JOURNAL OF THE GHANA SCIENCE ASSOCIATION
Vol 23 (2) | Date of Publication: 15 December 2025
ISSN: 2737-713X
Advancing Scientific Research and Innovation in Ghana
Table of Contents
Indexed on Scopuspp. 1-8
EXPLORING THE SELECTIVE REMOVAL OF CATIONIC POLLUTANTS FROM SYNTHETIC MINE WASTEWATER USING ZEOLITIC MATERIALS SYNTHESIZED FROM GHANAIAN BAUXITE AND KAOLIN
Affiliations:- Council for Scientific and Industrial Research – Institute of Industrial Research (CSIR-IIR), Ghana
- Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Ghana
- University of Wolverhampton, UK
Corresponding Author: evonkiti@csir-iir.com
Abstract: Zeolites A, X and Y were successfully synthesized using hydrothermal methods from local deposits of bauxite (Awaso) and kaolin (Anfoega) with unique pore sizes and frameworks. The zeolites were characterized by XRD and SEM/EDX techniques. A ratio of 2 g of each zeolite to 100 ml of laboratory prepared mine wastewater with predetermined concentrations of Pb2+, Cu2+, Fe2+, Zn2+ and CrO42- was considered to investigate the removal of the heavy metals. Pb2+ removal was highest in both single and mixed metal solutions with a removal efficiency or uptake of about 99% by all zeolites in single metal solutions and 90, 94 and 96 % removal using zeolites A, X and Y respectively in the mixed systems. CrO42- recorded the least removal efficiency of 5% for Zeolite A and around 20 % for zeolite X and Y. In the mixed metal solution, CrO42- removal efficiency reached an equilibrium after 24 hours run for the types of zeolite materials below 20 % of the initial concentration indicating selective removal of cations by the different types of zeolites compared with anionic species.
Keywords: heavy metals, removal efficiency, selectivity sequence, zeolites, characterization.
pp. 9-16
INFLUENCE OF DIFFERENT AGEING METHODS ON PHYSICOCHEMICAL, PHYTOCHEMICAL, CHROMATIC AND ANTIOXIDANT QUALITIES OF TOMATO WINE
Affiliations:- Department of Food and Postharvest Technology, Faculty of Applied Science and Technology, Koforidua Technical University, Ghana
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang 212013, China
- Key Laboratory for Physical Processing of Agricultural Products, 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Consumer Sciences, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana
- Department of Food and Postharvest Technology, Cape Coast Technical University, Cape Coast, Ghana
Corresponding Author: john.owusu@ktu.edu.gh
Abstract: Bottle ageing requires space, energy and time and may be expensive. In this study, tomato wines made with tomato pH 3.40 (Wine A), 3.20 (Wine B), and 4.11 (Wine C) were treated with ultrasound of frequency 33 kHz and their qualities were compared with wines aged in bottles at 10±2oC and 15±2oC for 90 days. The physicochemical properties of the ultrasonic-treated and bottle-aged wines were very comparable. Ultrasonic-treated wines generally recorded significantly higher (P<0.05) lycopene, β -carotene, total phenolic, total flavonoid and anthocyanin content than the bottle-aged wines. Typically, the ultrasound-treated wines had higher (P<0.05) total antioxidant activity and lower reducing power, but comparable DPPH scavenging activity as the bottle-aged samples. Significantly higher L*, b*, ∆E*, C*, H*, A420, (P<0.05) and lower a* (P>0.05) were found for bottle-aged wines than the ultrasonic-treated ones. Cluster analysis using a dendrogram indicated that Wine B treated with ultrasound was much closer to its bottle-aged counterpart than Wines A and C. This means that ultrasonically treated Wine B may have qualities much more similar to its corresponding bottle-aged sample.
Keywords: Tomato wine, bottle-aged wine, ultrasound-treated wine, total flavonoid, DPPH scavenging activity.
pp. 17-28
HYBRID NUCLEAR AND RENEWABLE SYSTEMS FOR GHANA’S ENERGY TRANSITION AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Affiliations:- Department of Renewable Energy Engineering, School of Energy, and Regional Center for Excellence in Energy and Environmental Sustainability, University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR), P. O. Box 214. Sunyani, Ghana
- Nuclear Power Institute, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, P. O. Box LG 80, Legon, Accra, Ghana
- Department of Nuclear Engineering, School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences, University of Ghana – Legon, P. O. Box AE1. Accra, Ghana
- Smart Energy Systems Lab (SESL), and Advanced Plasma Engineering Lab (APEL) Faculty of Energy Systems and Nuclear Science, and Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science Ontario Tech University, Canada
Corresponding Author: markamoah51@gmail.com / mark.nyasapoh.stu@uenr.edu.gh | Phone: +233245620943
Abstract: Ghana’s electricity sector remains heavily dependent on fossil fuels, leading to high generation costs and growing environmental pressures. This study examined a three-case discount rate of 8%, 10%, and 12% for a nuclear–renewable hybrid energy system (N-R HES) that integrates a Small Modular Reactor (SMR) with solar and wind resources. The analysis, conducted using the Hybrid Optimisation of Multiple Energy Resources (HOMER) software, focuses on improving energy security, economic viability, and sustainability. The proposed hybrid energy system, comprising SMR, solar PV, wind generation, and battery storage, demonstrates strong technical resilience, significantly reducing reliance on grid electricity, particularly during SMR refuelling periods. Under the 10% base-case scenario, the system achieves a Levelised Cost of Energy (LCOE) of USD 0.1846/kWh, well below Ghana’s industrial grid tariff of USD 0.2804/kWh. Financial performance remains robust, with an Internal Rate of Return of 19.1%, annual savings of USD 4.56 million, a payback period of 5.12 years, and a Net Present Value of USD 32.6 million. Comparative results across the 8%, 10%, and 12% discount rates show consistent technical output but expected financial variations due to capital-cost sensitivity. The lower discount rate (8%) delivers the strongest investment performance, while the 12% case remains viable despite reduced long-term returns. Overall, the N-R HES model offers a cost-effective, low-carbon, and reliable pathway for Ghana’s industrial and national energy transition objectives.
Keywords: hybrid energy system, synergy, sustainable energy, levelised cost of energy (LCOE), HOMER Pro simulator, small modular reactor (SMR), renewable energy, industrial development, economic growth.