AGRICULTURAL & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
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Item A Technical Report on the Development of an Analytical Calculator for the Design of Hydraulic Sections for Open Channel Flows(Department of Civil Engineering, Niger Delta University, Bayelsa State, Nigeria, 2022) Mac-Eteli H.; Omobowale, M.O.; Arube, G.Hydraulic structures are designed for conveyance, structural integrity and sustainability. Flood prevention and control is more than ever creating a significant gap for the research society. Particularly for the southern and deltaic regions of the globe. The ease of design embodies the beauty of design. With the ever-rising climatic effects on the earth primarily due to human activities, and prevalent rise in global sea and river levels, the design of channels to manage water bodies in cities and towns is of primary importance. This paper uses basic hydraulic principles to develop analytical equations which were programmed in Microsoft Excel to design for all sectional properties of op ’n channels as well as plot the cross section of the channel using four key variables of peak flow, channel bed sk ;e, c^ainel side slope, and roughness coefficient. The developed model is an enhanced calculator in the hydraulic engineering society due to its ability to function satisfactorily without prior knowledge of base with or flow depthItem Building Energy Simulation Model Application to Greenhouse Microclimate, Covering Material and Thermal Blanket Modelling: A Review(Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria, 2022) Akpenpuun T.D.; Ogunlowo, O.O.; Rabiu, A.; Adesanya, M.A.; Na, W.H.; Omobowale, M.O.; Mijinyawa, Y.; Lee, H.W.This review documents the present knowledge and knowledge gap in applying building energy simulation (BES) dynamic models to greenhouses. The focus of this review is to compile the literature on the BES dynamic model of greenhouse microclimate, covering materials, energy requirements and thermal blankets using the Transient System Simulation version 18 (TRNSYS 18) software. Fifty-two journal articles, mostly Science Citation Index (SCI) and Scopus index journals, on BES development and simulation of greenhouse microclimate, greenhouse energy requirement, covering materials and thermal blankets were reviewed. These researchers sought to optimise greenhouse crop production. The main features of the TRNSYS 18 software for BES development are outlined; each research consulted for this review successfully developed, simulated and validated its BES. However, none of these developed models included the vapour pressure deficit (VPD) as a greenhouse microclimate factor, an essential climate parameter. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that applying a BES developed using TRNSYS has excellent potential to optimise greenhouse crop production and help adapt appropriate climate control strategies and energysaving techniques. However, it is recommended to include VPD in future BES model developmentItem TECHNICAL APPRAISAL OF SOME MAIZE SHELLERS IN OYO AND KWARA STATES OF NIGERIA(Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria, 2021) Omobowale, M.O.; Ogwumike, J.C.; Olenloa, A.E.; Kolayemi, O.R; Ala, A.A.; Omodara, O.M.; Otitodun, G. O.; Nwaubani, S.I.; Ileleji, K.E.; McNe, S.G.; Opit, G.P.This study assessed the performance of some maize shellers in use in grain markets in Oyo and Kwara States, Nigeria. A preliminary survey conducted identified shellers in use as basic maize sheller (BMS) without blower, maize sheller with blower attachment (MSB) and the multi-purpo'* s. ller (MPS). The shelling/cleaning performance of the shellers were assessed using yellow maize (SWAN ' variety) and some key equipment parameters, which impact performance were measured. The air velocity for MSB and MPS ranged bet een 0.4 and 2.4 m/s which was not sufficient for efficient cleaning of chaff from shelled grains. Shaft speed for BMS, MSB and MPS were 845, 920 and 820 rpm, respectively. Average throughput for BMS, MSB and MPS was ',7'4, 600 and 840 kg/hr, respectively with mean shelling efficiencies of 92.9, 82.7 and 97.9%, respectively. Mea. ^leaning efficiencies were 54.0 and 57.7% for MSB and MPS, respectively. The percentage grain loss for BMS, MSB and MPS were '7, 7.' and '.9%, respectively. It was observed that many fabricators do not consult agricultural engineers when producing machines, relying more on previous experience. Additionally, there was a lack of consideration for operator safety with the exposure of moving parts of the equipment in all the designs evaluated. A key recommendation from this study is that sheller designs should be standardized to ensure the provision of quality and highly efficient machinery for processors.Item EFFECT OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON CROP CULTIVATION: NEED FOR ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND ROBOTIC SYSTEMS IN NIGERIAN AGRICULTURE(Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Technology, University of Ibadan, Nigeria, 2021) Babatunde,Y.; Omobowale, M.O.The effect of COVID-19 lockdown on crop planting mechanization and ,’e ne ed to use artificial intelligence and robotic systems as better alternatives in the early planting s ason in Nigeria was examined during the lockdown (April to July, 2020). The study are's include Oyo and Bayelsa states. The data generated were gathered through oral interview, discussions, e-questionnaires, live questionnaires and routine sources. Purposive and online sampling techniques were adopted and data were analyzed using Kobo Toolbox (KT), Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21, R-programming version 3.2.2 and word excel version 2013. About ninety-one (91) respondents’ opinions were sampled. The crops plated during the lockdown include maize (35.16%), cassava (24.18%), tomatoes (15.38%), V. g'+abrns (9.89%), pepper (6.6%), yam (5.49%) and undecided (3.30%) as indicated by the respondents. About 52.7% respondents observed that planting time was affected by COVID-19 louden while 40.7% said that planting time was not affected because of their system of farming and closeness to farm locations and 6.6% of the respondents were undecided. This gap created in planting time can be bridged with robotic systems while the farmers are observing lockdown and planting their crops using Artificial Intelligence (AI) at home. Farm implements (Traditional & mechanized) were