Modeling and optimization of developed cocoa beans extractor parameters using box behnken design and artificial neural network

This work focuses on the design and construction of a small wind turbine suitable for generating electricity in low wind speed regimeon Lat7.0670N, Long 6.2670Eat very low cost. The wind turbine was designed to generate 250 Watts of power at the rated speed of 6.5m/s. In the design process,the various components of the wind turbine were considered and all the loads liable to occur during all temporary and operating conditions were calculated theoretically and the designs were optimized to ensure that the turbine operates at full capacity.The turbine’s performance was such that generation hovered between 60 and 100 in the months of October and November while it skyrocket towards 200 watts in the month of December.From performance point of view the turbine has proved to be relatively efficient for power generation in Auchi, Edo state where this work was carried out.

“Practical Analysis of A Small Wind Turbine for Domestic Use on Latitude 7.0670N, Longitude 6.2670E”

The significance of energy in human lives cannot be overemphasized. It is crucial to all facets of economic growth, progress, and development as well as poverty eradication and security.  Household energy is generally required for a variety of purposes. It is required for lighting and heating. This study evaluated domestic energy utilization in major Nigeria cities using Warri, Benin, Port Harcourt, and Calabar as a case study. A total of four locations with the highest population were targeted at each selected city. Responses were randomly selected from energy utilization in the selected region. A total of 1439 questionnaires were administered all through the selected cities in this study. Data obtained were evaluated using descriptive statistic. The result obtained revealed that kerosene has the highest percentage of utilization (88%), LNG (68.9%), electricity (67.7%), PMS (67.1), diesel (5.6%), charcoal (16.4%), wood (28.2%), and solar (3%) within these cities. Therefore, kerosene is the most preferred energy and this can be as a result of cost when compared to LNG, electricity, PMS, diesel, charcoal, solar, and wood fuel.

http://www.journal-aprie.com/article_128409_e92bff6ae0d28feb527b50c018f8bf0b.pdf

Evaluation of domestic energy preference in Nigeria cities: a case study of Warri, Benin, Port Harcourt, and Calabar

Cocoa (Theobroma cacao) is an important cash crop that serves numerous food purposes. Removing the seed from the pod, or depodding is key to its vast applications. In an attempt to ease the bottleneck in breaking the pods to release the seeds for utilization, a cocoa depodding machine was developed to efficiently depod various sizes of cocoa. Fabrication was done using locally available materials to achieve reduction in production cost, stress and drudgery attributed to the manual methods of depodding. The essential components of the depodding machine are the hopper, the depodding unit, the frame and the power unit. Its design and operation are based on the engineering properties of the cocoa pod, and the machine utilizes impact and compression mechanism for depodding actions. Machine evaluation was conducted on four levels of speed resulting from different pulley diameter ratio (219, 278, 397 and 636 rpm) in order to establish the best operating speed for the machine. The results of which were 89.29%, 87.38%, 85.25% and 80.70% respectively. The best output of the depodding machine was obtained when operated at 219 rpm speed with a throughput capacity of 469.87 kg/h, a minimum bean damage of 10.71%, and a 2 hp electric motor as the prime mover.

/pdf/design-fabrication-and-testing-of-cocoa-depodding-machine-lenfhsms4g.pdf

Design, Fabrication and Testing of Cocoa Depodding Machine

Cassava, a household name in Nigeria because of its importance in the food supply matrix of the populace. A multipurpose crop that serves as source of food for man, animals and raw materials for industry. The need to appropriate the enormous potentials inherent in cassava necessitated the development of an abrasive cassava peeling machine. The machine consists of the process, support and control unit and it evaluation was based 
on the effect of drum fill and residence time on performance indices investigated. The machine performed well when 
operated at reduced speed achieved by using a reduction gear to obtain 74% highest peeling efficiency, 31 kg/hr machine capacity and 5% minimum flesh loss for 10-50% drum fill and 20-30 minutes residence time.

/pdf/development-of-cassava-peeling-machine-using-an-abrasive-3qf4d2wg4v.pdf

Development of cassava peeling machine using an abrasive mechanism

Breaking of cocoa pods in order to release the beans presently constitutes a difficult task for Nigerian cocoa farmers. The traditional method of using wood and machete to break the pods is not only laborious and time consuming but also uneconomical. An electrically operated cocoa pod breaking machine has been designed, fabricated and tested. The machine which utilizes roller mechanisms was fabricated using locally sourced materials. Cocoa pods were categorized as big, medium and small based on their mid diameter sizes. The mid diameter size of the small category was most useful in determining the size of the breaking chamber. Pod breaking efficiency of over 95% was achieved during testing. Bean damage, a common feature of traditional methods and existing hand operated cocoa pod breaking machines was reduced to negligible proportions.

Development and Performance Evaluation of a Cocoa Pod Breaking Machine

Wind energy is abundant, inexhaustible, affordable, environmentally preferable, and equally sustainable More researches are emerging in the analysis of wind energy in Nigeria and each have proven that great potential exist for wind power generation in Nigeria but sufficient results is yet to be achieved in terms of application The present research is intended to apply the technology of wind energy for pumping of water in rural Nigeria To achieve this, a savonius vertical axis wind turbine is developed To ensure, an optimum functioning system was developed and design consideration and conceptual design were drawn The best conceptual design was selected for development using decision matrix The system was evaluated for performance and UT363 Anemometer was used to measure the wind speed Results obtained indicate a swept area of 341 m2, power of wind of 3146 watts, blade tip speed and rotational speed wind of 738 rpm and 505 rpm were required for effective wind turbine operation Besides, an average wind speed of 349 m/sec was required to pump an average 4777 litres of water at an average time of 308 minutes

http://www.journal-aprie.com/article_113965_ba268f87d6e3a00c9c7d2d2b88a19e41.pdf

Development of a Savonius vertical axis wind turbine operated water pump

In this study, the principles underlying the energy involved during cracking in a vertical centrifugal nut cracker was analyzed. This will help to elucidate the relationship between various parameters that are relevant to the design and operation of the centrifugal nut cracker for the Tenera and Dura varieties. Experimental analysis was then carried out for each of the two varieties. Each variety was classified into size ranges based on their geometric mean diameter (GMD). Technical analysis revealed that the revolution per minute required by the rotor disc of a centrifugal nut for effective nut cracking is influenced by rotor disc radius (r) and nut dimensions (d1, d2, d3).The modeled equation developed could be used for predicting nut translational kinetic energy required to crack dried nut of the Dura and Tenera varieties to release high percentage of whole kernel.

Modeling of Some Related Parameters for Cracking Palm Nut in a Centrifugal Cracker

A novel cassava peeling machine that operates on the principle of the lathe was designed, fabricated and tested. The unique peeling principle uses a self-loading, self-adjusting single point cutting tool that can follow the contour of the cut cassava tuber sections or sized lots. The single point cutting tool allows the peeler to peel both freshly harvested cassava tubers and cassava tubers that are up to four days old effectively and efficiently. Test results show a peeling efficiency of over 70% for all categories of tubers and a minimal loss of flesh.

Patrick Ebunilo

Papers

Development and Performance Evaluation of a Cocoa Pod Breaking Machine

Development of a Savonius vertical axis wind turbine operated water pump

Modeling of Some Related Parameters for Cracking Palm Nut in a Centrifugal Cracker

Design and Testing of an Experimental Cassava Tuber Peeling Machine

Performance Evaluation of a Developed Dried Grass Shredding Machine for Composting