model and; MSE 856.145 and MAPE 13.37 %, for Cheng‟s (2008); the proposed hybrid forecasting model resulted in a relatively higherforecasting accuracy and precision. Also, performancemeasures of MSE 59.22 and MAPE 3.85 %were obtained during thetesting phase of the proposed model. Compared with the test results of MSE 1567.4 and MAPE 23.98 %obtained for Cheng‟s (2008) FCM/ FTS hybrid model, the proposed hybrid forecasting model also showed a relatively higher forecasting accuracy and precision. Finally, it was determined that reversing the weights of the forecasting rules, during training, resulted to a lesser performance;MSE 42.73 and MAPE 0.88 %. Thus, reversing the weights of forecasting rule affected the forecasting accuracy
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    APPLICATION OF GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS (GIS) IN MANAGEMENT OF TRAFFIC IN ABUJA CITY CENTRE, FCT, NIGERIA
    (2014-11) OLONISAKIN, Kolade Julius
    Traffic problems are increasing by the day. In Abuja, where the travel demand and the travel density are high, traffic creates numerous problems such as traffic congestion; traffic jam, and delays among others.  Application of Global Positioning System (GPS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in management of highway systems is now well established. They are powerful tools for the analysis of both spatial and non-spatial data and for solving important problems of networking. Methods for implementing GPS-GIS as useful tools for management of traffic congestion were developed and examples of decision making applications are provided. A Traveler Information System (TIS) which provides solutions to traffic congestion in the study area in three ways was developed; first by providing transport planners in road controlling authorities with Traffic data (Speed, Level of Service, Travel and Delay time) to better understand congestion, assess its causes and target investment to where there is the most need., secondly traffic information which enables commuters and motorists to take rational decisions as to which route (less or non- congested or the fastest route) to take during peak hour travel. And thirdly to evolve queries that can evoke graphical response, which could be used to tackle traffic congestion in the study area. The research demonstrates the TIS capability in traffic congestion management by way of using available and reliable traffic information to find the fastest route for use when meeting an appointment.
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    APPLICATION OF IMPROVED BACTERIAL FORAGING ALGORITHM TO THE OPTIMAL SITING AND SIZING OF D-STATCOM IN RADIAL DISTRIBUTION NETWORKS
    (2017-02) MUSA, Umar
    Optimal siting and sizing of Distribution Flexible AC Transmission Systems (D-FACTS) devices in power distribution networks maximizes loadability, compensates reactive power, minimizes power loss and enhances voltage profile. The search for optimal size and locations of these devices in radial distribution networks is challenging and requires robust scheduling. This dissertation presents the application of improved bacterial foraging algorithm (IBFA) to the optimal siting and sizing of Distribution Static Compensator (D-STATCOM) in radial distribution networks for power loss minimization and voltage profile enhancement. Radial distribution network power flow model and algorithm was developed based on the Bus Injected to Branch Current matrix (BIBC) technique. The IBFA was modelled with three adaptive run-length units (linear, quadratic and exponential) and the cell-to-cell signalling mechanism was eliminated. A multi-objective function comprising of total active power loss and network bus voltage deviation was formulated for use in the IBFA. The effectiveness and applicability of the approach was demonstrated on standard IEEE 33-bus radial distribution network and the 50-bus Canteen Feeder in Zaria distribution network for steady-state constant load model. The results obtained are compared with those of the conventional BFA; and with Analytical and Bat Algorithm (BA) approaches reported in literature. For the standard IEEE 33-bus test network, the optimal location and size of D-STATCOM were determined respectively as bus 30 and 2577 kVar by the BFA method, while the IBFA approach obtained the optimal site and size of the D-STATCOM in the network to be bus 26 and 3351 kVar respectively. The BFA approach produced a 5.87 % reduction in overall network power losses and an 82.88 % improvement in voltage profile when compared with the base-case scenario. Similarly, the IBFA approach resulted in 5.83 % drop in total power losses of the network and 87.96 % improvement of the voltage profile. An average computational time of 7.2 seconds and 4.9 seconds were obtained for the BFA and IBFA approaches respectively. The results obtained using the IBFA approach showed a 28.5 % and 1.1 % reduction in active power loss and size of D-STATCOM respectively when compared with those of analytical approach. Also, when compared with the BA results, the IBFA approach showed a 50 % improvement in the overall network voltage profile. For the 50-bus Canteen Feeder, bus 41 and 227.8 kVar were found as the optimal site and size of D-STATCOM using BFA method, while for IBFA approach, the optimal site and size of the D-STATCOM in the network were determined as bus 22 and 138 kVar respectively. The overall network power loss was reduced by 22.8 % and the voltage profile improved by 6.10 % using the BFA approach while for the IBFA approach, a 26.53 % reduction in total power loss and a 6.21 % improvement in voltage profile were achieved as compared with the base-case results
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    THE APPLICATION OF STATISTICAL QUALITY CONTROL TECHNIQUE IN FOOD AND BEVERAGE INDUSTRY A CASE STUDY OF HABILA FOOD AND BREVERAGES NIGERIA LTD- KANO
    (2015-09) ABDULLAHI, ZULAIKHA ONONO
    Controlling and improving Quality has become an important business strategy for many organizations, because a business that can delight customers by improving and controlling quality can dominate its competitors. Hence, this project work focused on the application of statistical quality control technique to Habila Food and Beverage Nigeria Limited, in order to control and improve the quality of their products so as to remain in the competitive market. To achieve the aim and objectives of this project work, quality control data were collected through the primary source (i.e. directly from the Quality Control Department of the company). Thereafter, the respective statistical parameters such as the Means, Ranges, Standard Deviations, Centre Line Control Limit, (CL), Upper Control Limit (UCL) and Lower Control Limit (LCL) were developed and analyzed for the company using statistical approach. The resulting Control Charts was also constructed using the parameters developed for better understanding and visibility. From the results, it was found that most of the process data collated and analyzed lies within the designed range of specifications, gives values implying that the process is capable of producing acceptable product. However, those ones out of control which are attributed to assignable causes such as lack of personal training, poor mix, mechanical fault, etc, are to be subjected to process monitoring and evaluation so as to better their products.
