Sustainable supply of electricity is crucial to comfortable living in homes and attaining economic development in any country. Despite being blessed with enormous green and non-green energy resources, Nigeria has been in a quandary about adequate generation and supply of electricity. The electricity crisis has, over the years, had significant adverse impact on the nation's socio-economic and technological development as well as standard of living of its citizens. This paper examines the problems in the electricity sector and the energy potential of green energy resources in Nigeria. The study reveals that the major source of electricity generation (natural gas) and mode of electricity transmission (a single national grid) in the country have been and are still being constrained by myriad of challenges, hence, the inability of the power sector to satisfy the electricity yearnings of Nigerians till date. The study also reveals that about 1182.375GWh of energy per day could be obtained from green energy resources in Nigeria and the provision of this quantity of energy through decentralized off-grid energy solutions would significantly increase electricity availability as well as accessibility in the country.

Wood waste generation in Nigeria is constantly on the increase as a result of low average percentage timber recovery both in the forests and wood processing industries and increased demand for wood and its products in the country. Being perceived as mere useless materials to be discarded, wood waste has become a menace to public health and the environment in Nigeria due to its indiscriminate disposal practices. This paper therefore aims to highlight the potentials of wood waste as a viable resource for economic growth and sustainable development and thereby pique the people's interest in the proper management and harnessing of wood waste. © JASEM https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/jasem.v21i2.4

It is essential to investigate the appropriate model for simulating nanofluid flow for different flow regimes because, at present, most previous studies do not agree with each other. It was, therefore, the purpose of this study to present a Computational Fluids Dynamics (CFD) investigation of heat transfer coefficients of internal forced convective flow of nanofluids in a circular tube subject to constant wall heat flux boundary conditions. A complete threedimensional (3D) cylindrical geometry was used. Laminar and turbulent flow regimes were considered. Three two-phase models (mixture model, discrete phase model (DPM) and the combined model of discrete and mixture phases) and the single-phase homogeneous model (SPM) were considered with both constant and variable properties. For the turbulent flow regime, it was found that the DPM with variable properties closely predicted the local heat transfer coefficients with an average deviation of 9%, and the SPM deviated from the DPM model by 2%. It was also found that the mixture and the combined discrete and the mixture phase model gave unrealistic results. For laminar flow, the DPM model with variable properties predicted the heat transfer coefficients with an average deviation of 9%.

Aims: To carry out experimental study of the energy potential of some tropical wood species. Study Design: It involved sample collection, experimental analysis and numerical validation of the obtained calorific values. Place and Duration of Study: National Centre for Energy Research and Development (NCERD), University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria between November 2016 and September 2018. Methodology: Wood waste (saw dust) from ten (10) selected tropical wood species sourced from sawmills in Benin City, Nigeria were subjected to proximate analysis, ultimate analysis as well as energy content study. Results: Thermal conversion characteristics of low ash content (0.2 – 2.76%), very high volatile matter (87.51 – 90.94%), low moisture content (8.62 – 10.53%.), relatively high carbon, hydogen and oxygen contents as well as low nitrogen and sulphur contents were observed. Obtained calorific values were validated using three already existing correlations. Conclusion: Among the 10 species studied, Afzelia africana (Apa) was found to be best suited for energy generation while Triplocyton scleroxylon (Obeche) was found to be least suited.

This study focused on the design and testing of a downdraft gasifier. The gasifier design was based on a combination of the Imbert and stratified models with some modifications. Sizing of the gasifier was done using empirical relations and some experimental data relating to specific gas generation rate, biomass flow rate, throat diameter and reduction zone diameter etc. The thermal capacity of the gasifier was set at 5 kW. A cyclone separator, an air-cooling unit and a filter unit (containing wood shavings) were coupled to the gasifier's reactor to purify the produced syngas. The gasifier system was tested in a forced draught mode using air as the gasifying medium. The feedstock conversion rate of the gasifier was 1.25kg/hr for wood chunks (10-70mm) and 2.1kg/hr for wood shavings (2-5mm). The syngas produced for both types of wood residues burnt with stable blue flames, indicating minimal tar percentage in the syngas. This signifies that the produced syngas can be safely utilized not only for cooking but also in internal combustion engines to generate electricity.

University-Industry linkage is a major source by which local technology can be transferred in a country. In order for technology transfer to be effective, the recipient industry must have the right infrastructure and qualified human resources to implement the technology. Recently, issues concerning the low level of technological development and economic advancement in Nigeria have been receiving attention. A survey was recently conducted in order to examine the issues of technology transfer between Schools of Engineering and Sciences in Universities and Industry in Nigeria. The survey was conducted by asking appropriate persons to respond to a set of questions and having interviews with them. The survey revealed that there is a very low level of technology transfer between most industries and universities in Nigeria. In this paper, the reasons for this state of affairs are highlighted and suggestions are made to effectively increase the level of technology transfer and innovation in Nigeria.

No abstract

Thermal analysis of a small scale solid waste-fired steam generator is presented in this paper. The analysis was based on the chosen design specifications which are operating steam pressure and temperature of 20bar and 400℃ respectively, solid waste consumption rate of 3.6ton/hr and a furnace utilizing grate-fired technology. The boiler is designed as a possible waste management option in Benin Metropolis and Nigeria at large with energy recovery. The average daily municipal solid waste (MSW) generation in Benin Metropolis was considered in order to assess the availability of the feed stock. A calorific value of 17.49MJ/kg was obtained for the solid waste using Dulong's formula. Calculations based on energy balance in the boiler show that about 7.63kg/s of air is required to combust 1kg/s of MSW to produce about 3.437kg/s of steam. Further calculations show that about 1.4MW of electrical power can be obtained from the produced steam.