Aondoyila Kuhe

This study explores the optimization of binder‐free briquette production from jujube seed shells, an underutilized biomass resource in Nigeria, using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The influence of key process variables—particle size, pre‐heat temperature, and compaction pressure—on the mechanical and thermal properties of the briquettes was assessed. RSM results indicated that fine particle sizes (3, compressive strength of 22.81 MPa, and a shatter index exceeding 98%. The briquettes showed excellent durability, with minimal relaxed density loss (1.95%) over 56 days. Thermal analysis revealed high energy content, with calorific values ranging from 6317 to 6495 kcal/kg (26.45–27.19 MJ/kg), low ash content (1.51%–1.68%), and significant fixed carbon (17.29%–18.39%). The optimization process underscored the effectiveness of natural lignin as an internal binder, eliminating the need for external binders. These findings offer a sustainable, cost‐effective, and eco‐friendly alternative to traditional fuels, with promising potential for rural energy solutions in West Africa.

The restaurant is one of the components of the food service industry with high energy demand. The sustainability of its energy consumption is highly desirable for profitability and climate change mitigation. ‘Human factor’ is a phenomenon that is difficult to control in all businesses including the restaurant, and it unfortunately coordinates all other resources. This article reviewed the effects of human factors on sustainable energy consumption, to provide information that will aid better restaurant management towards sustainable operations. A scoping review was employed for the study. Many published articles including grey literature were consulted, but only those with related content were included in the study. The articles were grouped according to several themes capturing issues relating to human factors and the various effects were identified. The study found energy literacy and awareness, behavioral intentions and attitudes, social norms and cultural influences, training and employee engagement, and customer perceptions, expectations, and preferences to be among the human factor issues that affect energy sustainability behaviors. Relevant lessons were drawn from the findings of the study to help restaurants navigate the human factor issues toward sustainable energy utilization. This paper provides information relevant for policy and on-ground administration of restaurants towards enhancing the sustainability of restaurants’ operations. Enhanced energy sustainability in restaurants will contribute greatly to the drive towards climate change mitigation and its consequential benefits.

This experimental study examines how forced convective flow affects heat transfer properties in a rectangular channel with staggered pin fins featuring different perforation patterns under constant heat flux conditions across Reynolds numbers (Re) ranging from 2.0 × 10³ to 12 × 10³. The study compares cylindrical pin fins with solid pin fins and those featuring circular longitudinal (L), longitudinal/transverse (LT), and longitudinal/transverse/vertical (LTV) perforations to determine optimal perforation configurations for enhanced heat transfer performance. The experiment uses a Peltier module to generate heat on one side, utilizing the Armfield Free and Forced Convection Heat Transfer Service Units HT 19 and HT10XC. The results showed that perforated pins significantly raise Nusselt number (Nu) over solid pins: 7% for L, 30% for LT, and 64% for LTV perforations. Pressure drops are reduced by 10% for L, 17% for LT, and 25% for LTV perforations relative to solid pins. At lower Reynolds numbers, the overall enhancement ratio peaks, notable for reaching a 40% rise with LTV-perforated pin fins. Additionally, fin effectiveness improves significantly: 14, 34, and 57% higher for L, LT, and LTV perforated pin-fin arrays, respectively. This study showcases potential applications in electronic cooling systems, promising improved heat transfer efficiency.

