http://irepo.futminna.edu.ng:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/56 2026-02-17T16:57:43Z 2026-02-17T16:57:43Z AMINU, A. Aliyu, M. Mohammed, I. S. ANIMASHAUN, I. M. Daniel, P. Usman, M. http://irepo.futminna.edu.ng:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/30191 2025-12-27T11:55:18Z 2025-07-03T00:00:00Z

Title: Production and Optimisation of Parameters for Density and Ash Content of Briquettes Produced from Sorghum Stalks and Groundnut Shells Using African Locust Bean (Parkia biglobosa) Pulp as a Binding Agent Authors: AMINU, A.; Aliyu, M.; Mohammed, I. S.; ANIMASHAUN, I. M.; Daniel, P.; Usman, M. Abstract: To address the climatic challenges posed by conventional fossil fuels, prioritizing research on renewable energy sources is essential. This study aims to develop briquettes from a blend of carbonized sorghum stalks and groundnut shells to mitigate environmental issues associated with the use of fossil fuels. The biomass materials were subjected to carbonization at 400°C for 1 hour within a muffle furnace. The production process utilized a D-Optimal Design of Experiment to optimise independent variables, including the ratios of sorghum stalks and groundnut shells, compaction pressure, and particle size, with briquette density and ash content as response parameters. The results revealed a biochar yield of 37.25% for sorghum stalks and 57.50% for groundnut shells. Briquette densities ranged from 0.64 to 1.36 g/cm³, and ash content varied from 7.55% to 18.55%. Statistical analysis revealed that increased compaction pressure and reduced particle size resulted in higher briquette density, whereas the ratios of biomass materials had a minimal effect on this outcome. The optimal briquette formulation was determined to be 30 wt.% sorghum stalks and 30 wt.% groundnut shells, with a compaction pressure of 12 MPa and a particle size of 0.78 mm. This formulation yielded a density of 1.2 g/cm³ and an ash content of 8.710%, resulting in a maximum desirability index of 0.944. The successful creation of these briquettes suggests a viable renewable energy source that could help reduce reliance on conventional fossil fuels and address climate change. This development supports renewable energy production and sets the stage for further research and policy efforts in biomass energy technology.

2025-07-03T00:00:00Z Aliyu, M. Usman, M. Mohammed, I. S. Mohammed, A. S. Daniel, P. Jack, K, E Anumiri, C.E http://irepo.futminna.edu.ng:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/30190 2025-12-27T11:28:02Z 2025-09-25T00:00:00Z

Title: Design and Finite Element Simulation of Hydrothermal Carbonization Reactor Authors: Aliyu, M.; Usman, M.; Mohammed, I. S.; Mohammed, A. S.; Daniel, P.; Jack, K, E; Anumiri, C.E Abstract: This study presents the design and simulation of a Hydrothermal Carbonization (HTC) bioreactor using finite element analysis (FEA) to evaluate its structural integrity under high temperature and high-pressure operating conditions. The bioreactor, constructed from Stainless Steel 304 with a 5 mm wall thickness and designed to operate at 10 MPa and 300 °C, was analyzed for pressure distribution, thermal stress, Von Mises stress, safety factor, fatigue life, buckling resistance, and combined thermo-mechanical loading. Results showed that the reactor maintains structural stability with stress levels below the material yield limit and acceptable safety factors. Localized fatigue concerns were observed around geometrical discontinuities, emphasizing the need for targeted reinforcement. The combined fatigue thermal–structural life analysis confirms the reactor’s suitability for prolonged cyclic operation. Overall, the bioreactor design is robust and efficient, supporting its application in sustainable biomass conversion processes.

2025-09-25T00:00:00Z Daniel, P. Aliyu, M. Jack, K. E. Mohammed, I. S. Aminu, A. http://irepo.futminna.edu.ng:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/30189 2025-12-26T20:48:57Z 2025-06-16T00:00:00Z

Title: Effect of Biochar Application on Biogas Production from Cattle Paunch Content Authors: Daniel, P.; Aliyu, M.; Jack, K. E.; Mohammed, I. S.; Aminu, A. Abstract: Indiscriminate disposal of cattle paunch content by meat processing factories (abattoirs) to the surrounding environments as a result of poor regulation has constituted serious environmental pollution. To address this issue, this study employs the use of sorghum stalk biochar application for anaerobic digestion of paunch content. This research study was therefore designed to determine the effects of one-time addition and periodic addition of sorghum stalk biochar to the paunch content for enhanced biogas production. The design used was 5g of one-time biochar addition to a digester, 1g of biochar addition to a digester periodically at four day intervals, and a control digester. The digestion was carried out in a 1000mL digester bottle with replicates. The biogas yields were 22.79mL/gVS,13.83mL/gVS, and 11.67 mL/gVS for 5g of one-time biochar addition,1g of periodic biochar addition, and control, respectively. Thus, the 5g one-time biochar addition gives a better yield than the other two treatments. The test for significant difference between pairs of treatments shows that thereisasignificantdifferencebetween5gone-timebiocharadditionand1gperiodicadditionof biochar, and 5g one-time biochar addition and control at the 5% level of significance. There was no significant difference between1g of periodic addition of biochar and the control. The experimental data of the three treatments were fitted to the Gompertz model, which shows adequate fit with R2 values of 0.991,0.969, and 0.990 for 5g one-time biochar addition,1g periodic biochar addition, and control, respectively.

2025-06-16T00:00:00Z Simeon, Meshack Imologie Alaka, Amarachi C. Peter, Daniel Adeniyi, Olalekan David http://irepo.futminna.edu.ng:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/30039 2025-07-18T09:17:05Z 2025-01-19T00:00:00Z

Title: Performance Evaluation and Impedance spectroscopy of Carbon-Felt and reinforced Stainless-Steel Mesh Electrodes in Terrestrial Microbial Fuel Cells for Biopower Generation. Measurement Authors: Simeon, Meshack Imologie; Alaka, Amarachi C.; Peter, Daniel; Adeniyi, Olalekan David Abstract: Terrestrial Microbial Fuel Cells (TMFCs) offer promising potential for renewable energy by harnessing microbial metabolism to generate electricity from soil-based organic matter. Electrode materials are key to TMFC performance, facilitating electron transfer between microbes and the circuit. However, the effect of electrode impedance on TMFC efficiency is not well understood. This study fills that gap by comparing surface-modified stainless-steel mesh (SMS) and carbon felt (CF) electrodes, focusing on performance metrics and impedance spectroscopy to optimize electrode design for improved power generation from TMFCs. The SMS electrode fabricated using the pasting and reinforcement process demonstrated superior performance with a maximum power of 859 µW compared to the 234 µW power of the CF electrode. This better performance of the SMS electrode was attributed to its pseudocapacitive behavior, enhancing internal charge storage capacity and overall MFC efficiency. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy revealed a substantially higher charge transfer resistance in the CF electrode, resulting in a 190.8% difference between the two electrodes. Conversely, the SMS electrode exhibited lower resistance and improved diffusion characteristics, facilitating efficient electron transfer and mass transport. These findings underscore the importance of tailored electrode materials in optimizing MFC performance and highlight the utility of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in elucidating the complex electrochemical processes within MFC systems, thereby guiding future advancements in sustainable power production for terrestrial MFCs.

2025-01-19T00:00:00Z