During the years 2021 and 2022, the city of Maroua experienced repeated power blackouts. However, this locality has significant photovoltaic energy potential. Nevertheless, the evaluation of the electrical performance...During the years 2021 and 2022, the city of Maroua experienced repeated power blackouts. However, this locality has significant photovoltaic energy potential. Nevertheless, the evaluation of the electrical performance showed the dependence of the population on these fluctuations, which could be bypassed or suppressed. In most cases, the blackout occurs during high energy demand. In this paper, a method for evaluating electrical efficiency is proposed and its credibility has been demonstrated on the one hand, and on the other hand, a renewable energy production system is proposed. The Homer software has made possible the analysis of the proposed system and its impact on the environment has also been carried out. The techno-economic study of the system has proved that a solar photovoltaic farm associated with an energy storage system, with a capacity of 47 MW, can meet the energy demand of the town of Maroua. This alternative is profitable for this locality which lives in a precarious situation and a continuous need.展开更多
In this study, we analyse the climate variability in the Upper Benue basin and assess its potential impact on the hydrology regime under two different greenhouse gas emission scenarios. The hydrological regime of the ...In this study, we analyse the climate variability in the Upper Benue basin and assess its potential impact on the hydrology regime under two different greenhouse gas emission scenarios. The hydrological regime of the basin is more vulnerable to climate variability, especially precipitation and temperature. Observed hydroclimatic data (1950-2015) was analysed using a statistical approach. The potential impact of future climate change on the hydrological regime is quantified using the GR2M model and two climate models: HadGEM2-ES and MIROC5 from CMIP5 under RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 greenhouse gas emission scenarios. The main result shows that precipitation varies significantly according to the geographical location and time in the Upper Benue basin. The trend analysis of climatic parameters shows a decrease in annual average precipitation across the study area at a rate of -0.568 mm/year which represents about 37 mm/year over the time 1950-2015 compared to the 1961-1990 reference period. An increase of 0.7°C in mean temperature and 14% of PET are also observed according to the same reference period. The two climate models predict a warming of the basin of about 2°C for both RCP 4.5 and 8.5 scenarios and an increase in precipitation between 1% and 10% between 2015 and 2100. Similarly, the average annual flow is projected to increase by about +2% to +10% in the future for both RCP 4.5 and 8.5 scenarios between 2015 and 2100. Therefore, it is primordial to develop adaptation and mitigation measures to manage efficiently the availability of water resources.展开更多
Buildings constructed using modern materials such as cement are energy-intensive, facilitate heat transfer and thus promote warming inside the building. However, the Sudano-Sahelian regions have a hot climate occupyin...Buildings constructed using modern materials such as cement are energy-intensive, facilitate heat transfer and thus promote warming inside the building. However, the Sudano-Sahelian regions have a hot climate occupying a large period of the year, thus requiring not only sustainable construction materials, but also which provide thermal comfort in the building by limiting the energy demand for air conditioning. These qualifications are important for sub-Saharan African countries in general and those of the Sudano-Sahelian zone in particular, which need ecological materials with good thermal performance to limit heating inside buildings. This study is an energy recovery of agricultural waste in buildings with a view to offering the populations of the northern regions of Cameroon suitable materials at lower cost for the construction of buildings. The soil used for this study was extracted from the locality of Yagoua where the populations make abundant use of mud bricks. Fonio waste was incorporated at low levels into the earth bricks, particularly at 0%, 1%, 2%, 3%, and 4%, with a view to strengthening their thermophysical and mechanical properties. The results obtained indicate that earth bricks reinforced with 4% waste showed better thermal and mechanical insulation properties compared to other formulations with an improvement of 16% and 78% respectively compared to the unreinforced samples. This research allows us to conclude that fonio waste can be used practically without expense in the building with a view to its energy recovery and will promote not only thermal comfort and the limitation of the energy supply for air conditioning, but the construction of more sustainable buildings with a cleaner environment.展开更多
The increase in oil prices and greenhouse gas emissions has led to the search for substitutes for fossil fuels. In Cameroon, the abundance of lignocellulosic resources is inherent to agricultural activity. Production ...The increase in oil prices and greenhouse gas emissions has led to the search for substitutes for fossil fuels. In Cameroon, the abundance of lignocellulosic resources is inherent to agricultural activity. Production of bioethanol remains a challenge given the crystallinity of cellulose and the presence of the complex. The pretreatment aimed to solubilize the lignin fraction and to make cellulose more accessible to the hydrolytic enzymes, was done using the organosolv process. A mathematical modeling was performed to point out the effect of the temperature on the kinetics of the release of the reducing sugars during the pretreatment. Two mathematical model was used, SAEMAN’s model and Response surface methodology. The first show that the kinetic parameters of the hydrolysis of the cellulose and reducing sugar are: 0.05089 min<sup>-1</sup>, 5358.1461 J·mol<sup>-1</sup>, 1383.03691 min<sup>-1</sup>, 51577.6100 J·mol<sup>-1</sup> respectively. The second model was used. Temperature is the factor having the most positive influence whereas, ethanol concentration is not an essential factor. To release the maximum, an organosolv pre-treatment of this sub-strate should be carried out at 209.08°C for 47.60 min with an ethanol-water ratio of 24.02%. Organosolv pre-treatment is an effective process for delignification of the lignocellulosic structure.展开更多
