ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Design of automatic water tank filling system using a programmable logic controller

The drinking water purification industry has become one of the largest industries in Ghana. A search conducted on the National Association of Sachet and Packaged Water Producers (NASPWAP) suggests that there are about 6,000 of such companies registered in Ghana in the last five years. Currently a lot of water purification systems in Ghana are either manual or semi-automated with the former in the majority. In the absence of automation, plant operators have to physically monitor performance values of water and equipment to determine the best settings on which to run the production equipment. Some of the automated systems in use employ relay logic associated with large amounts of electrical wiring. Manualization of a water purification processes exposes the process to some shortcomings or challenges. In a water purification unit such as Everpure Ghana Limited, there are about 250 water tanks and 100 manually operated valves or units to control so monitoring is difficult and presents many challenges. This industrial project was aimed at designing an automated system of water tank filling using a programmable logic controller. The design was supposed to have the advantage of reducing human contact with the system and ensuring its efficiency. The method used in this project describes the main components used in the system design such as liquid level sensors, pump, and solenoid valves. The flow rate (using existing data from Everpure Ghana Limited), operating pressure and system head were calculated to select the right components for the system. The ladder logic for the water tank filling system was implemented by simulation using a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC). Picosoft 6 simulation software was used to demonstrate the automation at tank filling and tank emptying in relation to the valve opening and closing. To justify the benefits that can be accrued from automating the tank filling system, cost reduction and time savings analysis were calculated. Less human contact means less cost in terms of labour, maintenance, utility bills waste. The system provides room for improvements, so sensors and pumps can be increased as well as enhancing the protection of the pump.

Source: KNUST
Design of Biogas Septic Tanks for Treating Domestic Sewage

This study is to design a novel septic tank, named Anaerobic Upflow Domestic Septic Tank (AUDST) to recover biogas as energy and treat domestic sewage. The green technology proposes alternate options to existing Domestic Septic Tanks (DST), encourages anaerobically pre-treatment to reduce bacteria, pollutants, Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Chemical oxygen demand (COD) and Biological oxygen demand (BOD) before the effluent is discharged or is removed by cesspit trucks. Studies have shown that DST in homes partially treat or just store sewage. Again, these DST have to be emptied from time to time because it lack features that will sustain anaerobic activity and usually the sludge is disposed of directly into the sea, water bodies and even into open places such as “Lavender Hills’’ without any treatment or disinfection. These practices cause severe public health and environmental problems. To tackle the challenge at household level, DST are redesigned to treat domestic sewage with less management, low operating cost, low secondary discharge of pollutants. The proposed new design concept is operated through three (3) units: such as desilting, anaerobic digestion and facultative filtration units. The anaerobic digestion stage is made up of baffle and anaerobic filter for accommodating sludge and providing a more intimate contact between anaerobic biomass and sewage which improves treatment performance. The anaerobic unit is fitted with locally woven baskets prefilled with packing materials. The aim is to strengthen the biological treatment process at this stage. The Facultative Filtration unit of the model is also packed with filtering media such as gravels (3-6mm in diameter) that is low in cost, and has a high durability to produce effluent with lower pollutants and suspended solids content to meet Ghana’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards for the discharge of domestic effluents.

Source: KNUST
Design of HPLC Method for Simultaneous Quantification of Paracetamol and P-Aminophenol in Paracetamol Formulations: Tablets, Syrups and Suspensions

A simple isocratic reversed-phase HPLC method for the determination of Paracetamol and its major degradation impurity, p-aminophenol; was developed and validated for use in the analysis of paracetamol formulations...

Source: KNUST
Design of IP network using GPRS/UMTS/HSDPA+ Technology

The design and implementation of internet protocol (IP) networks is not new. Researches in the past have focused on the design and implementation of IP networks with Fixed Broadband (FBB) technologies. This study researches into how Mobile Broadband (MBB) technologies, such as General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) and Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), could be used as an alternative to FBB technologies in the design and implementation of IP networks for businesses. The study made use of the User Equipment-to-User Equipment (UE-to-UE) communication solely within the GPRS and UMTS Radio Access Network (RAN); MBB over layers two and three of the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model, promulgated by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO/IEC 7498-1, 1994), and Internet Protocol Security (IPsec) as methods in the design of the MBB IP networks for businesses. Data for both FBB and MBB were obtained from experiments and compared to support the objective of the research. The analysis of both technologies based on the experiments performed showed, they are basically at par in performance with each having its strengths and weaknesses. The research showed MBB has low latency where radio service is adequate but suffers attenuation where people are crowded. The experiments and analyses showed MBB is suitable for use in the design and implementation of IP networks for businesses.

