DEPARTMENT OF THE MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

The development of a prototype hovercraft represents a comprehensive effort todesign, fabricate, and test a versatile transportation solution capable of traversing water, land, andmarshy terrain. This final year project, carried out by the author to fulfill the requirementsfor the award of the degree of Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering, aimed to addressthechallenges of stability, maneuverability, and energy efficiency inherent in hovercraft technology while exploring opportunities for innovation and optimization. The prototypehovercraft was designed with a focus on achieving reliable performance, efficient propulsion, and a durable skirt system to maintain the air cushion necessary for lift. Throughiterative design iterations, material selection, and fabrication processes, a small-scalehovercraft prototype was constructed, integrating advanced battery technology, alightweight aluminum structure, and an optimized skirt design. Extensive testingandevaluation were conducted to assess the craft's capabilities across various operatingconditions, including waterborne navigation, maneuvering on land, and stabilityinchallenging environments. The successful testing of the prototype demonstrated its potential for applications in search and rescue, transportation, and environmental monitoring. However, limitations such as limited battery life and skirt design inefficiencies wereidentified, suggesting areas for further research and optimization. Overall, the project represents a significant step towards advancing hovercraft technology and its practical applications in addressing transportation challenges across diverse terrains.

The cleaning of living and work spaces are a fundamental human activity. Cleaning must be done for safety and human health. The process of cleaning can be cumbersome, tasking on the human muscle and time consuming when done in the traditional way of using brooms, brushes and similar tools. Modern living and work requirements demands that cleaning must be done fast and more efficiently. This need therefore demands that the cleaning of living and work spaces has to be mechanized to take away the burden from human muscles, improve efficiency, save time and cost. One way of achieving this is through the use of Vacuum Cleaners. A literature review during the course of this project work revealed that virtually all available Vacuum Cleaners listed and reviewed online as well as those found in shops here in Nigeria are highly technologically sophisticated and unaffordable for homes and small scale firms. The need therefore arises for the production of a locally affordable Vacuum Cleaner made from readily available local materials. The literature review and search identified a simple handheld Vacuum Cleaner that can be modified and adapted through a redesign to use locally available materials for its production. Several concept designs were proposed and the most acceptable in terms of simplicity, availability of local materials and affordability was chosen. The components for the chosen design were redesigned one by one with the idea of local production in mind. These includes the intake Wand and its dust agitator, the housing, the motor and its mounting within the housing, the air stream expansion section of the housing, the dust bag and its attachment to the housing and finally air flow exhaust area. After the design of these components the material needed for their fabrication were procured and the components fabricated. These fabricated components were then assembled to produce the portable Vacuum Cleaner complete with a shoulder hanging belt. The assembled unit was then tested in the 500 level classroom. The performance of the Vacuum Cleaner was found to be really effective in dust pickup through the dust agitator at the end of the end of the wand that is always pressed against the floor as it is pushed back and forth during the cleaning process. No dust particle size in the classroom was left on the floor during the testing. It is worthy of v note that there was a small amount of very very fine particles of dust noticed in the effluent exhaust air. The posibble reasons suggested for this unwanted occurrence by our project group were listed as 1. A larger than required dust bag particle size retention holes that allowed these very fine dust particles to escape with the exhaust air. and or 2. Insufficient expansion of the exhaust air to reduce its speed to allow these very fine particles to deposit in the air stream expansion zone of the Vacuum Cleaner housing. For the fact that the fabricated Vacuum Cleaner was able to pick up virtually all particles on the floor, this project is therefore considered a great success. It is hoped that improvements to this design would continue to be carried out in future project work until it reaches the perfection in both aesthetics and performance for commercialization.

In the ever-evolving landscape of fluid mechanics and engineering, the integration of composite materials has propelled centrifugal water pump design to new heights. This abstract delves into the groundbreaking developments and transformative potential inherent in the adoption of composite materials for centrifugal pump systems. With a laser focus on optimizing performance, durability, and efficiency, this study explores the intricate interplay between composite materials and centrifugal pump design. By
harnessing the unique properties of composites—such as their exceptional strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance—engineers are reshaping traditional pump design paradigms to meet the demands of modern applications. Through an interdisciplinary lens encompassing materials science, fluid dynamics, and mechanical engineering, this abstract highlights the collaborative efforts driving the adoption of composite material solutions in centrifugal pump design. By embracing the latest advancements in material science and innovative design methodologies, researchers and practitioners are poised to revolutionize pump technology, paving the way for sustainable water management solutions across diverse industries.

