DEPARTMENT OF PRODUCTION ENGINEERING

This project focuses on the comprehensive maintenance of a 100 kg rotary furnace used for metallurgical and thermal processing operations. Prior to maintenance, the furnace exhibited severe structural and mechanical deterioration, including a damaged and broken refractory lining, faulty twin drive motors, a non-functional blower system, and worn conical end covers and faulty chimney. These conditions rendered the furnace unsafe, thermally inefficient, and incapable of sustaining continuous operation. The project involved a full restoration procedure beginning with the removal of the deteriorated refractory materials and the procurement of high-grade refractory cement suitable for hightemperature applications. A new refractory lining was installed to re-establish the furnace’s thermal insulation, mechanical strength, and operational reliability. In addition, both drive motors were repaired and serviced to restore proper rotational movement, while the blower system was reconditioned to ensure adequate air supply for combustion and temperature regulation. The two conical covers were also rehabilitated to improve heat retention and structural stability. Upon completion of the maintenance activities, the furnace regained its full operational capacity, demonstrating improved thermal efficiency, structural integrity, and mechanical reliability. The rehabilitation extended the service life of the furnace and enhanced overall safety, making it suitable for continued use in production environments. This project highlights the importance of preventive maintenance and proper restoration techniques in sustaining the performance of industrial heating equipment.

In recent times, the entire world has been in consistent search of cleaner and safer ways of
generating and producing energy. Due to continuous industrialization in different parts of
the world, there has been a huge deterioration in the natural state of the environment. This
is reflective in different areas and the most prominent has to be Climate change. This paper
therefore focuses on the exploitation of the abundant solar energy to gotten from the sun to
drive a lawn mower. The designed solar powered lawn mower comprises of electric motor,
a charge controller, battery (12V, 40ah), Solar Panel (100W), rotational blade and a control
switch. The entire operation frame work is achieved using the electric motor which is able
to provide the necessary torque needed for the rotation of the blade which is mounted to
the shaft of the motor. The solar powered lawn mower is operated by a switch on the board
which closes the circuit and allows current flow to the motor and ultimately, causing the
actuation of the blade. The battery took about 5hours to charge and 50 minutes of
operation time before completely discharging. However, under a very sunny condition
battery charges and operates simultaneously, taking a longer time to discharge. Finally, the
performance evaluation of the battery was carried out with the machine and it was found
to have a theoretical efficiency of 85%

Fire outbreaks in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings continue to pose significant threats to lives, property, and the environment, largely due to delayed detection and inefficient response mechanisms. Traditional fire-fighting systems often rely on manual operation or wired infrastructure, which may limit their effectiveness during emergencies. This study presents the design and development of a smart wireless fire-fighting system aimed at improving early fire detection, rapid alerting, and efficient fire suppression within building environments. The proposed system integrates temperature sensors, smoke sensors, and flame sensors with a microcontroller unit to continuously monitor environmental conditions in real time. Wireless communication technology is employed to transmit data and alerts to a central control unit and authorized mobile devices, enabling remote monitoring and timely response. Upon detecting abnormal conditions indicative of fire, the system automatically triggers alarms and activates fire-suppression mechanisms such as water sprinklers while simultaneously notifying building occupants and emergency responders. The design emphasizes low power consumption, scalability, and reliability, making it suitable for both smalland large-scale building applications. Simulation and prototype testing results demonstrate that the system is capable of accurately detecting fire incidents at an early stage and responding within a short time frame, thereby reducing potential damage and enhancing occupant safety. The wireless architecture eliminates complex wiring requirements, reduces installation costs, and allows easy expansion and maintenance. Overall, the smart wireless fire-fighting system provides an effective, intelligent, and cost-efficient solution for modern building fire safety management and contributes to the advancement of smart building technologies.

