Sunday Chukwuka Iweka

@sdu.edu.ng

Lecturer. Mechanical Engineering/Faculty of Engineering
Southern Delta University Ozoro

Sunday Chukwuka Iweka


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https://researchid.co/chukaiweka

EDUCATION

PhD in Mechanical Engineering (Thermal Engineering Option)
Registered Engineer with COREN
Corporate Member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (MNSE)
Member of the Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers (NIMechE)
Member of the International Association of Engineers (MIAENG)

RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS

Energy, Mechanical Engineering
12

Scopus Publications

285

Scholar Citations

9

Scholar h-index

7

Scholar i10-index

Scopus Publications

  • Produced green-diesel from inedible biomaterials and its fuel properties
    Sunday Chukwuka Iweka, Henry Freedom Ifowodo, Nelson Oghenevwede Ewenkineyane, Godwin Ewunokan, Kennedy Orieoghenebruru Iteme
    Environmental Progress and Sustainable Energy, 2026
    The utilization of green fuel from inedible biomaterials promotes global health and poverty reduction, as non‐green fuels are costly, negatively impact global health, exacerbate poverty, and their sources are depleting. Hence, the utilization of a novel Acidified Calcined Jatropha Seed Inner Coat Catalyst and Rubber Seed Green Oil. In this work, the Jatropha seed inner coat powder was calcined at 630°C in a furnace as indicated in the thermogravimetric analyzer graph, and then acidified with 0.5 M H 2 SO 4 . Box–Behnken Design (BBD) and Python were utilized to validate and predict the best yield during the transesterification approach. The outcome revealed that Python‐predicted data and plots outperformed BBD, with the input data consisting of a 10/1 MEOH/green‐oil ratio, 70 min, 67°C, and 3.5 wt% green catalyst, generating an endpoint of 96.94 wt% for Python and 96.69 wt% for BBD. Additionally, the Python‐predicted yield was as well higher than the BBD experimental response of 96.72 wt% at 10 MEOH/green‐oil ratio, 65 min, 65°C, 3.5 wt% green catalyst. These results, in addition to the high heating value (HHV), Cetane content, Acid content, Flash and Fire points, were superior to some existing values and it's still within accepted regulations by ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) D6751. The Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy test indicated that the strings depicted sounds of the hydroxyl, alkanes, alkynes, alkenes, an ether or a tertiary alcohol, and aromatic class.
  • Optimization, ignition point, and thermodynamic properties of rubber seed bio-oil: Python and RStudio approach
    Sunday Chukwuka Iweka, Chibeoso Wodi, E. E. Okafor, Nelson Oghenevwede Ewenkineyane, Godwin Ewunokan, et al.
    Environmental Progress and Sustainable Energy, 2026
    The utilization of rubber seed for bio‐oil production is a welcome concept because the bio‐oil is eco‐friendly and can be deployed for lubricating metallic parts and biodiesel production. This rubber seed bio‐oil from Ideze road, Ozoro, was produced using hexane as the solvent via a Soxhlet apparatus. The input parameters at 8 ratio, 90 min, and 69°C, via RStudio and Python yielded 44.11 and 43.75 wt%, respectively, which is close to the real (experimental) value of 44.53 wt% from Box–Behnken Design at the same input/injected parameters. However, RStudio produced not only a little more output than Python but also a better AIC (Akaike Information Criterion) and charts. The fuel qualities: 45.44 cetane number, 40.12 MJ/Kg HHV, −7 pour point are better than documented values, while the flash point, fire point, ignition point, and FTIR details are within an acceptable range. Additionally, an activation energy yielded 2.01 kJ/mol with 0.9741 R 2 via a kinetic approach revealed a highly active reaction process. Furthermore, the 21.503 kJ/mol enthalpy, −0.1538 kJ/mol entropy, and Gibbs energies: 73.34 kJ/mol at 337 K, 74.11 kJ/mol at 342 K, and 74.88 kJ/mol at 347 K. The positive condition of the enthalpy value demonstrates that the operation was an endothermic (heat‐absorbing) process, while the entropy's negative condition with the Gibbs energy positive values confirms that the operation is not spontaneous.