This study focuses on the assessment of “the advancement of the mining front (gold panning) in and around protected areas”. The aim of this article is to evaluate, using geomatics tools, the recent advance of the mi...This study focuses on the assessment of “the advancement of the mining front (gold panning) in and around protected areas”. The aim of this article is to evaluate, using geomatics tools, the recent advance of the mining front (gold panning) in Benue National Park (PNB) and Bouba-Ndjidda (PNBN) for their planning purposes. We adopted a methodological approach articulated from the field surveys to the processing of satellite images and the integration of the data into a GIS. Thus, 30 gold panning sites were visited, including 16 in the PNB and 14 in the PNBN. From the mapping of the pressures exerted by this activity, it appears that 143.8 km and 73.8 km of cumulated linear were exploited respectively in the GNP and the PNBN;moreover, the results allowed us to detect that the surfaces degraded by gold panning are more important in Benue than in Bouba Ndjidda. The massive influx of migrants from the more populated areas of the Far North of Cameroon as well as neighboring countries (Chad, Nigeria and the Central African Republic) has not only brought about the growth of a pioneering agricultural front, but also the mining front, following the gold rush from 2009;which has led to huge environmental consequences in these protected areas.展开更多
This paper presents a method for optimizing a grid-connected photovoltaic system through an LCL filter. An algorithm based on particle swarm optimization (PSO) is used to determine the number of batteries, the number ...This paper presents a method for optimizing a grid-connected photovoltaic system through an LCL filter. An algorithm based on particle swarm optimization (PSO) is used to determine the number of batteries, the number of panels in series and in parallel, as well as to evaluate the joule losses due to cable heating and the switching losses of the multilevel inverters. This system is applied to a village named YAGOUA, located in the far north of Cameroon. The evaluation of the Joule effect and the switching losses as well as the regulation of the voltage level at the point of common coupling (PCC) are carried out in PVsyst and Matlab software, then at IEEE 33 bus. This algorithm reduced the Joule losses to 1.2% and the switching losses to 2.2%. A power of 210.4 MWh is produced, to be injected in the electrical network via an LCL filter. The THD calculation gave a rate of 3.015% in accordance with the 519 standards. Synchronization through the Phase Locked Loop (PLL) is performed. After the power was injected into the grid, the voltage and current remained in phase, showing the power factor correction and the efficiency of the filter. According to NASA meteorological data, the locality of YAGOUA gives the global solar irradiation forecast of 6.8 kW/m2.展开更多
The objective of this work is to develop new biosourced insulating composites from rice husks and wood chips that can be used in the building sector. It appears from the properties of the precursors that rice chips an...The objective of this work is to develop new biosourced insulating composites from rice husks and wood chips that can be used in the building sector. It appears from the properties of the precursors that rice chips and husks are materials which can have good thermal conductivity and therefore the combination of these precursors could make it possible to obtain panels with good insulating properties. With regard to environmental and climatic constraints, the composite panels formulated at various rates were tested and the physico-mechanical and thermal properties showed that it was essential to add a crosslinker in order to increase certain solicitation. an incorporation rate of 12% to 30% made it possible to obtain panels with low thermal conductivity, a low surface water absorption capacity and which gives the composite good thermal insulation and will find many applications in the construction and real estate sector. Finally, new solutions to improve the fire reaction of the insulation panels are tested which allows to identify suitable solutions for the developed composites. In view of the flame tests, the panels obtained are good and can effectively combat fire safety in public buildings.展开更多
In this study, the natural fibers from Coconuts of the species Coco nucifera L. were Chemically extracted in different solvents such as sodium hydroxide (SH), acetone (AC) and sodium hydroxide-acetone (SHA) for their ...In this study, the natural fibers from Coconuts of the species Coco nucifera L. were Chemically extracted in different solvents such as sodium hydroxide (SH), acetone (AC) and sodium hydroxide-acetone (SHA) for their applications in the textile industries. Structural, morphological and physico-mechanical characterizations such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR), scanned electron microscopy (SEM), measurements of density, Young’s modulus, water absorption rate and humidity were evaluated. The XRD and FTIR results show that Coco nucifera L. fibers contains type I cellulose. Mechanical characterizations were also carried out. These results show that by varying the different solvents used, the physico-chemical, mechanical and morphological properties of the fibers change, which implies that the solvent has an influence on the properties of these fibers. The fibers extracted by the sodium hydroxide-acetone mixture have a linear density of 1.636, the percentage of water absorption is 62.428%, the percentage of moisture absorption 9.605% compared to other values in the literature shows that this solvent mixture improves the properties of coconut fibers which contain type I cellulose. The tensile stress is 0.013 GPa, the percentage strain is 49.836% and the Young’s modulus is 0.114 GPa as well as the percentage elongation show that these fibers are elasto-plastic. The values obtained mean that these fibers are suitable for use in textiles.展开更多
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 wate...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.展开更多
In South Saharan countries, 85% of the population uses biomass as a primary energy source. Cameroon presents one of the highest biomass energy and sawmills produce important sawdust resources which are not used and ar...In South Saharan countries, 85% of the population uses biomass as a primary energy source. Cameroon presents one of the highest biomass energy and sawmills produce important sawdust resources which are not used and are burnt in piles leading to significant air toxic emissions. Therefore, we have to valorize industrially these available sawdusts. This study focuses on the physicochemical and thermochemical analysis of Ayous, Sapelli and Tali sawdust. The proximate and ultimate analysis, particle size, structural composition, as well as heavy metal content and calorific value were determined. In addition, the thermogravimetric mass losses were also estimated. The results showed that high water contents (24% - 41%) were recorded in the raw sawdust, and the thermal treatment reduced these contents from 78% to values in the range of 4% - 9%. The values for ash and volatile matter content were respectively between 0.25% - 0.74% and 68% - 76%. The LHV is higher in Ayous (17.5 MJ/kg) and Sapelli (16.8 MJ/kg) than that of Tali (15.7 MJ/kg). The concentration of heavy metals is very low in each species. Extractives are more present in Tali (16.06%) than in the other sawdusts. Pyrolysis of sawdust shows the typical decomposition of hemicellulose (270˚C - 325˚C), cellulose (325˚C - 400˚C) and lignin (200˚C - 550˚C) with a maximum loss of 75% at 370˚C and the melting point is 320˚C. The results of the sawdust parameters determined in the paper can be valorized to reduce pollutants emissions by developing the efficiency and effectiveness of biomass energy processes and promoting the use of biomass as a sustainable alternative to traditional fossil fuels.展开更多
