Ndah Abdulrahman Alpha – Mechanical Engineer | Researcher | Renewable Energy Specialist
Ndah Abdulrahman Alpha is an accomplished mechanical engineer and researcher with over eight years of experience in energy systems, thermal-fluid science, and sustainable engineering. He holds a master’s degree in renewable and sustainable energy studies and is currently pursuing a PhD in mechanical engineering, specialising in thermal management and renewable energy systems. He has strong expertise in power plant operations, energy efficiency, CAD modelling, CFD, and experimental design using ANSYS, SolidWorks, Creo PTC, Design-Expert®, and AutoCAD. His research spans solar–biomass energy integration, binder-free biomass briquettes, and advanced heat-sink thermal enhancement using nanofluids. Alpha has published and reviewed for reputable journals and serves as secretary of WIMHCO, supporting community development and clean energy initiatives.
RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS
Mechanical Engineering, Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment, Energy Engineering and Power Technology, Modeling and Simulation
Sustainable briquette production from jujube seed shells: Process optimization using response surface methodology Adesanya Samuel Abayomi, Kuhe Aondoyila, Ibrahim Jacob Sunday, Ndah Abdulrahman Alpha Environmental Progress and Sustainable Energy, 2025 This study explores the optimization of binder‐free briquette production from jujube seed shells, an underutilized biomass resource in Nigeria, using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The influence of key process variables—particle size, pre‐heat temperature, and compaction pressure—on the mechanical and thermal properties of the briquettes was assessed. RSM results indicated that fine particle sizes (<0.6 mm), combined with pre‐heat temperatures between 65 and 75°C and compaction pressures up to 100 MPa, yielded briquettes with optimal characteristics: a maximum density of 2108 kg/m3, compressive strength of 22.81 MPa, and a shatter index exceeding 98%. The briquettes showed excellent durability, with minimal relaxed density loss (1.95%) over 56 days. Thermal analysis revealed high energy content, with calorific values ranging from 6317 to 6495 kcal/kg (26.45–27.19 MJ/kg), low ash content (1.51%–1.68%), and significant fixed carbon (17.29%–18.39%). The optimization process underscored the effectiveness of natural lignin as an internal binder, eliminating the need for external binders. These findings offer a sustainable, cost‐effective, and eco‐friendly alternative to traditional fuels, with promising potential for rural energy solutions in West Africa.
Experimental and numerical studies of the effect of perforation configuration on heat transfer enhancement of pin fins heat sink Ndah Abdulrahman Alpha, Iortyer Humphrey Aondover, Aondoyila Kuhe Heat Transfer, 2024 In this study, experimental and computational studies of the impact of forced convective flow on the heat transfer characteristics of staggered pin fins with perforations are investigated in a rectangular channel at constant heat flux with Reynolds numbers (Re) of 2 × 103–12 × 103. In particular, cylindrical pin fins with circular longitudinal (L) perforation, longitudinal/transverse (LT) perforation, and longitudinal/transverse/vertical (LTV) perforation perforations are compared to solid pin fins to find out how adding different perforation arrays affects overall heat transfer performance and also to find the best perforation configuration for maximum performance. ANSYS‐FLUENT is employed for numerical simulation, validated by experimental data. Experimental validation is conducted by attaching the heat sink to a Peltier module, inducing heat generation through current on one face in the Armfield Free and Forced Convection Heat Transfer Service Units HT 19 and HT10XC. Results highlight significant increases in Nusselt number (Nu) for perforated pins compared to solid pins, with L perforations at 8%, LT perforations at 33%, and 67% for LTV perforated pins due to transverse perforations that act as slots, which stir up the primary flow and induce secondary flow generated by vertical perforations. Regarding pressure drops, L perforations reduce by 9%, LT by 19%, and LTV by 27% compared to solid pins. The overall enhancement ratio peaks at the minimum Reynold number, notably achieving a 38% increase in the LTV perforation pin fin array. This innovative study holds promise for diverse electronic applications, offering enhanced heat transfer performance in electronic cooling systems.
