The improvisation of renewable energy sources is of global concern as there is foresight in the depletion of fossil fuels. This is because there is dependence on energy fuel consumers over time and the detriment on the biotic and abiotic component of the environment is alarming. The need for an alternate source of energy source is imperative. Several options have been considered by the scientific community, especially biofuels which hinges primarily on the type of biomass. Agro waste is most considered because of its abundance but it is competed for as feeding purposes in humans and animals. However, Lignocellulose is being utilized recently. The preliminary step in the conversion of the lignocellulose (pre-treatment) stage is the most challenging which is presented in three major methods; physical, chemical, and biological treatment. This review assessed its sustainability and the limitations of each of these methods. The biological pre-treatment poses to be a cost-effective method with a low yield of products. These shortcomings could however be managed by redesigning the procedure to include a partial chemical pre-treatment, optimization of the process parameters such as pressure, temperature, and genetic manipulation of microorganisms of choice.
Waste management practices differ from nation to nation depending on the waste sources, types, and characteristics. It plays a vital role in nature’s ability to sustain life within its capability. In many developing nations of the world, it has become a recurrent challenge, especially in urban areas. Waste generation in Nigeria is on the increase due to the rise in population resulting from the techno-economic development in cities and the pattern of production and consumption of materials. The current waste management practices in the nation are fast becoming a national issue and unsustainable, leading to apparent environmental risk. This study presents a systematic review of existing literature, significant aspects of the existing novels was assessed: waste characterization, waste management practices, ecological impacts, public-private partnership, ethical issues, and legal framework and challenges militating against the current waste practices. This study shows that the existing waste management methods are ineffective and the demand for an all-inclusive waste management approach, proper execution, and enforcement of environmental regulations and laws.
The application of bio-agro waste in industrial production has become extensive. Many industries have embarked in large scale production due to the broadness in the application of the bio-agro waste. This study vividly and succinctly surveyed the different bio-agro waste, its areas of application and its sustainability in industrial production. Several examples of bio-agro waste have been reported. Their relevance in bio-ethanol production has equally been discussed. More so, current research and development in harnessing the bio-agro waste were equally reported, to achieve better economic sustainability. Thus, the study has provided a new circular economic method for addressing the problems associated with bio-agro waste.
Power consumption is a significant issue in developing countries, and the refrigerator is one of the largest consumers of electricity. Nanoparticles functioning as additives to refrigerants or lubricating oils help reduce compressor work and reduce the power consumption of refrigerators. In this study, zinc oxide nanoparticles were developed using Aloe Vera leaves and dispersed in mineral oil to reduce the compressor work and increase the performance of a domestic vapour compression refrigeration system. After the successful synthesis of the nanoparticles, spectroscopical investigations using EDS revealed the nanoparticles to have 73.31% zinc, 20.19% oxygen and 6.40% carbon indicating a significant phase of zinc oxide. Microstructural studies on the nanoparticles revealed an average nanoparticle size of 4.68 nm within the nanometric range. The nanoparticles were dispersed in mineral oil in concentrations of 0.5 g/250 ml, 0.75 g/250 ml, 1 g/250 ml, 1.25 g/250 ml and 1.5 g/250 ml of the oil and fed into the compressor to check the effect of each concentration on the performance of the refrigerator. The control sample contained pure mineral oil. The system was monitored for 225 minutes per sample, and coefficient of performance was determined. The results indicate an increase in COP by 14-15% from 0.4 wt% and 0.6 wt% respectively.
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