K. R. Ajao

Electric Energy Supply in Nigeria, Decentralized Energy Approach

ABSTRACT An analysis of Nigerias electricity supply problems and prospects found that the electricity demand in Nigeria far outstrips the supply, which is epileptic in nature. The acute electricity supply hinders the countrys development, notwithstanding the availability of vast natural resources in the country. Nigeria is endowed with abundant renewable energy resources, the significant ones being solar energy, biomass, small and large hydropower with the potential for hydrogen fuel, geothermal and ocean energies. Decentralized energy is the production of electricity at or near the point of use, irrespective of size, fuel or technology. The adoption of renewable energy technologies in a decentralized energy manner, especially for rural communities and in stand-alone applications, will improve electricity supply and enhance the overall economic development.

Compact fluorescent lamps and electricity consumption trend in residential buildings in Ilorin, Nigeria

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to examine the electricity consumption trend in residential buildings using incandescent lamps and retrofitting with compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs).Design/methodology/approach – Questionnaires were administered to capture the necessary data from three randomly selected residential estates in Ilorin, Nigeria. In total, 8,840 sampled incandescent lamps were retrofitted with CFLs. The electric energy in kilowatt hour (kWh) consumed prior to replacement for three months was compared with kWh consumption after retrofitting and analyzed employing t‐tests.Findings – The three‐month average electricity consumption of ten households for the University of Ilorin GRA quarters and Lower Niger River Basin staff quarters pre‐ and post‐installation were 20,259 and 13,010 kWh, and 46,891 and 29,588 kWh, respectively. Results show that there were significant differences between the observed and tabulated values for the pre‐ and post‐installation of CFLs, respectively, at 5 per cent...

A Survey of Use of Electric Lamps and Energy Consumption in Residential Buildings in Selected Estates in Ilorin, Nigeria

ABSTRACT Energy utilization is substantial in the household sector because there is considerable energy loss due to the use of traditional incandescent lighting. The aim of this article is to demonstrate how successful replacement of incandescent lamps with compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) can bring about a possible reduction in electricity consumption in residential households. Questionnaires were administered to capture the needed data from four randomly selected residential estates in Ilorin, Nigeria, and these were analyzed using statistical analysis. Results obtained show that University of Ilorin GRA Quarters (Estate A) had 66 households, with a total of 1,082 (90.09%) incandescent lamps, 73 (6.07%) fluorescent lamps, and 10 (0.83%) halogen lamps, while there were 36 (3%) CFLs. The Lower Niger River Basin (Estate B) had 156 households, with a total of 2,767 (79.99%) incandescent lamps, 173 (5.01%) fluorescent lamps, and 485 (14.02%) halogen lamps, while there were 34 (0.98%) CFLs. The Mandate I&II H...

Effect of Climate Change on Outside Air Design Temperature for Air Conditioning Cooling Load Calculations For Ikeja and Ilorin, Nigeria

ABSTRACT Hourly dry-bulb temperatures for Ikeja and Ilorin were obtained from the Nigerian Metrological Services Agency, Oshodi, Lagos, for the years 1995-2008. Statistical analyses were carried out on the data to obtain the average hourly temperatures for each month, the average temperature for each month, and the average temperature for the four warmest months (along with the standard deviations for each case). The average hourly temperatures were compared with those obtained by Ariyo for the two locations for the year 1978-1992. The 1%, 2½%, and 5% design temperatures obtained from the average temperature for the four warmest months, assuming the temperature distribution follows a normal distribution pattern, were also compared with those obtained by Ariyo for 1978-1992, as well as with those obtained by Shoboyejo and Shonubi for 1951-1965. It was observed that the average hourly temperatures were higher in the Shoboyejo-Shonubi work than those obtained by Ariyo for all the months for both locations. T...

Resource assessment and feasibility study for the generation of hydrokinetic power in the tailwaters of selected hydropower stations in Nigeria

Abstract This paper focuses on assessing the potential and feasibility of increasing the hydropower production of Nigeria’s three main hydropower stations by installing hydrokinetic turbines behind the existing dams. The hydrokinetic turbines will capture additional power from the energy remaining in water currents exiting draft-tube outlets and tailraces of the dams. A 2.54 m2 prototype hydrokinetic turbine system being developed by the National Centre for Hydropower Research and Development, Nigeria was used to theoretically estimate the increased power generation capability of the stations. Preliminary results showed that there are considerable potentials in the range of kilowatts and megawatts in each hydropower station to augment the existing power infrastructure and this can be harnessed to alleviate the existing power problems in the country. It may also be an additional way of generating clean energy to mitigate the effect of climate change.

Mechanical Properties Improvement Evaluation of Medium Carbon Steels Quenched in Different Media

The effect of quenching on the mechanical properties of medium carbon steels using coconut (CW) water, pap water (PW) and spent engine oil (SPE) which have been largely considered as wastes was investigated. All specimens were normalized at a temperature of 840 in order to remove residual stresses induced during machining operations. Various specimens were heated to ranges of 730-790 and soaked for the range of 30-60 minutes respectively. Brinnel hardness tester was used to obtain the hardness values while Testometric M500-50AT model machine was used for the tensile test of the specimens. The highest hardness value (609.97 BHN) was obtained from the specimen heated to 790 quenched in pap water as compared with 166.4 BHN for the normalized as-received sample. The yield (YS) and ultimate tensile (UTS) strengths of the quenched specimens were better than the normalized as-received sample. SPE-quenched samples yielded the highest YS and UTS combined. The hardness value increased while YS and UTS decreased with soaking time for different temperatures. The highest hardness value for the specimens was obtained from coconut and pap water. Rather than been considered as wastes, coconut water, pap water and spent engine oil can improve the mechanical properties of medium carbon steel when used as quenching media.