http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/7 Wed, 15 Jul 2026 12:56:46 GMT 2026-07-15T12:56:46Z http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/10342 Title: Mathematical modeling of the amplitude of saturated soil densities on field deformation Authors: Karugutiang, David Pkiach; Kweyu, Cleophas; Kaneba, Christopher Abstract: Landslide-induced surge waves pose significant threats to infrastructure, ecosystems, and human life in mountainous regions characterized by heavy rainfall and terrain instability. This study aims to develop a mathematical model using soil with different densities to generate varying-amplitude waves that describe the dynamics of landslide wave propagation, providing an adequate basis for mitigating the risk of landslides. The objective of this study is to develop a mathematical model to describe the dynamics of a landslide wave propagation. Experimental data are computed using the Runge-Kutta method built into MATLAB to simulate the model's current and future dynamics. The mathematical model is used to simulate and analyze landslide wave propagation phenomena in affected areas. Experimentation results showed that different soil densities generated a maximum amplitude of 0.86m at an incline angle of 500 with other decline angles like 33.20, and 24.20 that gradually decayed to 0. 45m at the far field with a slope of 19.20. These results showed precise prediction of amplitude waves at different zones on the landscape, thereby providing a reliable framework for understanding landslide surge mechanics, recommending its use in early warning systems, infrastructure planning, and necessitating the implementation of control strategies along the same region. Fri, 01 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/10342 2026-05-01T00:00:00Z http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/10341 Title: Energy utilization and saving opportunities in process industries: Case study of textile Manufacturing Industry in Kenya Authors: Kimutai, Isaiah K; Kimutai, Stephen K. Abstract: The industrial sector is seriously threatened by high energy costs brought on by inefficient energy use. Energy, together with labor and raw materials, make up the majority of production costs in the textile industry. As a result, the only real way for the textile industry to turn a profit and maintain its competitiveness is to reduce its energy costs through energy conservation measures and energy management strategies. The main objective of the study was to investigate energy utilization in textile manufacturing plant and identify energy saving and conservation measures that help reduce energy costs. In the current work, energy investigation was carried out to determine performance of high energy consuming utility systems and equipment such as compressed air systems, boilers, motors, lighting systems and steam distribution systems. Boiler flue gas analysis test, air compressor air leak test, heat loss analysis for steam distribution system, motor load assessment and load variation trends in air compressor were done. Energy utilization analysis showed that high electricity consumption occurs in spinning (48%), followed by weaving (26%) and wet processing (22%). Statistical analysis of energy consumption in spinning, weaving and wet processing showed linear relationship between production and energy consumption with correlation coefficients (R2 ) of 0.782, 0.708 and 0.637 respectively which reveals that there continues to be a large potential of energy efficiency across all the major textile manufacturing processes in the plant. The study found potential savings in electric energy to be approximately 367,784 kWh/year, wood fuel savings 1,219 tones/year and furnace oil savings to be 22,275 L/year. The results displayed 31.6% overall energy cost saving potential with an average simple payback period of 0.5 years on the investigated high energy consuming utility systems and equipment. In conclusion, significant energy savings in the sector might be attained by implementing free or inexpensive investments including sealing air and steam leaks, insulating bare pipes, and properly drying wood fuel Tue, 01 Aug 2023 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/10341 2023-08-01T00:00:00Z http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/10340 Title: Performance evaluation of sand screening machine: Effect of sieve size and moisture content Authors: Kiprotich, Garison; Kimutai, Isaiah; Kimutai, Stephen Abstract: In construction industry, sand is a major raw material besides water, cement, gravel and steel. The quality of sand is vital in development of firm structures in construction. Thus, for construction industry to remain competitive, it is critical to develop efficient sand screening technologies that produce high quality sand while reducing labour cost. Therefore, the main objective of this research paper was to assess sand sieving technologies used in construction industry in Kenya and to design and evaluate performance operation of the sand screening machine that would help improve the efficiency and quality of sand while lowering the overall construction cost. The specific objectives were to design sand screening machine and to investigate the effect of moisture and sieve sizes on screening time. Experiments were conducted on semi-automatic machine driven by motor to determine fine sand produced at different moisture levels and time consumed. The machine designed consist a motor, sieve, shaft, steel hollow tubes, flat steel bars, sheet metal plates, hinges, eccentric sheaves, and angle bars. The study found that screening raw sand of 10 kg using a designed semi-automatic machine with a sieve of 3mm x 3mm and densities 1442 kg/m3 , 1602 kg/m3 , 1682 kg/m3 , 1922 kg/m3 and 2082 kg/m3 were found to produce 8.1kg, 6.8kg, 6.1kg, 4.1kg and 2.8kg respectively with sieving time of 24s, 26s, 27s, 30s and 32s respectively. Designed semi-automatic sand sieving machine displayed a labour reduction cost of 66% leading to savings of Ksh. 39,600 per month. In addition, the output of the machine screening dry sand (1442 kg/m3 ) 8 hours per day was found to be 9,720 kg. In conclusion, low density sand and optimal sieve size results to high efficiency and significant labour cost savings. The study recommends the use of sand with low density (dry) and adoption of semi-automatic screening machine technologies in construction industry in order to attain Kenya’s affordable housing programme Sun, 01 Oct 2023 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/10340 2023-10-01T00:00:00Z http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/10339 Title: Current trends in palm oil waste management:a comparative review of Cameroon and Malaysia Authors: Awoh, Egbe Terence; Kiplagat, Joseph; Kibet, Stephen Kimutai Abstract: This paper carried out a comparative review on the current trends in the conversion of palm oil waste into value-adding products by the Cameroonian and Malaysian palm sectors/researchers. Trends like composting, composite, pulping, mushroom cultivation, pyrolysis, aerobic and anaerobic digestion of palm biomass were studied as means to reduce the bulk, and to curb emissions of Greenhouse gas while producing value. Base on this research, limited works has been done on the conversion of palm biomass into value in Cameroon, whereas Malaysian palm researchers have employed all of these techniques and producing values from them. It was discovered that the various conversion process have different degree of feasibility and sustainability, and the end-products have different applications. Conversion process like pyrolysis is relatively faster, it could take just a few minute and the end-product which is biofuel have a wide range of applications; in contrast to composting which could take up to 180 days to mature and the end-product is limited to fertilizer. This research aims to sensitize the palm sector in Cameroon to the various processes that can be applied to sustainably manage palm waste. A priority table was also developed based on the feasibility and sustainability of the various conversion processes to serve as a guide towards sustainable waste management in the agro-industrial palm sector in Cameroon and a step towards industrialization. Wed, 01 Nov 2023 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/10339 2023-11-01T00:00:00Z