RP-Department of Energy Engineering
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Item Developments in solar drying using forced ventilation and solar regenerated desiccant materials(Elsevier, 1996) Thoruwa, T. F. N.; Smith, J. E.; Grant, A. D.; Johnstone, C. M.In many countries, grains are naturally sun dried in the field, resulting in large-scale spoilage. Purpose-built solar grain dryers are being introduced with some success, but to be effective, their performance must be carefully controlled to prevent cracking of grains, fungal growth and aflatoxin production during storage. This paper describes some of the performance aspects of an autonomous solar desiccant maize dryer developed for village use in Kenya. Since most commercial desiccants are expensive, a low cost solid desiccant was fabricated from bentonite clay and calcium chloride materials. This desiccant is capable of regeneration at 45°C, has high moisture sorption of 45% (dwb), significantly extends the drying process at night and reduces aflatoxin contamination of the grain. Laboratory and field testing took place to determine the drying performance and allow conclusions to be drawn. This showed the prototype dryer had the capability of drying 90kg of fresh maize from 38% (dwb) to 15% (dwb) within 24 hoursItem Performance study of a consolidated manganese chloride-expanded graphite compound for sorption deep freezing processes(2009) Kiplagat, J.K.; Li, T.X.; Wang, R.Z.; Wang, L.W.A consolidated composite sorbent made from manganese chloride and expanded graphite was produced for sorption deep-freezing processes and used for cold production at a temperature as low as −35 °C. Experimental results showed that the addition of a porous graphite matrix can prevent the agglomeration and the attenuation of sorption capacity of reactive salt. The composite sorbent could incorporate 0.537 kg of ammonia per kg of reactive salt and the average specific cooling power (SCP) obtained varied between 200 W kg−1 and 700 W kg−1 when the evaporation temperature ranged from −35 °C to 0 °C. The analysis of the data suggested that the heat transfer characteristic in the composite sorbent was strongly influenced by chemical reaction and the conversion rate was very sensitive to the constraint temperatures. The SCP and coefficient of performance (COP) of a simple sorption deep-freezing system were 350 W kg−1 and 0.34, respectively, at the generation temperature of 180 °C, the heat sink temperature of 25 °C and the evaporation temperature of −30 °C.Item A combined doubleway chemisorption refrigeration cycle based on adsorption and resorption processes(2009) Kiplagat, J.K.; Li, T.X.; Wang, R.Z.; Wang, L.W.; Oliveira, R.G.An innovative combined double-way chemisorption refrigeration cycle based on adsorption and resorption processes is presented. Two different reactive salts were used as sorbents and ammonia was utilized as the refrigerant in the proposed cycle. The useful cold was obtained from the evaporation heat of the refrigerant during the adsorption process and from the reaction heat of the low-temperature salt during the resorption process. The proposed combined double-way cycle has a distinct advantage of higher coefficient of performance (COP) in comparison with conventional adsorption cycle or resorption cycle. Experimental verification indicated that the advanced combined double-way cycle is feasible for refrigeration application, and the ideal COP of the basic cycle was about 1.24. Theoretical results showed that the proposed combined double-way cycle could improve COP by 167% and 60% when compared with conventional adsorption cycle and resorption cycle, respectively.Item Thermodynamic study of a combined double-way solid–gas thermochemical sorption refrigeration cycle(2009) Kiplagat, J.K.; Li, T.X.; Wang, R.Z.; Wang, L.W.; Oliveira, R.G.A combined double-way thermochemical sorption refrigeration thermodynamic cycle was proposed and tested. Both adsorption refrigeration and resorption refrigeration processes were combined in order to improve the system performance. Two different consolidated composite materials were used as the reactive sorbents and ammonia was used as the refrigerant. Experimental results showed that a system operating with such proposed cycle can have two useful cold productions during one cycle at the expense of only one heat input at high temperature. The average specific cooling power (SCP) during the adsorption refrigeration phase was 301 W kg−1. Analysis of the experimental data showed that the driving equilibrium drop during the resorption process was much lower than that during the adsorption process, when the cold production temperature was similar. The proposed combined double-way sorption cycle has a larger cooling capacity per unit of heat input and the maximum theoretical coefficient of performance (COP) is 1.24 when MnCl2 and BaCl2 are used as the reactive sorbents.Item Novel Composite Sorbent for Resorption Systems and for Chemisorption Air Conditioners Driven by Low Generation Emperature(Elsevier, 2009-12-31) Kiplagat, J.K.; Oliveira, R.G.; Wang, R.Z.; Wang, C.Y.The