Heat transfer and pressure drop enhancement in staggered perforated pin-fin heat sinks: an experimental study AA Ndah, A Kuhe Experimental Heat Transfer 39 (4), 404-421 , 2026 2026.0 Citations: 2
Integrating Solar and Biomass Energy for Sustainable Off-Grid Power Solutions in Adadu Community, Nasarawa State, Nigeria NA Alpha, AA Muhammad, AE Idenyi Cureus Journal of Engineering 3, 1-21 , 2026 2026.0
Enhancing energy security and cost efficiency in Nigerian higher institutions via hybrid renewable energy systems A Kuhe, AA Ndah, MA Idris Discover Environment 3 (1), 138 , 2025 2025.0 Citations: 3
Optimising Solar-Biomass Hybrid Energy Systems for Sustainable Rural Electrification AA Muhammad, I JS, NA Alpha 2025.0 Citations: 3
Sustainable briquette production from jujube seed shells: Process optimization using response surface methodology A Samuel Abayomi, K Aondoyila, I Jacob Sunday, N Abdulrahman Alpha Environmental Progress & Sustainable Energy 44 (3), e14563 , 2025 2025.0 Citations: 1
Heat Transfer Enhancement on Staggered Perforated Circular Pin-Fin Heat Sink: An Experimental Assessment A Kuhe Current Research in Thermal Conductivity , 2024 2024.0
Experimental and numerical studies of the effect of perforation configuration on heat transfer enhancement of pin fins heat sink NA Alpha, IH Aondover, A Kuhe Heat Transfer 53 (5), 2525-2555 , 2024 2024.0 Citations: 11
Assessment of mechanical, physical, and thermal characterization of jujube seed shell briquettes SA Adesanya, JS Ibrahim, A Kuhe, AA Ndah Bioresource Technology Reports 26, 101868 , 2024 2024.0 Citations: 11
Bioresource Technology Reports SA Adesanya, JS Ibrahim, A Kuhe, AA Ndah
Assessment of Mechanical, Physical, and Thermal Characterization of Jubebe Seed Shell Briquettes A SA, I JS, N AA
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Experimental and numerical studies of the effect of perforation configuration on heat transfer enhancement of pin fins heat sink NA Alpha, IH Aondover, A Kuhe Heat Transfer 53 (5), 2525-2555 , 2024 2024.0 Citations: 11
Assessment of mechanical, physical, and thermal characterization of jujube seed shell briquettes SA Adesanya, JS Ibrahim, A Kuhe, AA Ndah Bioresource Technology Reports 26, 101868 , 2024 2024.0 Citations: 11
Enhancing energy security and cost efficiency in Nigerian higher institutions via hybrid renewable energy systems A Kuhe, AA Ndah, MA Idris Discover Environment 3 (1), 138 , 2025 2025.0 Citations: 3
Optimising Solar-Biomass Hybrid Energy Systems for Sustainable Rural Electrification AA Muhammad, I JS, NA Alpha 2025.0 Citations: 3
Heat transfer and pressure drop enhancement in staggered perforated pin-fin heat sinks: an experimental study AA Ndah, A Kuhe Experimental Heat Transfer 39 (4), 404-421 , 2026 2026.0 Citations: 2
Sustainable briquette production from jujube seed shells: Process optimization using response surface methodology A Samuel Abayomi, K Aondoyila, I Jacob Sunday, N Abdulrahman Alpha Environmental Progress & Sustainable Energy 44 (3), e14563 , 2025 2025.0 Citations: 1
Integrating Solar and Biomass Energy for Sustainable Off-Grid Power Solutions in Adadu Community, Nasarawa State, Nigeria NA Alpha, AA Muhammad, AE Idenyi Cureus Journal of Engineering 3, 1-21 , 2026 2026.0
Heat Transfer Enhancement on Staggered Perforated Circular Pin-Fin Heat Sink: An Experimental Assessment A Kuhe Current Research in Thermal Conductivity , 2024 2024.0
Bioresource Technology Reports SA Adesanya, JS Ibrahim, A Kuhe, AA Ndah
Assessment of Mechanical, Physical, and Thermal Characterization of Jubebe Seed Shell Briquettes A SA, I JS, N AA
