Rivers State University of Science and Technology

About: Rivers State University of Science and Technology is a education organization based out in Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Threatened species. The organization has 1826 authors who have published 1833 publications receiving 15183 citations.

Use of Multiple Variable Mathematical Method for Effective Condition Monitoring of Gas Turbines

Abstract: All over the globe, gas turbines (GTs) play tremendous role in energy and power generation. Condition monitoring is also being used to obtain early warning of impending equipment failure to prevent costly downtime and damage to process equipment. Several scheduled visits were thus made to AFAM IV, GT 18, TYPE 13D plant located near Port Harcourt, in Rivers State of Nigeria. Continuous and periodic monitoring of the thermodynamics/performance parameters such as temperature, pressure, air pumping capability and fuel flow were carried out. These activities lasted for over a period of one year on hourly basis to examine the state of health of the engine compared with the data taken. The diagnostic method of trend performance monitoring was jointly used with multiple variable mathematical models (MVMMs), because they relate deterioration to consequences. A software code-named “THAPCOM” written in C++ programming language was used proactively monitor the engine based on this MVMMs. The values observed on the third month revealed that ηO was 27.0% and AL was 48MW. A significant variation in the results obtained shows that there is a deviation between the monitored data taken from the console and the reference data in the manufacturer’s manual. These are indications of impending failure or health uncertainty of the engine. This allowed maintenance to be scheduled, or other actions taken to avoid catastrophy.Copyright © 2010 by ASME

Optimization of a Grid Connected Photovoltaic System using Fuzzy Logic Control

Abstract: Solar Photovoltaic energy generating system is one of the auspicious renewable energy resources that use the ample energy from the sun with clean, inexhaustible and environment friendly cyclic operations. However, the intermittent nature of the output power of PV systems reduces their reliability in delivering continuous power to customers. In this work, we propose an efficient and precise technique using a fuzzy controller and simulated in MATLAB environment, for tracking maximum power point in PV system. The fuzzy Logic model results were compared with other methods such as Perturb and Observe (P&O) and Proportional Integral Differential (PID) for validation. The results show that the Fuzzy Logic Controller, an Artificial Intelligence technique under various conditions was able to track the peak power point under lesser time - it took the fuzzy model less than 0.4 secs to attain maximum power while the other controllers took more than 0.7 and 0.8 seconds respectively. It was also observed that the fuzzy logic controller showed greater stability when the maximum power point was attained than the other controller. Hence the fuzzy logic controller gave a better overall performance than other conventional controllers.

Protein Intake of Vegetarians and Non-vegetarians in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract: Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the protein intake of vegetarians and nonvegetarians in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Methodology: Four objectives and four research questions guided the study. A survey research design was adopted for the study. A sample size of 400 respondents was selected using Taro Yamene formula and purposive sampling techniques. The instrument used for data collection was a questionnaire tagged: Protein Intake of Vegetarians and Non-Vegetarians in Port Harcourt Questionnaire (CPIBVNVQ). The instrument was validated by three experts with a reliability coefficient of 0.56. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage) and findings were presented on tables. Results: Prevalence of vegetarianism was high in females (53%) than in males (47%). Protein intake by the vegetarians was high (97%) when compared with vegetarians who do not eat proteinous foods (3%). Among the non-vegetarians, 94% eat proteinous foods while 6% do not eat. The study also showed that protein intake is better in non-vegetarians than vegetarians. Higher percentages of non-vegetarians (84.3%) fell sick and got diagnosed of ailments as compared with 17.4% for vegetarians suggesting that the vegetarians experience enhanced immune function. Original Research Article Orisa and Usoroh; EJNFS, 12(8): 33-44, 2020; Article no.EJNFS.59091 34 Reduced saturated fat and blood cholesterol was a tool that influenced the respondents in choosing the vegetarian lifestyle with 82.5% for vegetarian and 13.8% for non-vegetarian. Conclusion: Based on the findings, it was recommended that vegetarians should be encouraged to consume more plant proteins especially soy based foods since they are high biological value protein food comparable to animal products.

Rural households' food insecurity and coping strategies during COVID-19 pandemic in Enugu State, Nigeria

Abstract: Food insecurity is a challenge in developing countries, especially in the rural areas of Nigeria. It remains a global challenge and continues to be a major public policy in Nigeria and other developing nations. Despite these, COVID-19 set in and posed a serious threat to food system and security globally. This study, therefore, assessed the level of food security among the rural farming households and how they cope with the situation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data for the study were collected primarily from 200 farming households with the use of questionnaires and analysed using descriptive statistics, food security index and Likert scale. The findings showed that the level of food insecurity was very high during the pandemic as 69.5% were food insecure with a high concentration among those with large household size. The widely adopted coping strategies during COVID-19 pandemic among the rural farming households were eating less expensive food (=2.7), reducing rational consumption (=2.68), allowing children to eat first (=2.56), engaging in additional small scale productivity activities (=2.27), skipping meal within a day (=2.26), buying food on credit (=2.05) and borrowing money to buy food (=2.01). The study recommends effective and urgent policy measures which will support rural households’ food availability to boost their food security status. Also, enlightenment of the rural households on the important of modern family planning on their food security status is needed.