utilization of a composite sorbent (NaBr and expanded graphite) in chemisorption air conditioning systems driven by low-grade heat source, and in resorption systems with simultaneous heating and cooling effects was experimentally investigated using bench-scale prototypes. The mass of ammonia desorbed and adsorbed was measured, and used to calculate the specific cooling capacity. The sorbent produced 219 kJ kg−1 of cooling at 5 °C and 510 kJ kg−1 at 15 °C, when the heat source temperature was 65 °C and the heat sink temperature was 30 °C. The air conditioning system mean specific cooling power (SCP), and mean coefficient of performance (COP) were calculated based on the desorbed and adsorbed masses, and on the variation of temperature in the reactors. For the same heat source and heat sink temperatures mentioned above, the air conditioning system had a SCP of 129 ± 7 W kg−1 and a COP of 0.46 ± 0.01, when cooling occurred at 15 °C. Regarding the utilization of the composite sorbent in resorption machines, the prototype was tested for production of cooling/heating at −5/50 °C, and at 10/70 °C. In the former condition, the COP was only 0.02, but in the latter condition, there was a tenfold increase in the COP, and the combined coefficient of performance and amplification reached 1.11, which indicates the energy saving potential of resorption systems using the studied sorbent.Item Lithium Chloride–Expanded Graphite Composite Sorbent for Solar Powered Ice Make(2010) Kiplagat, J.K.; Wang, R.Z.; Oliveira, R.G.; Li, T.X.Consolidated composite material made from expanded graphite (EG) powder impregnated with LiCl salt is proposed for use in solar powered adsorption ice makers. Laboratory experiments were done to test the adsorption and desorption performance of the sorbent under different temperature conditions suitable for solar energy utilization. More than 75% of the reaction between LiCl and ammonia was completed after 30 min of synthesis at evaporation temperatures of −10 and −5°C and adsorption temperature between 25 and 35°C. Under the same period, it was possible to obtain 80% conversion in the desorption phase, when the generation temperatures ranged between 75 and 80°C, and the condensation temperature varied from 25 to 35°C. The highest average specific cooling power during the synthesis phase was 117 W per kg of the block. The calculated theoretical coefficient of performance (COP) under different cycle conditions was nearly constant at 0.47. Moreover, the new composite sorbent showed higher Specific Cooling Capacity (SCC), compared to activated carbon (AC)/methanol pair. Experiments done with blocks with different proportion of EG, showed that the proportion of EG influence the cooling capacity per unit mass of salt and had almost no influence on the cooling capacity per unit mass of the block. Moreover, the reaction enthalpy (ΔH) and entropy (ΔS) were calculated from experimental data obtained experimentally, and confirmed previous reportedItem Renewable energy in Kenya: Resource potential and status of exploitation(Elsevier, 2011) Kiplagat, J.K.; Wang, R. Z.; Li, T. X.This paper presents an assessment of renewable energy resource potential and the current status of exploitation in Kenya. As an importer of petroleum fuels, Kenya spends a substantial amount of foreign reserves to import oil. The oil import bill in 2008 consumed 55% of the country's foreign exchange earnings from exports. On the other hand, there is a high dependence on wood biomass energy, leading to an imbalance in its supply and demand. This has exerted considerable pressure on the remaining forest and vegetation stocks, thereby accelerating the processes of land degradation. Moreover, despite the abundance of potential and a strong growth in demand for electricity, the country faces constraints in satisfying electricity demand. At the national level, only 18% of the households have access to grid electricity. The access is much lower in rural areas where only 4% of the households have grid electricity. Kenya has a liberalized energy sector and has made significant progress in the recent past in formulation of renewable energy policies. What is more, Kenya's electricity power mix is among the most sustainable in the world, with 80% of electricity coming from renewable sources. However, a substantial proportion of renewable energy resources are unexploited. Of the potential renewable sources, Kenya has harnessed only about 30% of its hydropower sources, approximately 4% of the potential geothermal resources and much smaller proportions of proven wind and solar power potentials. Furthermore, a large potential exists for the development of biomass based energy such as biogas, biodiesel and power generation form baggasse. The strong growth in energy demand provides excellent opportunities for private investors to invest in renewable energy power generation.Item Advances in wind energy resource exploitation in urban environment: A review(Elsevier, 2014) Ishugah, T.F.; Li, Y.; Wang, R.Z.; Kiplagat, J.K.Wind energy continues to stand out as a more established and mature