
Williams EbhotaUniversity of KwaZulu-Natal | ukzn · School of Mechanical Engineering
Williams Ebhota
Doctor of Philosophy
About
58
Publications
133,058
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Introduction
Research interest in energy sustainability, decarbonization and renewable energy technologies for developing countries
Publications
Publications (58)
This study emphasizes the critical role of renewable energy in addressing climate change challenges, particularly in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It highlights the central importance of solar photovoltaic systems. While recognizing South Africa’s progress in renewable energy deployment, the study notes that substantial efforts are still neede...
Today, about 760 million people, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and Asia, are without access to electricity; over 2.5 billion people are without access to clean cooking facilities and this is connected to around 2.5 million premature deaths yearly; and modern sustainable energy supply is to account for only 18% by 2030. Over half of the global...
This study analyses the PV potential in Mountain Rise, Durban, South Africa, considering three PV panel technologies and tilt angles in a 20-kWp PV system (c-Si, CdTe, and CIS cells; tilts of 30°, 10°, and 48° for year-round, winter, and summer conditions, respectively, with a fixed Azimuth of 0°). Computational modelling with Solargis Prospect, pv...
This study systematically evaluates Phototovoltaic (PV) system energy losses and performance quality across selected locations in sub-Saharan African (SSA). Utilising a computational model for a hypothetical 10 kWp crystalline silicon (c-Si) PV system, the research categorises energy losses into irradiance (kWh/m²) and electricity production (kWh/k...
In the oil and gas industry, the demand for alternative materials is rising due to corrosion and the desire to reduce costs through weight reduction. Polymer composites are gaining attention for their corrosion resistance, favourable strength-to-weight ratio, and cost-effectiveness. The biopolymer composite is projected to have an output worth $4.9...
This research work provides concise insights into fossil fuel consumption challenges, and the factors contributing to global warming, and evaluates the significance of photovoltaic (PV) materials in achieving net-zero-CO 2 emissions. The article categorizes constraints in the development of PV cells into four main areas: technical factors, leadersh...
Despite the successes recorded over the years, photovoltaic (PV) cells’ power conversion efficiency (PCE) of commercially available crystalline silicon (c-Si) PV panels still hovers between 10 and 21%. For optimal performance at 17–21% PCE, certain factors need to be understood and addressed. This study estimates the solar PV potential of selected...
The grossly untapped hydro potential in the global south is attributed to the inadequate technical personnel; as one of the main factors limiting the design and manufacturing of efficient small hydropower (SHP) turbine plants. The technical personnel and production facilities available in the global south, especially in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), ca...
This work deploys a configured hypothetical 6-kWp capacity PV system, with mounted rooftop panels, to examine the performance of a PV system, corresponding to different (a) PV cell technologies; (b) ambient temperatures. The first (crystalline silicon (c-Si)) and second (copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS)) generations of PV cells have been chose...
Background
Technology is deployed to take the advantage of the ultimate energy from the sun (solar energy) to be used as heat or clean electricity. This energy is classified as “sustainable energy” or “renewable energy” because it requires a short period to naturally replenish the used energy. The application of solar energy involves the conversion...
Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) and other parts of the Global South are richly endowed with renewable energy resources (RERs) that are grossly untapped. The integration of these resources, such as hydro, wind, solar, and biomass will facilitate the desired net zero-CO2-emissions economy. If these RERs are adequately harnessed, the perennial power supply c...
The potential of solar PV is location-dependent that needs to be assessed before installation. This study focuses on the assessment of a solar PV potential of a site on coordinates −29.853762°, 031.00634°, at Glenmore Crescent, Durban North, South Africa. In addition, it evaluates the performance of a 6-kWp installed capacity grid-connected rooftop...
The technical challenges that make solar photovoltaic (PV) less suitable for some applications include weather conditions, low energy densities, and low conversion efficiency. However, the effects of these shortcomings can be limited through a 3-stage solar PV system assessment and performance evaluation process in this study. The system installati...
This study conducts optimum tilt angle and orientation of a standalone c-Si monocrystalline solar photovoltaic (PV) system deploying PVsyst software. The site of the hypothesized solar PV system is at 9, Mountain Rise, Berea, Durban, South Africa. This work presents values of tilt and azimuth angles and battery operating temperature that support op...
The study deals with the design and analyses of fundamental parameters based on optimization conditions of crossflow turbine (CFT) critical parts—the runner, nozzle, shaft, transmission belt, and pulley. The net head (Hn) and turbine power (Pt) for this study are 13 m and 56 kW, respectively, and these parameters serve as the fundamental inputs for...
The need to have materials which can respond satisfactorily to dynamic changes encountered in service conditions have driven engineering and scientific researchers into fabrication of a unique class of engineering materials known as functionally graded materials (FGM). Consisting of a combination of metal and ceramic reinforcement, FGM exhibit prop...
A rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) system is an alternative electricity source that is increasingly being used for households. The potential of solar PV is location dependent that needs to be assessed before installation. This study focuses on the assessment of a solar PV potential of a site on coordinates − 29.853762°, 031.00634°, at Glenmore Cresc...
The importance of the thermal stability of aluminum alloys and composites used in the manufacturing of automobile engine parts cannot be overemphasized. In this study, the thermal analysis of fabricated aluminum matrix composites manufactured by centrifugal casting technique proposed for high-temperature automobile part applications is investigated...
The increasing interest in functionally graded materials for automobile, military, and aerospace structural applications
in recent years is due to its admirable properties such as good resistance to thermal fluctuation, good formability, and
good strength. This study investigates the tribological property of aluminum A356 composites reinforced with...
Despite the merits of small hydropower (SHP), coupled with the perennial inadequate and unreliable electricity supply in SSA, the huge SHP potential in the region is hugely untapped. This is largely attributed to the lack of adequate technical components for the development of SHP turbines, which are: technical personnel, and production facilities...
The global outcry for a sustainable energy system—energy transition regime, involves the substitution of fossil fuels with clean and affordable energy and the amelioration of greenhouse gas (GHG) effects on global health and environment. Studies have shown that economic growth proportionally links energy consumption, as seen in developed countries....
This study overviews the power status, salient barriers to adequate power access and the role of small hydropower in improving power accessibility in the region. The study notes that – over 50% of the population in 41 countries in the region have no access to electricity; the prediction of electricity access growth rate in SSA from 43% in 2016 to 5...
This study overviews the status of the power supply; implications of the inadequate power supply; and the significance of hydropower in the socioeconomic wellbeing of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This study noted that despite the large presence of energy potentials across the entire region, the power supply is grossly inadequate. Currently, the world’...
The World Bank reported that approximately 55% of Nigeria's population have no access to the national electricity grid and most of these people live in the rural areas. The national grid capacity is hovering between 4500MW and 6000MW for a population of about 186 million. However, this is contrary to the enormous energy that abounds in Nigeria, bot...
This review focuses on modern energy attributes and to identify alternative energy source and technology that satisfy energy trilemma requirements. The results and findings of the study show that photovoltaic (PV) solar cells technologies have the potentials of satisfying the global energy quest if deployed more. This study x-rays the different PV...
Adequate access to clean, reliable, quality and affordable power is crucial to both national and regional economic growth. The sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) power industry performance track records and statistics are dismal and appalling. The power supply is characterised by low accessibility, epileptic and poor transmission. The socioeconomic activitie...
Small hydropower (SHP) systems are known to be an environmentally friendly, cost-effective and simple form of renewable energy production, appropriate for rural and standalone electrification. Greater access to power in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) can be facilitated through domestic design and development of SHP components and systems. Domestic partic...
Adequate access to reliable, quality and affordable power is crucial to standard of living globally. Therefore, this study discusses the present power accessibility level, the causes of power inadequacy and measures required to realise power adequacy and sustainability in Sub-Saharan Africa. Based on secondary research information sources, this stu...
The functionally graded materials (FGMs) solidification process has complicated movement phenomena of fluid, solute and heat. These phenomena control the segregation of particles in a molten matrix, interactions of particles with a solidification front and the integration of particles in the solidifying matrix. The desired particle distribution in...
This study examines the possibility of fabricating a complex, non-cylindrical, Pelton turbine bucket by centrifugal casting technique. Oil hardening non-shrinking die steel material was selected for the permanent mould production, machined with computer numerical control and heat treated to a hardness of 432 BHN. Aluminium alloys, A390 and A390-5%M...
Flowing water has hydraulic energy that can be transformed into electrical energy, sub-Saharan Africa has an abundance of hydro resources that are untapped. In this study, various barriers limiting the use of small hydropower to tap the abundant hydro potentials for power generation are discussed. These barriers include insufficient fund; lack of a...
Sequential casting is a facile and fairly new technique to produce functionally graded materials (FGMs) and components by controlled mold filling process. In the present investigation, functionally graded bimetallic aluminum alloys are produced by sequential gravity casting using A390–A319 and A390–A6061 alloy combinations. The control in pouring t...
This paper discusses the main Functionally Graded Materials (FGMs) and their bulk fabrication techniques, their development, principles and applications. The fabrication processes considered include powder metallurgy (PM), sintering, squeeze casting, infiltration process, compocasting, centrifugal casting, stir casting, material prototyping. The pa...
The study investigates the application of centrifugal casting process in the production of a complex shape component, Pelton turbine bucket. The bucket materials examined were functionally graded aluminium A356 alloy and A356-10%SiCp composite. A permanent mould for the casting of the bucket was designed with a Solidworks software and fabricated by...
