ARID ZONE JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING, TECHNOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT

The Effect of Zinc Dialkyl Dithiophosphate (ZDDP) Additive on the Tribological Properties of Mahogany (Khaya senegalensis) Seed Oil

D.M. Ayuba, A. A. Hammajam, M. A. Abba-Aji, C. Amos — Mon, 01 Sep 2025 20:27:43 +0000

Mineral oil based lubricants are non-renewable, harmful to health and prone to price fluctuations. Thus, vegetable oils are considered as suitable alternatives to mineral oils for lubricant production. As such, new research into the use of non-edible vegetable oils for lubricant development is advocated to address these challenges. In this study, tribological evaluation of lubricant developed from non-edible vegetable mahogany (Khaya senegalensis) oil for industrial applications was conducted. Interestingly, the oil was characterized, modified for suitability and used to develop lubricants for industrial applications. Additionally, commercially available mineral oil based lubricant SAE 20/W50 was used as a control. The effect of ZDDP additive on the tribological performance of mahogany seed oil based biolubricant developed was also studied. The results show that the developed mahogany seed oil based biolubricant had alkaline pH of 7.56, high viscosity index of 147.12, appreciable viscosity, excellent cold flow of -9.2 ºC. Similarly, the coefficient of friction of the biolubricant developed reduced from 0.095 to 0.090when 1% of ZDDP was added and form 0.095 to 0.087 when 3% of ZDDP was added but the coefficient of friction increased from 0.095 to 0.099 with the addition of 5% of ZDDP. Therefore, developed mahogany seed oil biolubricant was observed to be suitable and environmentally friendly substitutes to mineral oil base lubricant SAE 20/W50 for application in metal cutting and lubrication of gears in food processing industry.

Development of Smart Energy-Efficient Lighting System Using AC-Tied Solar PV with Light Sensitivity Control

Mon, 01 Sep 2025 20:57:42 +0000

Unreliable power supply from utility companies in Nigeria undermines the ability of universities to provide quality services, particularly disrupting critical night-time security operations. A persistent issue at Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH), Ikorodu Lagos State is the pervasive darkness during utility load shedding, which directly hinders security personnel. Current solutions like using diesel generators (DGs), hybrid renewable energy supply systems (HRESS), and standalone renewable energy supply systems (SRESS) present significant drawbacks: in addition, DGs are expensive to run while HRESS require substantial upfront investment. Similarly, SRESS used for street lighting, leave many campus areas such as the walkways, offices, and classrooms in darkness at night. To address these shortcomings and enhance night-time security, this research proposes an improved alternating circuit (AC)-tied Solar-photovoltaic (PV)-based lighting system (IACSLS). This research involved systematic modeling, design, simulation, construction, and implementation of the proposed IACSLS at LASUSTECH. The IACSLS successfully generated an average of 580 Wh in four hours of peak sunlight per day from a 145 W solar-PV panel, which is enough to power a 30 W LED bulb throughout the night. The system is 100% renewable and shows a surplus of 6.71 kWh per year, indicating it produces more energy than it needs. The total initial capital cost is estimated to be $65.54, with a projected life span of 10 to 25 years. The deployed system consistently delivered over eight hours of lighting at night during load shedding offering a sustainable, cost-effective solution for improving night-time security activities on university campus.

Effect of Adsorbent Dosage on the Kinetics and Isotherms of Lead(II) Removal from Aqueous Solution Using Corn Husk