technology to offset a large proportion of power. Efforts aimed at improving wind energy use to meet the energy demand in turbulent urban wind environment have been the main technical focus. In previous studies on wind resource and behavior in urban environment, different designs of horizontal axis wind turbines (HAWTs) and vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs) have been reviewed. This paper vividly captures the fact that wind resource has a great potential to be fully explored and developed in the urban environment. Varying ways of application and application techniques being applied for electrical generation, ventilation and pollution dispersion, onshore cooling and dehumidification of coastal urban cities, and economics and environmental benefits of applying wind energy in urban environments are summarized. Although many new ideas and solutions that factor technical, economical and environmental sustainability in urban areas are coming up every day, challenges in design are gradually being solved to take advantage of urban low and turbulent wind speed characteristics, installation space challenges, vibration and noise reduction, among others. Some of the unique solutions that have been and are being developed in the applications of wind energy technology in urban environments are also reported in this paperItem Performance improvement of an adsorption chiller using composite adsorbent, silica gel impregnated with lithium chloride, paired with methanol as the adsorbate(World Scientific Publishing, 2014) Ishugah, T.F.; Wang, Liwei; Wang, Ruzhu; Zisheng, LuThis study aimed at analyzing different operation strategies to improve the performance of a new type adsorption chiller employing a novel composite adsorbent, silica gel impregnated with lithium chloride, paired with methanol as the adsorbate. The chiller's experimental test results showed an average Specific Cooling Power (SCP) and Coefficient of Performance (COP) of 286 W/kg and 0.48, respectively. This was when the average hot water inlet temperature, cooling water inlet temperature, and chilled water inlet temperature were 83°C, 26°C and 15°C, respectively. In addition, the corresponding mass flow rates were 0.22, 0.39 and 0.09 kg/s, respectively. Despite the fact that the average SCP and COP, were rather satisfactory, analysis of experimental results conducted with different cycle times, inlet hot water temperatures, and hot water flow rates showed that a much better performance could be achieved. Experimental results indicated the following: (1) the COP increased while the SCP decreased with increased cycle time, (2) both the COP and the SCP increased with increase in heat and mass recovery time to an optimal time then started to decrease as heat and mass recovery time increased beyond the optimal time, (3) both the cooling power and COP generally increased with increase in inlet hot water temperature at a relatively higher value from 60°C to about 90°C beyond which the incremental value started diminishing, and, (4) increase in mass flow rates produced higher cooling power with decreased COP while decrease in mass flow rates of hot water produced lower cooling power with increased COP. This paper therefore recommends an adsorption/desorption time, heat and mass recovery time, inlet hot water temperature, and hot water mass flow rate of 780 s, 60 s, 83°C, and 0.22 kg/s as appropriate to give the best chiller performance for refrigeration.Item Briquette making in Kenya: Nairobi and peri-urban areas(Elsevier, 2014) Kiplagat, J.K.; Ngusale, George K.; Luo, YonghaoBriquettes made from biomass residues could contribute to ensuring the sustainable supply of biomass energy. The paper reviews the present briquette making process in Kenya especially in Nairobi and peri-urban areas. The paper introduces the energy situation in Kenya, then the briquette making process and finally presents the challenges and opportunities in briquette making. In the opportunities section, eighteen briquette producers participated in the question and answer exercise to quantitatively provide information on briquette making. Most producers use bare hands (handmade briquettes), others make use of novel-based machines such as ram-piston type, motorized screw press, shredder, wooden press and the mold-box piston type all made from locally available materials. The mixing ratios and the various ingredients used in briquette making are haphazard with no standard ratio and specific mixture for optimum briquette production. Despite these, most briquette producers are well along in the briquette business. At the same time, the end-use consumers are very positive in using the briquette fuel as an alternative fuel. Some of the end-use consumers are the schools, churches, hotels and some households. This study indicates that the opportunities for briquette making are immense and could help curb deforestation thereby reduce environmental degradation.Item Advances in wind energy resource exploitation in urban environment: A review(Elsevier, 2014-09) Kiplagat, J.K.Wind energy continues to stand out as a more established