Carbonation is a natural aging process that occurs in all types of concrete. One of its primary implications is the acceleration of steel corrosion caused by the phenomena of depassivation. The goal of this research i...Carbonation is a natural aging process that occurs in all types of concrete. One of its primary implications is the acceleration of steel corrosion caused by the phenomena of depassivation. The goal of this research is to investigate the carbonation of quarry sand-based concrete. The concrete is made of 100% crushed sand 0/6.3, gravel 8/15, and 15/25 from the Arab Contractor quarry in Nomayos, Cameroon, with CEM II B-P 42.5 R from CIMENCAM (Cimenteries du Cameroun). The study employed two admixtures: one with a dual superplasticizing and reducing action (Sikamen) and another with a water-repellent effect (Sika liquid). Carbonation was performed on concrete samples at the following dates: 0, 7, 14, 28, 56, 90, 180 days, one year, and six months. Carbonated concrete (CC) and non-carbonated concrete (NCC) samples are compared in terms of their physical attributes and mineralogical characteristics. The results of this investigation reveal that after more than a year and six months of carbonation, porosity decreases and permeability increases. Despite the high fineness modulus of quarry sand, the compressive strength of quarry sand-based concrete is satisfactory. Carbonation depth is relatively high on some dates, exceeding the minimal cover value for concrete reinforcement. Sikament additive increases concrete compactness and durability while decreasing permeability. Sika water repellant mixes with the lime in cement to generate complimentary crystallizations that block the mortar’s capillaries, making it watertight.展开更多
The use of groundwater for drinking water supply to the population is increasingly practiced in the rice cultivation area of Maga. However, there is a lack of knowledge about the hydrochemical characteristics of this ...The use of groundwater for drinking water supply to the population is increasingly practiced in the rice cultivation area of Maga. However, there is a lack of knowledge about the hydrochemical characteristics of this water due to a lack of quality control. This study aims to contribute to the understanding of mineralization processes in order to establish the hydrochemical profile of the water in the area. The methodological approach consisted of collecting fifteen water samples from wells and boreholes during six campaigns for physicochemical analysis, and studying them through methods of interpreting hydrochemical data. The analysis results show that these waters are moderately mineralized. The water facies are mainly of the bicarbonate sodium and potassium type, as well as the bicarbonate calcium and magnesium type. Calculation of saturation indices demonstrates that evaporite minerals show lower degrees of saturation than carbonate minerals, with gypsum, anhydrite, and halite being in a highly undersaturated state. The mineralization of groundwater originates from the dissolution of surrounding rocks on the one hand, and anthropogenic activities involving exchanges between alkalis (Na+ and K+) in the aquifer and alkaline earth (Ca2+ and Mg2+), resulting in the fixation of alkaline earth and the dissolution of alkalis.展开更多
Energy is a crucial material for the development of our economy.Access to sufficient energy remains a major concern for developing countries,particularly those in sub-Saharan Africa.The major challenge lies in access ...Energy is a crucial material for the development of our economy.Access to sufficient energy remains a major concern for developing countries,particularly those in sub-Saharan Africa.The major challenge lies in access to clean,environmentally friendly,quality and low-cost energy in different households in our municipalities.To cope with this vast energy gap,many households are dependent on fossil fuels.In Cameroon,the consumption of wood for the supply of energy is increasing by 4%per year.Overall,approximately 80%of households in Cameroon depend on woody biomass as the sole main source of energy supply in Cameroon and demand is growing over time.In view of the climatic variations that our countries,particularly Cameroon,undergo through deforestation,the use of wood as a source of energy is expensive and harmful to the environment,hence the urgency of replacing wood with renewable energy.Biogas is one of the most versatile sources of renewable energy.On an industrial scale,it is important to automate the process control.The main objective of the present work is to model the anaerobic digestion of coffee and cocoa hulls using the particle swarm optimisation method.Pretreatment using the organosolv process was done.This resulted in 48%lignin removal and 22%cellulose increase.For the pretreated biomass,the maximum production rate was 21 NmLCH4 per day with a biomethane yield of 90 NmLCH4/gVS.This represents an enhancement of 117%in biomethane yield.A positive flammability test was recorded after the 10th day of retention time.Moreover,the data collected during anaerobic digestion allowed implementation of a two-phase mathematical model.The thirteen parameters of the model were estimated with particle swarm optimisation method in Matlab.The model was able to simulate the biomethane production kinetics and variation of volatile fatty acid concentration.展开更多
The integration of distributed generations (DGs) into distribution systems (DSs) is increasingly becoming a solution for compensating for isolated local energy systems (ILESs). Additionally, distributed generations ar...The integration of distributed generations (DGs) into distribution systems (DSs) is increasingly becoming a solution for compensating for isolated local energy systems (ILESs). Additionally, distributed generations are used for self-consumption with excess energy injected into centralized grids (CGs). However, the improper sizing of renewable energy systems (RESs) exposes the entire system to power losses. This work presents an optimization of a system consisting of distributed generations. Firstly, PSO algorithms evaluate the size of the entire system on the IEEE bus 14 test standard. Secondly, the size of the system is allocated using improved Particles Swarm Optimization (IPSO). The convergence speed of the objective function enables a conjecture to be made about the robustness of the proposed system. The power and voltage profile on the IEEE 14-bus standard displays a decrease in power losses and an appropriate response to energy demands (EDs), validating the proposed method.展开更多
This article deals with the characterization of local materials used in insulation building heat. These materials are bricks of earth compressed and stabilized with rice husks. Thermal conductivity, the specific heat ...This article deals with the characterization of local materials used in insulation building heat. These materials are bricks of earth compressed and stabilized with rice husks. Thermal conductivity, the specific heat and the thermal diffusivity of materials based on clay incorporating rate of 0, 2%, 4%, 6%, 8% and 10% are determined. The results showed that the clay blocks + rice balls had better thermal insulators than simple clay blocks. However, these composite materials used for the envelope of the building must have sufficient mechanical resistance when used in construction. The measurement of mechanical properties such as compressive strength showed an improvement of 6% and beyond, a drop in resistance when increasing rice husks in clay is observed. These results allow to specify the optimal conditions of use of these materials for the building envelope.展开更多
