TIMOTHY ADEKANYE | Landmark University (original) (raw)

Papers by TIMOTHY ADEKANYE

Research in Agricultural Engineering, 2021

A forced convection automatic cabinet dryer integrated with a data logger was designed and fabric... more A forced convection automatic cabinet dryer integrated with a data logger was designed and fabricated. The okra samples were dried in the dryer at drying temperatures of 50, 60, and 70 °C and at three different load densities of 200, 300, and 400 g at a continuous air velocity of 0.7 m·s–1. Energy and exergy analyses of the drying process were performed. The obtained results showed that the energy efficiency, energy utilisation, and utilisation ratio increased from 26.59 to 68.24%, 5.47 to 114.36 W, and 0.36 to 0.71 as the temperature increased to 70 °C, respectively. The inflow, outflow, and exergy losses were in the range of 7.02 to 26.14 W, 4.43 to 14.16 W, and 2.59 to 11.98 W, respectively, while exergy efficiency varied from 49.15 to 63.47%. The findings show that exergy efficiencies decrease with an increase in the drying temperature, but increase with a lower load rate. The index of sustainability varies from 2.14 to 2.77, the value increases as the load density decreases whi...

The Scientific World Journal

Among agricultural soil amendment that can enhance crop productivity and soil sustainability is b... more Among agricultural soil amendment that can enhance crop productivity and soil sustainability is biochar. Hence, two-year field experiments were conducted on a sandy loam Alfisol at Owo, southwest Nigeria, to evaluate the effects of biochar produced from hardwood on soil physical and chemical characteristics, erosion potential, and cocoyam (Xanthosoma sagittifolium (L.) Schott) yield. The study was a 2 × 4 factorial experiment with two years (2017 and 2018) and four biochar levels (0 (control), 10, 20, and 30 t ha−1). The treatments were laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Results indicated that biochar application significantly in both years improved yield of cocoyam and soil physical (bulk density, porosity, moisture content, mean weight diameter (MWD) of soil aggregates, dispersion ratio, and infiltration rate) and chemical (soil organic matter, pH, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and CEC) properties and erosion resistance. Soil characteristics and cocoyam yie...

Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology

IAEME, 2019

A locust bean dehulling machine was fabricated and evaluated using locally available materials. T... more A locust bean dehulling machine was fabricated and evaluated using locally available materials. The machine performs dual operations of removing the seed coats and cleaning. Components of the machine include the frame, hopper, dehulling chamber, water container, discharge outlets, set of gears and bearings in operation. In operation, locust beans seeds introduced via the hopper moved to the auger which separates the soft pulp and conveys the material into the dehulling chamber. The seeds were washed in the dehulling chamber while the coat (residual waste) passes through the sieve into the water trough where it was discharged through the waste outlet. Throughput capacity, output capacity, recovery percentage and cleaning efficiency were 264.0kg/hr, 98.48%, and 98.75%, respectively. This machine may find applications in the processing of locust beans.

ENERGY SOURCES, PART A: RECOVERY, UTILIZATION, AND ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS, 2018

Environmental pollution by solid wastes and inadequate energy supply are some of the major challe... more Environmental pollution by solid wastes and inadequate energy supply are some of the major challenges facing the developing world. This study evaluated the potentials of Fluted pumpkin fruit rind and poultry manure for biogas generation. Mechanical and thermo-alkaline pre-treatments were applied to two samples labeled ‘O’ and ‘P’ while the third sample (Q) had no thermo-alkaline treatment. The physicochemical characteristics of the substrates revealed richness in nutrients and mineral elements. The results showed that use of a combination of pre-treatment methods enhanced the biogas yield in the pre-treated substrates. Analysis of the gas composition showed 66.5 ± 2.5% Methane, 25 ± 1% Carbon dioxide; 58.5 ± 2.5% Methane, 26 ± 1% Carbon dioxide; 54.5 ± 1.5% Methane, 28 ± 2% Carbon dioxide for the three experiments, respectively. All the obtained values show the models had a high predictive ability. The substrates should be further used for energy generation.

