volume-03-Issue 1 (2011)
Latest Articles
Phosphorus-Sorption Characteristics of Calcareous Soils in Arid and Semi Arid Regions
SWES, volume-03, Issue 1 (2011) , PP 53 - 58
Published: 09 Dec 2010
DOI: 10.5383/swes.03.01.009
by Kholoud Mashal, Mohammed Al-Qinna, Jwan Ibbini from Department of Land Management and Environment, Hashemite university , Zarqa, Jordan
Abstract: Understanding of phosphorus (P) sorption and desorption by soils is important for water quality. The objectives of this study are to: (1) estimate P-sorption parameters of calcareous soils; and (2) determine the factors affecting P sorption and the relation between equilibrium P concentration at zero-net P sorption (EPCo) and soil parameters. In this study selected samples of calcareous soils (CaCO3 % 34-60) were collected from the Al-Hashemiya area. Phosphorus sorption isotherms covering a wide concentration range of phosphate (0-500 mg/L phosphate) were determined at room temperature by batch experiments. The results indicate that as the P concentration in solution increased, the slope of the sorption isotherm changed abruptly. The abrupt change in slope of the sorption isotherms suggests that P precipitation at the carbonate surface began to dominate the process as concentrations increased beyond that of the point of inflection. Sorption isotherm results showed that these soils best fit Freundlich isotherm. Both Pearson correlation matrix and stepwise regression models indicated that Fe-oxide and soil cation exchange capacity (CEC) are the most significant effective (P<0.05) predictors on P availability and occurrence in calcareous soils, while carbonate content, soil pH, EC, and OM content were insignificant on P availability read more... read less...
Keywords: phosphorus, sorption, Freundlich, CEC, desorption
Power Quality Event Recognition and Classification Using a WaveletBased Neural Network
SWES, volume-03, Issue 1 (2011) , PP 45 - 52
Published: 09 Dec 2010
DOI: 10.5383/swes.03.01.008
by G. Viskadouros, G. Stavrakakis, and E. Ellinaki from Technical University of Crete, Chania, Greece, 73100
Abstract: In the late 20th century has been observed an enormous increase in electronic equipment. These new generations of electronic equipment became progressively sensitive to power quality disturbances. Therefore, monitoring and detection of power quality disturbances has become a significant issue. The main purpose of this paper is to find, present, test and evaluate a new technique that is being used for power quality monitoring and classification. This is a “Wavelet based Probabilistic Neural-Network (PNN) technique”. The wavelet based PNN method was implemented in the Matlab platform and tested with data that have been acquired from the Public Power Corporation (PPC) Power Supply Station in Katsmas at Heraklion, Crete Island, Greece. Those data were acquired via the Series 5500 Dual - Node, a Power Quality Monitoring Device that was installed at the capacitors’ 13.8kV busbar of the facility. The results of the algorithm used were evaluated, compared, and some final conclusions came up, regarding their effectiveness and their flexibility. read more... read less...
Keywords: Keywords: Power Quality, power monitoring and efficiency, power disturbances, PNN, wavelets transform
The Application of Artificial Neural Networks for Simulation of Biological CH4 Oxidation in Landfill Bio-Covers
SWES, volume-03, Issue 1 (2011) , PP 37 - 44
Published: 09 Dec 2010
DOI: 10.5383/swes.03.01.007
by Muna Albanna, Mostafa Warith, and Leta Fernandes from Department of Water and Environmental Engineering, German Jordanian University, Amman 11185 Jordan, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5 Canada
Abstract: Biological methane (CH4) oxidation in landfill cover system plays an important role in reducing CH4 emissions from landfill sites into the atmosphere. The oxidation rate depends on different environmental factors, mostly temperature and moisture content. The non-methane organic compounds (NMOCs) present in landfill gas can affect the extent of biological CH4 oxidation rates expected in the cover system. Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) are non-linear statistical modeling tools that can be used to model complex relationships between input and output data sets to find and learn their performance patterns. The purpose of this study is to develop a model based on ANN to estimate the CH4 oxidation rates in landfill bio-covers under various levels of temperature, moisture content and NMOCs concentration. The best model for prediction of CH4 oxidation rates was selected based on minimum errors and highest coefficient of determination values. The selected model successfully simulated the effect of each input data on the oxidation capacity of the biocover. read more... read less...
