FACULTY OF ENGINEERING

This study investigates a plant-based surfactant alternative as a result of the growing need for surfactants that are both economical and ecologically friendly for enhanced oil recovery. Using alkali from corn cobs, this study explores the synthesis of a natural surfactant from Aloe vera for possible use in enhanced oil recovery (EOR). Corn cobs were calcined for eight hours at 450°C to produce the alkali, which was then extracted using distilled water. Aloe vera leaves were macerated with 62.5% ethanol to extract saponins, which were then filtered and the
solvent evaporated. To create the surfactant, the isolated saponins were mixed with the alkali solution that had been created under controlled conditions.
Several tests were carried out to assess the surfactant's effectiveness. Tests for emulsification and foam stability were carried out to evaluate the characteristics. The surfactant's functional groups were also compared to those of the synthetic surfactant Tween 80 using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Response surface methodology (RSM) was employed using Box-Behnken Design to optimize the experimental variables and produce surfactant.
The research results showed that the aloe vera-derived surfactant proved a viable alternative for conventional synthetic surfactants due to its foaming ability and emulsion formation. The existence of functional groups typical of surfactants was confirmed by the FTIR analysis which was similar to that of tween 80. The surfactant produced had an optimum volume of emulsion of 2.52 ml which was achieved with saponin concentration of 0.0587 g/ml, 0.0186g/ml alkaline concentration at the duration of 53 mins. The RSM model was seen to be quite effective in
optimizing surfactant production because of the R2 of 0.9719. This study demonstrates the viability of using agricultural waste (corn cobs) with locally produced aloe vera to create an affordable and sustainable surfactant, supporting environmentally friendly industrial processes.

With the rising need to maximize passenger’s comfort, especially with the rising demand for selfdriving vehicles, alternatives to the popular passive suspension system have been on the rise. In order to improve the stability of a vehicle and reduce the vibration transferred to the passengers of the vehicle due to different road profiles, it has become necessary to implement a smarter type of suspension system that can respond to different type of road profiles and provide improved damping experience. This type of suspension system is the active suspension system. In order to analyze and simulate an active suspension system, parameters like the sprung and unsprung mass, spring and tire stiffness, damping constant of the damper were accounted for. Then the mathematical model of the system in the time domain was generated. Mathematical model was transformed from the time domain to frequency domain, using the Laplace transform. Then an appropriate controller for stabilizing the system was obtained. The simulated results show that the active suspension system performs better than the passive suspension in terms of settling time, rise time and overshoot and had lesser vibrations was transmitted to the passengers

Cobwebs are a common nuisance in both residential and commercial spaces, often requiring manual removal that can be time-consuming and tedious especially hard to reach corners. This project focuses on the development of an efficient and cost- ffective cobweb remover using locally available materials like electric motor (rotational motion), brush (removal of the cobweb), Rechargeable Battery (as the power source) and telescopic pole (for high buildings). The primary objective is to design a device that simplifies the process of cobweb removal while minimizing the need for expensive or specialized equipment providing 75% efficiency. The outcome of this project is an innovative cobweb remover that is not only effective but also accessible to a wide range of users, including homeowners, cleaning services, and facility managers. By utilizing locally sourced materials and promoting sustainable design, this project contributes to eco-friendly cleaning practices while improving the quality of life for individuals in various environments. It was successfully fabricated and our results were compared with the traditional methods. And it was observed that the cobweb remover has an efficiency of 78% while the traditional method of removing cobweb was 60.7% which shows that the design is more efficient and reliable.

For its bio- and environmentally friendly properties, low cost, and relative abundance, clay has become increasingly relevant and used. Based on their components and layer patterns, clay minerals have a variety of morphological and physicochemical characteristics., in addition to its well-established uses in adsorbent development, water treatment, and construction. In order to determine whether clay samples from the Ikpeshi town in the Akoko-Edo LGA could be used in an industrial process, its physical and chemical characteristics were examined. The study involved the analysis of elemental content, mineral constituent, functional groups of compounds content, surface morphology, and thermal stability with EDXRF, XRD, FTIR, SEM, BET and TGA respectively. Results revealed that the sample was kaolinite with SiO2 45.116 wt%, and Al2O3 20.39 wt% as the most predominant elements. Wave numbers of 909.47043cm-1 to 998.92654cm-1 with bold peaks revealed the presence of SiO4 -4 . The overall study revealed kaolinite characteristics and strong thermal stability thus possesses properties for clay suitable for lining furnace kilns.

As global engineering practice increasingly prioritizes the elimination of greenhouse gas emissions and environmental pollution, the development of renewable energy-powered equipment represents a critical pathway toward sustainable industrial operations. This project focuses on the design and fabrication of a solar-powered grain grinding machine that harnesses photovoltaic technology to provide an off-grid, zero-emission solution for agricultural processing in rural areas where conventional electricity supply is unreliable and diesel-powered alternatives contribute significantly to carbon emissions and operational costs. The system employs a 350W brushless DC (BLDC) motor operating at 24V and 1500 RPM, powered by a 200W monocrystalline solar panel with battery backup comprising two 12V lead- acid batteries connected in series. A pulse width modulation charge controller regulates the charging process while providing comprehensive battery protection. The mechanical subsystem features a food-grade stainless steel hopper feeding into a burr-type grinding mechanism with 80mm diameter hardened steel grinding plates, enabling adjustable fineness control for various grain types. Power transmission from the motor to the grinding shaft is achieved through a universal joint coupling, with the complete assembly mounted on a fabricated mild steel frame. System performance analysis reveals a comprehensive energy conversion pathway from solar input to mechanical grinding output. The electrical subsystem demonstrates strong efficiency with the PWM charge controller achieving approximately 78% efficiency and the BLDC motor operating at 85-90% electrical-to-mechanical conversion efficiency. The mechanical drivetrain, comprising the universal joint, bearings, and shaft assembly, maintains approximately 85% transmission efficiency. These results in a net system operational efficiency of approximately 58% from battery DC output to mechanical grinding power. Under typical operating conditions, the system delivers approximately 315-320W of net mechanical grinding power from the 350W motor rating, accounting for motor efficiency and mechanical losses. Performance testing validated a grinding throughput of 5.0-10.0kg/hr for various grain types including tomatoes, pepper, millet etc with an estimated Specific Energy Consumption (SEC) of approximately 42Wh/kg. Environmental benefits include zero operational carbon emissions, elimination of air and reduced noise pollution, and contribution to sustainable rural development. The system eliminates recurring fuel costs associated with diesel generators, reduces monthly operating expenses for minimal maintenance, and provides payback periods of 1-3 months for small-scale commercial users.

