FACULTY OF TECHNOLOGY
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Item Utilization of oil palm wastes in south western Nigeria(The Nigeiran Society of Engineers, 2003) Mijinyawa, Y.; Ogunbanjo, O. I.A survey involving the use of questionnaires and personal communication during field visits was undertaken in Ekiti, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo states of Nigeria to ascertain the level of utilization of the inedible portions of oil palm products often referred to as wastes. Items identified as wastes and their present uses include trunk for bridges and roof trusses; fronds and leaves for brooms, thatching of roofs and fences, staking of creeping and climbing plants, weavmg of baskets and cages and cordage materials; fruit bunches for black soap production; kernel shells for soil erosion control and furnace fuel; and mill effluents for sludge cake used as fuel, A substantial amount of these wastes are unutilized which has resulted in their constituting nuisance in plantations and mill sites. Incineration is the only disposal method employed to create space for other activities. It is recommended that the use of these wastes be popularized among urban dwellers to create market for them. Fruit harvesting and conversion of the trunk are tedious; hence the development of appropriate technology for improved efficiency required.Item The influence of post-cracked exposure period on some physical properties of palm kernel shells(The Nigeiran Society of Engineers, 2000) Mijinyawa, Y.; Falayi, F. R.A series of experiments were conducted to measure the influence of the duration of exposure to inclement weather after cracking on the bulk density, solid or true density, porosity, and water absorption characteristics of palm kernel shells (PKS). The results showed that the bulk and true densities decreased respectively from 0.60g/cm3 and 1.37g/cm3 for freshly cracked shells to 0.53g/cm3 and 1.25g/cm3 for shells that have been exposed to inclement weather for over ten years after cracking. The porosity and ability to hold moisture increased with the duration of exposure. These experimental observations are attributable to the organic nature of the shells as a result of which there is a gradual biodeterioration especially of the adhering fibers. This reduces the dry matter content and increase the void. Density values obtained are comparable with other materials of construction such as earth and wood which is an indication that PKS has potentials for use as a material for construction. Further work on the mechanical properties of the material is recommended.Item Farm structures and environment: The indispensable but unappreciated specialization of agricultural engineering in Nigeria.(The Nigeiran Society of Engineers, 2011) Mijinyawa, Y.Farm structures, a vital component of agricultural engineering is given very little recognition because of conflicts and ignorance. Neglected in terms of man power and facilities, its numerous potentials for agricultural development remain untapped. Climate change and noise from increasing farm mechanization activities are becoming threats to agricultural practice and a challenge to the farm structures experts. To appropriately respond to these challenges, due attention need to be given to the theory and practice of the profession while collaboration and information exchange among the experts need to be strengthened.Item Coefficient of static friction of palm kernel shell on selected structural surfaces(The Nigeiran Society of Engineers, 2000) Mijinyawa, Y.; Falayi, F. R.An experiment was conducted to measure the static coefficient of friction of palm kernel shell (PKS) on plywood, galvanized iron and glass. The results of the test showed that the coefficient of static friction of PKS increases with moisture content irrespective of the surface employed. The .values of coefficient of static friction obtained varied from 0.42 to 0.75 on plywood, 0.34 to 0.62 on galvanized iron and 0.32 to 0.56 on glass for moisture contents ranging from bone dry to 18.4% wet basis. This implies that PKS is most resistant to flow on plywood and least on glass. A statistical analysis showed that these variations with structural surfaces were Significant. Further similar work using the cracked palm kernel is recommended.Item Farm structures and rural electrification palm kernel shells as coarse aggregates for light weight concrete(The Nigeiran Society of Engineers, 1999) Mijinyawa, Y.; Okedoku, O. W.The escalating cost of conventional building material has given rise to the need to source for alternative ones. In souring for such alternatives, the durability, availability and cost of the potential material should be considered. Palm kernel shell (PKS), a by-product in the process of palm kernel oil extraction found in abundance in southern and grossly underutilized was considered of potential as a coarse aggregate for light weight concrete. In order to confirm the assumed potential, it was considered necessary to determine the density and compressive strength of concrete cubes manufactured from PKS. Coarse aggregates made us of crushed granite and PKS mixed in varied proportions were used to cast 150mm x 150 mm concrete cubes of 1: 3: 6 mix batch by weight. The cubes were removed from moulds 24hr after casting and immersed in water for seven days to cure. The density and compressive strength of the cubes were then decreased. Expectedly, the density and crushing strength of cubes decreased with increase in the amount of PKS in the cubes but the density range of 1520 to 2234kg/m3 and strength values of 0.44 to 3. 