DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

Measuring the volume of liquid stored in tanks is a routine but critical task in engineering applications, yet many commonly used methods still rely on direct contact and manual observation. Devices such as float gauges, sight glasses, and dipsticks are often affected by mechanical wear, environmental conditions, and human error, which reduces their reliability over time. In situations involving hazardous or enclosed liquids, these limitations become even
more significant. This project addresses these issues through the development of a digital ultrasonic volumetric gauge that enables accurate, non-contact measurement of liquid volume. The primary aim of this work was to design and implement a system that determines liquid volume by measuring the liquid level and converting it into volumetric data using digital processing techniques. An ultrasonic sensor was employed to transmit and receive sound pulses, allowing the distance to the liquid surface to be calculated using the time-of-flight method. A microcontroller processed this distance data, applied calibration and volume conversion algorithms based on the tank’s geometry, and presented the results through a digital display and a web-based interface. Experimental testing showed that the system produced stable and repeatable measurements with a low margin of error across various fill levels. The developed gauge demonstrates a practical, cost-effective solution for real-time liquid volume monitoring, with potential applications in industrial storage, water management, and educational environments.

This study investigates the potential of utilizing the kinetic energy dissipated by vehicles traversing speed breakers as a sustainable source for power generation. With increasing vehicular traffic, a significant amount of energy is wasted as heat and friction when vehicles slow down and pass over these road infrastructure elements. This research explores various electromechanical mechanisms, including rack and pinion, gear and flywheel, and spring coil systems, to convert this otherwise lost kinetic energy into usable electrical energy. The core principle involves capturing the vertical displacement and subsequent kinetic energy of a vehicle as it passes over a specially designed speed breaker mechanism. This mechanical energy is then converted into rotational motion, which drives an electrical generator (dynamo) to produce electricity through electromagnetic induction. The generated electrical power can be stored in batteries or directly used to power nearby infrastructure such as streetlights, traffic signals, and signage, particularly in high-traffic areas like urban roads, parking lots, and toll plazas. This study analyzed the design considerations, efficiency, and potential power output of such systems under varying traffic conditions and vehicle weights. It also explored the practicality and costeffectiveness of implementing these energy-harvesting speed breakers compared to traditional power sources. Furthermore, the environmental benefits of this approach, including the reduction of reliance on conventional energy sources and the minimization of greenhouse gas emissions, were discussed. The findings of this research highlight the potential of speed breakers as a distributed and renewable energy generation technology, As well as proposes the adoption of Hybrid Energy Systems, Design Parameters Optimization And Energy Storage Enhancements to increase the possibility of transforming everyday road infrastructure into energy-producing systems, this technology holds promise for advancing renewable energy development, and contributing to a better future.

This study presented a comprehensive investigation into the failure mechanism and performance modelling of the combustion and emission characteristics of an industrial dualfired steam boiler operating on natural gas and diesel. The study was driven by the reoccurring failure on the third pass, operational inefficiencies and concerns over the environmental performance observed in the boiler system of a bottling company in Nigeria The failure investigation component of the study involved a systematic diagnostic assessment of the third-pass tubes including visual inspection, chemical composition analysis, micro- structural analysis and water chemistry analysis. For performance evaluation, the study employed experimental measurements and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations using ANSYS Fluent to model combustion dynamics, temperature distribution, pollutant formation, and flue gas flow behaviour under various operating loads and fuel combinations. The models were validated against plant data, Furthermore, parametric studies were conducted to optimize key operational boiler control parameters such as air flow, load, variable frequency drive (VFD) and fuel flow rate using Taguchi methodology. Failure investigation results revealed key degradation phenomena due to due to thermal stresses, corrosive water chemistry, tube fouling, scaling, fouling-induced heat transfer impairment. Also, micro-structural examination showed thermal degradation, including decarburization, grain growth, and oxidation, alongside pitting corrosion, indicating high-temperature exposure and scale deposition weakened the metal. The water chemistry analysis revealed elevated levels of total dissolved solids, P-alkalinity, chloride, and silica in the boiler drum water, which contribute to scaling and localized overheating. Major failures was traced to inadequate water treatment and poor combustion control. CFD simulations revealed that scale layers significantly reduces heat transfer, leading to increased failure risk. An optimal water mass flow rate of 0.454kg/s was determined as the effective mass flow rate to attain the desired outlet steam temperature. The study revealed load as the most influential factor, leading to reduced emissions, improved combustion, operational stability and prolonged component life. The findings provide insights into enhancing boiler reliability, thermal efficiency, and environmental compliance.

The study focused on redesigning an existing institutional waste receptacle that
suffered from frequent misuse, excessive mass, cramped capacity, and overflow
among other issues. Field observations revealed that ambiguous aesthetics
prompted users to treat the unit as furniture or storage, while manual handling
fostered surface contamination. The revised unit incorporates proximity triggered lid actuation through combined infrared sensing and microcontroller logic, eliminating direct contact. Structural refinements replaced dense wooden elements with high-density polyethylene and thin aluminium composites, yielding a 52 % mass reduction and a 30 % smaller base area while increasing internal volume fivefold. Fabrication involved iterative prototyping, sensor calibration, and load-bearing trials. Controlled assessments demonstrated 94 % actuation consistency, zero observed lid contacts during disposal, and full elimination of prior misuse patterns. The resulting device presents a practical, low-maintenance intervention for hygiene-sensitive environments such as lecture theatres and administrative corridors.