Croatian Journal of Food Science and Technology, 2018

Experimental studies of some properties influencing cracking and separation of palm kernel from t... more Experimental studies of some properties influencing cracking and separation of palm kernel from the shell was conducted in a palm kernel dual processing machine. A mechanical cracking cum separating machine was developed for the study. The cracking unit consists of feed hopper, impeller shaft, cracking drum and impeller blade. The nut falls by gravity through the hopper channel into the cracking drum where the cracking process takes place through the help of impeller blades that flip the palm nut against the walls of cylindrical cracking drum. The mass of cracked nut flows through the separating unit that separates the kernel from the shell. The separation is induced by high current of air mass generated by an axial fan. A dura palm variety was selected and a
total sample of eighteen thousand (18000) palm nuts were obtained and divided into two groups (feed rates), A and B, of eight thousand and ten thousand palm nuts respectively. Sample groups A and B were further divided into five sub – groups of four hundred (400) and five hundred (500) palm kernel nuts. Each sub group (feed rate) was replicated four times at different shaft speeds (600, 900, 1200, 1500 and 1800 rpm). Results showed that cracking efficiencies increased with respect to speed. Un-cracked nuts percentage ranged from 1.3 to 5.3% at 7.1% moisture content, and 1.6 to 4.5% for 400 and 500 feed rates, respectively. Cracking time for both feed rates
decreased with shaft speed. Throughput capacity of 11.49 kg/h was observed to be the lowest at 600 rpm and moisture content of 7.1% for both 400 feed rates and the highest throughput capacity of 37.16 kg/h was recorded at 1800 rpm at moisture contents of 9.3% and 16.1%. The results of this study shows that moisture content, engine speed and feed rate are significant parameters that influence cracking of nuts and separation of palm kernel from the shell.

A soybean threshing machine was designed, fabricated and evaluated at Landmark University, Omu-Ar... more A soybean threshing machine was designed, fabricated and evaluated at Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Kwara State, Nigeria, to determine its performance and ease the drudgery problems associated with threshing of soybean by the small scale farmers. Evaluation was carried out with TGX 1448 soybean variety at different levels of moisture contents; 10%, 16% and 22% (wet basis) and at different drum speeds; 320 r/min, 385 r/min, 450 r/min, 515 r/min, with constant mass input of 600g and constant concave clearance of 23 mm. The overall mean results obtained for performance indicators in terms of threshing efficiency, cleaning efficiency, percentage of damage seed, percentage of blown seeds, percentage of seed loss and throughput capacity were 99.51%, 77.91%, 3.72%, 31.33%, 4.43%, and 35.44 kg/h, respectively. The evaluation results indicated threshing efficiencies of 98.96% to 99.88% for the range of the variable of drum speed between 320 r/min to 515 r/min and 99.73% to 99.29% for the range of the variable of moisture content of 10%-22% (wet basis). The cleaning efficiency decreases (90.81% to 64.25%) as the speed increases (320 r/m into 515 r/min), at moisture contents of 10% and 22% (wet basis). The soybean threshing machine is simple to operate and maintain without formal education and the machine was fabricated from locally sourced materials. The unit cost of this threshing machine was ₦69,040.00, which is by far cheaper than imported soybean threshing machines.

... more

#

$%& ''& ()&

*+ , '-$. /, %0 10 ,
'%-12

+ , ''3% / , --0
10 , ')$1
+ , ))$( / , .30 10 , ))03

*+ , ''$' / , -30 10 , ')$12 4

#

+ , .33% / , 131
10 , -($. # + 5 6 + , )$1$ / , )0$ 10 , )0''
*+ , '$'. / , %0 10 , ''-)2 7

8

Some physical and mechanical properties of watermelon seeds were investigated in this study. Size... more Some physical and mechanical properties of watermelon seeds were investigated in this study. Size, surface area and seeds were characterized using established procedure. The volume, mass and density of the seeds were determined using water displacement method. The static coefficient of friction of water melon seeds were determined with reference to three different structural surfaces; plywood, glass and galvanized metal sheet. The compression test was carried out to determine the load, energy and deformation at peak and yield of major and intermediate axis of watermelon seed. The result of the experiment on size shows that watermelon seed has a wide range of size distribution. The surface area and the shape also depend on varieties. The angle of repose ranges from 18 0 to 26 0 at storage moisture content. The static coefficient of friction depends on the type of structural surface involved. The sphericity of the black, brown and white – black varieties was 0.483, 0.535 and 0.489 while the roundness of black, brown and white – black varieties was 0.776, 0.639 and 0.856. The density of watermelon seed was lower than the density of water. The densities of black, brown and white – black varieties were 0.932, 0.935 and 0.928 at storage moisture level. INTRODUCTION Watermelon is large (Cucumis melon), oval, round or oblong in shape. The skin is smooth, with dark green rind or sometimes pale green stripes that turn yellowish green when ripe. Watermelon is an aggressive annual crop that prefers environmental temperature greater than 21 O C. Watermelon is a drought tolerant crop which belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family of flowering plants. It is generally considered to be of the Citrullus species and has been referred to as Citrullus Vulgaris. It also serves as a good source of phytochemical and lycopene, a red carotenoid pigment which acts as antioxidant during normal metabolism and protects against cancer (Perkins and Collins, 2004). It is cultivated in a wide range of tropical, semi tropical and rigid regions of the world. It is originally found in Southern Africa, the indigenous people, in their search for water-containing foods, selected varieties with low glycoside content. In ancient times, the watermelon was cultivated in Egypt, from where followed the spread to the Mediterranean areas and in an eastern direction to India [27]. It is grown for its large fruit that weighs from five to forty pounds depending on the variety. Watermelon contains about 90% water, which serves as sources of water for some people in the desert. Other importance includes staple food, animal feed and fermentation for alcohol production [3].