  • Biodiesel production from non-edible materials via Box-Behnken design and RStudio approach, and its thermodynamics analysis
    Sunday Chukwuka Iweka, Michael Oghale Ighofiomoni, Adebimpe Amos Amosun, Samuel Madison Odogbor, Olatomide Gbenga Fadodun, et al.
    Results in Engineering, 2025
  • Optimization of Biogas Output From Biomaterials via Python and ANN, and Its Digester Design and Fabrication
    Sunday Chukwuka Iweka, Edward Ogaga Odesa, Atilade A. Oladunni, Festus Enwenefa, O. A. Falowo
    Energy Science and Engineering, 2025
    Due to the instability of the energy sector leading to the high cost of purchasing non‐biomass fuel, there is a need to investigate an ideal biomass fuel that can be utilized in place of non‐biomass fuel and whose biomaterials are within reach. Still, the issues/complexity of manual data processing minimize the optimal biogas generated. Thus, ANN and Python coding techniques were applied to digest the Dacryodes edulis seeds with spoiled cooked egg and stew‐rice digestate in an anaerobic unit to maximize the output of biomass gas (biogas) generated. Different mixing ratios of substrate‐to‐inoculum of 1.09:1, 1.50:1, 2.50:1, 3.50:1, and 3.91:1 were deployed against 20.86, 25, 35, 45, and 49.14 days Hydraulic Reaction Time. The outcome demonstrates that ANN generated a maximum biogas output of 6.43 L with a mixing ratio of 3.5:1 over 45 days, comparable to 6.38 L via Python coding. Additionally, the ANN and the Python yielded model R2 (coefficient of determination) values of 0.9909 and 1, respectively. Compared to ANN, the plots and data produced via Python coding are superior. The Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectroscopy (GC–MS) analysis of the produced biomass gas revealed 65.67% biomass methane and 24.21% carbon dioxide (CO2) by volume, both within a reliable range for a sustainable biomass energy solution. Furthermore, the biogas flashpoint is reported as −178°C, indicating a significant degree of flammability, and the designed and fabricated digester met the requirement. Thus, the synthesized biomass gas optimal parameters can be deployed into the fabricated digester for domestic usage at a cheaper rate.
  • Bio-lubricant production from Ozoro yellow oleander seeds and its industrial applications: Central composite design and python approach
    Sunday Chukwuka Iweka, J.L. Chukwuneke, E.C. Chinwuko
    Scientific African, 2025
  • Thermodynamics and the Fuel Qualities of Produced Biodiesel From Nonedible Biomaterials: RStudio and Central Composite Design Approach
    Sunday C. Iweka, Jeremiah L. Chukwuneke, Emmanuel Chuka Chinwuko
    Energy Science and Engineering, 2025
    A unique green catalyst was derived from novel powdered Uzere tallow seeds shell calcined at 700°C for 1 h in a muffle furnace. The catalytic activity of the Uzere acidified catalyst was due to a high proportion of sulphur trioxide, calcium oxide, and potassium oxide. The Ozoro Thevetia peruviana seed oil was produced via a Soxhlet instrument using acetone as solvent. The transesterification process was optimized with rotatable central composite design and RStudio, and both tools yielded the same maximum biodiesel output of 97.12 wt.%., at time 70 min, acidified‐catalyst 3.5 wt.