UNIZIK Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences

Effects of volume fraction of palm kernel shell nanoparticles on the pH and electrical conductivity of Ethylene Glycol (EG)/deionised water

2024-04-08T20:52:59+01:00

Comprehensive research has been carried out on the synthesis of nanofluid produced from metals, nonmetals and their various oxides. But, little or no work has been carried out using bio-based nanoparticles. The need for the use of bio-based nanoparticles in nanofluids research is important to reduce over-dependence on toxic nanoparticles. Bio-based materials like palm kernel shell (PKS) constitute environmental waste, its conversion to useful products for engineering application will go a long way in solving environmental problems. In this paper, nanoparticles was produced from Palm kernel shell (PKS) using a ball-milling machine. The PKS nanoparticles with an average size of 200 nm were dispersed in a mixture of ethylene glycol (EG)/ deionised water (50:50) base fluid up to 1.5% of the volume fraction (0.3%, 0.6 %, 0.9 % 1.2 % and 1.5%). The pH and electrical conductivity of PKS–deionised water and EG (50:50) were investigated for temperature ranging from 30 to 70◦C. The obtained results showed that the pH and the electrical conductivity increased as the volume fraction of the PKS nanoparticle was increased from 0.3 to 1.5%. However, the pH decreased with an increase in the temperature while the electrical conductivity increased with an increase in the volume fraction and temperature. This shows the effects of palm kernel shell nanoparticles and temperature on the PH and electrical conductivity of the palm kernel shell nanofluid. The experimental results shows the effects of palm kernel shell nanoparticles and temperature on the pH and electrical conductivity of the palm kernel shell nanofluid.

Assessment of Flooding Impact of River Ngadda in Borno State

2024-04-13T04:44:42+01:00

Flooding is a threat to the environment that requires appropriate measures to be taken to mitigate it effects. Flood frequency analysis of River Ngadda was carried out using available historical streamflow data (1981 – 2000). Preventive measures to mitigate the impact of flooding were also proposed. Statistical analysis revealed that River Ngadda experienced flood in 7 years from the period of 1981 to 2000 with an annual mean flow discharge of 7728.7m³/s and skewness of 0.86. Furthermore, results showed that River Ngadda experienced another 7 years of flood from the period of 2001 to 2022 with annual average streamflow and skewness of 4241.44m³/s and 1.04 respectively. To this end, the present study suggested that government should ensure compliance to the environmental management policies that are properly enforced in the country. Equally, development control activities should be taken seriously to avoid erecting on flood plains and flood-prone areas. Finally, regular environmental education should be given priority in society as it is always ascribed that knowledge is power, and with power, there is no limit to achievement.

Effect of projectile shape on laminate composite materials (mild steel-bulk metallic glass-dyneema) as ballistic protection using computational analysis

2024-04-13T05:14:04+01:00

This study investigated the influence of projectile geometry on the ballistic performance of laminate composite materials for protective systems. Advanced computational analysis using Abaqus Explicit FEA software compared two projectile configurations, blunt-nose and conical, against laminate materials including mild steel, Bulk metallic glass, and Dyneema, with a 9 mm plate thickness target. The study reveals that over a velocity range of 215 m/s to 275 m/s, the conical projectile induces significantly higher Von Mises stress levels compared to the blunt-nose projectile. This effect is attributed to the conical projectile's piercing action causing localized plastic strain and petal-like formations, while the blunt projectile results in plug ejection from the target material. The research highlights the complex failure mechanisms associated with different projectile geometries, with the conical projectile inducing radial necking and petalling, and the blunt projectile causing indentations and plug ejection. These findings underscore the reproducibility of established trends and contribute to understanding the ballistic behavior of laminate composite materials.