DESIGN AND FABRICATION

The essence of this project lies in the creation of a prototype that serves as an educational tool, offering a tangible insight into the world of offshore logistics. This Prototype, a scaled- down version of a platform supply vessel (PSV), is designed to mimic the functionalities of a real PSV. The Highlight of this educational resource is its physical design. The prototype features a distinctive hull design and bow shape, mirroring that of a real PSV. These elements not only add to its visual appeal but also play a crucial role in optimizing performance. Thus, this prototype stands as a unique innovation in the realm of educational resources for offshore logistics.

This project presents the design, development, and testing of a solar-powered yam pounding machine, aimed at reducing manual labor and promoting sustainable energy utilization in traditional yam processing. The machine combines a solar photovoltaic (PV) system with an electric motor to power a mechanical pounding mechanism, efficiently processing yams into a smooth, consistent paste. The solar-powered system ensures energy efficiency, reduces operational costs, and minimizes environmental impact compared to conventional fuel-based or electric grid-dependent systems. The design incorporates user-friendly features and adjustable settings to accommodate varying yam quantities and desired paste consistencies. This innovation addresses the challenges faced by small-scale yam processors and rural communities, enhancing productivity while promoting eco-friendly practices in food processing. The machine's performance was evaluated based on efficiency, output quality, and energy consumption, demonstrating its potential to transform yam processing and contribute to sustainable agricultural
practices.

Many rural areas in Nigeria lack access to reliable electricity, making everyday tasks like mobile phone charging difficult. To address this issue, this project focuses on the design and development of a mobile solar charger that provides a sustainable, off-grid charging solution for remote communities. By harnessing solar energy, a clean and renewable resource, the system offers an eco-friendly alternative to conventional grid-based charging, enabling individuals to charge their phones without depending on unstable electricity infrastructure. The design process involved careful selection of components to ensure efficiency, durability, and high power output. The system integrates a solar panel, a Maximum Power Point Tracker (MPPT) to optimize power extraction, a rechargeable battery for energy storage, and a synchronous buck converter to regulate the power supplied for charging. To enhance portability and durability, a custom enclosure was fabricated using iron angle bars and sheets, with cutting, welding, and assembling techniques used to create a lightweight but robust housing for the components. The final system can charge up to twenty mobile phones simultaneously, making it a highly efficient solution for rural areas with high demand for mobile power. By incorporating MPPT technology and efficient power conversion, the system ensures maximum energy utilization even in fluctuating sunlight conditions. This project provides a scalable, cost-effective, and sustainable solution to improve connectivity in underserved communities, empowering them with a reliable source of power for mobile communication.

This project focuses on the design and fabrication of an improved twin blades yam pounding machine to enhance the efficiency, speed, and quality of pounded yam production. Pounded yam, produced mainly from Dioscorea rotundata, is a staple food widely consumed in Nigeria and other West African countries. Traditional pounding using mortar and pestle is labor-intensive, time-consuming, and often unhygienic, while many existing mechanized pounders use single blades that limit effective tumbling and crushing of larger yam quantities. Experimental analysis was conducted to determine the crushing force of cooked yam, and detailed engineering design calculations were performed for motor selection, shaft design, pulley system, and bearing selection. A decision matrix was used to compare two design concepts, leading to the selection of the twin blade configuration due to its superior pounding efficiency. Performance evaluation of the fabricated machine showed that it pounded 1 kg of yam in 2 minutes, 1.5 kg in 2.27 minutes, and 2 kg in 3 minutes, compared to 6–8 minutes for single-blade machines and 15–20 minutes for manual pounding. The machine achieved a throughput capacity of 292.8 kg/hr and an efficiency of 97.6%. The results demonstrate that the improved twin blades yam pounding machine provides faster operation, better texture uniformity, and higher productivity, offering a more hygienic and efficient alternative to traditional and existing mechanical methods.

The development of affordable and efficient vacuum cleaners has become a significant concern for households and small-scale cleaning businesses, especially in developing regions where high-end vacuum cleaners are often too expensive. Vacuum cleaners are essential tools in maintaining clean indoor environments by removing dirt, dust, and other debris from floors and surfaces. However, the design and functionality of many low-cost vacuum cleaners are often compromised, especially in terms of air velocity, particle retention, and the efficiency of dust separation. These issues can lead to ineffective cleaning and the release of fine dust particles into the environment, undermining the overall effectiveness of the vacuum cleaner. Previous designs of vacuum cleaners fabricated from locally available materials often suffer from limitations such as inadequate air velocity through the wand, improper filtration of fine particles, and ineffective dust deposition mechanisms. These flaws not only reduce the cleaning efficiency but also compromise air quality in the environment. This study aims to review and improve upon the design and fabrication of such vacuum cleaners, addressing these critical issues to enhance performance and dust control.