In this study, experimental and computational studies of the impact of forced convective flow on the heat transfer characteristics of staggered pin fins with perforations are investigated in a rectangular channel at constant heat flux with Reynolds numbers (Re) of 2 × 10³–12 × 10³. In particular, cylindrical pin fins with circular longitudinal (L) perforation, longitudinal/transverse (LT) perforation, and longitudinal/transverse/vertical (LTV) perforation perforations are compared to solid pin fins to find out how adding different perforation arrays affects overall heat transfer performance and also to find the best perforation configuration for maximum performance. ANSYS‐FLUENT is employed for numerical simulation, validated by experimental data. Experimental validation is conducted by attaching the heat sink to a Peltier module, inducing heat generation through current on one face in the Armfield Free and Forced Convection Heat Transfer Service Units HT 19 and HT10XC. Results highlight significant increases in Nusselt number (Nu) for perforated pins compared to solid pins, with L perforations at 8%, LT perforations at 33%, and 67% for LTV perforated pins due to transverse perforations that act as slots, which stir up the primary flow and induce secondary flow generated by vertical perforations. Regarding pressure drops, L perforations reduce by 9%, LT by 19%, and LTV by 27% compared to solid pins. The overall enhancement ratio peaks at the minimum Reynold number, notably achieving a 38% increase in the LTV perforation pin fin array. This innovative study holds promise for diverse electronic applications, offering enhanced heat transfer performance in electronic cooling systems.

This paper explores the feasibility of supplying power to a remote hospital in Vandeikya local government area of Benue state where the facility is strictly run by diesel generator. The average hourly electrical load demand data for the hospital was obtained by measuring electricity consumption from the power house using digital owl meter (CM 199). The annual average insolation for Vandeikya is 4.92 kWh/m²/d obtained from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory database. The simulation was carried out using HOMER Pro (Hybrid Optimization Model for Multiple Energy Resources version 3.13.8). The average hourly electricity load demand data; cost of components and sizes; average annual insolation data, serve as input into the software. The results gave a net present cost (NPC) of ₦718,308,000.00 (Note:$ 1 equals ₦ 386.32 Naira as at 6^th July, 2020) as compared to diesel only with a cost of ₦9,060,974,000.00; the lifetime of the project considered is 25 years and an assumed real interest rate of 10% per annum, while the system offers a payback period of 1 year. The optimal system configuration is the system with diesel genset (300 kW), generic 500 kW biogas genset, generic flat plate PV (300 kW), generic 1kWh lead acid, and system converter (300 kW). The system has a yearly excess electricity of 411,771 kWh/yr which can be sold out and has no unmet load. It greatly reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emission. The hybrid PV/diesel/biomass gasifier system makes economic sense and is technically viable for Mbaakon hospital and those with similar load and weather conditions.

A mixed-mode active solar crop dryer with a transpired solar air heater was developed and tested under Makurdi, Nigeria prevailing weather conditions. The transpired solar collected was tilted at 17.73° (latitude of Makurdi + 10), east. Experiments were conducted at five levels of drying air mass flow rate. Final moisture content of maize was reduced to a range of 11.75–16.87% (d.b.) within six hours from an initial moisture content range of 47.16–51.14% (d.b.). From the drying curves, the grain samples are dried faster at the air mass flow rate of 0.038 kg/s. The collector and drying efficiencies range between 65.20 −71.77% and 55.3–82.2%, respectively. The highest drying efficiency of 82.2% was recorded at air mass flow rate of 0.038 kg/s and the minimum efficiency of 55.3 was recorded at air mass flow rate of 0.026 kg/s. The dryer can replace conventional dryers.

In this work, various artificial neural networks (ANNs) used for predicting the solar radiation in Makurdi city, Nigeria (7°7ʹ N long. 8°6ʹ) have been developed: Feed-forward back-propagation neural network (FFNN), radial basis function network (RBFN), and generalized regression neural network (GRNN). The main objective of this study is the use of an ANN’s ensemble for the prediction of average monthly global solar radiation of Makurdi in order to improve the prediction accuracy. The training and testing data were obtained from the Nigeria metrological station (NIMET) Makurdi. For each neural network type, average R² = 0.998 and MSE = 0.0142, performance measures were obtained when the networks were analyzed. In order to improve prediction accuracy, an ensemble of neural networks was examined which gave an R² = 1.0 and MSE = 0.0139. All the proposed neural networks predicted solar radiation with great accuracy; nevertheless, ensemble achieved better results implying high dependency of the model for the evaluation of solar radiation in the locations where solar radiation instruments are not available or faulty.