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    APPLICATION OF ZEOLITE 4A – METAKAOLIN MATRIX FOR THE REMOVAL OF SOME HEAVY METALS FROM CRUDE OIL TANK FARM WASTEWATER
    (2014-08) NWAFULUGO, FRANCISCA UNOMA
    Pollution of water, especially in communities close to crude oil deposits and refineries, has created worldwide concerns because of the associated heavy metals, inter-alia, released to the environment which have adverse effects on the environment - human and aquatic life. Despite all the efforts of the refineries to curtail this, the inorganic pollutants were not sufficiently catered for. Analysis of the pollution loading of wastewater samples collected from the dewatering tanks in the tank farm of Kaduna Refining and Petrochemicals Company (KRPC) and at the point of discharge to the receiving river indicated concentrations of 0.04 mg/l of Ni, 0.225 mg/l Pb, 0.022 mg/l Cd and 1.823 mg/l Mn as against 0.01 mg/l, 0.01 mg/l, 0.003 mg/l and 0.2 mg/l standards, respectively, set by the National Environmental standard Regulatory and Enforcement Agency (NESREA). There was a consideration to use commercial Zeolite 4A, deriving from its high pore volume and adsorptive sites, but in order to reduce the cost of importation of the Zeolite 4A, a cheap and available local kaolin from Kankara village in Katsina State was used as a blend. The kaolin was processed to sodium base metakaolin using ion exchange techniques to insert sodium ion in the metakaolin structure. The sodium based metakaolin was blended in various proportions with Zeolite 4A to form matrices of Zeolites 4A and metakaolin. The mineralogical and chemical compositions of Zeolites 4A, metakaolin and Zeolites 4A–metakaolin matrices were investigated and analysed using X-ray Florescence (XRF), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)-Energy Dispersive X - ray (EDX) and Brunauer, Emmett and Teller (BET). The metakaolinization was achieved under controlled calcination at the temperature of 750 oC for 3 hours and the blend of Zeolites 4A and metakaolin in the ratio of 25 to 75 % respectively gave a unique matrix. The batch adsorption process was used to investigate the effect of variables such as contact 7 time, matrix dose and pH, on the response. The aggregate removal of the specified heavy metals (nickel, lead, cadmium and manganese) from crude oil tank farm wastewater was achieved in one batch process. This could be attributed to the adsorbent’s high surface area per unit mass, numerous ionic sites per unit mass and their corresponding affinity to the metals. Isotherm and Kinetic studies were carried out. The correlation coefficient (R2) for the adsorption isotherm models showed that the experimental data fitted well with the Freundlich, Langmuir, Temkin, and pseudo – second – order models. A statistical analysis was also carried out for factorial and Response Surface methodology (RSM). The results indicated that the main effects and the 2-way-interactions of the three variables has the highest effect on the response and should be more carefully controlled during routine experiment. The RSM results indicated that at optimum condition of 1.28 g/50 ml of Matrix 4 dose, 20 minutes contact time and pH of 10.35, that the adsorption of 97.991 % nickel, 94.234 % lead, 99.239 % cadmium and 99.919 % manganese could be achieved which is commensurate to the one factor at a time laboratory result of 1 g/50 ml, contact time of 10 minutes and pH range of 8 - 10. The crude oil tank farm wastewater treated at this condition was compared to the untreated sample and it showed a marked decrease in the concentration of the specified metals far below the standard limits set by NESREA.