A. A. Rasheed, H. S. Muhammad, Y. Jakada, N. Salahudeen — Mon, 01 Sep 2025 21:09:51 +0000

Heavy metal contamination in water presents a critical environmental challenge, necessitating effective and sustainable solutions. This study explores the use of natural corn husk as an adsorbent for lead (II) removal from aqueous solutions. The corn husk was processed by drying, crushing, and sieving through a 75 μm mesh screen, followed by characterization using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis. Batch adsorption experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of adsorbent dosage on the isotherms and kinetics of lead (II) removal. The results revealed that the percentage removal of lead increased with both adsorbent dosage and contact time, achieving equilibrium at 105 minutes. The highest removal efficiencies were 73%, 93%, and 96% for dosages of 0.5 g/L, 1 g/L, and 1.5 g/L, respectively. However, the adsorption capacity decreased with increasing dosage, from 111.72 mg/g to 49.06 mg/g. FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of functional groups such as hydroxyl, carboxyl, and ether groups, which contributed to the adsorption mechanism through chemisorption. Similarly, BET results showed a high surface area of 114.55 m²/g with microporous characteristics, while SEM micrographs revealed a dense, rough, and porous morphology with well-distributed active sites. Furthermore, Isotherm analysis demonstrated that the Langmuir model provided the best fit across all dosages, indicating monolayer adsorption with maximum adsorption capacities (qm) ranging from 85 mg/g to 178.57 mg/g. Separation factor (RL) values of 0.2 and 0.19 at lower dosages indicated favorable adsorption conditions, while RL = 0 at 1.5 g/L suggested irreversible adsorption. Kinetic studies confirmed the pseudo-second-order model as the most accurate across all dosages, highlighting chemisorption as the rate-determining mechanism. These findings underscore the significant role of adsorbent dosage in adsorption efficiency and provide insights into optimizing isotherms and kinetics for lead removal using corn husk.

Transesterification of Waste Frying Oil Using Alkaline Activated Waste Marble Catalyst: Effects of Process Parameters, Modeling, and Optimization

Mon, 01 Sep 2025 21:26:24 +0000

Through calcination at 600oC for four hours, a novel alkaline activated waste marble heterogeneous catalyst was produced and successfully used for biodiesel synthesis from waste frying oil. To determine the catalyst's appropriateness for the process, Scanning Electron Micrograph (SEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) were used. Similarly, to determine the waste frying oil's suitability for the transesterification process, FT-IR and GC-MS (Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometer) were applied in its characterization. The variables (time, temperature, catalyst dosage, methanol/mol ratio and agitation speed) were considered during the transesterification process, and an increase in the process parameters significantly affected the yield. In addition, Response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to optimize the best conditions; the second-order polynomial model is displayed in the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) with an R2 value of 0.9564, Adj R2 (0.9216), and Pred R2 (0.8257), indicating the acceptability of the model. The optimal yield of biodiesel (86.25%) was obtained at a catalyst concentration of 2.52wt. %, methanol/molar ratio of 6.14mol/mol, time of 1.10 hours, temperature of 59.8oC and agitation speed of 325.2rpm. Interestingly, the WFO biodiesel produced complied with ASTM D6751 requirements.

Using Cloud-Based Application for Assessment of Extreme Threat of Climate Impact on Water Resources: A Case of Vaal River Catchment, South Africa

N. Upasana, E. K. Onyari, G. U. Fayomi, I. R. Bodunrin — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 11:32:58 +0000

Climate change impact on water resources is becoming a global challenge with persistent escalation of threating weather and changes in precipitation patterns. The study evaluates the extreme impacts of climate change in Vaal River in South Africa. The channel of Vaal River is an area with a critical water resource which supports agricultural, industrial and domestic activities. A three-decade dataset (1993-2023) of precipitation, temperature, streamflow, combined with surface water changes was engaged to examine climate impact on Vaal River water resources. Modified Normalized Difference Water Index (MNDWI) derived from Landsat-5 (1994–2012) and Landsat-8 (2013-2023) imagery on the Google Earth Platform (GEE) was also used to examine the seasonal water stress and availability. The results revealed increasing temperatures and irregular precipitation which are indications of climate altering condition resulting to decreased surface water coverage especially during dry seasons. MNDWI result records a fluctuating value indicating variations in both seasons. Further result revealed weak correlation between precipitation and streamflow, driven by anthropogenic regulations and land use, The MNDWI wet season's linear trendline showed a positive slope of 0.0046 and R² value of 0.26 suggesting water availability over time. Similarly, polynomial trendline for the MNDWI dry season equally shows a moderate coefficient R² value 0.38 Adaptive strategies, including Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) and advanced monitoring systems that will include stakeholders, planners and policy makers at all levels are recommended to mitigate these impacts. More effort should be channeled towards sustainable solutions such as tree planting, tree box filter and afforestation practices to reduce the effect of climate change on water resources.