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 t...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.展开更多
The Nkoup watershed(10°35’-10°47’E and 5°27’-5°42’N)is a volcanic zone situated in Nun Plain West Cameroon.The high fertility of the soils makes it a strategic agropastoral area where wat...The Nkoup watershed(10°35’-10°47’E and 5°27’-5°42’N)is a volcanic zone situated in Nun Plain West Cameroon.The high fertility of the soils makes it a strategic agropastoral area where water resources are heavily exploited and used for several purposes.Due to human activities,soils and water resources are deteriorating,giving birth to water pollution and hydromorphological hazards.This work aims to determine the hydromorphometric parameters of the Nkoup watershed so that the data obtained help in the sustainable management of water resources and conservation of soil.To achieve this aim,various data were collected from DEM dataset derived from SRTM and processed in specialized software(QGIS and ArGIS).The simplified hydrological balance was calculated using the upstream approach.The Nkoup watershed has:Axial length L_(ax)=25.8 km,Axial Width W_(ax)=11.1 km,Perimeter P=132.6 km,Area A=173.7 km^(2),Average Altitude Ha=1726.3 m,Compactness Index Icomp=2.8,Relief ratio Rr=3.9 m/km,Circularity ratio Rc=0.1,Elongation ratio R=0.1,Drainage texture ratio Rt=0.6,Drainage density Dd=0.5 km/km^(2).Stream Frequency Fs=0.4,Channel Sinuosity Index CSI=0.8,Stream gradient Sg=0.6 and global slope Index Ig=6.8 m/km.The specific height Difference Ds=89.4 m shows moderate relief.The precipitation and evapotranspiration are unevenly distributed.With P=187.7 mm/an,ETP=953.4 mm/an,Q=4.2 m3/s,R=762.5 mm/an,ETR=832.3 mm/an and I=282.9 mm/an.The Nkoup,36.9 km long,has a sinuous aspect due to the low slope and the high CSI.The piezometric levels vary according to the seasons and the groundwater flow follows the N-S direction as surface flow.展开更多
The “Internet of Things” (IoT) refers to a set of intelligent “objects” that can communicate with each other directly or through a network. The IoT is the embodiment of the idea that everything can be connected an...The “Internet of Things” (IoT) refers to a set of intelligent “objects” that can communicate with each other directly or through a network. The IoT is the embodiment of the idea that everything can be connected anywhere and at any time. The concept can be applied to sectors such as e-health, e-government, automotive, geographic information systems, remote sensing, home networking, e-commerce and climate change mitigation. Unlike the Internet, the IoT has its own constraints, notably those linked to heterogeneity. This divergence is linked to different protocols, technologies and algorithms implemented in these connected objects for their interconnection. It should be noted that IoT devices can communicate with each other using different protocols and dedicated M2M (Machine to Machine) communication technologies. The aim of this work is to find solutions for optimising energy consumption during data exchanges between connected objects, with respect to certain constraints by using firstly this exchange for only Message Queuing Telemetry Transport (MQTT) and secondly the combination of the MQTT protocol and the Constrained Application Protocol (CoAP) protocol to check the quantity of the energy optimized. The MQTT protocol, for example, is one of the most widely used protocols for connected objects. Admittedly, this protocol consumes less energy, but in the situation of a very large number of users, the problem of saturation inevitably arises. In this article, we propose a solution of optimising energy consumption by combining the MQTT protocol with the CoAP protocol which can allow to use the standby mode contrary to the use of MQTT where the broker is always being turning. This solution has not yet been implemented but is being discussed. In this article, we’re going to use the joulemeter which is an application developed by Microsoft to measure and estimate the energy consumption of computers and applications. In our case, we take the example of the “Service Broker for network connections” of the Windows’s 10 Operating System, in my own computer to show the difference between the consumption of energy without the standby mode and with standby mode, because with the MQTT, the Broker’s MQTT is always on. Now, with the combination MQTT and CoAP, it is possible that we have standby mode and to compare these two cases in term of consumption of an energy. And to do it, we must use the joulemeter that we installed in our computer to simulate it. This is achieved by using the CoAP protocol combined with the MQTT protocol. The aim of our work is to reduce energy consumption in order to solve the problem of saturation of the MQTT by linking it to CoAP protocol by using Joulemeter mentioned above.展开更多
The remarkable push of technologies increasingly recommends materials for their constructions.Hence the extraction of alumina is for different uses.The exploitation of bauxite pollutes the surrounding areas in this ca...The remarkable push of technologies increasingly recommends materials for their constructions.Hence the extraction of alumina is for different uses.The exploitation of bauxite pollutes the surrounding areas in this case the discharge of mud wheel.Furthermore,the excessive use of dangerous conventional synthetic insecticides continues to be in circulation in Cameroon despite the known adverse effects.These problems lead us to formulate bio insecticides from rejection of the extraction of alumina and extracts of S.aromaticum and Citrus sinensis which respectively offer us essential oils eugenol and limonene having insecticidal properties against the main insects,pests of corn stocks,Sitophilus zeamais.From the kinetic point of view of the adsorption of the extracts of eugenol,limonene and their association by the red mud,the adsorption curve shows that the Eu/Li mixture(30/70)is better by 0.36 mg/g during the 24 h.The results showed a high toxicity of the Eu-Li binary mixture of ratio 30/70 with respective mortality rates of 95.88%after 8 days of exposure to the concentration of 5 mL/L on the adults of Sitophilus zeamais.The other composites induce an average rate of 80%.The results from the physicochemical analysis of corn before and after treatment with formulated insecticides showed a slight loss in nutritional quality of 14.90%in ash,12.5%in protein,16.14%in lipids and 13.63%in total sugars for 180 days.The powdery formulation from red mud and Eu-Li(30/70)mixture can therefore ensure the protection of corn stocks against Sitophilus zeamais in a farming environment.展开更多
