LAUTECH Journal of Engineering and Technology
https://laujet.com/index.php/laujet
<p>LAUTECH Journal of Engineering and Technology (LAUJET) is a leading internationally referred journal in the fields of science, engineering and technology. It is a journal founded by academics and educationists with substantive experience in industry. The journal is an online open-access journal with a yearly print version of its volumes/issues made available to interested persons/institutions. The basic aim of the journal is to promote innovative ideas in fields relating to the sciences, engineering and technology. The basic notion of having a wide area of focus is to encourage multidisciplinary research efforts and seamless integration of diverse ideas that might be gleaned from the papers published in the journal.</p> <p> </p>Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeriaen-USLAUTECH Journal of Engineering and Technology1597-0000Co- Digestion of Neem (Azadirachta indica) Shoot Biomass with Poultry Droppings: Effect of Pretreatment Methods on Biogas Production
https://laujet.com/index.php/laujet/article/view/894
<p><strong><em>Inadequate energy supply, environmental pollution, and declining soil fertility are major challenges in developing nations like Nigeria. Despite the abundance of biomass, much of it ends up as unmanaged solid waste. This study evaluated the effects of pretreatment on biogas yield from the co-digestion of Neem (Azadirachta indica) shoot biomass with poultry waste and cow rumen (inoculum). Materials were sourced from LAUTECH and prepared by washing, blending (mechanical pretreatment). The blended neem shoot was pretreated in a water bath to about 60 degrees Celsius for 1hr 20 minutes (thermal pretreatment). Chemical pretreatment was adopted to aid in the degradation of the lignin content. 4g of NaOH was dissolved in distilled water and then added to the thermally blended biomass. Two batches were prepared from the chemically treated Neem shoots, with poultry waste (batch A) and cow rumen (batch B), and put into airtight biodigesters. Physicochemical parameters (pH, TN, TP, TC, BOD, COD, MC, TS, C/N, FS) of both slurry and digestate were analyzed using standard methods. Biogas production, pH, and temperature were monitored over 30 days, and gas composition was determined via Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. Batch A showed biogas yields of 0.1016–0.0326 L/day, pH 8.39–8.41, and 35.7–35.8°C; Batch B yielded 0.1628–0.0488 L/day, pH 8.36–8.39, and 35.7–35.8°C. Methane content was 61.29% in Batch A and 63.29% in Batch B. ANOVA indicated significant differences in yields (p = 0.0256 for A, p = 0.0200 for B). Results showed that co-digestion, particularly with cow rumen, improved methane output. The produced methane is suitable for use in cooking, heating, and electricity generation, offering a sustainable solution for waste-to-energy conversion in Nigeria.</em></strong></p>O. S. OladejoA. T. BelloO. S. Olaniyan
Copyright (c) 2025 LAUTECH Journal of Engineering and Technology
2025-07-102025-07-10193113Solid Wastes and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Management for Energy Derivation: Case Study of LAUTECH Ogbomoso and Environs
https://laujet.com/index.php/laujet/article/view/883
<p><strong><em>Final disposal of solid wastes at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Ogbomoso, and its environs is by scavenging, dumping sites and open-air burning. This research aimed at studying the solid waste generation and greenhouse gas emissions management for energy derivation at LAUTECH and environs. The university was divided into sixteen zones based on Faculties and other prevailing activities on campus. Waste samples were obtained from bins and dumping sites, for 5 days (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday) in three years (2021, 2023 and 2024) for waste composition data. Sorted waste samples were taken to the laboratory to carry out moisture and energy content analyses. Methane (CH?) and Carbon dioxide (CO?) emissions from dumping sites and farm areas within LAUTECH and its environs were also measured using gas detectors. The collected primary data was analyzed statistically and discussed. Estimated waste generation in LAUTECH was 6161.47 kg/day, resulting in a daily waste generation rate of about 187 g per head, considering a university population of 33,000. The Energy content of daily wastes was 107.19 MJ, implying an electricity generation up to 0.02977 MWh (approx. 