Research articles (Dept of Mechanical Engineering)
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Study on impact strength of untreated and alkali treated napier grass fiber strands reinforced epoxy composites
(ACE Publications, https://theacepublications.com, 2013)Napier grass fiber strands were extracted using the combined mechanical and water retting process. The extracted fiber strands were treated with various proportions (5, 10 and 15% w/v) of NaOH solution to improve their ... -
Assessment of potential for biodiesel feedstock of selected wild plant oils indigenous to Botswana
(Canadian Center of Science and Education (CCSE), www.ccsenet.org/eer, 2011-12)Biodiesel is attracting increasing attention worldwide as a blending component or a direct replacement of petroleum diesel fuel in transport sector.vThe challenge to scientists and engineers is to identify appropriate ... -
Biodiesel for sustainable energy provision in developing countries
(Scientific Research Publishing, http://www.scirp.org/, 2011-09)Consumption of fossil fuel resources has been growing over the years and it is the kernel of economic development. However combustion which takes place principally in automobiles, power generation and industrial plants ... -
Blending cooking oil biodiesel with petroleum diesel: a comparative performance test on a variable ic engine
(Scientific Research Publishing, http://www.scirp.org/, 2011-05)Research in biodiesel production has been motivated by several reasons including consistant increase in prices of pe-troleum diesel, environmental advantages, security of fuel supply, and employment creation. This paper ... -
Assessment of solar-coal hybrid electricity power generating systems
(David Publishing, http://www.davidpublishing.com/, 2012-01)Botswana currently depends on electricity generated from coal-based power plant or electricity supplied from the border in South Africa. The country has good reserves of coal and the solar radiation is sufficiently high ... -
Performance and emission characteristics of tylosema esculentum biodiesel in a diesel engine: an experimental investigation
(David Publishing, http://www.davidpublishing.com/, 2014-01-31)Biodiesel derived from indigenous feed stocks such as Tylosema esculentum kernel oil is deemed a feasible alternative to petroleum diesel for the diesel engine. This paper presents results of investigation of performance ... -
Marula oil and petrodiesel: a comparative performance analysis on a variable compression ignition engine
(Scientific Research Publishing, http://www.scirp.org/, 2011-07)The quest for biofuel production and use in Botswana is driven by factors including volatile oil prices, need for fuel security, potential for job creation, potential reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, and economic ... -
Chemical extraction and property analyses of marula nut oil for biodiesel production
(Scientific Research Publishing, http://www.scirp.org/, 2011-07)To identify and develop alternative and renewable sources of fuel for the transport sector is a present challenge for engineers and researchers. This work was carried out to assess yield of marula (Sclero carrya/birrea) ... -
Experimental assessment of locomotive brake blocks-case studies of Botswana Railways
(University of Botswana, www.ub.bw, 2011)The brake blocks employed on Botswana Railways locomotives have been found to fail frequently resulting in increased maintenance and operational costs. The paper presents the metallurgical and mechanical properties of two ... -
A review of mining taxation in selected SADC countries and Chile
(University of Botswana, http://www.ub.bw, 2004)Although most SADC countries have or were in the process of liberalizing their legislation and fiscal regimes some member states seemed to levy exorbitant tax rates. SADC members’ states need to note that in designing the ... -
Energy and exergy analyses of energy consumptions in the industrial sector in South Africa
(Elsevier http://www.elsevier.com, 2007)The energy-utilization over a 10-year period (1994–2003) has been analysed for the South African industrial sector, which consumes more primary energy than any other sector of the economy. Four principal sub-sectors, ... -
Cyclic plasticity of polycrystalline nickel under axial–torsional loading
(Elsevier, www.elsevier.com, 2010)The axial–torsional cyclic deformation behavior of polycrystalline nickel was investigated by performing fully reversed plastic strain amplitude controlled fatigue experiments at effective plastic strain amplitudes ranging ... -
A practical model for development of viable engineering education institutions in Africa: with a focus on management and quality of engineering eduation
(University of Botswana, www.ub.bw, 2001)One of the critical elements that determine the competitiveness of nations is the population density of, and quality of its engineers. This view has been corroborated by researchers such as Biluch (1989), Garelli et al ... -
The level of recycling operations in Botswana
(University of Botswana, www.ub.bw, 2004)This paper describes a case study that evaluated the level of recycling operations in Botswana. Recycling operations are now recommended as effective waste management strategies for reducing the amount of municipal solid ... -
Fundamentals of coal gasification technology and its relevance to Botswana coal industry
(University of Botswana, http://www.ub.bw, 1999)Coal is plentiful in many parts of the world but its combustion can create severe environmental and aesthetic problems.In the past three decades, the cost of crude oil and natural gas has been unstable and the reserves of ... -
Draught requirements of enamel coated animal drawn mouldboard plough
(Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences http://agriculturejournals.cz/web/RAE.htm, 2005)The power requirement of tillage implements is an important design consideration particularly for animal-drawn implements where the power is limited. The paper presents the possibility of reduction in the draught requirements ... -
Engineering education in Botswana
(Tempus Publications http://www.ijee.ie/, 2002)The economy of Botswana has grown rapidly since it became independent in 1966, but the population is only 1.7 million. Engineering construction projects are of large scale. The University of Botswana offers engineering ... -
A fourier method of determining the speed fluctuation coefficient of a general slider-crank mechanism
(University of Botswana, 2001)In this paper a method is presented which enables the solution of the equation of motion of the slider-crank mechanism. Expansion of functions into Fourier series is used in this method, whereby the solution of the equation ... -
Introduction to general education courses to engineering programmes at the University of Botswana
(Tempus Publications http://www.ijee.ie/, 2009)Complementary studies are fundamental for accreditation of engineering programmes in line with the Washington Accord. This paper presents the experiences of the University of Botswana in introducing General Education Courses ... -
Performance evaluation of commonly used oil ram press machines
(CIGR Journal http://www.cigrjournal.org/, 2007)The ram-press technology for oil expression has received a lot of attention in many African countries during the last two decades. The technology is based on manually operated mechanical presses, which employ a slider-crank ...
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