The Non-explosive expansion material (NEEM) is a method more environmentally friendly than the harmful conventional rock fracturing techniques. However, it is slower and very costly. Thus, any means of economizing the...The Non-explosive expansion material (NEEM) is a method more environmentally friendly than the harmful conventional rock fracturing techniques. However, it is slower and very costly. Thus, any means of economizing their use is very desirable. This paper investigates the crack growth between two neighboring holes of a gneiss rock internally pressurized by NEEM mixed with water with the aim to evaluate the influence of holes spacing (center-to-center distance), on the initiation and growth of cracks. Field experimental results reveal that crack starts earlier and grows faster with increasing ambient temperature. But when the ambient temperature is above 28<span style="white-space:nowrap;">°</span>C, the NEEM is “blown out” of the holes. At these ambient temperatures, the surrounding rocks are hot and cannot dissipate efficiently the heat generated by the hydration reaction. The best filling time was found to be in the evening when the daily hot temperature has drooped. The time to first crack increases as hole diameter decrease<span style="font-family:Verdana;">s</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">. The 3D numerical modeling and simulation of crack growth between two neighboring holes internally pressurized by NEEM using ABAQUS (XFEM/CZM) software show</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">s</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> a good agreement with the theoretical and experimental results.</span>展开更多
文摘During the years 2021 and 2022, the city of Maroua experienced repeated power blackouts. However, this locality has significant photovoltaic energy potential. Nevertheless, the evaluation of the electrical performance showed the dependence of the population on these fluctuations, which could be bypassed or suppressed. In most cases, the blackout occurs during high energy demand. In this paper, a method for evaluating electrical efficiency is proposed and its credibility has been demonstrated on the one hand, and on the other hand, a renewable energy production system is proposed. The Homer software has made possible the analysis of the proposed system and its impact on the environment has also been carried out. The techno-economic study of the system has proved that a solar photovoltaic farm associated with an energy storage system, with a capacity of 47 MW, can meet the energy demand of the town of Maroua. This alternative is profitable for this locality which lives in a precarious situation and a continuous need.
文摘In this study, we analyse the climate variability in the Upper Benue basin and assess its potential impact on the hydrology regime under two different greenhouse gas emission scenarios. The hydrological regime of the basin is more vulnerable to climate variability, especially precipitation and temperature. Observed hydroclimatic data (1950-2015) was analysed using a statistical approach. The potential impact of future climate change on the hydrological regime is quantified using the GR2M model and two climate models: HadGEM2-ES and MIROC5 from CMIP5 under RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 greenhouse gas emission scenarios. The main result shows that precipitation varies significantly according to the geographical location and time in the Upper Benue basin. The trend analysis of climatic parameters shows a decrease in annual average precipitation across the study area at a rate of -0.568 mm/year which represents about 37 mm/year over the time 1950-2015 compared to the 1961-1990 reference period. An increase of 0.7°C in mean temperature and 14% of PET are also observed according to the same reference period. The two climate models predict a warming of the basin of about 2°C for both RCP 4.5 and 8.5 scenarios and an increase in precipitation between 1% and 10% between 2015 and 2100. Similarly, the average annual flow is projected to increase by about +2% to +10% in the future for both RCP 4.5 and 8.5 scenarios between 2015 and 2100. Therefore, it is primordial to develop adaptation and mitigation measures to manage efficiently the availability of water resources.
文摘Buildings constructed using modern materials such as cement are energy-intensive, facilitate heat transfer and thus promote warming inside the building. However, the Sudano-Sahelian regions have a hot climate occupying a large period of the year, thus requiring not only sustainable construction materials, but also which provide thermal comfort in the building by limiting the energy demand for air conditioning. These qualifications are important for sub-Saharan African countries in general and those of the Sudano-Sahelian zone in particular, which need ecological materials with good thermal performance to limit heating inside buildings. This study is an energy recovery of agricultural waste in buildings with a view to offering the populations of the northern regions of Cameroon suitable materials at lower cost for the construction of buildings. The soil used for this study was extracted from the locality of Yagoua where the populations make abundant use of mud bricks. Fonio waste was incorporated at low levels into the earth bricks, particularly at 0%, 1%, 2%, 3%, and 4%, with a view to strengthening their thermophysical and mechanical properties. The results obtained indicate that earth bricks reinforced with 4% waste showed better thermal and mechanical insulation properties compared to other formulations with an improvement of 16% and 78% respectively compared to the unreinforced samples. This research allows us to conclude that fonio waste can be used practically without expense in the building with a view to its energy recovery and will promote not only thermal comfort and the limitation of the energy supply for air conditioning, but the construction of more sustainable buildings with a cleaner environment.
文摘The increase in oil prices and greenhouse gas emissions has led to the search for substitutes for fossil fuels. In Cameroon, the abundance of lignocellulosic resources is inherent to agricultural activity. Production of bioethanol remains a challenge given the crystallinity of cellulose and the presence of the complex. The pretreatment aimed to solubilize the lignin fraction and to make cellulose more accessible to the hydrolytic enzymes, was done using the organosolv process. A mathematical modeling was performed to point out the effect of the temperature on the kinetics of the release of the reducing sugars during the pretreatment. Two mathematical model was used, SAEMAN’s model and Response surface methodology. The first show that the kinetic parameters of the hydrolysis of the cellulose and reducing sugar are: 0.05089 min<sup>-1</sup>, 5358.1461 J·mol<sup>-1</sup>, 1383.03691 min<sup>-1</sup>, 51577.6100 J·mol<sup>-1</sup> respectively. The second model was used. Temperature is the factor having the most positive influence whereas, ethanol concentration is not an essential factor. To release the maximum, an organosolv pre-treatment of this sub-strate should be carried out at 209.08°C for 47.60 min with an ethanol-water ratio of 24.02%. Organosolv pre-treatment is an effective process for delignification of the lignocellulosic structure.