Modeling of Rainfall-Runoff of the Yobe River Basin Using HEC-HMS

A. N. Alkali, S. Dan'Azumi, U. A. Ibrahim, B. O. Sanyaolu — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 11:43:53 +0000

The Yobe river basin which drains into the Lake has experienced low flows which has been attributed to high evapotranspiration and infiltration rates and the growth of weeds such as Typha Australis in river channels. This research involved modeling rainfall-runoff of the Yobe River Basin in North-Eastern Nigeria using the HEC-HMS 4.8 application package for the purpose of forecasting and determination of low-flow events. Collection of Streamflow data was affected due to insurgency where water resources planning and management within the basin was impacted. Observed Climatic data (Precipitation and Evapotranspiration) were obtained from two gauging stations (Gashua and Gudumbali) for sixteen (16) years (1990-2005). Both climatic and streamflow data were subjected to Normality and Homogeneity tests and used for modeling, with the Climatic data as the Input data, while the Streamflow data were used for calibration and validation. In addition, Streamflow data for three gauging stations (Gashua, Geidam and Damasak) were also obtained from periods between 1990 to 2005 (16) years. The streamflow data were calibrated and validated with NSE (>0.63 to 0.68) in calibration for daily time steps. It was observed that the validation yielded NSE (>0.62 to 0.78). Therefore, HEC-HMS model can be used to project runoff from available climatic data in the Yobe River Basin. Furthermore, soil management of the Catchment area, channel improvement and river augmentation are some of the key strategies of buttressing the effects of high evapotranspiration and infiltration rates, as well as sustaining flow in the river up to the Lake Chad.

Development of a Simulated Annealing-Optimized Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (SA-ANFIS) for Sorghum Seed Planting Parameter Tuning

I. Abubakar, I. M. Abdullahi, A. A. Balami, P. A. Idah — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 12:00:25 +0000

Precision agriculture requires adaptive control systems to optimize planting operations, ensuring consistent planting depth under varying soil and operational conditions. This paper proposes a novel Simulated Annealing-optimized Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (SA-ANFIS) controller for real-time adjustment of planting parameters based on soil moisture and planting speed. The ANFIS framework combines fuzzy logic and neural networks to model nonlinear relationships, while Simulated Annealing (SA) optimizes membership functions and rule bases to enhance control accuracy. Experimental validation demonstrates that the SA-ANFIS controller significantly improves adaptive performance compared to standalone ANFIS controllers, reducing root mean square error (RMSE) by ~18% in dynamic field conditions. The proposed system offers a robust solution for precision planting machinery, enhancing crop yield and resource efficiency. It is, therefore, recommended for autonomous planters

Mapping and Stimulating Flash Flood in the Catchment of Jukskie River

R. Sithole, E. K. Onyari, G. U, Fayomi — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 12:10:34 +0000

Flash floods are among the most severe hydrological hazards, posing significant threats to urban areas worldwide. This study focuses on flash flood mapping of Jukskei River, a catchment in Johannesburg, South Africa, prone to frequent flash flooding. The study employed combination of remote sensing and GIS techniques. The approach follows an analytical framework using satellite imagery and Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) Major extreme rainfall events were analyzed such as rainfall covering 241.6 mm (over 6 hours) and 122 mm (over 4 hours)—corresponding to return periods of 100 and 50 years, respectively. The results of the HEC-RAS simulation were integrated into QGIS to visualize the spatial extent of flooding for the rainfall intensities. The DEM data was processed to identify areas prone to overland flow accumulation, and flood extents were mapped based on the water surface elevations calculated for the 40.27 mm/h and 30.5 mm/h intensities. The mapping results highlighted critical zones where water levels exceeded the riverbanks, potentially endangering residential areas and infrastructures. The findings emphasized the importance of integrated flood risk management strategies to mitigate future hazards and enhance urban resilience.

