Environment
A. Shola Rinde; A. Mustapha; A. Francis Olatunbosun
Abstract
Harmattan dust has been identified as a discrete mass of solid earth crust hanging in the air for an extended period of time. It has been noted that less studies have been conducted in Nigeria to determine the functional groups contained in harmattan dust. The goal of this study was to figure out what ...
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Harmattan dust has been identified as a discrete mass of solid earth crust hanging in the air for an extended period of time. It has been noted that less studies have been conducted in Nigeria to determine the functional groups contained in harmattan dust. The goal of this study was to figure out what functional groups and chemicals that were present in the dust. Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (12°N, 13.8°E), Kebbi State University of Science and Technology, Aliero (12.3070°N, 4.4955°E), Federal University of Agriculture, Zuru (11.4058°N, 5.2400°E), and Waziri Umaru Federal Polytechnic, Birnin Kebbi (12.4601°N, 4.4955°E), were the selected stations used in this study. The suspended Harmattan dust samples were obtained in glass petri plates using a direct deposition approach. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Gas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) were used to examine the samples collected. The results show that eleven functional groups were present in the samples, including =CH-H, -CH3, N-H, C=C, =C-H, C-H, O-H, C-N, C=O, C-O-C, and -CH3. According to GC-MS, the component (2-methoxy ethyl) had the greatest quality value (Q-Value) of 83, area percentage corresponding to time rating (RT) of 13.647, and CAS 018173-63-2 in the dust samples. It is therefore recommended that the Federal Republic of Nigeria's government increase funding for the research centers so that researchers can study all cities in the country and better observe the functional group metals present in the harmattan dust.
K. M. Akkoli; S. A. Goudadi; M. M. Shivashimpi; S. N. Topannavar
Abstract
An analysis of the experimental characterization of the three agricultural residues redgram stalk, soyabean stalk, and chilli stalk (biomass) was carried out and the higher heating values (HHV) were determined using the available correlations from the literature. The selected agricultural residues proximate ...
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An analysis of the experimental characterization of the three agricultural residues redgram stalk, soyabean stalk, and chilli stalk (biomass) was carried out and the higher heating values (HHV) were determined using the available correlations from the literature. The selected agricultural residues proximate analysis results show moisture about 4.2 to 7.4%, the volatile matter about 79.3 to 85.8%, fixed carbon about 4 to 8.94%, and ash about 2.5 to 5.5%. The ultimate analysis results present elemental compositions such as carbon about 46 to 49%, hydrogen about 5%, oxygen about 30%, and the nitrogen about 3.1 to 3.7% with very low sulfur content. The HHV of agricultural residues varies from 14MJ kg-1 to 19MJ kg-1. The design of the downdraft gasifier to accommodate agricultural residues was carried out taking into account the characteristics of the agricultural residues and the specifications of the internal combustion (IC) engine. The characteristics of the agricultural residues depict that the three agricultural residues are suitable for gasification and can be used in a single gasifier.
D. Basrur; J. Ishwara Bhat
Abstract
In this study the preparation of activated carbon from agricultural product were reported. The fenugreek seeds were activated by chemical and microwave activation methods. The characterization of carbon materials were carried out using different techniques like Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy ...
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In this study the preparation of activated carbon from agricultural product were reported. The fenugreek seeds were activated by chemical and microwave activation methods. The characterization of carbon materials were carried out using different techniques like Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). Adsorption experiment was carried out for the adsorption of two different basic dyes, Methylene Blue (MB) and Crystal Violet (CV) under varying conditions such as concentration of dye, mixing time and adsorption temperature. The data acquired from concentration variation were found to fit well with Langmuir and also Freundlich isotherms. Kinetic studies revealed the fact that the system follows second order. Thermodynamic parameters like ΔH≠, ΔS≠ and ΔG≠ were calculated from the study on adsorption at different temperature. The adsorbent preparation via microwave technology is a desired methods which is resulted in conservation of energy for an efficient production of activated carbon.
E. J. Eterigho; T. S. Farrow; S. E. Ejejigbe
Abstract
Non-crystallinesulphated zirconia catalysts were synthesised by a non-aqueous and non-conventional method. The effect of varying the molar ratio of sulphating agent to zirconium source was also investigated. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX), Infra-red ...
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Non-crystallinesulphated zirconia catalysts were synthesised by a non-aqueous and non-conventional method. The effect of varying the molar ratio of sulphating agent to zirconium source was also investigated. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX), Infra-red Spectroscopy (IR),X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). The surface acidity was measured by the Pyridine-DRIFTS (Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier Transform Spectroscopy) technique. The structural and textural properties of the sulphated zirconia were studied. The EDX and XPS profiles suggested that both sulphated zirconia catalysts have similar zirconia and sulphate structures; however, both catalysts were amorphous. Deconvolution of their XPS O 1s spectra showed that the samples contained both oxide oxygen of zirconium and sulphate oxygen, which sample I showed a higher amount of sulphate oxygen. Adsorption of pyridine into the samples indicated that the higher amounts of Brönsted acid sites are presented in sample I with lower amount of sulphate during preparation. This opens up the possibility of controlling the degree and type of active sites on a catalyst by the amount of sulphate used for preparation. Sulphated zirconia catalyst with higher activity properties was achieved via a non-aqueous, environmentalfriendly method. The zirconia catalyst has great contribution towards energy production which is used for preparation and trans-esterification of fatty acids for production of biodiesel.
P. Chaithra; K. Hemashree; J. I. Bhat
Abstract
The activated charcoal (AC) was synthesized from banana leaf rim (BLR) through three activation methods; physical (BLRC), chemical (Z BLRC, zinc chloride) and microwave activation (MW BLRC). The AC was characterised using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscope ...
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The activated charcoal (AC) was synthesized from banana leaf rim (BLR) through three activation methods; physical (BLRC), chemical (Z BLRC, zinc chloride) and microwave activation (MW BLRC). The AC was characterised using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM). The Z BLRC has better adsorbent character compared to BLRC or MW BLRC. Adsorption of acetic acid (AA) onto synthesized activated charcoals (BLRC, Z BLRC & MW BLRC) were performed. This experimental data satisfied Freundlich adsorption isotherm equations. Second-order kinetics study holds good for the present adsorption system. Thermodynamic parameters were evaluated. Based on the result it may be concluded that chemical activated charcoal has maximum adsorption efficiency among the three synthesized types of carbons.
