Browsing by Author "Donkor, Michael K. E."

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    An automated solar biomass hybrid dryer in rural communities in Ghana
    (ISES, 2017-10) Obeng-Akrofi, George; Akowuah, Joseph Oppong; Opoku-Agyeman, Gifty; Nkrumah, saac; Donkor, Michael K. E.; Tamakloe, Reuben Y.; Ampong, Francis K.; Waldhoff, Maike; Klaus, Tobias; Olenberg, Alexander; Kenig, Eugeny; Krauter, Stefan; 0000-0002-5563-5930
    Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was used to simulate the drying process of a Solar-Biomass Hybrid Dryer (SBHD). CFD simulations were set up with the software StarCCM+ for investigating the temperature distribution inside a 5-tonne prototype in a rural community in Ghana. The predicted temperature distributions were compared to the experimental data of temperature distribution in the dryer. The simulated results of Levels 1 and 2 within the dryer were 5–15 K higher than the experimental data. This was due to the introduction of cold air at the bottom of the dryer and also, the absence of the effect of the fans in the dryer during the simulation process. The simulated results fit nearly perfect for Layers 3 and 4 in the dryer with a deviation of not more than 5 K. All in all, the predicted simulation agrees with the experimental data. In order to improve drying conditions in the SBHD, it is suggested that the integration of an automated system which will aid in the controlled introduction of hot air at high air flow at the lower levels of the shelves in the dryer would be required.
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    EXPLORING THE USE OF RAW HONEY AS A FUEL SOURCE FOR MICROBIAL FUEL CELLS
    (Momento, 2022-11) Tamakloe, Reuben Y.; Kpeli, Matilda; Donkor, Michael K. E.; 0000-0002-5563-5930
    Microbial fuel cell (MFC) technologies are making headway in developing and expanding renewable energy through the conversion of organic matter to electricity. Various substrates can be used in the MFCs technology to enable energy generation, either pure substances or complex mixtures of organic materials. This study aims to consider the feasibility of raw honey as a fuel for mediator-less double-chamber MFC. The cell voltage was monitored in mediator-less double-chamber H2O2 cathode microbial fuel cell. The Mfensi clay partition and the raw honey were analyzed using FTIR-ATR. The results show the highest open-circuit voltage of 1414 mV with a maximum current density of 0.6540 A/m2 and a maximum power density of 247.0 W/m2. These results demonstrate that raw honey can be used for power generation in MFCs and for practical applications.