Source: KNUST
The Design of HPLC and UV-Spectrophotometric Methods for Assay of 5-hydroxytryptophan in Seeds of Griffonia simplicfolia

5-Hydroxytryptophan is a naturally occurring amino acid found in significant levels in seeds of Griffonia simplicfolia. The overwhelming advantages it has over tryptophan in treating the numerous effects of serotonin deficiency syndrome have attracted the commercialization of seeds of Griffonia simplicifolia. Of much concern is the quality of the seeds, especially before export, as well as the final product. Hence, it was desired to establish HPLC and UV-spectrophotometric methods of assay for 5-HTP in seeds of Griffonia simplicifolia. Manipulating chromatographic conditions yielded an HPLC method in which 5- HTP in seeds of Griffonia simplicifolia could be assayed at a flow rate of 1, 5m1/min and a mobile phase composition of 3% methanol in NaH2PO4 buffer (p1-I 4.8). Crushing and shaking the seeds for l0mins in methanol-water (50:50) gave the maximum extraction of 5- HTP from the seeds. Using “amplem correction factor” developed from HPLC data, an UVspectrophotometric method of assay for 5-I-ITP was established which could be used in conjunction with the HPLC method in order to save time and cost of assaying bulk samples of the seeds. The level of 5-HTP in the seeds were found to decrease at a rate of 4.86% per month of storage under tropical atmospheric conditions. The methods developed in this work revealed that the seeds of Griffonia simplicifolia obtained in Ghana contained up to 20.83% fresh weight of 5-HTP.

Source: KNUST
Design of HPLC method and stability studies of cyanocobalamin injection

An accurate and selective HPLC with ultraviolet absorbance detection was developed for the quantification of vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) in vitamin B12 injections. The method developed involves an isocratic mode of elution of cyanocobalamin from a reversed-phase 150mm, 4.6mm, 5μm hypersil base-deactivated (BDS) C-18 column. Cyanocobalamin was quantitatively analysed using the HPLC method comprising methanol/ phosphate buffer pH7 (30 / 70 v/v) using ascorbic acid as an internal standard. Separation for quantitative determination was achieved within 6 minutes at a flow rate of 1.4ml/min .The absorbance of the drugs was monitored at 278nm at a detector sensitivity of 0.03. The standard calibration curves were linear with correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.996. The limit of quantification (LOQ) and detection (LOD) were 0.069 ug/ml and 0.0228ug/ml respectively. Four brands of cyanocobalamin injections sampled from some pharmacies and health facilities were analysed with the method and then compared with the standard UV method. The mean percentage recovery of the stated content of four batches of three brands of the injections were 99.00 ± 3.95, 96.05 ± 0.85, 96.00 ± 5.23, 94.36 ±8.73 as against a standard UV method va1ues of 100.33 ± 4.67, 96.97 ± 0.50, 96.22 ± 6.20, 94.47 ± 10.64 respectively. Moreover, within and between run relative standard deviations were 1.682% and 1.656% respectively for cyanocobalamin. These values were all less than the maximum threshold value of 2% for a method to be good as a precise method according to the ICH guidelines . All the validation parameters were assessed statistically and proven to be valid.

Source: KNUST
Design of pattern-reconfigurable circularly polarized unidirectional antenna based on quasi-radiator for ISM applications

A pattern-reconfigurable circularly polarized antenna for 2.45 GHz industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) band applications is designed in this work. The proposed antenna consists of a slotted-stepped monopole connected to a rectangular ground plane via a shorting side-stub. This converts the omnidirectional radiation pattern of the antenna into stable unidirectional radiation. To dynamically steer the realized pattern, two switchable RF PIN diodes are jointly incorporated into the side-stubs to achieve symmetrical radiations in specific operating modes. In this way, the radiation patterns can be simultaneously tuned in the y directions by the simple switching of the PIN diodes ON and OFF. The fabricated prototype achieves an S11 smaller than -10dB within the 3dB axial ratio (AR) bandwidth with stable far-field patterns. The antenna maintains a low-profile and compact size of 0:055λ20 which makes it suitable for body-centric wireless communication (BWC) and personal wireless area networks.

Source: KNUST
Design of reactive power pricing in electricity market in Ghana.

This study presents a new evolutionary method for reactive power pricing in deregulated electricity market based on optimal power flow. In modern deregulated electricity market, power system is operated near its secure boundaries with inadequate reserved margin. In guaranteeing adequate and reliable electricity supply ancillary services must be estimated to ensure appropriate and accurate pricing to warrant return on investment. The main purpose of this research is to use Particle Swarm Optimization method to establish reactive power prices supplied by distribution transformers on 11.5kV feeder using billed power and revenue data from GRIDCo and Northern Electricity Distribution Company. The research recommends that should the utilities or independent power producers decide to use this method to charge consumers of reactive power to warrant return on investment, it is necessary to educate consumers the need for reactive power in maintaining the voltage standard, reliable and adequate electricity supply. The implementation of this model in pricing reactive power as an ancillary service demand combined model of reactive power market, which encompasses regulated financial compensation for the costs of reactive power sources and value-based reactive power pricing. The proposed method has been applied on standard 15-bus distribution system and is recommended to be used by the utilities in the future to price reactive power generation at specific location in power network.

