https://journals.unizik.edu.ng/ujtpms/issue/feedUnizik Journal of Technology, Production and Mechanical Systems2024-01-26T00:40:55+01:00Engr. Christian Emeka Okafor PhD[email protected]Open Journal Systems<p align="justify"><em><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Unizik Journal of Technology, Production and Mechanical Systems (UJTPMS) </span></span></span></em><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">is an interdisciplinary peer-reviewed journal published by the </span></span></span><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka</span></span></span><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">. </span></span></span><em><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">UJTPMS</span></span></span></em><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> is devoted to the promotion of excellence in theoretical and applied science research and the dissemination of research reports as tools for learning. The aim of the </span></span></span><em><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">UJTPMS</span></span></span></em><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> is to provide an international forum for the publication of full-length articles, reviews and short communications that contribute to the understanding of the main and related areas of technology, production and mechanical systems. </span></span></span></p> <p align="left"> </p>https://journals.unizik.edu.ng/ujtpms/article/view/2997Optimum proportion of starch binder and palm kernel shell hybrid additive in the formation of sawdust based composite briquette2024-01-25T23:52:16+01:00Seun Oyelami[email protected]Wasiu Oyediran Adedeji[email protected]Franscis Olukunle Ademokoya[email protected]Abideen Temitayo Oyewo[email protected]Kehinde Adenike Oyewole[email protected]Babajide Joshua Ojerinde[email protected]Olakunle Olukayode[email protected]<table> <tbody> <tr> <td> <p>Briquette making involves collection of combustible materials not useable because of their low density and compressing them into solid fuel of convenient shape. Briquette has lower ash content, high heat and calorific value than most fuels. Thus, this study investigated 200g of pure sawdust and five other briquettes of percentage by mass ratios of sawdust to palm kernel shell of 90:10, 80:20, 70:30, 60:40, and 50:50, were made dry and without binder. The briquettes were tested for crushing strength and calorific value. The best of the briquettes which is 70:30 percentages was picked and its composition was used to make another set of five briquettes but with starch of masses 10g, 20g, 30g, 40g and 50g respectively. The briquettes with starch content were tested for calorific value only. Consequently, the data obtained from the results showed that addition of palm kernel shell increases the calorific value from 15,668KJ/kg when there was no palm kernel shell addition to 18,397kJ/kg at palm kernel shell addition up to 30% beyond which the calorific value decreases. However, addition of starch binder to the briquette raised the calorific value to 20,377kJ/kg when the starch addition was up to 4.8% beyond which the calorific value decreases. Result shows that 4.8% of starch addition was insufficient for the composite briquette. However, 13% of starch binder briquette a calorific value of 20,005kJ/kg is considered the best. 13% of starch binder briquette could be developed for usage in boiler, heating purpose and gasification plants to replace conventional fuel sources.</p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>2024-01-25T00:00:00+01:00Copyright (c) 2024 https://journals.unizik.edu.ng/ujtpms/article/view/2998Comparative Analysis: Heat flow & drying performance in a dual Electric/gas convective dryer2024-01-26T00:40:55+01:00Okeke John Chikaelo[email protected]Ugochukwu Chuka Okonkwo[email protected]Nwadike Chinagorom Emmanuel[email protected]Nwanonobi Benjamin Chibuzo[email protected]<table> <tbody> <tr> <td> <p>This study scrutinizes convective dryers at 45°C and 60°C, comparing the impact of electric and gas heat sources on heat flow and drying performance. By analyzing temperature changes within dryer compartments, we uncovered unique behaviors for each heat source. Gas showed faster moisture reduction compared to electric, achieving 9.81%wb and 9.39%wb at 45°C and 60°C in 33 and 21 hours, respectively, compared to 10.08%wb and 10.22%wb in 34 and 22 hours for electric. Effective diffusivity increased from 8.792 ×10<sup>-8</sup> m<sup>2</sup>/s to 1.22 ×10<sup>-7</sup> m<sup>2</sup>/s for electric and 8.9×10<sup>-8</sup> m<sup>2</sup>/s to 1.42×10<sup>-7</sup> m<sup>2</sup>/s for gas. Activation energy was 39.08kj/mol for electric and 42.59kj/mol for gas. The Page model demonstrated high accuracy (R<sup>2</sup> = 0.9968, RMSE = 0.0132, X<sup>2</sup> = 0.0002) across temperatures and heat sources for drying Clarias gariepinus. The findings suggest practical implications for industrial drying processes, highlighting the potential advantages of gas-based drying systems for faster and more efficient drying operations. Further exploration of these findings could lead to optimized drying methodologies, potentially enhancing efficiency in various drying applications within the industry.</p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>2024-01-25T00:00:00+01:00Copyright (c) 2024