The unending evolution of technology has led to the innovations in everyday facilities, and restroom infrastructure isn’t left out. This project focuses on the DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF AN AUTOMATED TOILET for the Mechanical Engineering Department of the University of Benin. This automated toilet integrates automation, hygiene, and efficiency-enhancing features to improve user experience, environmental sustainability, and operational convenience. The system incorporates a limit switch which sends signal to the modified autoflush device whenever a user opens the door, contactless flushing, odor detection, water efficiency mechanisms, enhanced hygiene protocols and a automated lock which incorporates both biometrics and a card reader to enforce access control. The design process involved conceptualization, material selection, fabrication, and performance testing. All ensuring optimal functionality in the university environment. The Testing results indicated that the automated toilet performed efficiently, with responsive automation and reliable hygiene features being implemented to foster a contactless user experience. The implementation of this system demonstrates the potential of automated restroom solutions in the enhancement of sanitation, water wastage, while also providing a modern, user-friendly facility. Some future improvements could include ultrasonic sensors for higher precision, improved water conservation strategies, and also more compact design elements. This project highlights the role of automated technology and modification in modern sanitation and its potential for broader applications in both public and private facilities.

The traditional batch process for biogas production has been dominant, but it often leads to inefficiencies and inconsistent gas output. This project aims to address these issues by designing and producing a continuous household biogas digester, which promises a more stable and reliable method for generating renewable energy from organic waste. The development of the digester was guided by the design tree process, starting with feasibility studies and progressing through design specifications, conceptual designs, and detailed design phases. The fabrication involved constructing key components such as the inlet system, a 150-liter steel digester tank, and the outlet system. Although most planned components were successfully incorporated, some were excluded due to unforeseen challenges. The digester demonstrated the potential for continuous biogas production, though improvements are needed. The project concluded with recommendations for enhancing system efficiency and exploring alternative materials to reduce production costs, suggesting that with further refinement, this design could become a viable householdsolution for renewable energy production.

In an era marked by increasing concerns for security and accessibility, the implementation of robust access control systems stands as a paramount necessity. This project focuses on the integration of biometric access control technology, specifically the X6 Access Control system, for departmental entry doors. The objectives encompassed comprehensive research on biometric access control, assessment of the entry door's condition, replacement of access cards with a fingerprint-enabled security system, and organization of user training sessions to ensure effective adoption. The methodology employed involved a systematic approach, beginning with thorough research to understand the principles and technologies underlying biometric access control. Subsequently, the condition of the entry door was assessed, ensuring its suitability for the installation of the new system. The X6 Access Control system was then meticulously integrated, involving installation, configuration, and functional testing to ensure seamless operation. User training sessions were conducted to acquaint departmental staff with the new system, addressing concerns and facilitating its adoption. Data collection methods included user feedback, system performance metrics, and security
incident reports, analyzed using statistical techniques to evaluate the system's effectiveness. Throughout the project, references to relevant literature and industry standards guided decision-making and methodology implementation This project contributes to enhancing security measures and improving access control mechanisms within departmental environments, fostering efficiency, convenience, and user acceptance through the implementation of biometric technology.

The traditional batch process for biogas production has been dominant, but it often leads to inefficiencies and inconsistent gas output. This project aims to address these issues by designing and producing a continuous household biogas digester, which promises a more stable and reliable method for generating renewable energy from organic waste. The development of the digester was guided by the design tree process, starting with feasibility
studies and progressing through design specifications, conceptual designs, and detailed design phases. The fabrication involved constructing key components such as the inlet system, a 150-liter steel digester tank, and the outlet system. Although most planned components were successfully incorporated, some were excluded due to unforeseen challenges. The digester demonstrated the potential for continuous biogas production, though improvements are needed. The project concluded with recommendations for enhancing system efficiency and exploring alternative materials to reduce production costs, suggesting that with further refinement, this design could become a viable household solution for renewable energy production.

In the ever-evolving landscape of fluid mechanics and engineering, the integration of
composite materials has propelled centrifugal water pump design to new heights. This abstract
delves into the groundbreaking developments and transformative potential inherent in the
adoption of composite materials for centrifugal pump systems. With a laser focus on optimizing performance, durability, and efficiency, this study explores
the intricate interplay between composite materials and centrifugal pump design. By
harnessing the unique properties of composites—such as their exceptional strength-to-weight
ratio and corrosion resistance—engineers are reshaping traditional pump design paradigms to
meet the demands of modern applications. Through an interdisciplinary lens encompassing materials science, fluid dynamics, and
mechanical engineering, this abstract highlights the collaborative efforts driving the adoption
of composite material solutions in centrifugal pump design. By embracing the latest
advancements in material science and innovative design methodologies, researchers and
practitioners are poised to revolutionize pump technology, paving the way for sustainable
water management solutions across diverse industries.