and mature technology to offset a large proportion of power. Efforts aimed at improving wind energy use to meet the energy demand in turbulent urban wind environment have been the main technical focus. In previous studies on wind resource and behavior in urban environment, different designs of horizontal axis wind turbines (HAWTs) and vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs) have been reviewed. This paper vividly captures the fact that wind resource has a great potential to be fully explored and developed in the urban environment. Varying ways of application and application techniques being applied for electrical generation, ventilation and pollution dispersion, onshore cooling and dehumidification of coastal urban cities, and economics and environmental benefits of applying wind energy in urban environments are summarized. Although many new ideas and solutions that factor technical, economical and environmental sustainability in urban areas are coming up every day, challenges in design are gradually being solved to take advantage of urban low and turbulent wind speed characteristics, installation space challenges, vibration and noise reduction, among others. Some of the unique solutions that have been and are being developed in the applications of wind energy technology in urban environments are also reported in this paper.Item Selection and Verification of a Drying Model for Maize (Zea mays L.) in Forced Convection Solar Grain Dryer(science and education publishing, 2017) Osodo, Booker; Nyaanga, Daudi; Muguthu, JosephVarious researchers have fitted experimental drying curves for various products to existing drying models. In this study, an experimental forced convection solar grain dryer was used to select the best fitting drying model for shelled maize. 0.04 m thick grain layer of shelled maize was dried an air velocity of 0.408 m/s and a 40°C drying air temperature. Using Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), Coefficient of Determination (R2) and Chi Square (𝜒𝜒2) the selected drying model was the one by Midilli et al. (2002), with R2, 𝜒𝜒2 and RMSE values of 0.9487, 0.4278 and 0.1723 respectively. The model coefficients were determined for drying air temperatures of 40, 45, 50 and 55°C. It was found that the predicted and experimental data agreed satisfactorily with R2 and RMSE values of 0.9225-0.9786 and 0.0325-0.0750 respectively. A computer simulation model was developed to predict moisture ratio at a given drying time.Item Investigation on Optimal Cutting Parameters in Turning AISI 8660 Steel Using Silicon (Sic) Whisker Reinforced Ceramic Tool(ResearchGate, 2017-07) Wathigo1, J.M; Keraita2, J.N; Byiringiro3, J.B; Muguthu4, J.NThis research was to investigate the effects of process parameter that is cutting speed, feed rate, depth of cut and machining time on the response variables in turning AISI 8660 material using whisker reinforced ceramic cutting tool. Cutting tools are weak and there is continuous effort to improving their performance and wear characteristics so that different grades of materials with varied degree of hardness are machined at minimal cost and economies of production can be realized during machining. This study investigated the rate tool wear and the cutting forces involved during the machining process. High speed machine lathe (Type: MORESEKI) was used on which a three force component dynamometer was mounted on the tool post to measure the cutting forces involved during the machining process. A Toolmakers microscope (model no: 80091) was used to measure the tool flank wear (VB) and the maximum tool wear recorded was 0.27mm and occurred at approximately 3.0 minutes during the machining process. Design of Experiment based on Taguchi technique was developed to obtain the experimental data. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used to analyze the data by developing 3D surface plots, contour plots and Main effects plots for Signal to Noise Ratio. The residuals plots analysis for cutting force revealed a normal probability plot for the data used indicating a close fit to the best of line. The histogram indicated 80% and 10% as the highest and lowest frequency for the cutting force. The optimal cutting conditions for toolwear were obtained at v = 158.28 mm/min, f = 1.116mm/rev, d = 1.38mm, and t = 2min with the process having a high composite desirability at 0.8557. The high composite desirability means that the process variable satisfies the target goals which are minimizing cutting forces and toolwear and that SiC whisker reinforced cutting is the recommended tool when machining this material.Item Quality Failure Analysis and Quality Improvement Methods in Small and Medium Manufacturing Companies (A Case Study of Shamco Industries Limited)(IJSTR, 2018-04) Ngugi, Joseph Chege; Muchiri, Peter; Muguthu, Joseph; Nkundineza, CelestinThis paper elucidates the analysis of quality failure in small and medium manufacturing companies and established methodological approaches that mitigate these problems in order to improve on the quality of products manufactured. The study was carried