Department of Physical Sciences

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https://repository.run.edu.ng/handle/123456789/74

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Browsing Department of Physical Sciences by Subject "Aerosol"

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    Development of an Electronic Load I-V Curve Tracer to Investigate the Impact of Harmattan Aerosol Loading on PV Module pern2tkformance in Southwest Nigeria
    (Solar Energy, 2018) Willoughby, Alexander
    in Southwest Nigeria. To this end, a simple, open-source, cost effective electronic load I-V curve tracer was developed to compare the I-V characteristics of a pair of horizontally positioned 80W monocrystalline modules for the duration of the Harmattan period. The control module was regularly cleaned manually and the other module left to accumulate the Harmattan dust deposits. In order to obtain the modules’ characteristic parameters, an Arduino-based pulse width modulation (pwm) duty cycle was implemented to vary simultaneously, the gate-source voltages, VGS, of two power metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) acting as fast variable loads for the modules. Experimental results acquired from the prototype circuit demonstrate that this method provides a more accurate approach and faster response than the resistive load tracer method. The prototype instrument was able to measure and reproduce characteristic curves that are obtainable from the more expensive branded products. Resulting curves depict reduction in the short circuit current, ISC, the current at maximum power, IMP, the power output, PMP and the efficiency, η of the dusty module by more than 18% in comparison with the control module over the measurement period.
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    Development of an Electronic Load IV Curve Tracer to Investigate the Impact of Harmattan Aerosol Loading on PV Module Pern2tkformance in Southwest Nigeria
    (Solar Energy, 2018-05-05) Osinowo, Muritala
    This study investigates the impact of the seasonal Harmattan aerosol loading on PV module efficiency at a station in Southwest Nigeria. To this end, a simple, open-source, cost effective electronic load I-V curve tracer was developed to compare the I-V characteristics of a pair of horizontally positioned 80W monocrystalline modules for the duration of the Harmattan period. The control module was regularly cleaned manually and the other module left to accumulate the Harmattan dust deposits. In order to obtain the modules’ characteristic parameters, an Arduino-based pulse width modulation (pwm) duty cycle was implemented to vary simultaneously, the gate-source voltages, VGS, of two power metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) acting as fast variable loads for the modules. Experimental results acquired from the prototype circuit demonstrate that this method provides a more accurate approach and faster response than the resistive load tracer method. The prototype instrument was able to measure and reproduce characteristic curves that are obtainable from the more expensive branded products. Resulting curves depict reduction in the short circuit current, ISC, the current at maximum power, IMP, the power output, PMP and the efficiency, η of the dusty module by more than 18% in comparison with the control module over the measurement period.
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    Sectional Investigation of Seasonal Variations of Surface Refractivity and Water Vapour Density over Nigeria
    (International Journal of Applied Engineering Research, 2017) Willoughby, Alexander
    The accurate knowledge of radio refractive and water vapour density of the troposphere is important in the planning, budgeting and designing of transmission and reception of radiowave signals on earth-space path. Hence, there is the need to adopt more precise techniques to analyze the seasonal variation of refractivity and water vapour density over Nigeria. The seasonal variation of refractivity and water vapour density was studied using thirty-nine years meteorological data for forty-eight (48) stations over Nigeria. The forty-eight stations were grouped into nine vegetation and two major climates in Nigeria. Harmonic analysis approach was used in addition to the monthly mean computation. The results show that Forests zones values of refractivity and water vapour density are higher than Savannahs zones values. The refractivity value increases from about 281 N units at Sudarian Woodland in January to about 383.6 N units at Mangrove station in June. Water vapour density value increases from about 5.18 g/m3 at Brush and Thicket station in November to maximum value of about 22.36 g/m3 at Swamp Forest station in May. Results also show that over 80% variations in refractivity and over 70% variations in water vapour density are revealed in the first three harmonics at all the nine stations. The results indicate that the method of harmonic amplitudes and phases give a more analytical comparison between predictions model and observational data.