http://irepo.futminna.edu.ng:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/107 2026-04-29T19:46:40Z http://irepo.futminna.edu.ng:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/30037 Title: Electrochemical Characterization of Stainless-Steel Mesh and carbon-felt Electrodes for Enhanced Power Generation in Terrestrial Microbial Fuel Cells Authors: Simeon, Meshack Imologie; Alaka, C. Amarachi; Daniel, Peter; Adeniyi, COlalekan D. Abstract: Terrestrial Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs) represent a promising avenue for sustainable energy production, leveraging microbial metabolism to convert organic matter in the soil into electricity. Crucial to MFC performance is selecting electrode materials, which directly interface with electroactive microbes for electron transfer. This study conducts a comparative analysis of surface-modified stainless-steel mesh (SMS) and carbon felt (CF) electrodes in terrestrial MFCs, evaluating their performance metrics and impedance spectroscopy. 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 commercially available 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 (Rct) in the CF electrode, impeding electron transfer processes. Conversely, the SMS electrode exhibited lower Rct and improved diffusion characteristics, facilitating efficient electron transfer and mass transport. Notably, the Rct of the CF electrode was over 40 times higher, while its diffusion coefficient was approximately six times greater compared to the SMS electrode. These findings underscore the importance of tailored electrode materials in optimizing MFC performance and highlight the utility of impedance spectroscopy in elucidating the complex electrochemical processes within MFC systems, thereby guiding future advancements in sustainable power production for terrestrial MFCs. 2024-04-24T00:00:00Z http://irepo.futminna.edu.ng:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/29526 Title: Production of solid biofuel via hydrothermal carbonization of wood shavings: influence of biomass-to-water ratio and carbonization temperature on the fuel characteristics of dried hydrochar Authors: Aliyu, Mohammed; Iwabuchi, Kazunori; Itoh, Takanori Abstract: Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) is recognised as a low temperature and efficient method for the conversion of biomass to solid biofuel. In this study, the effect of process temperature and biomass-to-water ratio (B/W) on the fuel properties of hydrochar produced from wood shavings was investigated. HTC was conducted in an autoclave using reaction temperature of 230 °C and 260 °C for 20 minutes with B/W ratio of 0.11 to 0.43. The produced hydrochars were characterised by the mass yield (MY), higher heating value (HHV), proximate and ultimate properties. The results showed that the properties of the hydrochars improved with increasing process temperature and B/W ratio. The higher heating value (HHV) increased to 26.74 MJ/kg as the severity of the reaction was increased to the process temperature of 260 °C. Also, the atomic H/C and O/C ratios of hydrochars carbonised at 230 °C and 260 °C were closed to the regions of a peat and lignite on the plotted van Krevelen diagram. Hence, the produced hydrochar has a promising potential as a sustainable solid biofuel for energy application. 2025-01-16T00:00:00Z http://irepo.futminna.edu.ng:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/28910 Title: Effect of machine parameters on physical and sensory properties (desirability) of coated peanut snacks Authors: Adebayo, Segun Emmanuel; Shuaib, S; Saibu, B. A; Tiamiyu, Q. O Abstract: Peanut coating is an important step in peanut burger production. Understanding the dynamic process of coating can better set up coating parameters and improve coating. In order to improve poor coating quality and high breakage rate of peanut seeds caused by unreasonable machine parameters of coating equipment. The combined effect of machine speed and the angle of tilt of coating pan was studied. From the result obtained, it was observed that the desirability of the coating increases with increase in speed from 25 to 31 rpm and then start to decrease when the speed was further increased from 32 to 45 rpm. However, the desirability remains constant as the tilt angle was increased from 25 to 30o and start to increase with further increase in tilt angle from 30 to 35o. The highest desirability of 93.2% was obtained when the speed was 30.76 rpm and the tilt angle is 35.00°. It was discovered that machine parameters affect the desirability of peanut burger snacks by the consuming consumers. 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z http://irepo.futminna.edu.ng:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/28824 Title: PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF A PERFORATED CYLINDER TYPE CASSAVA PEELING MACHINE Authors: Balami, A.A; Chukwu, O; Gbabo, A; Idris, R.D; Dauda, S.M; Aliyu, M; Mohammed, I.S Abstract: Peeling of cassava tuber at all levels is still largely carried out manually; however, this study assessed the performance of a perforated cylinder type cassava peeling machine and developed an empirical model to predict the performance of the machine. The data of physical and mechanical properties of five varieties of cassava tubers grown in Niger State were used in the design of the machine. The machine was evaluated using cassava variety - TSM 82/00661 obtained from Kure Ultra modern market, Minna, Niger State. The performance of the machine was based on the peeling efficiency and tuber flesh loss using machine speed range of 370, 570 and 770 rpm, applied load of 5, 8, 11, 14 and 17 N. The peeling efficiency increased with increase in speed and load applied on tuber irrespective of the category of tuber diameter used. The highest peeling efficiency of 69.93 % was obtained at speed of 770 rpm, load of 17 N and tuber diameters 11 - 40 mm, 41 - 70 mm and 71 - 100 mm. The percentage of tuber flesh loss was 3.01 4.05 %. The developed models are adequate and valid between the predicted and the observed values. The experimental variables (speed and load) fit into the models generated with higher coefficients of determination (R2 = 81.87 %, R2adj = 75.77 %, R2 pred = 69.16 %). 2017-10-17T00:00:00Z