Spatio-Temporal Dynamics and Forecasting of Urban Land Use and Land Cover Change in Maiduguri Using Google Earth Engine and Machine Learning

M. Shettima, M. Hasnat, G. H. Sambo, A. G. Bukar, A. M. Boyoma, M. A. Mohammed — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 12:29:45 +0000

Urbanization is one of the defining processes of the 21st century, particularly in the rapidly developing country like Nigeria. Google Earth Engine (GEE) and machine Learning techniques were utilized in this study to quantify spatio‐temporal Landuse and Landcover (LULC) dynamics for 2000, 2010, 2020, and 2025 and to forecast the future trends to 2035 in Maiduguri Metropolis. A decadal classification framework was adopted to facilitate long-term LULC analysis, while the inclusion of 2025 enables the capture of emergent post-conflict land transformations and the spatial impacts of the 2024 flood event, which significantly altered land cover configurations. The projection to 2035 maintains a 10-year forecasting interval, ensuring consistency with established temporal benchmarks. Landsat imagery of the selected years was acquired and processed in GEE using the Classification and Regression Tree (CART) algorithm to classify major LULC categories, including built-up areas, cropland, vegetation, wetlands, bare surface, and water body. The overall accuracy for all the assessed years was 80% which indicates high classification reliability. The generated LULC was used to carryout Regression models (linear for five classes and polynomial for cropland) were fitted in Python’s scikit‐learn to project 2035 distributions. The results revealed that built‐up area expanded from 324.8 km² (19.0%) in 2000 to 464.9 km² (27.2%) in 2025, cropland plummeted from 966.9 km² (56.7% ) to 103.6 km² (6.1% ) and bare land surged from 33.6 km² (1.9% ) to 834.1 km² (48.9%). The wetlands and water bodies exhibited fluctuating trends linked to insurgency‐driven land abandonment and the 2024 flood event. Forecasts for 2035 indicate bare land will dominate nearly 72% of the study area, built‐up will reach 517.4 km², and cropland will shrink to 75.3 km². Given these findings, the study strongly recommends integrated sustainable land-use planning and conflict-sensitive restoration strategies to mitigate escalating environmental and socio-economic risks in rapidly urbanizing conflict zones like Maiduguri.

Development and Characterization of Groundnut Shell Powder-Filled Polylactic Acid (PLA) Composites for Sustainable Engineering Applications

A. A. Hammajam, H. I. Maidawa, E. I. Bwala — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 12:41:37 +0000

This paper explores the economic potential of using groundnut shell powder as a filler in biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) composites. Groundnut shells, an abundant agricultural waste, are proposed as a low-cost reinforcement material to develop sustainable bioplastics. The investigation characterized and determined the mechanical properties of groundnut shell powder (GSP) filled PLA thermoplastic composites. Two different fiber sizes; 150 μm and 212μm were pulverized. The fiber loadings were 10 %, 20 %, and 30 % by weight. The GSP-PLA composites were prepared by use of internal mixer, followed by compression molding process. Tensile and Flexural properties were tested using universal testing machine (UTM). The tensile strength decreased from control sample (0 %) to 10 % by weight fiber loadings for all mesh sizes. In addition, the strength increased from 14.2 MPa and 15 MPa for 150 μm and 212 μm respectively, at a loading of 20%. The modulus increased from 712.9GPa for a control sample (0%) loading to 2344.9GPa at 30% loading for 150 μm. Furthermore, it increased to 1576 GPa for 212 μm. The tensile percentage elongation reduced at 10% loading compared to 0% control sample. Flexural strength and modulus increased for both mesh sizes at all the fiber loadings. However, at 30% fiber loadings, the flexural strength and modulus decreased slightly for 212μm size composites. The hardness of the composites increased for both mesh sizes at all the fiber loadings. It is presumed that the tensile properties performed good at 20% loading as deduced from the findings. while flexural properties increased for all loadings. The study identifies key application areas including packaging, construction, agriculture, and consumer products, highlighting their relevance in supporting eco-friendly startups and rural industries. The innovation aligns with global sustainable development goals (SDGs) number 7 and 8 and offers promising opportunities for green entrepreneurship, especially in agrarian economies.