89N/mm2 obtained were good enough for light weight concrete. PKS has great potential as a material for coarse aggregate in concrete work; the use of which could considerably reduce the construction cost of building and promote environmental sanitation.Item Determination of some physical properties of palm kernel(The Nigeiran Society of Engineers, 2005) Mijinyawa, Y.; Omoikhoje, S.Experiments were carried out to determine the dimensions of palm kernel, the shell thickness, kernel and nut densities as useful parameters in its handling and processing. The major, intermediate and minor diameters of the kernel were found to vary from 26.5 to 44, 21.5 to 34.5 and 16.5 to 28mm respectively. Sphericity was calculated to be between 76 and 80 and was independent of the size of the kernel. Nut densities varied from 0.8 to 2g/cm3 while kernel densities varied from 0.93 to 1.33g/cm3. The nut densities were generally higher than the kernel densities and the variation is attributed to the large volume but lightweight of the shell. The shell thickness varied from 2 to 6.5mm. These parameters are useful in the design of handling and processing equipment for palm kernelItem Farm structures: roles and challenges in meeting the needs of the Nigerian farmer(The Nigeiran Society of Engineers, 2006) Mijinyawa, Y.Although oil is the major source of Nigeria's revenue at present, agriculture is the single largest contributor to the well-being of the rural poor. Agriculture sustains 90% of the rural labour force, provides 60% of industrial raw materials, and contributes 30% to the GDP, with 90% of the output coming from the smallholder farmers. The Nigerian smallholder farmers face a lot of challenges. They are constrained from expanding their farm sizes due to limited labour supply. Poor farm transportation and severe post-harvest losses reduce their economic fortune while the productivity of the farmer and his livestock are reduced by inadequate housing. Farm structures' intervention in the provision of good access roads for farm machinery movement would enable farmers to expand their farm holdings, appropriate crop storage structures which reduce post harvest losses, and cheap but comfortable housing will provide an enabling environment for increased productivity and income. The present Farm Structures curriculum as taught in many institutions needs to be beefed up while farm structures workshops and laboratories should be provided and well equipped. The establishment of a farm structures network is suggested.Item Assessment of Kwara state tractor hiring unit(The Nigerian institution of Agricultural Engineers, 2010) Mijinyawa, Y.; Adebayo, S.A survey was undertaken to assess the Kwara State Tractor Hiring Unit using fleet of equipment, personnel and workshop facilities, and its impact on the farming populace in the state as assessment criteria. The study adopted the use of a questionnaire and interview schedules, focused group discussion and personal observation for data collection. Records available at the headquarters of the unit provided additional source of information. The unit has a total of 38 tractors which comprises of 29 Ursus 5312, six New Holland 5635, three heavy duty tractors, 22 disc ploughs, seven mouldboard ploughs, 18 disc harrows, eight disc ridgers, 10 trailers, two rice shellers, five multipurpose shellers, two maize shellers and one fourwheel drive jeep car. Majority (81%) of the equipment were functional, a few (13%) required minor repairs to be used on the farm and 6% were scraps. The unit has neither a workshop nor an implement shed thus exposing the machinery to inclement weather. Personnel in the unit are adequate but the maintenance culture is service driven. There has been a general increase in farm sizes since the introduction of the unit even though only a few farmers have been able to access the services rendered by the unit. Several reasons accounted for the limited beneficiaries from the activities of the unit prominent among which are inability to raise the cost of hiring, delay in service delivery, remoteness of farms and small holdings.The unit has great potentials for improving the agricultural productivity of the state if the equipment available can be effectively utilized. Towards achieving this, it is recommended that a functional workshop and implement sheds be provided at the headquarters and area offices, the activities should be decentralized while adopting a regular maintenance culture. As an agency of the government, there should be adequate funding by the state government.Item Analysis of climatic factors for the selection of greenhouse glazing materials in Ilorin, Nigeria(The Nigerian institution of Agricultural Engineers, 2011) Mijinyawa, Y.; Ajayi, S. A.The effect of climate change in recent times has necessitated the need for a controlled environment for the cultivation of many crops which were hitherto cultivated under natural tropical condition. An appropriate method of accomplishing this is through the use of greenhouses which modify the environment to produce a micro-climate suitable for optimum plant growth. The successful use of greenhouses depends on the choice of appropriate glazing material. Tomatoes are precious crop demanded all year round but the production of which is being reduced by the effect of climate change. Desirous to increase the level of production, the study attempts to identify appropriate glazing material for greenhouse: for the production of tomatoes in Ilorin, Nigeria. Climatological data were collected from the Ilorin International Airport and analyzed in order to identify appropriate - covering materials for the development of greenhouse structures in Ilorin. Double layer polyethylene and white corrugated polyvinylchloride were the two glazing materials that have the lowest inner surface temperatures arid also satisfy the condition of heat load. To derive the maximum benefits of greenhouses, in addition to using these materials, Proper ventilation and shading of the greenhouses are recommended.Item Assessment of tractor hiring services in Lagos State(The Nigerian Society of Engineers, 2001) Akinoso, R.; Mijinyawa, Y.Various agricultural mechanization techniques have been introduced to aid crop production. One of such is intensive use of tractors. Expensive capital and maintenance costs have limited the private ownership of tractors by Nigerian farmers. To promote the use and availability of tractors for farmers, tractor-hiring units were established. Tractor hiring units rent out tractors and other farm implements to farmers at affordable prices. Contrary to expectation, the aim of the program had been defeated due to technical laxity, poor management and the current economic situation of the country. Recognizing the necessity of tractor hiring units, efforts are made on ways of improving performances. Good organization and proper management are needed for effective operation.