TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF KENYA

AUGUST 2018 EXAMINATION

COURSE: BTECH CIVIL ENGINEERING YEAR OF STUDY: 4th

UNIT CODE: EECI 4283 TITLE: APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY

Time allocated: Two (2) hours.

SECTION A (Compulsory)

QUESTION 1

i) Define the term ‘’Appropriate Technology’’. (3 marks).

ii) The term ‘’Appropriate Technology’’ is typically used in two contexts. In what context is it
used (a) in developing countries? and, (b) in developed countries? (5 marks).
iii) What do you understand by the term ‘’water catchment area’’? (2 marks).
iv) Describe the response of a catchment to a rainfall event. (10 marks).
v) What efforts has Kenya made in catchment management and development? (10 marks).

SECTION B (Answer any two questions from this section).

QUESTION 2

i) A pump delivers water from a lower to a higher reservoir. The difference in elevation
between the reservoirs is 10 m. The pump provides an energy head of 11 m and the frictional
head losses are 0.7 m. If the pipe diameter is 300 mm, calculate the discharge using
Bernoulli’s equation and the continuity equation. (10 marks).

ii) Write short notes on (a) sub-surface dams, and (b) sand dams. (4 marks).
iii) What are the two methods applied in drilling of wells? (3 marks).
Describe three (3) drilling technologies that would be appropriate in the context of a
developing country. (3 marks).
QUESTION 3

i) Write some short notes on water quality parameters that determine the potability of a water
system. (5 marks).
ii) Briefly describe the following in rural and urban electrification, (a) shielded cable, (b) single
wire earth return, (c) transmission upgrades and expansion. (6 marks).
iii) Discuss sustainability of HEP as source of renewable and clean energy. (5 marks).
iv) Write some short notes on use of biomass to generate electricity. (4 marks).

QUESTION 4

i) What is sanitation? (2 marks).

ii) Discuss three (3) appropriate technologies for safe collection and disposal of human waste.
(6 marks).
iii) What is sullage? (2 marks).
iv) Briefly describe the unit processes combined to form a conventional sewage treatment works.
v) A dry pit latrine is to be designed for a family of 5 people as follows: the depth should be 4
metres; the pit design should be 0.6 cubic metre per person per year; the number of years
the pit is to be used before emptying is 6. Using a suitable formula, determine the volume of
the pit required. Hint: provide the formula first. (10 marks).

QUESTION 5

i) Discuss three (3) types of waste stabilization ponds in common use. (6 marks).
ii) What is the purpose of traffic survey? (4 marks).
iii) What is the purpose of food processing? Describe three examples of food processing.
(5 marks).
iv) What do you understand by NEMA, EMCA and what roles do they play in ensuring
appropriate technology for Kenya? (5 marks).