Source: KNUST
Design of Simple UV Spectrophotometric and HPLC Methods for the Assay of Artemether and Lumefantrine in Fixed-Dose Combination Tablets

Artemether-Lumefantrine combinations have become very important in the treatment of uncomplicated malaria. However, there are very few methods to assay these fixed-dose combination formulations. To help in ensuring the quality of these medications, simple and sensitive Ultra-Violet (UV) Spectrophotometric and High Performance Liquid Chromatographic (HPLC) methods of assaying Artemether and Lumefantrine in fixed-dose combination tablets were developed and validated. The UV Spectrophotometric method for the assay of Lumefantrine made use of a 0.1M methanolic HCl solution of Lumefantrine, with the analysis being carried out at 335nm whilst the UV assay of Artemether made use of its HCl decomposition product, with the analysis being carried out at 254nm. In the fixed-dose combination tablets, the UV methods proved suitable for the assay of only Lumefantrine, as Lumefantrine interfered with the analysis of Artemether. The assay of Artemether by the UV Spectrophotometric method was however possible in Artemether-only tablet formulations. The HPLC method required the separate analysis of Artemether and Lumefantrine as a simultaneous analysis of the two was not possible. The assay of Lumefantrine employed a C18 reverse phase column (Ultracarb 3μ ODS (20)) with an isocratic mixture of methanol and 0.1% Trifluoroacetic acid in water (90:10) as the mobile phase. The flow rate was 2.5ml/min and detection was by means of a UV detector set to 335nm. The retention time of Lumefantrine was 6.0 ± 0.19 minutes. The assay of Artemether employed the same C18 reverse phase column with an isocratic mixture of methanol and 0.04% Trifluoroacetic acid (90:10) as the mobile phase, pumped at a rate of 2.5ml/min. Detection was carried out with a UV detector set to 235nm. The retention time of Artemether was 5.8 ± 0.15 minutes. Six brands of Artemether-Lumefantrine fixed-dose combination tablets on the Ghanaian market (one local and five foreign) were analyzed. All the brands passed the Uniformity of Weight Test and the Tablet Disintegration Test. Of the Six brands of Artemether-Lumefantrine fixed-dose combination tablets analyzed, all passed with respect to their Lumefantrine content using both UV and HPLC. Two of the foreign brands however failed with respect to their Artemether content.

Source: KNUST
Design of simple UV spectrophotometric and HPLC methods for assay of artesunate and amodiaquine in fixed dose tablet formulations.

Artesunate and Amodiaquine combination is one of the first line drugs for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria. To prevent treatment failures and emergence of resistant strains of the Plasmodium parasite, patients are entreated to comply with treatment regimens. Thus fixed dose tablet formulations came as a relieve to patients, ensuring proper compliance as the number of tablets to be taken was reduced. It is therefore important to develop simple methods of assay for these formulations to ensure that quality drugs are available and to prevent resistance to these drugs. This thesis describes Ultraviolet (UV) and High Performance Liquid Chromatographic (HPLC) methods of assay for Artesunate(AS) and Amodiaduine Hydrochloride(AMQ) in fixed dose tablet formulations. The UV absorption spectroscopy was used to establish a wavelength of maximum absorption and the Beer’s plot generated. At 339nm, Amodiaquine Hydrochloride was assayed accurately in methanol with a high r2 value of 0.998, an intra and inter day precision of Relative Standard Deviation (RSD) of 1.52% and 1.86% respectively. The Beer’s plot was obeyed in a concentration range of 3.5 - 24.8(µg/mL). The limit of detection and limit of quantification was 1.23(µg/mL) and 3.73(µg/mL) respectively. However the UV method could not be used to assay AS simultaneously with AMQ. A mobile phase of 60% acetonitrile and 40% of 0.05% trifluoroacetic acid, flow rate of 1ml/min, wavelength of detection of 225nm and a C18 stationary phase are the parameters for the HPLC method. The r2 for the HPLC method was 0.996 and 0.995 for Amodiaquine hydrochloride and Artesunate respectively. The intra and inter day precision were 1.07% and 1.42% respectively. The limit of detection and limit of quantification were 0.015%w/v and 0.0465%w/v for Amodiaquine hydrochloride and 0.054%w/v and 0.019%w/v for Artesunate respectively. The concentration ranges were 0.01- 0.16%w/v for Amodiaquine hydrochloride and 0.01 – 0.2%w/v for Artesunate. The methods were used to assay three brands of tablet formulations in the Kumasi metropolis. The percentage content of Artesunate: Amodiaquine hydrochloride were 103.87:95.85, 97.04:110.02 and 109.32:101.34 for brand A, B and C respectively.