Yam is a crucial staple crop in West Africa, particularly Nigeria, yet its traditional processing into pounded yam (iyan) is highly labor-intensive, time-consuming, and yields inconsistent product quality. While the mechanization of this process through yam blending machines offers a solution for enhanced productivity, a critical operational challenge remains: persistent material leakage during blending. Such leakage compromises operational hygiene, leads to product loss, and risks damage to the machine's mechanical and electrical components, thus hindering wider commercial adoption. This study aimed to address this challenge by designing and constructing a functional yam blending machine with a primary focus on implementing robust sealing mechanisms and hygienic structural features to significantly minimize or eliminate material leakage during operation. The methodology employed a systematic design approach, utilizing a decision matrix to select an AC-powered motor for its high torque capacity and specifying food-grade Stainless Steel (SS304) for all food-contact surfaces. The detailed design prioritized secure interfaces, particularly for the blending shaft and chamber lid, to ensure a hermetic seal. Following construction, the prototype is intended for performance evaluation to assess its blending efficiency, output consistency, and the effectiveness of the integrated leakage prevention measures. The successful development of this machine is anticipated to substantially enhance productivity, uphold higher standards of food safety, and contribute meaningfully to the reliable and sustainable mechanization of the yam processing sector in Nigeria.

Yam remains a vital staple food in West Africa, particularly in Nigeria, yet its traditional conversion into pounded yam (iyan) continues to be characterized by intensive manual labor, considerable time consumption, and inconsistent quality outcomes. Although the introduction of mechanized yam blending machines has improved processing efficiency, a persistent operational issue—material leakage during blending—poses significant challenges. This leakage not only compromises hygiene and leads to product loss but also endangers the machine’s mechanical and electrical components, thereby limiting its commercial viability. This study seeks to resolve this issue through the design and construction of a functional yam blending machine specifically engineered to minimize or eliminate material leakage. The research adopts a systematic design methodology, employing a decision matrix for component selection. An AC-powered motor was chosen for its superior torque output, while food-grade stainless steel (SS304) was selected for all food-contact components to ensure durability and hygiene. Special emphasis was placed on robust sealing mechanisms, particularly at the blending shaft and chamber interfaces, to achieve a hermetic seal that prevents leakage during operation. Upon fabrication, the prototype will undergo a comprehensive performance evaluation to measure blending efficiency, output uniformity, and leakage control effectiveness. The successful development and implementation of this improved yam blending machine are expected to significantly enhance processing productivity, food safety, and the sustainable mechanization of yam processing within Nigeria’s agro-industrial sector.

Solar energy is a promising renewable energy source that can play a crucial role in addressing global energy challenges and mitigating climate change impacts. This research focuses on assessing the impact of climate change on solar energy potential, specifically in regions vulnerable to environmental shifts. The study employs a multi-faceted approach combining data analysis, modeling techniques, and machine learning algorithms to analyze solar radiation data under varying atmospheric conditions. The methodology involves collecting historical climate data, satellite-based solar radiation data, and ground-based measurements to create comprehensive datasets. Clear sky and all-sky solar radiation parameters such as Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI), Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI), and Diffuse Horizontal Irradiance (DHI) are analyzed using established models and algorithms. Machine learning techniques are utilized to develop predictive models for solar energy forecasting, considering factors like cloud cover variations, aerosol content, and long-term climate trends. The research aims to provide insights into how climate change trends impact solar energy resources, enabling better decision-making for solar energy infrastructure development and energy policy formulation. By understanding the complex interactions between climate dynamics and solar radiation, this study contributes to the advancement of sustainable energy practices and adaptation strategies in a changing climate scenario

This project addresses the critical need for efficient and accessible water pumping solutions in various applications, particularly in contexts with limited access to conventional power sources. Water pumping systems are integral to industries ranging from agriculture to disaster relief. However, challenges such as power dependency, infrastructure limitations, and environmental concerns persist. This project introduces a transformative approach by integrating a hand drill as the primary power source within a centrifugal pump system. This innovative solution leverages the portability, affordability, and versatility of this device, making it a practical and cost-effective alternative. The hand drill-powered system eliminates the reliance on electricity or fuel, enhancing accessibility in remote or emergency situations. In addition to its applicability in car washes, low volume irrigation, and medical microfluidics, this project extends its impact to various fields, including agriculture, disaster relief, and remote research stations. It offers a sustainable, portable, and environmentally responsible water pumping solution that aligns with modern needs. By combining the convenience of hand drills with the efficiency of centrifugal pumps, this project represents a significant advancement in water pumping technology.

