Experimental investigation and modelling of the heating value and elemental composition of biomass through artificial intelligence
- Authors: Olatunji, Obafemi Oyelakin
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Biomass energy - Materials , Biomass - Refining , Biomass
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/445226 , uj:38943
- Description: Abstract: Knowledge advancement in artificial intelligence and blockchain technologies provides new potential predictive reliability for biomass energy value chain. However, for the prediction approach against experimental methodology, the prediction accuracy is expected to be high in order to develop a high fidelity and robust software which can serve as a tool in the decision making process. The global standards related to classification methods and energetic properties of biomass are still evolving given different observation and results which have been reported in the literature. Apart from these, there is a need for a holistic understanding of the effect of particle sizes and geospatial factors on the physicochemical properties of biomass to increase the uptake of bioenergy. Therefore, this research carried out an experimental investigation of some selected bioresources and also develops high-fidelity models built on artificial intelligence capability to accurately classify the biomass feedstocks, predict the main elemental composition (Carbon, Hydrogen, and Oxygen) on dry basis and the Heating value in (MJ/kg) of biomass... , Ph.D. (Mechanical Engineering Science)
- Full Text:
- Authors: Olatunji, Obafemi Oyelakin
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Biomass energy - Materials , Biomass - Refining , Biomass
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/445226 , uj:38943
- Description: Abstract: Knowledge advancement in artificial intelligence and blockchain technologies provides new potential predictive reliability for biomass energy value chain. However, for the prediction approach against experimental methodology, the prediction accuracy is expected to be high in order to develop a high fidelity and robust software which can serve as a tool in the decision making process. The global standards related to classification methods and energetic properties of biomass are still evolving given different observation and results which have been reported in the literature. Apart from these, there is a need for a holistic understanding of the effect of particle sizes and geospatial factors on the physicochemical properties of biomass to increase the uptake of bioenergy. Therefore, this research carried out an experimental investigation of some selected bioresources and also develops high-fidelity models built on artificial intelligence capability to accurately classify the biomass feedstocks, predict the main elemental composition (Carbon, Hydrogen, and Oxygen) on dry basis and the Heating value in (MJ/kg) of biomass... , Ph.D. (Mechanical Engineering Science)
- Full Text:
The impact of environmental pollution on the water quality in Johannesburg
- Lewandja, Augustin Madouma Ma
- Authors: Lewandja, Augustin Madouma Ma
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/398971 , uj:33237
- Description: Abstract : This research assesses the impact of environmental pollution on water quality, both pure water sources and tap water in South Africa, and in Gauteng province in particular. Many journal, articles and newspapers have attested to the fact that the South African environment is generally affected by the various sources of pollution from industrial activities. Assessing the type of environmental pollution, and how that pollution impacts the quality of water, is the primary purpose of this research. To give a specific type of environmental pollution, a brief overview of pollution from the energy industry were developed; since environmental pollution is a large subject. The creation of energy in South Africa does not only give positive aspects but using coal products to increase the electricity production to meet electricity demand comes up with many environmental pollution problems. The research illustrate the various environmental causes, the relationship between environmental pollution and water quality, by showing the impact on water quality. This study revealed that the same producer of coal which is employed in the generating of electricity are observed to be the same primary contributor to the degradation of the environment and to pollute the water quality of the location of their operations. Also, the research also establishes that there is a relationship between environmental pollution and water quality; and this correlation can be positive or negative. In the case of this research, water quality is still an issue in South Africa. Lastly, following the negative impact of using of coal in the generation of electricity which consequently after the water quality, the authors, therefore, recommend the consideration of alternative energy sources such as Hydropower, wind energy, solar energy, Geothermal energy and Bioenergy. , M.Tech. (Operations Management)
- Full Text:
- Authors: Lewandja, Augustin Madouma Ma
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/398971 , uj:33237