%, methanol: oil 7:1, and temperature at 65°C. Although both tools generated a similar R2 of 0.9989, RStudio generated a better p‐value of < 2.2e−16 as against central composite design < 0.001. In addition, RStudio generated more statistical values like kurtosis (2.46) and skewness (−0.112) which were within acceptable bounds. Furthermore, RStudio charts provided a better visual clue and demonstrated superior performance. An activation energy of 79.1 kJmol−1 with an R2 of 97.75% was computed from kinetic approach while the thermodynamics approach produced an entropy of −0.0579 kJmol−1, enthalpy of 76.297 kJmol−1, and Gibbs free energy of 95.75, 95.87, 95.98 kJmol−1, at 336, 338, and 340 K, respectively. The results were within accepted bounds. Additionally, the physiochemical and fuel qualities of the produced biodiesel agree with the recommended range. Thus, this produced eco‐friendly biodiesel can be used to power diesel engines without any issues for the betterment of the world at large.
  • Biogas production from Udara seeds inoculated with food waste digestate and its optimal output for energy utilities: Central composite design and machine learning approach
    Sunday Chukwuka Iweka, Michael Oghale Ighofiomoni, Olayomi Abiodun Falowo, Atilade A. Oladunni
    Energy Science and Engineering, 2024
    Anaerobic digestion of abundant feedstock from biomaterials is a good innovative fossil fuel alternative approach for the synthesis of green fuel (biogas). Rotatable central composite design (CCD) and machine learning (ML) via Python coding were successfully used to design, optimize, and predict the rate of biogas production from stew‐rice and eggs digestate with Udara seeds in an anaerobic unit. Two‐input parameters, such as inoculation ratio (S/I) and hydraulic reaction time (HRT) were considered, resulting in 13 experimental setups under mesophilic surroundings of 25–34°C. Mixture ratios of substrate/inoculum (S/I) of 0.98:1, 1.5:1, 2.75:1, 2.75:1, 4:1, 1.5: 1, and 4.52:1 were used against 30, 20, 44.14, 15.86, 40, 40, and 30 days HRT as modeled by CCD rotatable to optimize biogas production from crushed Udara seeds with spoilt stew‐rice and eggs digestate. From the results, it was observed that the coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.9573 was generated via CCD rotatable whereas, the R2 of 1 was generated from the multivariate regression of ML approach. Also, the data and graphs derived via ML were superior to the ones derived from CCD rotatable. However, the maximum output of 4.84 L at 4 mixing ratio and 40 days HRT from CCD rotatable is close to the ML value of 4.89 L under the same input factors, yet ML yielded more. Thus, it is clear that the Python‐based ML algorithm approach has the potential to predict biogas output better than CCD rotatable. However, the Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry analysis of the highest output produced generated 63.29% biomethane and 26.71% CO2 by volume and produced a flashpoint of −167°C which is flammable. Thus, the generated biogas via an anaerobic unit can be transmitted into large‐scale commercial applications for the betterment of mankind.
  • Impact of optimization parameters on green sustainable oil from ripe palm kernel seeds for energy utilities: A machine learning approach
    Sunday Chukwuka Iweka, Ogaga Akpomedaye, A.O. Emu, T.F. Adepoju
    Scientific African, 2024
  • Bio-oil production from ripe pawpaw seeds and its optimal output: Box-Behnken Design and Machine Learning approach
    Sunday Chukwuka Iweka, F.C. Ozioko, E.D. Edafiadhe, T.F. Adepoju
    Scientific African, 2023
  • Optimization of microwave-assisted biodiesel production from watermelon seeds oil using thermally modified kwale anthill mud as base catalyst
    Sunday Chukwuka Iweka, Olayomi Abiodun Falowo, Adebimpe Amos Amosun, Eriola Betiku
    Heliyon, 2023
  • Optimization of biogas yield from anaerobic co-digestion of corn-chaff and cow dung digestate: RSM and python approach
    Sunday Chukwuka Iweka, K.C. Owuama, J.L. Chukwuneke, O.A. Falowo
    Heliyon, 2021
  • Numerical modeling of heat transfer in Al2O3/H2O nanofluid flowing through a Bessel-like converging pipe
    Archives of Thermodynamics, 2021