Assessment of the Level of Quality Control of Cement and Sandcrete Block Materials Available in Maiduguri Metropolis

M. A. Abba, B. Kadai, A. B. Garga, A. M. Musa, M. Hassan — Sun, 21 Sep 2025 19:32:12 +0000

Variations in material properties, such as strength or durability, material defects and substandard materials can affect the structure’s performance. This study assesses the level of quality control of building materials (Cement, sand and blocks) available in Maiduguri Metropolis. Generally, it included the Survey and collection of data of the existing supply markets, samples collection, laboratory tests, and analyses of results were conducted. Observation made from the survey showed that the price of blocks 150mm and 225mm thick range from 450 - 500 naira and 550 - 650 naira respectively. The particle size distribution of the sand sample used in the sand combination shows that the sand fell mostly in zone 2 except one which fell in zone 3 in accordance with Federal Ministry of Works and Housing Design Manual (FMWH). The average dry density of the investigated sandcrete blocks ranged from 1777.10kg/m3 - 2098.67kg/m3. The average compressive strength of the 150 mm thick blocks ranged between 0.12 - 0.45N/mm2. The maximum value 0.45N/mm2 recorded is less than 85% of the recommended minimum strength. The findings on the hydration properties of cement are within the BS 449 standard. The results show that the quality control of the building materials in Maiduguri Metropolis is generally inadequate, with many suppliers and contractors are unaware or failing to adhere to standard specifications and regulations.

Modeling and Simulation of a Solar Farm Using Homer Pro Software for University of Maiduguri Senate Complex

M. M. Hamidu, A. M. El-jummah, M. Shuwa — Sun, 21 Sep 2025 19:46:27 +0000

The current state of energy insecurity in Maiduguri calls for immediate action to explore and implement alternative energy sources, especially off-grid sources such as solar power, wind power etc. which could provide reliable, cost-effective, and sustainable energy solutions to the town and neighbourhoods. The University of Maiduguri is not an exception, equally faced with electricity disruptions that almost ground down the academic and administrative activities. This study aims at modeling and simulation of a solar farm using HOMER PRO software for University of Maiduguri senate complex to enhance power supply. It involves conducting an energy audit to determine the complex's electrical energy consumption, Prediction of future energy demand using HOMER PRO software, designing a solar farm model based on the energy audit and the predicted energy demand of the Senate Complex using same software. Data collected were analysed and optimised for system sizing. Based on the optimization results, model 1682 Canadian Solar Max Power CS6U-340M, 340 W per panels, 144 lead acid generic batteries rated at 1KW each (totalling 4603Ah) and 2 inverters with a combined capacity of 318kW were designed, which met the annual load demand of the complex (1.03 GWh). This study, if implemented will address the power challenges faced by the Senate complex building, thereby reducing the administrative and academic bottle neck faced by the University.

Crack and Spall Detection in Buildings using Yolov8 And Detectron2–Based Web Application

W. A. Raheem, C. O. Folorunso, O. F. Odeyinka, F. F. Kamal — Sun, 21 Sep 2025 19:58:37 +0000

Cracks and spalls in building structures pose serious risks to safety and durability. Conventional methods of detecting these defects are manual, time-consuming, and error-prone. Hence, this study develops a web-based system for automated defect detection using deep learning models. Two object detection models (YOLOv8 and Detectron2), and a CNN model (Resnet18), were trained on 1798 annotated images which consisted of benchmark datasets (METU, VCC) and with locally acquired images. Classification and object detection were done on both datasets acquired. YOLOv8 achieved a weighted average of 99.0% precision, 99.0% recall, and 99.0% accuracy, while Resnet18 reached 98.8.0% precision, 98.8% recall, and 98.8% accuracy weighted average for mild crack, severe crack and spall. For the object detection, YOLOv8 (mask mAP50 of 93.0%) achieved superior segmentation accuracy than Detectron2 (mask mAP50 of 87.5%). Both models demonstrated strong performance in detecting spalls, mild and severe cracks (mAP > 0.73). The Detectron2 model was deployed in a web-based application to enable real-time crack and spall identification. These results confirm the feasibility of AI-assisted structural health monitoring and highlight pathways for improving crack detection through balanced datasets, synthetic augmentation, and higher-resolution training in both Nigerian and global contexts.