out at shamco industries limited a steel furniture manufacturing company in Nairobi County in Kenya. The company’s records for the year 2014-2016 provided the secondary data regarding the customer complaints that led to the poor quality of steel furniture. The study adopted a case study methodology and brainstorming was the main method that was used to collect primary data. The defects were ranked in the order of severity, occurrence and detect-ability using Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA). The most common defect was dripping paint which appeared in almost all products. The most critical defect on the other hand was breaking of welded joints. After brainstorming with the experts in the company, root causes of these defects were determined. It was found that causes due to the Workers were 35%, due to the processes were 30%, due to materials were 24% and due to the machines were 11% respectively. The research provided the knowledge of quality failure analysis and established practical solutions to the detected defects. The paper concludes that similar analysis on quality is required to be done in other manufacturing companies so that quality of the products manufactured can be improved and become competitive in the global market.Item Optimum Air Velocity, Air Temperature and Maize Layer Thickness for Highest Moisture Removal Rate and Drying Efficiency in a Forced Convection Grain Dryer(sciepub, 2018-11) Osodo, Booker; Nyaanga, Daudi; Kiplagat, Jeremiah; Muguthu, JosephThe performance of a forced convection grain dryer may be evaluated based on different criteria, such as drying rate, moisture removal rate and efficiency. This performance is dependent upon various drying parameters, such drying air velocity and temperature as well as grain layer thickness. It is necessary to apply an optimal combination of levels of the various parameters in order to achieve improved performance of such a dryer. This study developed an experimental grain dryer and investigated its performance under different drying conditions. The Taguchi approach was used to determine the optimal combination of drying air velocity, temperature and grain layer thickness that could be used to ensure greatest drying efficiency and moisture removal rate (MRR). ANOVA and LSD tests were used to determine whether change of air velocity and grain layer thicknesses significantly affected drying efficiency as well as MRR.The experimental grain dryer developed was of dimensions 0.5 m x 0.5 m x 1.0 m and was equipped with a 0.7 kW centrifugal fan. It was found that the optimal combination of grain layer thickness and air velocity were 0.04 m and 0.34 m/s respectively for solar drying, if drying efficiency was the determining criterion. When drying was done under laboratory conditions, a combination of 0.41 m/s air velocity, 45°C air temperature and 0.02m layer thickness resulted in greatest MRR and drying efficiency. These findings are useful because use of combination enable the design and use of such a dryer in a manner that ensures minimal energy wastage. Appropriate time management is also facilitated as drying can be undertaken at the shortest possible time.Item Geothermal Energy Development in East Africa: Barriers and Strategies(Journal of Energy Research and Reviews, 2018-12) Kombe, Emmanuel Yeri; Muguthu, JosephThe East African Rift is among the most crucial regions of the world endowed with a remarkable geothermal potential. Using current technologies, East African countries have a geothermal power potential of more than 15,000 MWe. Nevertheless, the zone is still at an early stage of geothermal development with few plants producing a few hundred MWe. Among East African countries that have carried out research on geothermal resources, Kenya is leading in utilising geothermal energy resources for electricity generation. Eritrea, Uganda, Tanzania and Djibouti are at exploration stage while Malawi and Rwanda have so far not gone past geothermal resource potential record work. This study sought to address the challenges and barriers to the adoption of geothermal energy as well as the strategies to implement geothermal energy plans in East AfricaItem Effect of Furnace Temperature on the Distribution of Tar during Gasification of Miscanthus(Journal of Energy Research and Reviews, 2018-12) Kombe, Emmanuel YeriBiomass has been extensively recognised as a clean and sustainable energy source with the highest probability to substitute fossil fuel in the energy market. Its utilisation for energy generation is of particular interest to the world at large because of its potential to reduce global carbon dioxide emission. Concerning these considerations, gasification technology comes to the forefront of biomass conversion to various forms of energy for some reasons. Primarily, gasification offers a high flexibility in utilising different kinds of biomass feedstock to produce a combustible gas, making it more active process than pyrolysis and direct combustion. However, the major challenge associated with thermal gasification of biomass is tars and particulates formation. These