RECENT SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS

  • Produced green‐diesel from inedible biomaterials and its fuel properties
    SC Iweka, HF Ifowodo, NO Ewenkineyane, G Ewunokan, KO Iteme
    Environmental Progress & Sustainable Energy, e70467 , 2026
    2026
    Citations: 1
  • Optimization of Biogas Output From Biomaterials via Python and ANN, and Its Digester Design and Fabrication
    SC Iweka, EO Odesa, AA Oladunni, F Enwenefa, OA Falowo
    Energy Science & Engineering 13 (11), 5574-5586 , 2025
    2025
    Citations: 2
  • Biodiesel Production from non-edible Materials via Box-Behnken Design and RStudio Approach, and its Thermodynamics Analysis
    SC Iweka, MO Ighofiomoni, AA Amosun, SM Odogbor, OG Fadodun, ...
    Results in Engineering, 107272 , 2025
    2025
    Citations: 3
  • Bio-lubricant production from Ozoro yellow oleander seeds and its industrial applications: Central composite design and python approach
    SC Iweka, JL Chukwuneke, EC Chinwuko
    Scientific African 29, e02827 , 2025
    2025
    Citations: 4
  • Thermodynamics and the fuel qualities of produced biodiesel from nonedible biomaterials: RStudio and central composite design approach
    SC Iweka, JL Chukwuneke, EC Chinwuko
    Energy Science & Engineering 13 (6), 3276-3295 , 2025
    2025
    Citations: 6
  • Impact of Allanblackia Floribunda seed shells and its novel utilization for energy growth
    SC Iweka, JL Chukwuneke, EC Chinwuko
    UNIZIK Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences 4 (2), 1974-1985 , 2025
    2025
    Citations: 3
  • Impact of Statistical Software and Separation Methods for Bio-Oil Extraction from Yellow Oleander Seeds: A Review (2011-2023)
    SC Iweka, JL Chukwuneke, EC Chinwuko
    Journal of Engineering Research and Reports 27 (4), 1-18 , 2025
    2025
    Citations: 3
  • Biogas production from Udara seeds inoculated with food waste digestate and its optimal output for energy utilities: Central composite design and machine learning approach
    SC Iweka, MO Ighofiomoni, OA Falowo, AA Oladunni
    Energy Science & Engineering 12 (9), 3614-3630 , 2024
    2024
    Citations: 10
  • Parametric Evaluation of Biogas Production From Sawdust and Treated Human Faeces: Optimal Custom Design Approach
    AO Emu, SC Iweka, KE Madu, NE Nwanze
    Journal of Energy Research and Reviews 16 (3), 1-10 , 2024
    2024
    Citations: 2
  • Effect of thermally extracted carrot oil using biomass solvent to boost consumer goods: Box-Behnken design approach
    FC Ozioko, SC Iweka, NE Nwanze, TF Adepoju
    J. Eng. Res 26, 113-124 , 2024
    2024
    Citations: 3
  • Impact of optimization parameters on green sustainable oil from ripe palm kernel seeds for energy utilities: A machine learning approach
    SC Iweka, O Akpomedaye, AO Emu, TF Adepoju
    Scientific African 23, e02097 , 2024
    2024
    Citations: 19
  • Solar radiation forecasting models and their thermodynamic analysis in asaba: least square regression and machine learning approach
    NE Nwanze, SC Iweka, KE Madu, ED Edafiadhe
    Journal of Energy Research and Reviews 16 (2), 9-21 , 2024
    2024
    Citations: 6
  • Bio-oil production from ripe pawpaw seeds and its optimal output: Box-Behnken Design and Machine Learning approach
    SC Iweka, FC Ozioko, ED Edafiadhe, TF Adepoju
    Scientific African 21, e01826 , 2023
    2023
    Citations: 26
  • Optimization of microwave-assisted biodiesel production from watermelon seeds oil using thermally modified kwale anthill mud as base catalyst
    SC Iweka, OA Falowo, AA Amosun, E Betiku
    Heliyon 9 (7) , 2023
    2023
    Citations: 46
  • Optimization of biogas yield from anaerobic co-digestion of corn-chaff and cow dung digestate: RSM and python approach
    SC Iweka, KC Owuama, JL Chukwuneke, OA Falowo
    Heliyon 7 (11) , 2021
    2021
    Citations: 83
  • Numerical modeling of heat transfer in Al2O3/H2O nanofluid flowing through a Bessel-like converging pipe
    CS Iweka, OG FADODUN
    Archives of thermodynamics 42 (2), 121-153 , 2021
    2021
    Citations: 13
  • Full-annealing and its effect on the Mechanical Properties of Alloy 304H Stainless Steel
    AE Onwudili, SC Iweka
    Journal of Engineering Research and Reports. 20 (7), 28 - 44 , 2021
    2021
    Citations: 5
  • Optimization of biogas yield from anaerobic co-digestion of corn-chaff and cow dung digestate: RSM and python approach.* Heliyon*, 7 (11), E08255
    SC Iweka, KC Owuama, JL Chukwuneke, OA Falowo
    2021
    Citations: 9
  • BIOGAS YIELDING POTENTIAL OF MAIZE CHAFF INOCULATED WITH COW RUMEN AND ITS CHARACTERIZATION
    SC Iweka, KC Owuama
    Journal of Energy Research and Reviews 6 (3), 34-50 , 2020
    2020
    Citations: 16
  • Influence of different inoculum concentrations on anaerobic digestion of corn chaff for energy production
    CS Iweka, KC Owuama, ONK Swift
    International Conference on Engineering Adaptation and Policy Reforms 1 (1 … , 2019
    2019
    Citations: 9

MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS

  • Optimization of biogas yield from anaerobic co-digestion of corn-chaff and cow dung digestate: RSM and python approach
    SC Iweka, KC Owuama, JL Chukwuneke, OA Falowo
    Heliyon 7 (11) , 2021
    2021.0
    Citations: 83
  • Optimization of microwave-assisted biodiesel production from watermelon seeds oil using thermally modified kwale anthill mud as base catalyst
    SC Iweka, OA Falowo, AA Amosun, E Betiku
    Heliyon 9 (7) , 2023
    2023.0
    Citations: 46
  • Bio-oil production from ripe pawpaw seeds and its optimal output: Box-Behnken Design and Machine Learning approach
    SC Iweka, FC Ozioko, ED Edafiadhe, TF Adepoju
    Scientific African 21, e01826 , 2023
    2023.0
    Citations: 26
  • Impact of optimization parameters on green sustainable oil from ripe palm kernel seeds for energy utilities: A machine learning approach
    SC Iweka, O Akpomedaye, AO Emu, TF Adepoju
    Scientific African 23, e02097 , 2024
    2024.0
    Citations: 19
  • BIOGAS YIELDING POTENTIAL OF MAIZE CHAFF INOCULATED WITH COW RUMEN AND ITS CHARACTERIZATION
    SC Iweka, KC Owuama
    Journal of Energy Research and Reviews 6 (3), 34-50 , 2020
    2020.0
    Citations: 16
  • Numerical modeling of heat transfer in Al2O3/H2O nanofluid flowing through a Bessel-like converging pipe
    CS Iweka, OG FADODUN
    Archives of thermodynamics 42 (2), 121-153 , 2021
    2021.0
    Citations: 13
  • Biogas production from Udara seeds inoculated with food waste digestate and its optimal output for energy utilities: Central composite design and machine learning approach
    SC Iweka, MO Ighofiomoni, OA Falowo, AA Oladunni
    Energy Science & Engineering 12 (9), 3614-3630 , 2024
    2024.0
    Citations: 10
  • Optimization of biogas yield from anaerobic co-digestion of corn-chaff and cow dung digestate: RSM and python approach.* Heliyon*, 7 (11), E08255
    SC Iweka, KC Owuama, JL Chukwuneke, OA Falowo
    2021.0
    Citations: 9
  • Influence of different inoculum concentrations on anaerobic digestion of corn chaff for energy production
    CS Iweka, KC Owuama, ONK Swift
    International Conference on Engineering Adaptation and Policy Reforms 1 (1 … , 2019
    2019.0
    Citations: 9
  • Thermodynamics and the fuel qualities of produced biodiesel from nonedible biomaterials: RStudio and central composite design approach
    SC Iweka, JL Chukwuneke, EC Chinwuko
    Energy Science & Engineering 13 (6), 3276-3295 , 2025
    2025.0
    Citations: 6
  • Solar radiation forecasting models and their thermodynamic analysis in asaba: least square regression and machine learning approach
