FABRICATION

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 involves the design and fabrication of a solar water heating system utilizing the thermosiphon principle. The system consists of a 30-liter and 15-liter tank, an absorber plate constructed from copper rods and aluminum sheets, and an integrated pump and battery for enhanced performance. The project commences with a comprehensive review of previous researches on various solar water heating systems, majoring on the types of Solar water heating systems, its components, materials and method of fabrication of the system, its design considerations, as well as the importance and significance of the project. The system’s efficiency and effectiveness in heating water using solar energy are evaluated, demonstrating its potential as a sustainable and cost-effective solution for water heating applications. The performance of the system was evaluated under various operating conditions, and the results showed a significant increase in water temperature, demonstrating the system’s potential for efficient solar water heating. The average temperatures of the hot water for the 1 st, 2 nd and 3 rd days of testing are 45.4 oC, 46.5 oC and 45.9 oC respectively. The use of locally sourced materials and simple design make this system an attractive option for rural and urban areas here access to hot water is limited. This project contributes to the development of sustainable and renewable energy solutions, aligning with global efforts to reduce carbon emissions and promote energy efficiency.

A study was carried out based on societal use of electric power for the purpose of domestic cooking resulting in the observation that a substantial number of households do, occasional or seriously use electric power for cooking through heat generating electric stoves. An ensuing market survey around Benin City also revealed that various brands of electric cooking stoves are being sold in the markets. A close observation further revealed that virtually all the brands on sale in the markets are imported and are quite expensive. Based on these findings the idea of providing a locally fabricated alternative for these foreign brands of electric cooking stove was conceived and it led to the execution of this project. An extensive study of used and broken electric stoves as well as an extensive literature review showed that it is possible to design and fabricate from locally available materials, with the purchase of just two of the main components, the heating element and the thermostat. With this understanding, basic engineering knowledge was then applied to design all the components of a basic electric cooking stove. The components included the Frame, the Heat Generating Compartment, the Support Ceramic for the heating element, the Heating Element, the Internal Wiring, the Thermostat and the External Wiring and Plug. The designed components were fabricated and assembled to produce the electric stove which was tested and found to operate to a very high level. The main findings from this project work shows that the unit fabricated was not only more affordable, it was more sturdy and able to support cooking pots larger than what the imported brands could support. The design was also made to generate higher temperatures that leads to faster cooking thus balancing the total cost of power usually needed to cook the same amount of food.

Corrosive damage remains a critical issue across various industries, especially in remote oil and gas pipeline infrastructures.This study presents the design and implementation of an IoT- based wireless sensor network (WSN) integrated with machine learning Model (SVM) for corrosion monitoring and prediction. The system architecture involved deploying sensor nodes utilizing electromagnetic techniques for real-time corrosion data acquisition. These nodes communicated with an ESP32 microcontroller uipped ith wireless transmission capabilities to relay data to the ThingSpeak cloud platform for storage and visualization. Subsequently, MATLAB was used to preprocess the acquired data, enabling the training and validation of a supervised machine learning model for corrosion classification and prediction. With the help of the SVM model, corroded pipeline samples could be easily differentiated from a corrosion-free pipeline. 80% of the recorded data was used to train the algorithm, and the rest 20% was kept for testing the data without corrosion. The first graph displayed by the model shows that the resistance values from the corroded sample fluctuate only slightly over time Additionally, the chlorine level ranged between (1000–1500)ppm, showing emission of chlorine gas from the sample. There was a significant drop in resistance in the corrosion- free sample for the second graph, with values falling below 1000ohms and No chlorine data was indicated When the model was tested and validated, the model correctly classified 59 out of 60 test samples while one incorrectly indicating an accuracy of 98.33%.. When unseen samples were used, the model was still able to predict the presence of corrosion with almost the same amount of precision and gave results showing the state of the pipelines with a 50% chance of them being either corroded or not from a 40 sample prediction.. The results obtained affirm the effectiveness of both processes for corrosion monitoring in remote pipeline networks. The system’s autonomous operation, real-time data handling, and intelligent decision-making capabilities highlight its potential as a cost-effective and efficient alternative to traditional, labor-intensive methods. Moreover, its predictive capabilities enable proactive maintenance scheduling and safer operational planning, significantly reducing the risk of pipeline failure. This research thus lays a strong foundation for scalable, field-deployable corrosion monitoring systems leveraging modern IoT and AI tools

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

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.

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

This project focuses on the design, fabrication, and evaluation of an electrically powered grain crusher for small-scale farmers and rural communities. The primary aim is to develop an efficient, durable, and affordable machine capable of crushing dried maize grains into smaller particle sizes suitable for food processing and livestock feed production. The objectives include improving crushing efficiency, reducing manual labour, and promoting the use of locally developed technologies to enhance agricultural productivity and support rural development. The machine is powered by an electric motor that transmits motion to the crushing chamber through a belt and pulley system. Engineering design calculations were conducted to determine key parameters such as motor power, shaft diameter, pulley ratio, and crushing force required for effective operation. Locally sourced materials were used in the fabrication process to reduce cost and ensure ease of maintenance. The design and construction followed standard engineering principles to achieve structural stability, operational safety, and reliable performance. The performance results showed that the grain crusher achieved a throughput capacity of approximately 15 kg/h with a crushing efficiency of about 92%. Sieve analysis revealed that the crushed output consisted predominantly of particle sizes in the range of 0.71 mm to 1.40 mm, making it suitable for food processing and livestock feed preparation. The machine effectively crushed dry maize grains and is adaptable for processing similar dry grains such as sorghum and millet. The crusher operated smoothly with minimal vibration and reduced processing time compared to manual methods, demonstrating that it is a practical, affordable, and reliable solution for small-scale grain processing in rural communities

This study presents the design, fabrication, and performance evaluation of a Bio Sand Filter (BSF) for treating turbid surface water. The BSF was tested using water collected from the Ovia River in Benin City during the rainy season. Results showed significant improvements in water quality, with reductions in total coliforms, E. coli, turbidity, and chemical contaminants, and adjustments to pH levels. Thus, 80% reduction in total coliforms (from 25 CFU/100mL to 5 CFU/100mL), 90% reduction in E. coli (from 10 CFU/100mL to 1 CFU/100mL), 75% reduction in turbidity (from 30 NTU to 5 NTU). The treated water met or exceeded World Health Organization (WHO) 2020 standards for safe drinking water. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of the BSF as a cost-effective and sustainable technology for improving water quality, particularly in regions with limited access to centralized water treatment facilities. Recommendations include encouraging BSF adoption, ongoing research and development, establishing monitoring and maintenance programs, regular water quality testing, advocacy for government and NGO support, and public awareness campaigns to ensure universal access to safe drinking water.

In Nigeria today and in the world at large, PET bottle waste has grown to become hazardous as it constitutes part of the non-biodegradable waste. Hence, recycling becomes necessary to curb its menace. This project work is centered on designing and fabricating a PET bottle crushing machine from locally sourced materials for both home and industrial use in an attempt to proffer solution to the PET waste problem in Nigeria. Preliminary tests and mechanical factors were extensively evaluated on the conceptual designs to ensure that the design that most suits the purpose was selected and detail design was carried out. Experiment to determine the power required to overcome the shear resistance of the PET bottles was carried out and it was discovered that 10hp at 450N was the power required. Finite element analysis was also performed on the cutting blade to inspect
the materials response to stresses and the corresponding deformation. Furthermore, a design study was carried out in order to ascertain the minimum and maximum loads that can be handled. Tests carried out on the machine showed its efficiency to be 82.2% which is only 6% less than the efficiency of foreign counterparts