文摘This study focuses on the assessment of “the advancement of the mining front (gold panning) in and around protected areas”. The aim of this article is to evaluate, using geomatics tools, the recent advance of the mining front (gold panning) in Benue National Park (PNB) and Bouba-Ndjidda (PNBN) for their planning purposes. We adopted a methodological approach articulated from the field surveys to the processing of satellite images and the integration of the data into a GIS. Thus, 30 gold panning sites were visited, including 16 in the PNB and 14 in the PNBN. From the mapping of the pressures exerted by this activity, it appears that 143.8 km and 73.8 km of cumulated linear were exploited respectively in the GNP and the PNBN;moreover, the results allowed us to detect that the surfaces degraded by gold panning are more important in Benue than in Bouba Ndjidda. The massive influx of migrants from the more populated areas of the Far North of Cameroon as well as neighboring countries (Chad, Nigeria and the Central African Republic) has not only brought about the growth of a pioneering agricultural front, but also the mining front, following the gold rush from 2009;which has led to huge environmental consequences in these protected areas.
文摘This paper presents a method for optimizing a grid-connected photovoltaic system through an LCL filter. An algorithm based on particle swarm optimization (PSO) is used to determine the number of batteries, the number of panels in series and in parallel, as well as to evaluate the joule losses due to cable heating and the switching losses of the multilevel inverters. This system is applied to a village named YAGOUA, located in the far north of Cameroon. The evaluation of the Joule effect and the switching losses as well as the regulation of the voltage level at the point of common coupling (PCC) are carried out in PVsyst and Matlab software, then at IEEE 33 bus. This algorithm reduced the Joule losses to 1.2% and the switching losses to 2.2%. A power of 210.4 MWh is produced, to be injected in the electrical network via an LCL filter. The THD calculation gave a rate of 3.015% in accordance with the 519 standards. Synchronization through the Phase Locked Loop (PLL) is performed. After the power was injected into the grid, the voltage and current remained in phase, showing the power factor correction and the efficiency of the filter. According to NASA meteorological data, the locality of YAGOUA gives the global solar irradiation forecast of 6.8 kW/m2.
文摘The objective of this work is to develop new biosourced insulating composites from rice husks and wood chips that can be used in the building sector. It appears from the properties of the precursors that rice chips and husks are materials which can have good thermal conductivity and therefore the combination of these precursors could make it possible to obtain panels with good insulating properties. With regard to environmental and climatic constraints, the composite panels formulated at various rates were tested and the physico-mechanical and thermal properties showed that it was essential to add a crosslinker in order to increase certain solicitation. an incorporation rate of 12% to 30% made it possible to obtain panels with low thermal conductivity, a low surface water absorption capacity and which gives the composite good thermal insulation and will find many applications in the construction and real estate sector. Finally, new solutions to improve the fire reaction of the insulation panels are tested which allows to identify suitable solutions for the developed composites. In view of the flame tests, the panels obtained are good and can effectively combat fire safety in public buildings.
文摘In this study, the natural fibers from Coconuts of the species Coco nucifera L. were Chemically extracted in different solvents such as sodium hydroxide (SH), acetone (AC) and sodium hydroxide-acetone (SHA) for their applications in the textile industries. Structural, morphological and physico-mechanical characterizations such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR), scanned electron microscopy (SEM), measurements of density, Young’s modulus, water absorption rate and humidity were evaluated. The XRD and FTIR results show that Coco nucifera L. fibers contains type I cellulose. Mechanical characterizations were also carried out. These results show that by varying the different solvents used, the physico-chemical, mechanical and morphological properties of the fibers change, which implies that the solvent has an influence on the properties of these fibers. The fibers extracted by the sodium hydroxide-acetone mixture have a linear density of 1.636, the percentage of water absorption is 62.428%, the percentage of moisture absorption 9.605% compared to other values in the literature shows that this solvent mixture improves the properties of coconut fibers which contain type I cellulose. The tensile stress is 0.013 GPa, the percentage strain is 49.836% and the Young’s modulus is 0.114 GPa as well as the percentage elongation show that these fibers are elasto-plastic. The values obtained mean that these fibers are suitable for use in textiles.
文摘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.
文摘In South Saharan countries, 85% of the population uses biomass as a primary energy source. Cameroon presents one of the highest biomass energy and sawmills produce important sawdust resources which are not used and are burnt in piles leading to significant air toxic emissions. Therefore, we have to valorize industrially these available sawdusts. This study focuses on the physicochemical and thermochemical analysis of Ayous, Sapelli and Tali sawdust. The proximate and ultimate analysis, particle size, structural composition, as well as heavy metal content and calorific value were determined. In addition, the thermogravimetric mass losses were also estimated. The results showed that high water contents (24% - 41%) were recorded in the raw sawdust, and the thermal treatment reduced these contents from 78% to values in the range of 4% - 9%. The values for ash and volatile matter content were respectively between 0.25% - 0.74% and 68% - 76%. The LHV is higher in Ayous (17.5 MJ/kg) and Sapelli (16.8 MJ/kg) than that of Tali (15.7 MJ/kg). The concentration of heavy metals is very low in each species. Extractives are more present in Tali (16.06%) than in the other sawdusts. Pyrolysis of sawdust shows the typical decomposition of hemicellulose (270˚C - 325˚C), cellulose (325˚C - 400˚C) and lignin (200˚C - 550˚C) with a maximum loss of 75% at 370˚C and the melting point is 320˚C. The results of the sawdust parameters determined in the paper can be valorized to reduce pollutants emissions by developing the efficiency and effectiveness of biomass energy processes and promoting the use of biomass as a sustainable alternative to traditional fossil fuels.