discovered to be in deplorable conditions by 76% of our respondents that can be curbed with maintenance robots using AI while 16% of the respondents agreed *hat implements and tools were in good shape during the period. The use of mechanization for crop planting stands at 32% while the use of traditional implements (Hoes, cutlasses, hand sprayers) stands at 68% during the lockdown due to non-availability of skilled labour. Hiring of mechanized implements (Tractors, planters, seeders) and tools became difficult during me lockdown as agreed upon by 87% of the respondents and 9% of the respondents indicated that implements and tools hiring was not difficult and 4% of the respondents are undecided. The problems encountered by farmers are capital (60%), credit facility (63%), loan (61.54%), agricultural insurance (69.2%), high cost of labour (85%) and high cost of transportation (86.8%). The possible solutions suggested by the respondents are access to credit facility, free movement, special incentives, availability of loans at low interest rate, subsidized farm implements, agricultural schemes creation, provision of fertilizers and herbicides. Farmers observed COVID-19 protocols; Social distancing (54.9%), hand washing (26.4%), hand sanitizing (6.6%), Coughing into arm (4.4%) combined (4.4%) and undecided (3.3%). None of the farmers interviewed use robotic system for their farming operations. Government is therefore advised, to look into farmers’ plight by encouraging artificial intelligence and robotics systems to overcome challenges associated with crop cultivation during lockdown and human movement restrictions.Item Moisture Absorption, Shrinkage Ratio and Compressive Strength of Cement Stabilized Laterite Bricks Mixed with Spent Engine Oil(Durable Crops Research Department, Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute, P.M.B. 1489, Ilorin, Nigeria, 2021) Omobowale, M.O.Spent engine oil is one of the waste products that create environmental problems due to improper disposal methods. Oils are known to reduce moisture diffusivity, however, and sufficient experimental data is required to prove this. Moisture diffusion, which causes moisture movement into storage facilities, is a known problem in the bulk storage of dried products. This study investigated the effect of spent engine oil (SEO) on cement stabilized laterite bricks with respect to moisture absorption, volumetric shrinkage, and compressive strength for possible use in constructing storage structures. SEO addition was varied at 0. 0, 0.2, and 0.4 kg by the weight of cement. Likewise, samples were produced at varied mix ratios of 0:5, 1:5, and 2:5 of cement and laterite, respectively. Water quantity was also varied at 0.35, 0.4, and 0.45. Moisture absorption decreased with an increase in spent engine oil addition, and shrinkage ratio decreased gradually with an increase in cement quantity. Except for a few instances, spent oil addition resulted in compressive strength degradation of the bricks. Shrinkage in samples at spent oil addition of 0.2 and 0.4 kg was minimal. It was concluded that the addition of 0.2 kg spent engine oil at the mixing ratio of 2:5:0.4 (cement:laterite: w.ter) is most suitable for structural purposes if moisture inhibition is a desirable property in brick production because of reduced level of degradation in brick strength.Item ASSESSING EFFICACIES OF INSECT PEST MANAGEMENT METHODS TO PRESERVE NUTRITIONAL COMPOSITION OF BAGGED MAIZE IN STOREHOUSES LOCATED IN MARKETS IN NIGERIA(Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Technology, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, 2021) Omobowale, M.O.; Otitodun, G.O.; Ala, A.A.; Ajao, S.K.; Ogundare, M.O.; Olenloa, A.E.; Busari, G.S.; Abel, G.I.; Braimah, J.A.; Kolayemi, O.R.; Ogwumike, J.C.; Opit, G.P.; Ileleji, K.E.; McNeill6, S.G.Maize needs to be stored using effective and safe postharvest management measures to prevent physical insect damage as well as ensure stability of nutritional quality during storage. In this study, conducted in February-December 2016, insect pest management methods for bagged maize preservation in storehouses located in markets in Nigeria were evaluated for their ability to preserve nutritional quality. Study locations were :n three grain markets, namely Eleekara market in Oyo town and Arisekola market i ' Ibadan, Oyo State, South West Nigeria, and Ago market in Ilorin, Kwara State, North Central Nigeria. Treatments comprised Piper guineense (Botanical), Bularf diatomaceous earth (DE), permethrin powder (Rambo™) (Permethrin), PICS bags (hermetic) and ZeroFly® bags (non-hermetic). The study also had negative control (Control) comprising untreated maize in polypropylene bags. In geeras a result of insect infestation, protein content increased in all treatments except KCS which had the least infestation. After 11 months of storage, Permethrin and PICS treatments had the lowest insect infestation levels and the highest energy levels. Energy level in the Botanical treatment was also high and similar to levels in Permethrin and PICS treatments most likely due to fats and essential oils in P. guineense being adsorbed and/or absorbed by kernels. Fat content was lower in the Control and DE treatments likely due to the Control having the highest insect infestation and the DE adsorbing and/or absorbing fat from kernels. During stor g„ carbohydrate content decreased in all treatments except the Control. However, even in the Control, there was a clear trend of decrease in carbohydrate content. Because the Control had the highest insect (Sitophilus zeamais) infestation and insect damaged kernels (IDK), this trend in decrease in carbohydrate content may be insect related. Ash content increased in the ZeroFly treatment, was unchanged in Botanical, Control, and PICS treatments, and decreased in DE and Permethrin treatments. Nutritional quality variables in this study were within or close to known value ranges for maize. Therefore, use of maize that had been fumigated well and had a relatively low initial grain MC (9.1%), in addition to the effects of the treatments most likely slowed down population growth of the several insect r pe^es that were found and contributed to preserving nutritional quality. The relatively low insect populations in all treatments, including the Control, during the February-September period probably reduced the clarity of effects of infestation on nutriti nal composition reported in this study.