The increasing need for materials with light weight, high resistance to corrosion and wear, toughness and strength, machinability, high thermal capacity etc. for various applications is unending. This demand has continued to stretch the exploitation and manipulation of various functionally graded materials (FGMs) and their production methods. This...
Energy availability is fundamental and crucial for human survival and for national economic development. Energy consumption per capita of a country or region is a measure of quality of life and industrialisation of a country or region. This to certain extent explains why energy consumption is higher in technologically developed countries than the d...
This paper presents a simplified design considerations for a propeller hydro-turbine, including tabulated relevant mathematical expressions of operating parameters. In the design calculation, a 2.5 m head and 0.183 m3/s flow rate were used as river data for power of 2.61 kW. A four-blade propeller with an outer diameter of 0.226 m and a hub diamete...
Agriculture employs about three-quarter of Nigeria's workforce and yet food sufficiency is a challenge in the country. This is largely due to poor and outdated pre-harvest and post-harvest farming practices. The land fallow system is still been practised as fertiliser production in the country is grossly inadequate and expensive. The few available...
The quest for options to the conventional energy sources especially to supply power to remote and rural locations in Sub-Africa has led to several power schemes. The identified options include solar, geothermal, wind and hydro and they belong to renewable energy. However, hydropower has been singled out as the best alternative renewable energy to i...
Dynamic stability of vehicles is a major concern to vehicle manufacturers, as this determines how safe a vehicle will be on the road, to passengers and other road users. The location of centre of gravity (CG) on a vehicle determines its stability. The objective of this work is to evaluate the dynamic stability of a modeled cargo tricycle. The mass...
The piston is the core of the engine which functions like the heart to the human body. This paper examines piston importance to the engine and x-rays its features for the purpose of domestication of its manufacturing technology through reverse engineering approach for national sustainability, reduction in the product development cycle, enhancement...
Studies were carried out on the charge material and energy required by an EAF for production of liquid steel
using Heuristic method. Process modeling of the Steel refining operation was performed. The results from the
material balance and Energy balance shows 13.38% reduction in the charge materials and 7.38% reduction in the energy required for th...
Studies were carried out on the charge material and energy required by an EAF for production of liquid steel using Heuristic method. Process modeling of the Steel refining operation was performed. The results from the material balance and Energy balance shows 13.38% reduction in the charge materials and 7.38% reduction in the energy required for th...
The CY 80 clutch basket is a bowl-shaped gear-driven housing bolted onto the end of the clutch shaft and functions as the cover for clutch components assembly. The functional requirement of this part requires high strength and wear resistance characteristics. This research work focuses on the design and development of permanent mould for the produc...
The CY 80 clutch basket is a bowl-shaped gear- driven housing bolted onto the end of the clutch shaft and functions as the cover for clutch components assembly. The functional requirement of this part requires high strength and wear resistance characteristics. This research work focuses on the design and development of permanent mould for the produ...
Access to reliable and adequate energy is a compulsory step to industrialization, improving the living standards of the people, enhancing safety and security, and preserving a healthy environment. Energy plays a fundamental role in shaping and reshaping of the human condition and is therefore essential for human survival and a major factor for econ...
Studies were carried out to determine the worst load case scenario on Ursus 3512 60hp Tractor Front Axle Support using MATLAB to analyze 36 load cases. The worst load case scenario was found to be the dynamic load case of 3g with wheel force of 9810N and axle angle of 120.The load on the Pivot hole of the tractor support was found to be 56057N. The...
The sprocket is a very vital component in the transmission of power and motion in most motorcycle; there is always a pair (rear and front) in a motorcycle. The front sprocket drives the rear sprocket via chain connection. They exist in various dimensions, teeth number and are made of different materials. This study involves the fundamentals of spro...
A healthy and effective R&D in engineering will guarantee large, strong, diversified, sustainable and competitive economy that will effectively harness the talents and energies of its people and responsibly exploits its natural endowments for a high standard of living and quality of life. This work discusses applied, fundamental, descriptive, analy...
Human ability is a major source of constraint to manufacturing industries in Nigeria. This paper therefore, discusses the importance of human influences on manufacturing and consequently to industrialization and National development. In this paper, the development of manufacturing was anchored on two main factors; Infrastructural Capacity Developme...
This work was used to address the problem of predicting precisely the optimum production plastic yield on there monthly products in Finoplastika manufacturing industry. Data on production yield were collected from the industry covering a period of three years and were applied to precisely determine optimum production yield in the industry. The mode...
This paper attempts to address the problem of extreme electricity shortage in Nigeria. This deficiency is multidimensional which are attributed to inadequate infrastructure, inadequate funding of this sector, and energy losses from generation to billing. Some technical issues were raised and solutions proffered taking the Awka business unit of Powe...
Questions
Question (1)
List of biogas laboratory equipment for postgraduate studies