This work presents the modeling, simulation and analysis of a Home Energy Management System (HEMS) specifically designed to manage domestic load. The aim of this project is to model and analyze the HEMS for efficient energy harvesting, storage and consumption. To implement this, the HEMS system was modeled and simulated using MATLAB/Simulink. Each subsystem of the HEMS; the PV system, DC bus, DC-DC converter, DC/AC inverter, battery subsystem, home subsystem, AC/grid interface are modelled using the Simulink blocks and all design considerations are taken account for. The system is rated at 5kw and it was designed to power two test loads of 3KW each which was connected to the home energy management system (HEMS) i.e a total 6KW load. In this project, we used Simulink to simulate a photovoltaic system, grid power and a battery connected to a home energy management system (HEMS) as complementary power sources to address issues of power shortages and to also minimize and control the rate of energy consumption in homes thus reducing the cost of power consumption as much as possible.
Having designed, simulated and analyzed the HEMS, the results were studied and the system was effective in managing the loads under different grid and power scenarios. The system’s response during a 6-second simulation period showed how the system managed the two 3kW loads under different scenarios. The PV system initially powers both loads, drawing the 1KW deficit from the Grid. A grid outage is then simulated, and the loads previously powered by the sun and grid are then powered by the battery system, reducing grid usage and reliance. The grid is later restored and it resynchronizes with the system. This indicates the system success in managing the load under different power and grid scenarios.

The propeller shaft is a critical component in marine propulsion systems, transmitting power from the engine to the propellers. In twin-screw passenger ferries, failure of the propeller shaft can lead to severe operational disruptions, safety hazards, and costly repairs. This study presents a comprehensive failure analysis of a propeller shaft from a twin-screw passenger ferry to determine the root cause of failure and suggest mitigation strategies. The investigation includes visual inspection, non- destructive testing (NDT), metallurgical analysis, and finite element analysis (FEA) to evaluate material properties, fatigue characteristics, and stress distribution. The findings indicate that fatigue failure, corrosion-assisted cracking, misalignment, and improper lubrication are potential contributing factors. Based on the results, recommendations for improved maintenance, material selection, and design modifications are proposed to enhance the reliability and longevity of propeller shafts in marine vessels. This study provides valuable insights into preventing similar failures in future maritime applications.

Due to the numerous challenges associated with conventional small-scale palm fruit digesters, such as low processing efficiency, poor hygiene, high material losses, and susceptibility to corrosion, the aim of this project was to design, fabricate, and evaluate an improved vertical palm fruit digester capable of enhancing performance and durability in small- to medium- scale palm oil processing. The methodology adopted involved the design and construction of the digester using stainless steel to improve corrosion resistance and hygiene. Key components such as the digestion drum, shaft, and agitator were carefully fabricated and assembled to ensure efficient mixing and fruit maceration. Fresh palm fruit bunches were sourced, sterilized by boiling, and then processed in controlled batches of varying masses (7 kg, 9 kg, and 10 kg). The performance of the machine was evaluated based on digestion time, throughput capacity, and effectiveness of mesocarp breakdown, as well as the quality of sludge produced. The results obtained showed that the developed digester was capable of processing a total of 36 kg of boiled palm fruit in 1020 seconds, with digestion time increasing proportionally with batch size. The machine achieved an average throughput of approximately 127 kg/hr, demonstrating improved efficiency compared to traditional small-scale digesters. Additionally, the digester produced well-macerated mesocarp and uniform sludge, indicating effective fruit breakdown and improved potential for oil extraction. The use of stainless steel also eliminated corrosion issues observed in mild steel designs, thereby enhancing durability and operational hygiene. The developed vertical palm fruit digester offers a significant improvement in efficiency, reliability, and product quality, making it a viable solution for small-scale palm oil processors seeking increased productivity and reduced operational losses.

The machine is developed to cut different metal materials with high precision using plasma arc technology controlled by a computer system. The CNC plasma cutter improves cutting accuracy, reduces manual effort, and increases productivity in metal fabrication industries. The project includes the design process, material selection, fabrication of the frame, installation of electronic components, and testing of the machine.

Seismic interpretation data and applications are the key element of a rapid technological evolution in the remote sensing of the subsurface maps that has resulted in geoscientists movement from data poor to data rich Stewart, S. A. 1999. The proliferation of subsurface data has profoundly affected the productivity of oil exploration of industry within last two decade. This is radically improved of the ability to predict what lies beneath the earth surface, exploration and production. The objectives of subsurface petroleum geology are to find and develop oil and gas reserves. These objectives are best achieved by the use and integration of all available data and the correct application of these data. The purpose of subsurface mapping in the geology of petroleum Is to find traps that contain oil and gas pools and the information obtained from wells forms the heart of the data upon which subsurface geology depends, other information are obtained from:
(i) Geophysical surveys. (ii) Pressure and temperature surveys. (iii) The production history of producing oil and gas pools.