Browsing by Author "Somorin, Tosin Onabanjo"
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Item Open Access Life-cycle assessment of self-generated electricity in Nigeria and Jatropha biodiesel as an alternative power fuel(Elsevier, 2017-06-21) Somorin, Tosin Onabanjo; Di Lorenzo, Giuseppina; Kolios, Athanasios J.Insufficient available energy has limited the economic growth of Nigeria. The country suffers from frequent power outages, and inconvenient black–outs while residents and industries are forced to depend on self-generated electricity. Life-cycle assessment methodology was used to assess the environmental burdens associated with self-generated electricity (SGE) and proposed embedded power generation in Nigeria. The study shows that SGE from 5 kVA diesel generators contributes to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of 1625 kg CO2 eq./MWh, along with other environmental burdens. Based on a point estimate of diesel electric generators in Nigeria, SGE can contribute 389 million tonnes CO2 eq. to climate change every year. This can reposition Nigeria as one of the top 20 emitters of CO2 globally. A mandatory diesel fuel displacement with Jatropha biodiesel can reduce annual GHG emissions from SGE by 76% provided combined cycle power plants are adopted for embedded power generation. The magnitude of these benefits would depend on material inputs, seed yield as well as the environmental status of the reference fuel. Minimal use of fertilizers, chemicals and resources and fossil fuel substitution with renewable options can minimize adverse environmental burdens.Item Open Access Non-isothermal drying kinetics of human feces(Taylor & Francis, 2019-10-01) Somorin, Tosin Onabanjo; Fidalgo, Beatriz; Hassan, S.; Sowale, Ayodeji; Kolios, Athanasios; Parker, Alison; McAdam, Ewan; Tyrrel, SeanThe non-isothermal drying behavior and kinetics of human feces (HF) were investigated by means of thermogravimetric analysis to provide data for designing a drying unit operation. The effect of heating rate and blending with woody biomass were also evaluated on drying pattern and kinetics. At low heating rate (1 K/min), there is effective transport of moisture, but a higher heating rate would be necessary at low moisture levels to reduce drying time. Blending with wood biomass improves drying characteristics of HF. The results presented in this study are relevant for designing non-sewered sanitary systems with in-situ thermal treatment.Item Open Access Non-isothermal thermogravimetric kinetic analysis of the thermochemical conversion of human faeces(Elsevier, 2018-08-29) Fidalgo, Beatriz; Chilmeran, M.; Somorin, Tosin Onabanjo; Sowale, Ayodeji; Kolios, Athanasios; Parker, Alison; Williams, Leon; Collins, Matt; McAdam, Ewan J.; Tyrrel, Sean F.The “Reinvent the Toilet Challenge” set by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation aims to bring access to adequate sanitary systems to billions of people. In response to this challenge, on-site sanitation systems are proposed and being developed globally. These systems require in-situ thermal treatment, processes that are not well understood for human faeces (HF). Thermogravimetric analysis has been used to investigate the pyrolysis, gasification and combustion of HF. The results are compared to the thermal behaviour of simulant faeces (SF) and woody biomass (WB), along with the blends of HF and WB. Kinetic analysis was conducted using non-isothermal kinetics model-free methods, and the thermogravimetric data obtained for the combustion of HF, SS and WB. The results show that the devolatilisation of HF requires higher temperatures and rates are slower those of WB. Minimum temperatures of 475 K are required for fuel ignition. HF and SF showed similar thermal behaviour under pyrolysis, but not under combustion conditions. The activation energy for HF is 157.4 kJ/mol, relatively higher than SS and WB. Reaction order for HF is lower (n = 0.4) to WB (n = 0.6). In-situ treatment of HF in on-site sanitary systems can be designed for slow progressive burn.Item Open Access Prospects of deployment of Jatropha Biodiesel-fired Plants in Nigeria's power sector(Elsevier, 2017-07-03) Somorin, Tosin Onabanjo; Kolios, AthanasiosThis paper presents the techno-economic performance analysis of Jatropha biodiesel-fired power plants in comparison with natural gas- and diesel-fired plants. Jatropha biodiesel can be substituted for natural gas in industrial gas turbines at a slight loss in power output of ∼2% and plant efficiency of ∼1%. The exclusive use of the fuel in heavy duty industrial gas turbines is not economically viable at existing electricity generation prices in Nigeria, except fuels are restricted to combined cycle engines and considered as biomass power plants. The Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE) of the Jatropha biodiesel-fired plants varied from $0.203-0.252/kWh, values that are below the cost of self-generated electricity (SGE) in Nigeria —$0.45-0.70/kWh. To integrate Jatropha biodiesel into existing power plants, a minimum production-based incentive (PBI) of $0.052-0.082/kWh can be provided for up to nine years or maximum partial fuel substitution (PFS) of 33-40% can be mandated, depending on the mode of operation. A guaranteed fuel price of $0.18-5/gallon can be ensured, depending on electricity contract price. A carbon tax up to $100/tCO2 can also be imposed on natural gas-fired plants, but this does not ensure economic viability. The high cost of SGE in Nigeria uncovers an opportunity for embedded power generation.