29.77 kWh) from daily steam production. Methane (CH?) levels range from 75 ppm (Rabbit Unit) to 2,107 ppm (layer birds, Abogunde Farms) and CO? concentrations vary between 400 ppm and 470 ppm, across farms. However, methane levels recorded peak values e.g., 11,169 ppm at AA Rano, 8,763 ppm at college, and 6,900 ppm at ALICE. CO? is highest at college (1,171 ppm) and AA Rano (1169 ppm). TVOC and HCHO values remain low at farm sites, while elevated at dumpsites. Considering the high material recyclability, reusability and energy recovery potentials from solid wastes generated from LAUTECH Ogbomoso and environs, there is an urgent need for emissions control in high-risk dumpsites through methods such as methane capture and air quality filtration. These actions are critical for environmental protection and safeguarding public health.</em></strong></p>O. S. OladejoA. O. AbdulazeezA. S. Akeredolu
Copyright (c) 2025 LAUTECH Journal of Engineering and Technology
2025-07-102025-07-101931430Beneficiation Consequence on the Influence of Potential Hydrogen Variation in the Froth Flotation of Farin-Lamba (Plateau State) Cassiterite
https://laujet.com/index.php/laujet/article/view/882
<table width="630"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="461"> <p><strong><em>This study explores the influence of pH variation on the froth flotation performance of cassiterite ore obtained from the alluvial deposits of Farin-Lamba, Plateau State. Bulk ore samples were acquired via random sampling across the active mining site and subsequently homogenized to ensure uniformity. A 20 kg head sample was prepared, from which a representative 5 kg sub-sample was subjected to comminution and sieving. The processed material underwent chemical analysis, particle size distribution assessment, and beneficiation through froth flotation under controlled pH conditions. Initial analysis showed a tin oxide (SnO<sub>2</sub>) grade of 20.22%. Sieve analysis across various mesh sizes identified -180+125 µm fraction as the optimal liberation size, recording the highest assay value of 23.28% SnO<sub>2</sub>. Accordingly, sieve fractions -250+180, -180+125, and -125+90 µm were selected for flotation experiments conducted using a Denver D-12 mechanical agitator at 1200 rpm and gas flow of 0.5-1.0 m<sup>2</sup>/h. Experiments were carried out at pH 5, 7, and 9 to determine the best condition Farin-Lamba cassiterite to be beneficiated. Post-flotation analysis revealed that the highest SnO<sub>2</sub> concentration of 65.62% was achieved at pH 9 within the -180+125 µm size fraction, indicating this condition as optimal for tin beneficiation from Farin-Lamba cassiterite.</em></strong></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>Y. E. GbadamosiO. A. AlabiP. A. AdeoyeJ. O. BorodeI. O. Alabi
Copyright (c) 2025 LAUTECH Journal of Engineering and Technology
2025-07-102025-07-101933142Optimization of Polypropylene Dosage for Improved Rheological, Physical and Mechanical Properties of Agbabu Bitumen
https://laujet.com/index.php/laujet/article/view/898
<table width="630"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="461"> <p><strong><em>The vast majority of road infrastructure deformations are irreversible. They shorten the lifespan of flexible pavements and add to road safety concerns. Viscoelasticity is required for natural bitumen to function as a binder in pavements. However, when exposed to climate and heavy loads, natural bitumen's ability to undergo elastic deformation reduces. Consequently, road researchers have focused on modifying bitumen using polymers and nanomaterials to enhance pavement performance. Polymeric bitumen is extremely sensitive to Polypropylene (PP) dosage. Excessive use of PP leads to high viscosity. This study examines the impact of PP doses on the physical, rheological, and mechanical properties of Agbabu natural bitumen. The bitumen was dehydrated and analyzed for conventional characteristics using established techniques. The purified material was treated with PP at varying dosages (1.5 - 6 wt percent), and a binary mixture of bitumen and PP was optimized using D-Optima experimental design and response surface approach. The result shows that the mechanical properties, flash, and softening points of the raw bitumen were enhanced after modification. However, the penetration point of the modified bitumen decreases while viscosity increases as PP dosage increased from 2 to 3.75 wt percent. Therefore, the optimum dosage of 2.75 wt percent PP is recommended.</em></strong></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>A. O. ArinkoolaA. O. Olanite S. O. AzeezT. O. SalawudeenO. O. Ogunleye
Copyright (c) 2025 LAUTECH Journal of Engineering and Technology
2025-07-102025-07-101934355