MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

Design and Fabrication of a Simple and Affordable Vacuum Cleaner from Locally Available Materials

Year of Publication
Publication Type
Abstract
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
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note that there was a small amount of very very fine particles of dust noticed in the effluent exhaust
air. The possible 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.
Supervisor(s)
co-supervisor

DESIGN AND FABRICATION OF PET BOTTLE CRUSHER

Year of Publication
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Publication Type
Abstract
ABSTRACT

The pipelines that transport petroleum products across Nigeria are vital for the country’s economy and energy security. However, they are also exposed to various hazards and risks, such as theft, sabotage, corrosion, impact damage, fire, explosion, and environmental pollution. These risks can cause significant losses of life, property, and revenue, as well as damage the reputation and credibility of the pipeline operators. Therefore, it is essential to conduct a hazard and operability (HAZOP) study and a risk assessment of the pipelines to identify the potential causes and consequences of failure, and to propose appropriate mitigation measures.
A Hazard and Operability (HAZOP) analysis of pipelines is a systematic and structured process used to identify potential hazards, operability issues, and risks associated with the design, operation, and maintenance of pipeline systems.
This report presents the methodology and results of a HAZOP study and a risk assessment of the pipelines across Nigeria. The report also reviews the existing literature on the topic and compares the findings with the data collected around the pipelines observed in around Edo State. The report also went ahead to calculate the third party damage index for some selected pipelines and examines the pipeline right of way conditions in such locations.
The report aims to provide useful information and recommendations for the pipeline, regulators, stakeholders, and researchers who are involved or interested in the safety and reliability of the pipelines across the State.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Supervisor(s)
co-supervisor

ADVANCEMENTS IN CENTRIFUGAL WATER PUMP DESIGN: A COMPOSITE MATERIAL APPROACH

Year of Publication
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Publication Type
Abstract
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.
co-supervisor