- Description: Abstract : This research assesses the impact of environmental pollution on water quality, both pure water sources and tap water in South Africa, and in Gauteng province in particular. Many journal, articles and newspapers have attested to the fact that the South African environment is generally affected by the various sources of pollution from industrial activities. Assessing the type of environmental pollution, and how that pollution impacts the quality of water, is the primary purpose of this research. To give a specific type of environmental pollution, a brief overview of pollution from the energy industry were developed; since environmental pollution is a large subject. The creation of energy in South Africa does not only give positive aspects but using coal products to increase the electricity production to meet electricity demand comes up with many environmental pollution problems. The research illustrate the various environmental causes, the relationship between environmental pollution and water quality, by showing the impact on water quality. This study revealed that the same producer of coal which is employed in the generating of electricity are observed to be the same primary contributor to the degradation of the environment and to pollute the water quality of the location of their operations. Also, the research also establishes that there is a relationship between environmental pollution and water quality; and this correlation can be positive or negative. In the case of this research, water quality is still an issue in South Africa. Lastly, following the negative impact of using of coal in the generation of electricity which consequently after the water quality, the authors, therefore, recommend the consideration of alternative energy sources such as Hydropower, wind energy, solar energy, Geothermal energy and Bioenergy. , M.Tech. (Operations Management)
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The impact of non-compliance of business processes on strategy implementation in a South African Commercial Bank
- Authors: Harris, Virginia
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/399106 , uj:33254
- Description: Abstract : , M.Tech. (Operations Management)
- Full Text:
- Authors: Harris, Virginia
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/399106 , uj:33254
- Description: Abstract : , M.Tech. (Operations Management)
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Experimental Investigation of mechanical properties of reinforced composite using titanium alloy powder
- Authors: Ogbonna, Okwudili Simeon
- Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/393821 , uj:32599
- Description: Abstract : Composite materials constitute a combination of two or more dissimilar materials. They often have different properties which work together to give unique properties different from the parent materials. The discontinuous, stiffer and stronger constituents are the reinforcements, whereas the less stiff, weaker and continuous is referred to as the matrix. The properties of a composite material depend on the weight percentage, geometry, distribution, and properties of the constituent phases, which often result in property combinations that are better when compared to the properties found in the metallic alloys, ceramics, and polymeric materials. Polymer composites constitute an important class of composite material due to their improved mechanical properties, easy fabrication and low cost. In this research work, epoxy resin, a thermosetting resin was reinforced with pure titanium powder and titanium alloy powder. The fabricated composites were characterized through Vickers microhardness test, impact test, flexural test, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy and x-ray diffraction spectroscopy. The microhardness of the composites reinforced with functionalized titanium powder decreased with an increase in the weight percentage of the particles while the reverse was the case for the composites fabricated without particle functionalization. However, pure titanium powder gave better improvement for the composites reinforced with functionalized particles. The trend was reversed when the particles were functionalized. The introduction of the titanium powder as reinforcement improved the impact energy of the composites. The flexural properties of the composites were significantly improved by the reinforcement. In all, a maximum of approximately 184 % remarkable improvement was recorded in the flexural modulus compared to the composites without reinforcement. The SEM revealed that the introduction of the titanium powder increased the roughness of the surface of ... , M.Ing. (Mechanical Engineering)
- Full Text:
- Authors: Ogbonna, Okwudili Simeon
- Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/393821 , uj:32599
- Description: Abstract : Composite materials constitute a combination of two or more dissimilar materials. They often have different properties which work together to give unique properties different from the parent materials. The discontinuous, stiffer and stronger constituents are the reinforcements, whereas the less stiff, weaker and continuous is referred to as the matrix. The properties of a composite material depend on the weight percentage, geometry, distribution, and properties of the constituent phases, which often result in property combinations that are better when compared to the properties found in the metallic alloys, ceramics, and polymeric materials. Polymer composites constitute an important class of composite material due to their improved mechanical properties, easy fabrication and low cost. In this research work, epoxy resin, a thermosetting resin was reinforced with pure titanium powder and titanium alloy powder. The fabricated composites were characterized through Vickers microhardness test, impact test, flexural test, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy and x-ray diffraction spectroscopy. The microhardness of the composites reinforced with functionalized titanium powder decreased with an increase in the weight percentage of the particles while the reverse was the case for the composites fabricated without particle functionalization. However, pure titanium powder gave better improvement for the composites reinforced with functionalized particles. The trend was reversed when the particles were functionalized. The introduction of the titanium powder as reinforcement improved the impact energy of the composites. The flexural properties of the composites were significantly improved by the reinforcement. In all, a maximum of approximately 184 % remarkable improvement was recorded in the flexural modulus compared to the composites without reinforcement. The SEM revealed that the introduction of the titanium powder increased the roughness of the surface of ... , M.Ing. (Mechanical Engineering)
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