The essence of this project lies in the creation of a prototype that serves as an educational tool, offering a tangible insight into the world of offshore logistics. This prototype, a scaled -down version of a Platform Supply Vessel (PSV), is designed to mimic the functionalities of a real PSV. The highlight of this educational resource is its physical design. The prototype features a distinctive hull design and bow shape, mirroring those of a real PSV. These elements not only add to its visual appeal but also play a crucial role in optimizing performance. Thus, This prototype stands as a unique innovation in the realm of educational resources for offshore logistics.

Coconut is a cash and food crop that has the abaility to be grown even in bad weather, hence can be cultivated around all weathers and in virtually any geographical location in Nigeria. However; there are growing concerns of its judicious and profitable cultivation and post-harvest processing despite its commercial value as it can be consumed as food and its constituent parts can be used in pharmaceuticals, beverages, energy and power and a host of other products such as brooms, mats, floor mats. Prior to its use the coconut fruit is dehusked to remove its outer fiber shell. The dehusking process which conventionally involves the use of human effort using a sharp object is characterized by low output, susceptibility to injury and unhygienic nature. To mitigate these setbacks, a coconut dehusking machine was designed and fabricated using the design Methodology of reverse engineering. The machine had some components which include hopper, twin shafts with dehusking spikes, pulleys and pulley belts, bearings and a structural rame. Test and operational performance carried out on the machine showed that it was quite effective for dehusking various sizes of coconuts with a throughput capacity of 33 coconuts per hour. The efficiency of the machine was estimated as 83.3%. Effectiveness of the dehusking process was dependent on the dehusking force of the machine and the moisture content of the coconut fiber. A major advantage and achievement in this prototype was that more than one coconut could be dehusked simultaneously and the dehusked coconuts can be discharged automatically without the input of human effort.

The problem of electricity in Nigeria has become some sort of a nationwide pandemic that has plagued the country for years and continues to do so. With seemingly no end in sight to the electricity crisis, food storage has become very expensive as individuals as well as producers, need to pay a lot of money to run generators to power refrigerators. An alternative means to this would
be a more than welcome development. This project aims to reduce the cost encountered in refrigeration by using vapor absorption refrigeration, which is powered by solar energy.
The vapor absorption refrigerator uses water as its refrigerant, and zeolite is used as the absorbent. The compression system is a network of systems consisting of an absorber and a generator, aimed at compressing a liquid refrigerant-absorbent mixture that requires less work to compress than vapor. The temperature of the evaporator, generator, and condenser was measured and recorded periodically. The performance of the system is evaluated as the ratio of heat removed from the refrigerated space to the heat added to the system at the generator. The refrigerator proved quite functional, achieving a COP of 0.66. This validates the functionality of the system, but it was observed that it took 3 hours of heating to produce a 9°c drop (from 34.2°c to 25.2°c) in evaporator temperature. After 5 hours of heating, there was a 15°c drop (from 34.2°c to 19.2°c) in evaporator temperature. However, the atmospheric temperature was 27°c which means the cooling achieved was not appreciable. The system used in this project suffered from a lot of leakages and heat loss, which directly affected the performance of the system. We recommend
that further studies on techniques that would prevent heat loss, and a meticulous fabrication process to prevent leakages allow. Significant reduction in heat loss would greatly improve the
performance of the waste solar-powered VARS, thereby making it more viable and suitable for domestic and commercial usage

Poultry farming is a crucial agricultural sector that provides protein and economic opportunities, particularly in rural communities. However, small-scale poultry farmers often face challenges in egg incubation due to unreliable electricity and the high costs of conventional incubators. This study explores the design, fabrication, and evaluation of a solar-powered egg incubator tailored for small-scale poultry farmers. The proposed incubator harnesses renewable solar energy to maintain optimal incubation conditions, ensuring stable temperature, humidity, and automated egg turning. The research employs a systematic approach, including component selection, design calculations, computer-aided design (CAD) simulations, and prototype fabrication. The incubator is designed to be cost-effective, energy-efficient, and scalable, making it accessible to farmers in off-grid areas. Performance tests demonstrated that the incubator maintained an internal temperature range of 37–38°C, achieving a hatchability rate of 91% and a fertility rate of 95%. Computational
Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis validated its thermal efficiency and air circulation patterns. The results indicate that solar-powered incubation is a viable alternative to conventional methods, reducing dependency on fossil fuels while enhancing productivity. This study contributes to sustainable poultry farming by offering a practical, environmentally friendly, and economically viable solution for small-scale farmers. Further research is recommended to explore large-scale applications and the integration of automated control systems

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, suchas theft, sabotage, corrosion, impact damage, fire, explosion, and environmental pollution. Theserisks can cause significant losses of life, property, and revenue, as well as damage the reputationand credibility of the pipeline operators. Therefore, it is essential to conduct a hazard andoperability (HAZOP) study and a risk assessment of the pipelines to identify the potential causesand consequences of failure, and to propose appropriate mitigation measures. A Hazard and Operability (HAZOP) analysis of pipelines is a systematic and structured processused 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 thepipelines 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 EdoState. The report also went ahead to calculate the third party damage index for some selected pipelinesand 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 thepipelines across the State.