First and foremost, I give all glory, honor, and praise to Almighty God for His unending grace, wisdom, and strength throughout the course of my studies and this project. His guidance has been my anchor in moments of challenge, and His blessings have made every step of this journey possible. Our deepest gratitude goes to Barr. Joseph Happy and Mrs Joseph, Mr and Mrs. Agbonogieva, and Mr. and Mrs. Opia,whose unwavering support, sacrifices, and encouragement have been the cornerstone of our success. Their belief in us has been a driving force, inspiring us to strive for excellence and persevere through every difficulty
I sincerely appreciate our project supervisor, Engr Jaja Wisdom and Dr. Ambrose Orogun, for their exceptional guidance, constructive criticism, and patience during the course of this work. Their mentorship not only shaped this project but also deepened my understanding of practical marine engineering principles. I am also thankful to all lecturers and staff of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Benin, for their commitment to knowledge and for providing the academic foundation upon which this project was built. Special thanks to friends Clinton, Diamond and my course mates, whose collaboration, technical insights, and shared passion for engineering made this research both rewarding and memorable. This project stands as a testament to faith, perseverance, and the collective effort of everyone who contributed to my academic and personal growth.

Access to clean water is essential for human health and environmental sustainability. This project focuses on the design and implementation of a mini water treatment plant for the Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Benin. The system is designed to treat raw water by removing impurities, ensuring it meets safe consumption and laboratory usage standards.The project involves the integration of filtration, coagulation, sedimentation, and disinfection processes to achieve efficient purification. Key design parameters, including flow rate, treatment capacity, and material selection, were carefully considered to ensure optimal performance and cost-effectiveness. The implementation phase includes system fabrication, installation, and testing to evaluate efficiency and compliance with water quality standards.The results demonstrate that the proposed water treatment system effectively reduces contaminants, providing a reliable and sustainable solution for the department. This project not only enhances water quality but also serves as a practical model for smallscale water treatment solutions in institutional settingS

A gas Detector is an electronic device that is installed in a building to detect the presence of gas to prevent fire outbreak. An automatic alarm system is designed to detect the unwanted presence of gas by monitoring environmental changes associated with combustion. In general, an alarm system is classified as either automatically actuated, manually actuated, or both. Automatic alarm systems are intended to notify the building occupants to evacuate in the event of a gas leakage or other emergency, report the event to an off-premises location in order to summon emergency services, and to prepare the structure and associated systems to control the spread of fire and gas. The gas detector system composes of a light dependent resistor (LDR) which works as a gas sensor. Light dependent resistor is a type of resistor with high resistance in the presence of light and which reduces in its resistance when gas passes through the surface. The aim of this project is to design and construct a fire alarm for a building that will detect the presence of gas leakages in a building.

This project presents the design and fabrication of a cost-effective submersible Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) intended for underwater exploration, specifically for lakebed surveys and crack observations. The study aims to develop an affordable, durable, and highly maneuverable ROV using a syringe-actuated buoyancy system, PVC hull construction, and a combination of propellers and pumps for navigation. Unlike conventional ROVs that rely solely on thrusters, this design integrates a novel buoyancy control mechanism to enhance precision and stability in shallow water operations.
The development process involved conceptualizing the structural framework, selecting appropriate materials, and integrating propulsion, control, and buoyancy systems. The ROV was fabricated using lightweight and corrosion-resistant materials such as PVC pipes and acrylic plates, ensuring durability and cost efficiency. A single brushless motor provided forward propulsion, while four strategically placed syringe-actuated pumps enabled controlled vertical and lateral movement. The prototype underwent rigorous testing to evaluate maneuverability, depth control, and structural integrity. Results demonstrated that the ROV successfully achieved stable and precise movements, making it an effective tool for underwater inspections. The syringe-actuated buoyancy system provided reliable depth control, although minor delays in response time were noted. While the design proved efficient for shallow-water exploration, enhancements in power efficiency and material optimization are recommended for future iterations. Overall, this project contributes to the advancement of affordable underwater robotics, offering a practical solution for research, environmental monitoring, and industrial applications

The demand for indoor cooling is on the increase especially in a tropical weather country like Nigeria. Air conditioning has been the most common cooling mechanism for providing indoor cooling for office buildings. However, the conventional air conditioners consume a lot of electricity and also make use of chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) and hydrofluorocarbon (HCFC) refrigerants which contribute to global warming. The solar absorption air conditioning system utilizes heat from solar radiation to drive an absorption system which produces the refrigerating effect. A lot of research work has been carried out to analyse and improve the system. The aim of this project work is to design a solar absorption air conditioner by determining the size and type of the required solar collector and the maximum coefficient of performance (COP) that can be achieved by varying the generator temperature. The solar collector area with an efficiency of 0.76 was calculated to be 2.375m2, for an optimum generator temperature of 950C. The COP at this generator temperature was calculated to be 0.736