Farming today has gone beyond subsistence farming that produces for the farmer and his household.... more Farming today has gone beyond subsistence farming that produces for the farmer and his household. Research shows that the consumption of grains or cereal crops is at an alarming
rate in the world, so to encourage small farm holders a manually operated multi-crop hand push planter with changeable metering devices for cowpea, maize and soybean was designed, fabricated and evaluated to improve planting efficiency and reduce drudgery involved in manual planting method. The laboratory and field tests were conducted to
determine weight of seeds discharged from the planter, seed percentage damage, field capacity, average depth of placement of seeds in furrow, average inter-row spacing of seeds
and the emergence of the seedlings. Results revealed that the planter had field efficiency and field capacity of 76.3% and 0.39 ha/hr with seed rate of 0.25 kg/ha, 0.18 kg/ha and 0.21kg/ha respectively for cowpea, maize and soybean. Percentage difference between the seed damage of 3.54%, 2.32% and 1.32% of cowpea, maize and soybean respectively obtained was from an average spacing of 40.8cm and depth of 3.98cm. The single-row multi-crop planter is very simple to use and it is maintenance free, except for the bearings which needs to be lubricated from time to time to allow the planter's ground wheel to move freely. For this design, the drive shaft directly controls the seed metering mechanism which eliminates completely attachments such as pulleys, belt systems, and gears thereby eliminating complexities which increase cost, and increasing efficiency at a highly reduced cost which is the focus of this project work. The planter can be easily maintained without any technicality and all materials used for the fabrication are locally available in the case of worn - out parts.

More than 70% of the working adult population of Nigeria is employed in the agricultural sector d... more More than 70% of the working adult population of Nigeria is employed in the agricultural
sector directly and indirectly. Over 90% of Nigeria's agricultural output comes from peasant
farmers who dwell in the rural areas where 60% of the population live. The vast majority of
these farmers has limited access to modern inputs and other productive resources and is
unlikely to have access to pesticides, fertilizers, hybrid seeds and irrigation. The successful
development of farm mechanization is determined primarily by the transition process from
manual tools through animal-drawn implements and finally to the application of mechanical
power technologies, which will improve efficiency time, labour and productivity of peasant
farmers and thereby enhance food security of a Nigeria. This study investigates constraints to
agricultural mechanization in Irepodun Local Government Area (LGA), Kwara State, Nigeria.
This study employed a multi stage sampling techniques to collect information on the socioeconomic
characteristics, agricultural machines available and equipment used for specific farm
operations. Analysis revealed that farmers in the study area are middle-aged and are relatively
uneducated. Most of the farm sizes in the study area range from 1-5 ha and many of the farm
operations were carried out manually; land clearing (93%), tillage (83%), planting (88.54%),
fertilizer application (97.5%), weeding (98.7%) and harvesting (97.5%). This study also shows
that majority of respondents were smallholder farmers who are often too poor to employ
modern tools, such as tractors and plows even though over 80% of the foods consumed in this
country come from these peasant farmers in rural areas. This confirms that agricultural
mechanization is still beyond the reach of the peasant farmers in rural areas

Desalination, Jan 1, 2008

The potentialities of castor seed shell (CSS), a waste agricultural by-product, in the remediatio... more The potentialities of castor seed shell (CSS), a waste agricultural by-product, in the remediation of water, contaminated with Methylene Blue (MB), a basic dye, were investigated in the present study. The CSS was ground and washed, thoroughly, to remove any water extractable constituents. The dried CSS was reground, sieved and used in series of agitated batch adsorption experiments. The experiments were conducted to assess the effect of two process variables i.e. initial MB concentration and CSS dosage on the sorption process. The equilibrium sorption isotherm was studied using the two widely used isotherm models (i.e. Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm models). The results from the isotherm studies showed that the process of sorption of MB occurred on a heterogeneous surface of the CSS. The sorption capacity of the CSS, as obtained from the Langmuir plot was 158 mg/g. The mass transfer property of the sorption process was studied using Lagergren pseudo-first-order and chemisorptions pseudo-secondorder kinetic models. The sorption process obeyed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model more than the pseudo-first order; hence the mechanism of the sorption process was analysed further using this kinetic model. The application of the intraparticle diffusion model to determine the rate limiting step showed that intraparticle diffusion is not the singular rate limiting step in the sorption of MB onto CSS. The role of chemisorptions in the mechanism of sorption was established by an empirical relationship between the pseudo-second-order rate constant, K, and the initial MB concentration. The results of this relationship showed that pseudo-second-order chemisorptions are important in the sorption process.