compounds compromise the state of syngas, potentially harming end use systems especially those delicate to the quality of gas. In this research, tar sampling and analysis was performed based on a modified standard tar protocol followed by gas chromatography-flame ionisation detector (GC-FID) so as to quantify tar concentration in syngas produced from gasification of Miscanthus. Experiments was carried out at various furnace temperature in the range 350-650℃, with temperature enhancement, the abundance of phenolic compounds increases.Item A Comprehensive Review on Status of Solar PV Growth in Uganda(Journal of Energy Research and Reviews, 2019) Mugagga, Reuben Gad; Chamdimba, Hope Baxter NqcubeUganda is faced with a challenge of huge energy deficit just like many other developing countries in Africa. Currently, only 26.7% of the total population has access to electricity. Energy being the life – blood of any growing economy, subsequent endeavors and strategies need to be put in place in order to expand the use of renewable energies for socio-economic development and environmental sustainability. Uganda being endowed with plenty of solar energy resource, its role in achieving national ambitions of Sustainable Energy for All (SE4All) cannot be underestimated. This paper therefore reviews the growth of Solar Photovoltaics (PV) in Uganda that was birthed in the 1980’s and continues to mature steadily today contributing 4.24%(50MW) to the national grid with several un documented off – grid systems. This progress has been realized under different market segments inclusive of the pico and macro solar home systems, Institutional PV, mini-grids, telecommunications and street lighting. Notwithstanding the prevalent challenges, there are numerous existing opportunities for solar PV development consisting of the financial, environmental, Institutional and the socio-economic factors. With more government and different stakeholder engagement however, this growth in the country could be accelerated further as the costs of the technology continue to plummet.Item Enforcement of Access to Effective Technical Support Services in the Kenyan Solar Energy System(JENRR, 2019) Mugo, Jackbed Gakii; Muguthu, Joseph N.Energy is the prime mover of development cutting across industrialisation, manufacturing and residential consumption. Recently, Kenya, being ranked high among the most developed countries in Africa, has mapped way for embracement of renewable energy technology with increasing debate on sustainable development and environmental issues associated with fossil fuels, as the prime energy sources. Generally, Kenya is making efforts to Scale - Up renewable energy programs via construction of stand-alone solutions as well as various types of mini - grids. However, a common problem cutting across all these consumers is quick failure of such projects with very little access to technical solutions or none at all. Substantial developments in solar energy in Kenya, as one of the renewable energy sources, has been mainly challenged by lack of effective capacity building and poor technical support. This cuts across both domestic systems as well as the most rising aspect of small and medium sized minigrids. This paper aims at investigating the leading role of access to viable technical support services in mitigating solar energy adoption challenges. The paper focuses on challenges faced by small and medium sized consumers in search for technical advice and support prior to purchase, during installation and after purchase and installation stages. The research conducted survey via questionnaries, analyzed data obtained, identified technical support factors in order of priority and gives adaptable recommendation for the state in ensuring that solar projects are sustainable and that customers find value for their money.Item Wind Energy Potential Assessment of Great Cumbrae Island Using Weibull Distribution Function(Journal of Energy Research and Reviews, 2019-01) Kombe, Emmanuel Yeri; Muguthu, JosephWind energy is among the fastest growing energy generation technology which is highly preferred alternative to conventional sources of energy. The major Scottish Government target is to deliver 30% of her energy demand by 2020 from renewable sources of energy as well as meeting the emission targets as set under the Scotland Climate Change Act 2009. In this paper, wind energy potential assessment of Great Cumbrae Island was investigated. For this, a ten year mean monthly wind speed at height 50 m obtained from the National Aeronautic Space Administration (NASA) were analysed using the Weibull probability distributions to assess the wind energy potential of Great Cumbrae Island as a clean, sustainable energy resource. Results from the wind-speed model showed that Great Cumbrae Island as high wind-speed site with a mean wind speed of 7.598 m/s and having power density 483.50 W/m. The annual energy captured by four selected horizontal wind turbine models was determined. The result shows that GE 2.0 platform can capture 4.5 GWh energy in a year which is an acceptable quantity for wind energy.