NATIONAL SOCIETY OF BLACK ENGINEERS-GERMANY

We wish to invite all our NSBE members and all interested persons to our Research Initiative Competition which will take place on the date and venue shown below:

‘Production of Biodiesel, an alternative form of fuel from Palm oil, a locally available Resource in the developing world’ by Godwin Ebosele and Ngwi Fet. 

Abstract

This research initiative is written as a proposal aimed at producing Biodiesel for Internal Combustion Engines using Palm Oil. In sub-Saharan Africa, wood is predominantly used for fuel in both rural and urban locations. This accounts for 70% of total energy use, leading to the problem of deforestation. Africa being the home of one of the world’s largest rain forests, endangering the forest or gradual loss of the forest to obtain energy will eventually lead to other hazards such as air pollution. Palm oil and palm kernel oil are edible plant oils derived from the oil plant Elaeis guineensis. These oils are highly saturated in vegetable fats. Palm oil which is extracted from palm nuts (a natural and abundant resource in West Africa) had long been identified and is widely used as cooking oil in sub-Saharan Africa. In Europe, palm oil became sought after especially by British traders for use as an Industrial lubricant for machines in the British Industrial Revolution. Amongst other applications, it has been recently established that like other vegetable oils, palm oil can be used to produce Biodiesel for Internal Combustion Engines. Biodiesel has been promoted as a renewable energy source to reduce net emissions of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. It is therefore seen as a way to decrease the impact of the greenhouse effect, reduce deforestation and as a way of diversifying energy supplies to assist national energy security plans. Aside from the positive environmental effects of Biodiesel production, there is a great deal of by-products (e.g. Glycerine) which are very useful in other applications. Given that we live in an era where renewable forms of energy are of utmost importance, using palm oil to generate Biodiesel will be worthwhile especially in West African countries where there is abundant supply of Palm fruit. This will not only supply fuel for Engines, but also reduce pollution which is a call for concern in most of these Countries. 

Production of Biogas for the Bedieso Community in Kumasi, Ghana by Ifeanyi Daniel Nwachukwu and Yaw Asare 

Abstract

This proposal takes a closer look at the situation in Bedieso a suburb of Kumasi, Ghana and proposes a way to remedy the environmental situation. It also takes advantage of the waste generated in this area and utilizes it for the production of biogas which will serve as a clean and alternative source of energy for the inhabitants of this area. The technology employed here is easily transferable, hence, if successful will be repeated in other areas where organic waste and animal excrement are a burden for the society.

‘Construction and Installation of Cheap Wind Turbines in Bamenda-Cameroon from Wood and other Local Resources’ by Joel Asongwe and Tebong Andogho 

Abstract

The proposal is about a project on wind energy, a shift to renewable sources of energy, using cheap environmentally friendly materials. These materials include blade wood, plywood, some steel and aluminum, magnets, steel fasteners, wires, epoxy resin and an automotive rear hub with flanged shaft (bearing hub) for convenient mount to wind turbine. The implementation of this project will alleviate the current energy crisis in Bamenda and Cameroon in general. 

In Addition a key note talk will be given by the Former NSBE Aachen Chapter President, James Willie on: 

‘Effective combination of solar and conventional kiln drying of wood-determination of the energy savings involved’ by James Willie 

Abstract 

With the world at risk of depleting its fossil fuel resources, attention is shifting to renewable form of energies and to energy savings in order to reduce the cost of energy and to save the environment. In this work, it is demonstrated that by combining solar and conventional kiln heating, it is possible to reduce the amount the energy that will be consumed by a conventional kiln in the drying of wood. Even though the overall time involved in the process is likely to be slightly higher than when only a conventional kiln is used, detailed cost-benefit analysis is needed to show that it is justifiable. In this work, specific wood species like Utile, Sapele and Mahogany (African) are investigated to determine the total percentage reduction in drying time when specie of timber is first dried in a solar heated kiln before drying in a conventional kiln. Graphs of the percentage reduction in time are plotted against their pre-dried moisture content while keeping the initial moisture content fixed. This is done for various values of the initial moisture content beginning from 92% to 42% in steps of 10. The graphs of Utile and Sapele are identical because their drying rate group factor (C) and thickness factor (T) are identical. Parametric analysis is used to combine the graphs of the three species. 

We shall offer light refreshments during the event. Please come and bring your friends along. See you all there!!!