Biodiesel Production from the Blend of Sunflower, Avocado Seeds and Waste Soybeans

A. E. Adeleke, O. S. Ogungbemi, S. O. Giwa — Sun, 21 Sep 2025 20:13:34 +0000

The climatic, environmental, and health concerns of fossil fuels have spurred the development of biodiesel as an alternative fuel. Biodiesel production has transitioned from single lipid-based feedstock to hybrid lipid-based feedstock owing to the challenges related to the former. Unlike previous studies that focused on singular and binary feedstock, this study uniquely employed ternary oil blends to synthesize biodiesel via alkaline transesterification and measured selected oil and biodiesel fuel properties using standard test methods. The studied hybrid oils were extracted (using the Soxhlet method) from ternary feedstock (72%, 20%, and 8% by weight of soybeans, avocado seeds, and sunflower seeds) and characterized for the physicochemical properties: viscosity, moisture content, volatile content, ash content, higher heating value, free fatty acids, and density. The measured biodiesel fuel properties were kinematic viscosity, density, flash point, pour point, and lower heating value. Results revealed that the hybrid oil properties were observed to be within the range of values for individual feedstock that made up the oil. The biodiesel produced has a yield of 81% and exhibited a kinematic viscosity of 3.75 mm2/s, density of 893 kg/m3, flash point of 122 °C, pour point of -11°C, and lower heating value of 34.96 MJ/kg. These fuel properties were observed to conform to biodiesel standards. Relatively low kinematic viscosity and pour point, and high lower heating value and flash point of the studied biodiesel were recorded due to the synergetic effect of oil hybridization. Therefore, selective mixing of different oils from existing feedstock for biodiesel production is recommended as this would further improve biodiesel fuel properties and consequently, enhance the performance, combustion, and emissions of biodiesel-fueled engines. Hybrid oil deployment will assist in addressing existing problems related to the use of single-feedstock based oil, with the ultimate view of promoting carbon neutrality in agreement with the Sustainable Development Goals.

Development of a Smart Internet of Things Based Motorcycle Theft Prevention System

M. Abdullahi, D. Maliki, I. A. Dauda, U. S. Dauda, G. Kigbu — Sun, 21 Sep 2025 20:32:18 +0000

Motorcycle theft has become a critical security challenge globally, with existing security measures proving inadequate against sophisticated theft techniques. In Nigeria, motorcycle theft accounts for 22.2% of over 45,000 documented criminal cases by 2021, necessitating advanced technological solutions. Current motorcycle security systems lack integration, real-time monitoring capabilities, and reliable alert mechanisms, making motorcycles vulnerable to theft. This research presents an integrated Internet of Things (IoT) based motorcycle theft prevention system utilizing ESP32 microcontroller, gyroscope sensors for vibration detection, load sensors for weight monitoring, GPS for location tracking, and GSM for communication. The system incorporates a mobile application developed using Flutter for real-time monitoring and alert notifications. Experimental validation demonstrated high location tracking accuracy with minimal coordinate deviations (±0.000005 degrees), effective sensor detection capabilities across various weight ranges (5-25 kg) and vibration levels (800-3500 units), and efficient alert delivery with response times ranging from 1-14 seconds across different network providers. The developed system provides a comprehensive, cost-effective solution for motorcycle security, offering real-time monitoring, multi-channel alert mechanisms, and reliable theft detection capabilities that significantly enhance motorcycle protection compared to existing solutions.