文摘Carbonation is a natural aging process that occurs in all types of concrete. One of its primary implications is the acceleration of steel corrosion caused by the phenomena of depassivation. The goal of this research is to investigate the carbonation of quarry sand-based concrete. The concrete is made of 100% crushed sand 0/6.3, gravel 8/15, and 15/25 from the Arab Contractor quarry in Nomayos, Cameroon, with CEM II B-P 42.5 R from CIMENCAM (Cimenteries du Cameroun). The study employed two admixtures: one with a dual superplasticizing and reducing action (Sikamen) and another with a water-repellent effect (Sika liquid). Carbonation was performed on concrete samples at the following dates: 0, 7, 14, 28, 56, 90, 180 days, one year, and six months. Carbonated concrete (CC) and non-carbonated concrete (NCC) samples are compared in terms of their physical attributes and mineralogical characteristics. The results of this investigation reveal that after more than a year and six months of carbonation, porosity decreases and permeability increases. Despite the high fineness modulus of quarry sand, the compressive strength of quarry sand-based concrete is satisfactory. Carbonation depth is relatively high on some dates, exceeding the minimal cover value for concrete reinforcement. Sikament additive increases concrete compactness and durability while decreasing permeability. Sika water repellant mixes with the lime in cement to generate complimentary crystallizations that block the mortar’s capillaries, making it watertight.
文摘The use of groundwater for drinking water supply to the population is increasingly practiced in the rice cultivation area of Maga. However, there is a lack of knowledge about the hydrochemical characteristics of this water due to a lack of quality control. This study aims to contribute to the understanding of mineralization processes in order to establish the hydrochemical profile of the water in the area. The methodological approach consisted of collecting fifteen water samples from wells and boreholes during six campaigns for physicochemical analysis, and studying them through methods of interpreting hydrochemical data. The analysis results show that these waters are moderately mineralized. The water facies are mainly of the bicarbonate sodium and potassium type, as well as the bicarbonate calcium and magnesium type. Calculation of saturation indices demonstrates that evaporite minerals show lower degrees of saturation than carbonate minerals, with gypsum, anhydrite, and halite being in a highly undersaturated state. The mineralization of groundwater originates from the dissolution of surrounding rocks on the one hand, and anthropogenic activities involving exchanges between alkalis (Na+ and K+) in the aquifer and alkaline earth (Ca2+ and Mg2+), resulting in the fixation of alkaline earth and the dissolution of alkalis.
文摘Energy is a crucial material for the development of our economy.Access to sufficient energy remains a major concern for developing countries,particularly those in sub-Saharan Africa.The major challenge lies in access to clean,environmentally friendly,quality and low-cost energy in different households in our municipalities.To cope with this vast energy gap,many households are dependent on fossil fuels.In Cameroon,the consumption of wood for the supply of energy is increasing by 4%per year.Overall,approximately 80%of households in Cameroon depend on woody biomass as the sole main source of energy supply in Cameroon and demand is growing over time.In view of the climatic variations that our countries,particularly Cameroon,undergo through deforestation,the use of wood as a source of energy is expensive and harmful to the environment,hence the urgency of replacing wood with renewable energy.Biogas is one of the most versatile sources of renewable energy.On an industrial scale,it is important to automate the process control.The main objective of the present work is to model the anaerobic digestion of coffee and cocoa hulls using the particle swarm optimisation method.Pretreatment using the organosolv process was done.This resulted in 48%lignin removal and 22%cellulose increase.For the pretreated biomass,the maximum production rate was 21 NmLCH4 per day with a biomethane yield of 90 NmLCH4/gVS.This represents an enhancement of 117%in biomethane yield.A positive flammability test was recorded after the 10th day of retention time.Moreover,the data collected during anaerobic digestion allowed implementation of a two-phase mathematical model.The thirteen parameters of the model were estimated with particle swarm optimisation method in Matlab.The model was able to simulate the biomethane production kinetics and variation of volatile fatty acid concentration.
文摘The integration of distributed generations (DGs) into distribution systems (DSs) is increasingly becoming a solution for compensating for isolated local energy systems (ILESs). Additionally, distributed generations are used for self-consumption with excess energy injected into centralized grids (CGs). However, the improper sizing of renewable energy systems (RESs) exposes the entire system to power losses. This work presents an optimization of a system consisting of distributed generations. Firstly, PSO algorithms evaluate the size of the entire system on the IEEE bus 14 test standard. Secondly, the size of the system is allocated using improved Particles Swarm Optimization (IPSO). The convergence speed of the objective function enables a conjecture to be made about the robustness of the proposed system. The power and voltage profile on the IEEE 14-bus standard displays a decrease in power losses and an appropriate response to energy demands (EDs), validating the proposed method.
文摘This article deals with the characterization of local materials used in insulation building heat. These materials are bricks of earth compressed and stabilized with rice husks. Thermal conductivity, the specific heat and the thermal diffusivity of materials based on clay incorporating rate of 0, 2%, 4%, 6%, 8% and 10% are determined. The results showed that the clay blocks + rice balls had better thermal insulators than simple clay blocks. However, these composite materials used for the envelope of the building must have sufficient mechanical resistance when used in construction. The measurement of mechanical properties such as compressive strength showed an improvement of 6% and beyond, a drop in resistance when increasing rice husks in clay is observed. These results allow to specify the optimal conditions of use of these materials for the building envelope.
文摘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.
