Waste Recovery and Sustainable Development. A Case Study of Material Development from Used Tires in Africa

This paper outlines a mechanical transformation process for rubber recycling, demonstrating the development of a new material from used tires. With the crumbs obtained using a crusher-compactor, a novel material for the manufacture of O-rings has been developed, with properties close to those found on the market. The process includes an experimental methodology of a sulfur vulcanization system choice and the quantification of ingredients, as well as the experimental determination of cure parameters. Mechanical tests on the samples completed the work by providing the mechanical characteristics of both unaged and aged (thermo-oxidative ageing) novel material. This process has a high potential for sustainable development and industrialization, making it a valuable contribution to the recycling of rubber in African developing countries.

Seasonal Wind Characteristics and Prospects of Wind Energy Conversion Systems for Water Production in the Far North Region of Cameroon

This study aimed at investigating the characteristics of the wind power resource in the Far North Region of Cameroon (FNR), based on modelling of daily long-term satellite-derived data (2005-2020) and in-situ wind measurements data (1987-2020). Five different reliable statistical indicators assessed the accuracy level for the goodness-of-fit tests of satellite-derived data. The two-parameter Weibull distribution function using the energy factor method described the statistical distribution of wind speed and investigated the characteristics of the wind power resource. Six 10-kW pitch-controlled wind turbines (WT) evaluated the power output, energy and water produced. A 50 m pumping head was considered to estimate seasonal variations of volumetric flow rates and costs of water produced. The results revealed that the wind resource in FNR is suitable only for wind pumping applications. Based on the hydraulic requirements for wind pumps, mechanical wind pumping system can be the most cost-effective option of wind pumping technologies in FNR. However, based on the estimated capacity factors of selected WT, wind electric pumping system can be acceptable for only four out of twenty-one sites in FNR.

Assessment of the Rural Water Supply Potential by Mechanical Wind Pumping Around the Floodplains of Lake Chad

In the present work,an assessment of the rural water supply potential by mechanical wind pumping around the floodplains of Lake Chad has been considered.Inside the floodplains around Lake Chad,available surface water is largely contaminated and represents health hazards to populations.Access to underground and clean water has increasingly become rare.Moreover,clean water scarcity has led to conflict and territorial pressures,which are contributing factors to poverty in the considered area.Four localities,Baga,Baga-Sola,Makari and Nguigmi,respectively,in Nigeria,Chad,Cameroon and Niger have been selected inside the floodplains around Lake Chad,to evaluate the potential of wind power and prospects of windmills development to provide safe drinking-water supply,livestock watering and small-scale irrigation.Long-term satellite-derived data,obtained through the Prediction of Worldwide renewable Energy Resources have been considered suitable and viable alternative to missing site-specific data from ground stations.Windmill of Multi-blade driven piston pump is the preferred water pumping option for this study because of its higher overall system efficiency.The results of this study indicate that mean wind speeds,at 10 m height above ground level,are 4.64 m/s for Baga,4.76 m/s for Baga-Sola,4.32 m/s for Makari and 4.44 m/s for Nguigmi.In addition,wind speeds for Baga,for instance,are in the range of 2.5–10 m(working range of a wind pump),at 10,15,20 and 25 m height agl,for 79.64,82.80,84.79,and 86.19 per cent of the time.Corresponding values for Baga-Sola,Makari and Nguigmi are in the range of 80.50–87.76 per cent,76.86–85,58 per cent,77.92–86.21 per cent,respectively.For a Windmill with a 2 m-blade,a 25 m-height tower and considering a total dynamic head of 30 m,average monthly discharges for the dry season are 1,330,1,374,1,200 and 1,199 m3,respectively for Baga,Baga-Sola,Makari and Nguigmi.Furthermore,corresponding costs of water are 9.53,9.23,10.56 and 10.57 XAF/m3,for Baga,Baga-Sola,Makari and Nguigmi,in that order.

Modelling and Optimization of Hydroelectric Power Plants in Cameroon for the Development of the Green Energy Market in Neighboring Countries Using Homer Software

Renewable energy is increasingly in demand for a variety of applications in both urban and rural areas. There are, however, a number of implementation constraints in some countries, even though sunshine, wind and water are abundant and available. As part of this research, we are carrying out a technical and economic study on the availability of renewable energy in Cameroon, with a view to combining several sources of solar, biomass, wind and hydroelectric power to meet energy demand both inside and outside the country, in countries such as Chad, Gabon and Nigeria. In this work, the implementation of the entire system in the HOMER software demonstrates the feasibility and possibility of implementing a multi-source power plant based on renewable energies. Calculation of the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) and the net present cost (NPC) shows that a capacity of 485 GW can meet the energy demand of the countries bordering Cameroon. Furthermore, the calculation of the performance ratio gives a PR = 46.52 and a Capacity factor of CF = 11.64. The system is profitable not only economically but also environmentally, as it reduces greenhouse gas emissions and energy losses.