    NE Nwanze, SC Iweka, KE Madu, ED Edafiadhe
    Journal of Energy Research and Reviews 16 (2), 9-21 , 2024
    2024.0
    Citations: 6
  • Environmental factors on the physical characteristics and physiological maturity of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus, cv. Kirikou) pods and seeds
    C Iweka, H Uguru
    Direct Research Journal of Agriculture and Food Science (DRJAFS) 7 (5), 99-109 , 2019
    2019.0
    Citations: 6
  • Optimization of biogas yield from anaerobic co-digestion of corn-chaff and cow dun g digestate: RSM and python approach, Heliyon 7 (11)(2021), e08255
    SC Iweka, KC Owuama, JL Chukwuneke, OA Falowo
    ISSN , 0
    Citations: 6
  • Full-annealing and its effect on the Mechanical Properties of Alloy 304H Stainless Steel
    AE Onwudili, SC Iweka
    Journal of Engineering Research and Reports. 20 (7), 28 - 44 , 2021
    2021.0
    Citations: 5
  • Bio-lubricant production from Ozoro yellow oleander seeds and its industrial applications: Central composite design and python approach
    SC Iweka, JL Chukwuneke, EC Chinwuko
    Scientific African 29, e02827 , 2025
    2025.0
    Citations: 4
  • The Influence of size and variety on the compressive behaviour of groundnut kernel
    H Uguru, C Iweka
    Direct Research Journal of Agriculture and Food Science 7 (3), 62-69 , 2019
    2019.0
    Citations: 4
  • Biodiesel Production from non-edible Materials via Box-Behnken Design and RStudio Approach, and its Thermodynamics Analysis
    SC Iweka, MO Ighofiomoni, AA Amosun, SM Odogbor, OG Fadodun, ...
    Results in Engineering, 107272 , 2025
    2025.0
    Citations: 3
  • Impact of Allanblackia Floribunda seed shells and its novel utilization for energy growth
    SC Iweka, JL Chukwuneke, EC Chinwuko
    UNIZIK Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences 4 (2), 1974-1985 , 2025
    2025.0
    Citations: 3
  • Impact of Statistical Software and Separation Methods for Bio-Oil Extraction from Yellow Oleander Seeds: A Review (2011-2023)
    SC Iweka, JL Chukwuneke, EC Chinwuko
    Journal of Engineering Research and Reports 27 (4), 1-18 , 2025
    2025.0
    Citations: 3
  • Effect of thermally extracted carrot oil using biomass solvent to boost consumer goods: Box-Behnken design approach
    FC Ozioko, SC Iweka, NE Nwanze, TF Adepoju
    J. Eng. Res 26, 113-124 , 2024
    2024.0
    Citations: 3

Publications

S. C. Iweka, O. A. Falowo, A. A. Amosun, and E. Betiku, “Optimization of microwave-assisted biodiesel production from watermelon seeds oil using thermally modified kwale anthill mud as base catalyst,” Heliyon, vol. 9, no. 7, p. e17762, Jul. 2023, doi: 10.1016/j..