DESIGN OF A MICRO HYDEL SCHEME FOR SEKA RIVER STREAM
WITH TWO OPTIONS
Desta Lemma, Tewodros Girma and Dr.A.Venkata Ramayya*
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Faculty of Technology
Jimma University -Jimma, Ethiopia,

Considering the vast, economical, untapped mini- and micro-hydro power potential of Ethiopia, this paper envisages the design of a micro hydel scheme encompassing two options, namely one with dam and another without dam. The first option (with dam) comprises two Kaplan turbines, each with a power output of 750kW and the second involves a Cross flow turbine with a power output of 35kW, and both have been designed. The second option (without dam) has been considered to utilize the perennial discharge in the Seka river stream and this design is based on the flow duration curves obtained after taking in to account the rain fall data for this region from three rain gauge stations situated at Shebe, Dedo and Seka. The entire ranges of accessories have been designed, and the cost estimation for cross flow turbine along with the local manufacturing strategy has been discussed. Read More

Model Development Of Supply Chain Management System- A Case Study On Meta Abo Brewery

Abraham Debebe (M.Sc, Lecturer)
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Faculty of Technology,
Addis Ababa University

Daniel Kitaw (Dr-Ing. Associate Professor)
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Faculty of Technology,
Addis Ababa University

Increased recognition is being placed, both in industry and in academia, on effective supply chain management. The term supply chain management presupposes that there exists a supply chain to be managed. Supply chain management has become a universal approach to cost effectiveness, timely delivery and the creation of growth oriented exchange system in goods and services.

With a focus on supply chain management in which cost, inventory and time are the key challenges, this paper develops a model to aid the improvement of performance of supply chain system. The model is developed based on existing supply chain management knowledge and the results of an assessment of logistics and supply chain management on manufacturing industries in Ethiopia.

In order to make the paper more practical and realistic, an actual case study was conducted on an existing brewing factory in Ethiopia, Meta Abo. The factory’s current performances were compared with the supply chain model developed and some areas of improvements were identified. Finally, general procedures were developed in order to facilitate the application of the model for practical purpose.

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DEVELOPMENT AND TESTING OF A REGENERATIVE RECHARGEABLE SOLAR STOVE SYSTEM
Tewodros Eshetu, Shimeles Desalegn, and Dr.A.Venkata Ramayya*
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Faculty of Technology
Jimma University, Jimma

To be able to use solar energy for cooking purposes, a radically different solution has been used wherein the heat liberated by the reaction of quicklime with water would be utilized and the subsequent conversion of hydrated lime back to quicklime by the usage of solar radiation in a paraboloid concentrator. The other salient feature of this stove is that it can be used for cooking Ethiopian staple diet, INJERA, inside one’s own kitchen. This paper reports the development, production and test results of this regenerative, rechargeable solar stove system. All the stove components have been manufactured, assembled, tested and their performance characterized. The solar concentrator forms part of the community facility that can be jointly shared by a number of families. Heat retention, heat liberation rates, cooking pan surface temperature and efficiency of the stove have all been exhaustively assessed and encouraging results have been obtained. This stove has the potential to significantly contribute towards environmental protection through smokeless cooking, conservation of precious forest resources, improvement of economic and health standards of the rural, people leading to sustainable development. Read More

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT – GASIFICATION OF BIOMASS: AN OVERVIEW
N.Ramesh Babu
Mekonnen Liben Nekere
Department of Automotive Technology
Adama University, Nazareth

For the developing countries like Ethiopia to have a sustainable development there is a need to develop rural community so that the disparities in basic life conditions between urban and rural areas can be reduced. Which of course may not be possible without the availability of sustainable energy systems in rural areas. The need for sustainable energy production has prompted new research into the possibility of gasification as a key source of energy production. Biomass technologies, such as biomass gasification, that use locally available resources, would enable poor rural areas to access the electricity produced in a decentralized power plants. It would bring the opportunity to experience an economic and social development, consequently offering more employment to the local people, more opportunities for basic health care and at the end of the day, bringing welfare to the rural communities. In this paper, an attempt is made to give the overall view of the gasification technologies and the advantages and disadvantages of the Biomass gasification energy system Read More