The Effect of Fermentation on the Proximate Composition, Physical and Functional Properties of Guna (Citrullus vulgaris) Seeds

T. E. Ndahi, M. H. Badau, A. L. Kassum, L. P. Mshelia, H. K. Lawan, D. Peter — Sun, 21 Sep 2025 20:45:12 +0000

Guna (Citrullus vulgaris) is a type of melon seed traditionally extracted from its gourds after fermentation. This study investigated the effect of fermentation on the physical, proximate, and functional properties of guna seeds. Fresh gourds were divided into three treatments namely; control (0 day), 7-day fermentation, and 14-day fermentation and shade-dried. Standard analytical methods were employed for the analyses. The results showed that fermentation had no significant effect (P > 0.05) on seed length (6.05–6.07 mm), width (3.43–3.46 mm), thickness (1.46–1.51 mm), sphericity (0.51–0.52), arithmetic diameter (3.65–3.68 mm), geometric diameter (3.12–3.17 mm), aspect ratio (56.69–57.10), or surface area (30.54–31.48 mm²). However, 1000-seed mass (31.78–34.60 g) and bulk density (1.64–1.82 g/cm³) were significantly affected (P < 0.05), decreasing with longer fermentation time. Proximate analysis revealed moisture (4.63–4.78%), ash (3.11–3.37%), protein (23.70–29.95%), fat (25.71–28.63%), fibre (18.54–19.21%), and carbohydrate (17.67–20.72%). Fermentation significantly (P < 0.05) increased moisture, protein, and ash contents, while reducing fat, fibre, and carbohydrate values. Functional properties improved with fermentation time, including higher water absorption capacity (73.97–82.00%), oil absorption capacity (54.12–66.67%), foam capacity (17.22–21.11%), and foam stability (12.78–13.89%), alongside reduced flour bulk density (1.15–1.18 g/cm³). In conclusion, 14-days fermentation time enhanced protein and ash content, improved hydration and oil-binding properties, and lowered bulk density, indicating potential for guna seed protein supplementation in food applications.

Spray Drying Modelling using Advanced Vaporization Approach

A. Bello, B. R. Ademola, U. A. Isah — Sun, 21 Sep 2025 21:13:10 +0000

This study develops a deterministic mathematical model for simulating the spray drying of pineapple juice. The model applies advanced vaporization kinetics and a receding interface-porous diffusion approach to predict moisture content, droplet density, and temperature. Validated experimentally at feed solids concentrations of 20% and 40% and drying temperatures of 130 °C and 140 °C, the model accurately predicted final moisture content with absolute errors ranging from 2.3% to 5.2% as drying gas temperature decreases from 140 °C to 130 °C for the 20% feed, and from 1% to 1.8% for the 40% feed. Key results quantitatively demonstrate that higher air temperatures reduce final moisture content and reveal the critical role of crust formation in shifting the drying kinetics from a rapid evaporation phase to a slower, diffusion-limited regime. The model's computational efficiency and physics-based foundation make it a valuable tool for the optimization of spray drying processes, potentially reducing reliance on costly and time-consuming experimental trials.

Review of Smart Grid Technology and the Nigerian Electricity Act: Addressing Power Sector Challenges Through Policy and Innovation

D. K. Patrick — Sun, 21 Sep 2025 21:21:46 +0000

Energy policy plays a crucial role in shaping the energy landscape of any region. The reform of the Nigerian Electricity Act in 2023 marked a significant milestone for the Nigerian electricity market. It established a legal foundation aimed at addressing the nation’s perennial energy crisis by enabling the adoption of modern sustainable technologies and initiatives into the Nigerian power industry. Poor policy implementation, inadequate generation, and unplanned downtime due to faults on the defunct transmission and distribution networks have stifled the growth of power delivery in Nigeria, emphasizing the need for more intelligent and sustainable power infrastructure. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the challenges in Nigeria’s power sector and explores how emerging technologies can provide effective solution at every node of the power chain. It draws insights from global case studies and outlines a strategic roadmap and timeline for planning and implementing smart grid and sustainable initiatives in Nigeria. Additionally, it highlights critical considerations necessary to promoting long-term sustainability within Nigeria’s power industry.