This project addresses the critical need for efficient and accessible water pumping solutions in various applications, particularly in contexts with limited access to conventional power sources. Water pumping systems are integral to industries ranging from agriculture to disaster relief. However, challenges such as power dependency, infrastructure limitations, and environmental concerns persist. This project introduces a transformative approach by integrating a hand drill as the primary power source within a centrifugal pump system. This innovative solution leverages the portability, affordability, and versatility of this device, making it a practical and cost-effective alternative. The hand drill-powered system eliminates the reliance on electricity or fuel, enhancing accessibility in remote or emergency situations. In addition to its applicability in car washes, low volume irrigation, and medical microfluidics, this project extends its impact to various fields, including agriculture, disaster relief, and remote research stations. It offers a sustainable, portable, and environmentally responsible water pumping solution that aligns with modern needs. By combining the convenience of hand drills with the efficiency of centrifugal pumps, this project represents a significant advancement in water pumping technology

Effective inventory management is vital in ensuring the continuous availability of essential drugs in community pharmacies. However, many small and medium-sized pharmacies in Nigeria still rely on manual stock records, which are often prone to errors, delays, and inefficiencies. These limitations lead to frequent stock outs, overstocking, and poor decision-making. This project was therefore aimed at developing a low-cost, web-based pharmacy inventory management system that can automate key inventory operations and improve overall stock control efficiency. The system was designed to integrate real-time data entry, sales monitoring, and automatic computation of inventory parameters such as the Economic Order Quantity (EOQ) and the Reorder Point (ROP).
The methodology involved the design and implementation of a web application connected to a PostgreSQL database. The system was built using React.js for the frontend, Node.js with Express for the backend, and MongoDB and PostgreSQL for data management. Data used for analysis were derived from the pharmacy’s 2024 operational records, including sales transactions, purchase orders, and stock levels. Analytical models such as the EOQ and ROP formulas were embedded into the application to enable automated calculation of optimal order quantities and reorder levels. The system’s functionality was evaluated based on its performance in handling more than 15,000 sales records, accuracy in computation, and responsiveness in generating real-time alerts.
The results showed that the system effectively automated stock control processes, minimized manual errors, and significantly improved decision-making speed. The EOQ and ROP computations consistently produced accurate results using a uniform 20% safety stock across all products. Additionally, the system generated automatic reorder alerts

The global edible oil industry is dominated by palm oil due to its high yield, versatility, and economic importance. Although Nigeria was once the world’s leading producer of palm oil, its current contribution to global output is less than 2%, largely due to outdated and inefficient processing technologies, particularly at the small-scale production level. One of the critical stages affected is the clarification process, which significantly influences the quality of the final product.

This study focuses on the design and fabrication of an improved diesel-powered palm oil clarifier specifically intended for small-scale producers. The machine is developed to enhance processing efficiency, improve product quality, and reduce the labor-intensive and rudimentary methods currently in use. The design addresses key challenges in the clarification stage by introducing a more effective separation process, thereby minimizing impurities and improving oil yield and quality.

The proposed system is tailored to meet the needs of rural and small-scale oil palm farmers who lack access to advanced processing technologies. By improving the efficiency of palm oil clarification, the machine is expected to contribute to increased productivity, better product quality, and enhanced economic returns for local producers. The study concludes that the adoption of improved mechanized clarification technology is essential for revitalizing Nigeria’s palm oil sector and strengthening its competitiveness in the global market.