文摘The Nkoup watershed(10°35’-10°47’E and 5°27’-5°42’N)is a volcanic zone situated in Nun Plain West Cameroon.The high fertility of the soils makes it a strategic agropastoral area where water resources are heavily exploited and used for several purposes.Due to human activities,soils and water resources are deteriorating,giving birth to water pollution and hydromorphological hazards.This work aims to determine the hydromorphometric parameters of the Nkoup watershed so that the data obtained help in the sustainable management of water resources and conservation of soil.To achieve this aim,various data were collected from DEM dataset derived from SRTM and processed in specialized software(QGIS and ArGIS).The simplified hydrological balance was calculated using the upstream approach.The Nkoup watershed has:Axial length L_(ax)=25.8 km,Axial Width W_(ax)=11.1 km,Perimeter P=132.6 km,Area A=173.7 km^(2),Average Altitude Ha=1726.3 m,Compactness Index Icomp=2.8,Relief ratio Rr=3.9 m/km,Circularity ratio Rc=0.1,Elongation ratio R=0.1,Drainage texture ratio Rt=0.6,Drainage density Dd=0.5 km/km^(2).Stream Frequency Fs=0.4,Channel Sinuosity Index CSI=0.8,Stream gradient Sg=0.6 and global slope Index Ig=6.8 m/km.The specific height Difference Ds=89.4 m shows moderate relief.The precipitation and evapotranspiration are unevenly distributed.With P=187.7 mm/an,ETP=953.4 mm/an,Q=4.2 m3/s,R=762.5 mm/an,ETR=832.3 mm/an and I=282.9 mm/an.The Nkoup,36.9 km long,has a sinuous aspect due to the low slope and the high CSI.The piezometric levels vary according to the seasons and the groundwater flow follows the N-S direction as surface flow.
文摘The “Internet of Things” (IoT) refers to a set of intelligent “objects” that can communicate with each other directly or through a network. The IoT is the embodiment of the idea that everything can be connected anywhere and at any time. The concept can be applied to sectors such as e-health, e-government, automotive, geographic information systems, remote sensing, home networking, e-commerce and climate change mitigation. Unlike the Internet, the IoT has its own constraints, notably those linked to heterogeneity. This divergence is linked to different protocols, technologies and algorithms implemented in these connected objects for their interconnection. It should be noted that IoT devices can communicate with each other using different protocols and dedicated M2M (Machine to Machine) communication technologies. The aim of this work is to find solutions for optimising energy consumption during data exchanges between connected objects, with respect to certain constraints by using firstly this exchange for only Message Queuing Telemetry Transport (MQTT) and secondly the combination of the MQTT protocol and the Constrained Application Protocol (CoAP) protocol to check the quantity of the energy optimized. The MQTT protocol, for example, is one of the most widely used protocols for connected objects. Admittedly, this protocol consumes less energy, but in the situation of a very large number of users, the problem of saturation inevitably arises. In this article, we propose a solution of optimising energy consumption by combining the MQTT protocol with the CoAP protocol which can allow to use the standby mode contrary to the use of MQTT where the broker is always being turning. This solution has not yet been implemented but is being discussed. In this article, we’re going to use the joulemeter which is an application developed by Microsoft to measure and estimate the energy consumption of computers and applications. In our case, we take the example of the “Service Broker for network connections” of the Windows’s 10 Operating System, in my own computer to show the difference between the consumption of energy without the standby mode and with standby mode, because with the MQTT, the Broker’s MQTT is always on. Now, with the combination MQTT and CoAP, it is possible that we have standby mode and to compare these two cases in term of consumption of an energy. And to do it, we must use the joulemeter that we installed in our computer to simulate it. This is achieved by using the CoAP protocol combined with the MQTT protocol. The aim of our work is to reduce energy consumption in order to solve the problem of saturation of the MQTT by linking it to CoAP protocol by using Joulemeter mentioned above.
文摘The remarkable push of technologies increasingly recommends materials for their constructions.Hence the extraction of alumina is for different uses.The exploitation of bauxite pollutes the surrounding areas in this case the discharge of mud wheel.Furthermore,the excessive use of dangerous conventional synthetic insecticides continues to be in circulation in Cameroon despite the known adverse effects.These problems lead us to formulate bio insecticides from rejection of the extraction of alumina and extracts of S.aromaticum and Citrus sinensis which respectively offer us essential oils eugenol and limonene having insecticidal properties against the main insects,pests of corn stocks,Sitophilus zeamais.From the kinetic point of view of the adsorption of the extracts of eugenol,limonene and their association by the red mud,the adsorption curve shows that the Eu/Li mixture(30/70)is better by 0.36 mg/g during the 24 h.The results showed a high toxicity of the Eu-Li binary mixture of ratio 30/70 with respective mortality rates of 95.88%after 8 days of exposure to the concentration of 5 mL/L on the adults of Sitophilus zeamais.The other composites induce an average rate of 80%.The results from the physicochemical analysis of corn before and after treatment with formulated insecticides showed a slight loss in nutritional quality of 14.90%in ash,12.5%in protein,16.14%in lipids and 13.63%in total sugars for 180 days.The powdery formulation from red mud and Eu-Li(30/70)mixture can therefore ensure the protection of corn stocks against Sitophilus zeamais in a farming environment.
文摘The Non-explosive expansion material (NEEM) is a method more environmentally friendly than the harmful conventional rock fracturing techniques. However, it is slower and very costly. Thus, any means of economizing their use is very desirable. This paper investigates the crack growth between two neighboring holes of a gneiss rock internally pressurized by NEEM mixed with water with the aim to evaluate the influence of holes spacing (center-to-center distance), on the initiation and growth of cracks. Field experimental results reveal that crack starts earlier and grows faster with increasing ambient temperature. But when the ambient temperature is above 28<span style="white-space:nowrap;">°</span>C, the NEEM is “blown out” of the holes. At these ambient temperatures, the surrounding rocks are hot and cannot dissipate efficiently the heat generated by the hydration reaction. The best filling time was found to be in the evening when the daily hot temperature has drooped. The time to first crack increases as hole diameter decrease<span style="font-family:Verdana;">s</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">. The 3D numerical modeling and simulation of crack growth between two neighboring holes internally pressurized by NEEM using ABAQUS (XFEM/CZM) software show</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">s</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> a good agreement with the theoretical and experimental results.</span>