Source: KNUST
Design Studio Critique of Students’ Artwork in the Department of Communication Design, KNUST

The inability of design students to effectively and critically articulate their ideas in the professional language has been a challenge in most Ghanaian Universities. Critique which is an essential component in every design institution is undermined by most undergraduate design students in the Department of Communication Design, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology is not an exception. The activeness and enthusiasm as well as the purpose of the design critique practice is impaired. The participatory action research, descriptive and exploratory approaches under the qualitative research design were used. The data collection instruments used were: observation, questionnaire, unstructured interviews and focus group discussions. The introduction of the criteria into the design studio was expected to encourage active design critique responses and reactions in order to establish a more active teaching and learning in the design studio. Other forms of critique were also explored and this included online and written critique. These other forms of critique also helped to improve the design studio dynamics and fostered new teaching and learning approaches. Hence the introduction of the criteria boosted student-instructor interactivity as students became motivated to be active critical thinkers and learners. The level of students’ involvement was increased. The teaching of design history and research was in addition recommended to be added to the foundational courses, specifically at the first year level for adequate acquisition of knowledge and understanding in the practice of critique in the department.

Source: KNUST
Design probes and toolkits for healthcare: Identifying information needs in African communities through service design

: Design practice as a problem solving strategy explores ways of addressing challenges in organisations, communities, healthcare and many more. The process is usually human-centered, but in certain contexts, it is devoid of user inputs. The process starts with exploring a context and identifying the problem. We propose a service design approach that uses visual strategies of probing to empathise, among others, with users to find ideas that could be used to solve problems. In this study, the authors explore a co-design process developed to gain insights into healthcare, and access information needs of mothers in South Africa and Ghana. During these design processes, probes and toolkits were used to emphatically respond to the contexts and needs of participants. Through this process, health information needs and sources of participants were identified. The authors infer that probes are viable research tools to gain better understanding, when designing with users in African communities.

Source: KNUST
Design, construction and evaluation of a tractor-mounted groundnut harvester

Groundnut harvesting is a laborious operation especially on large-scale farms when the soil is dry and hard. Under such conditions, high losses ensue during harvesting because of inappropriate groundnut harvesting implements. The study sort to address this problem by designing a two row fully mounted groundnut harvester. Locally available materials were used for the construction of a tractor-mounted groundnut harvester. Four alternative designs were proposed and analysed based on the set criteria (safety, ease of fabrication, cost and ease of servicing) and the best among the designs was selected. The design was evaluated comparing the vine and pod yield, percentage pod loss, damaged pods and 1000-seed weight with four other harvesting methods (hand hoe, hand fork, hand pulling and cutlass). The experiment was carried out using a randomized complete block design comprising three blocks and five treatments. Results were analysed using analysis of variance at 95% confidence level. The tractor-mounted harvester recorded a vine and pod yield of 1833 kg/ha and a total percentage pod yield loss of 25.64% constituting 0.19% and 25.45% damaged and detached pod losses respectively compared with the hand hoe, cutlass, hand pulling and hand fork methods of harvesting. Groundnuts harvested with the tractor-mounted harvester recorded an average 1000-seed weight of 360 g second to hand fork harvesting with 394 g seed weight. Owing to the high losses of the harvester, it is recommended that the tractor-mounted harvester be modified to optimise and improve performance.

Source: KNUST
Design, construction and testing of a flue gas filter system for small scale incinerators

Increased public awareness posed by global warming has led to greater concern over the impact of anthropogenic emissions from incinerators. This lead to the development of alternative air pollution control systems such as wet scrubber systems, gravity separators, centrifugal collectors, fabric filters and electrostatic precipitators (ESP). This thesis is aimed at designing, construction and testing of a relatively simple, efficient and practical unit suitable for incinerator exhaust gas cleaning. A low energy orifice wet scrubber was constructed and tested with an existing small scale domestic waste incinerator. The inlet and outlet temperatures of the scrubber were recorded with pyrometers and the chimney outlet measured with infra-red thermometer. Smoke samples were passed through filter papers separately at the scrubber inlet and outlet to capture the smoke particles. The particles were observed under microscope at the KNUST Physics laboratory and the results analyzed. The smoke emissions from the incinerator exhaust during the testing of the incinerator were compared to the Ringelmann smoke chart and the smoke density before and after the filter installation determined. The scrubber was able to reduce the smoke density from 21.34 % to 17 %. The test result on particle distribution showed that the scrubber could not collect particle matter (PM) less than 5 μm and particle collection efficiency for PM greater than 30 μm was more than 80 percent. Mean particle size diameter at scrubber inlet and outlet were 73.4 μm and 23.8 μm respectively.

Source: KNUST