Keywords: biological oxidation, methane, landfill cover, artificial neural networks, moisture content, temperature, nonmethane organic compounds
The study of the use of mycorrhizae, barley and common vetch in the remediation of Pb, Zn, Cd, As, Ni and Al contaminated soils on old mine sites
SWES, volume-03, Issue 1 (2011) , PP 33 - 36
Published: 09 Dec 2010
DOI: 10.5383/swes.03.01.006
by Aysen AKAY, Emel KARAARSLAN from Selcuk University, Faculty of Agriculture, Dept. of Soil Science Konya-Turkey
Abstract: n the present study, the effect of mycorrhiza inoculation and barley and common vetch production on the remediation of Pb, Zn, CD, As, Ni and Al contaminated soils on old mine sites was examined. For this purpose, two types of barley (Hordeum vulgare) (Karatay-94 and Larenda) and a type of common vetch (Vicia sativa) (Tamkoc-2000) which are widely cultivated in the Konya province of Turkey, where the study was conducted, were used as test plants. Furthermore, Mossie type mycorrhiza inoculation was also implemented on the plants. The total heavy metal contents of the soils used in the experiment were as follows: 10.000 mg Pb kg-1 soil, 10.000 mg Zn kg-1 soil, 254.7 mg Cd kg-1 soil, 39 mg as kg-1 soil, 43.7 mg Ni kg-1 soil and 5.84 % Al. In the study, three different soil mixtures were used as growth medium. These were 1) pure mine soil, 2) 1 unit mine soil + 2 units sand and peat mixture, 3) 2 units mine soil + 1 unit sand and peat mixture. The pots were inoculated with Glomus Mossie during the planting process. The growth of plants inoculated and not inoculated with mycorrhizae was observed and inoculation, root weight, stems weight and root length values were measured. At the end of the experiment, it was observed that plants inoculated with Mossie showed better growth and their root growth and stem growth were much better when compared to plants which were not inoculated with mycorrhizae. When the plants were compared, it was found that common vetch showed better growth compared to two types of barley. Heavy metal uptake levels of the plants were also determined as the result of the experiments. read more... read less...
Keywords: Mycorrhizae, heavy metals, barley, common vetch, Pb, Zn, Ni, As
Land-use Change Scenarios for the Jordan River Region
SWES, volume-03, Issue 1 (2011) , PP 25 - 31
Published: 09 Dec 2010
DOI: 10.5383/swes.03.02.005
by Jennifer Kocha, Janina Onigkeit, Rüdiger Schaldach, Joseph Alcamo, Martin Köchy, Heinz-Peter Wolff, Iddo Kan from Center for Environmental Systems Research, University of Kassel, Kassel, Germany, 34109, Department of Plant Ecology and Nature Conservation, Potsdam University, Potsdam, Germany, 14469, Ostfildern, Germany, 73760 , Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Management, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel, 31905
Abstract: In order to develop pathways to increase the benefits from regional water resources for humans and ecosystems, the GLOWA Jordan River project comprises the elaboration of regional development scenarios for Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority. Since land-use change strongly affects water quantity and quality as well as biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, land-use change scenarios form an essential part of these regional development scenarios. We have applied the spatially explicit land-use change model Landshut's as integration tool within the scenario analysis of GLOWA Jordan River in order to develop land-use change scenarios for Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority up to 2050. The objective of this paper is to present the four resulting spatially explicit land-use change scenarios. All four scenarios show an increase in urban and built-up area and agricultural area by 2050. Two of these scenarios stand out due to strong rangeland expansion. Reasons are a large increase in livestock numbers and the application of a sustainable rangeland management strategy, respectively. We discuss possible future environmental problems and potential subsequent applications of the land-use change scenarios in form of environmental impact studies. Furthermore, we highlight necessary enhancements of the land-use change scenarios. read more... read less...
Keywords: Middle East, Story and Simulation Approach, GLOWA Jordan River, land-use change, LandSHIFT.R
Pre-Treatment of Crude Palm Oil Using Super Acid for Biodiesel Production
SWES, volume-03, Issue 1 (2011) , PP 19 - 24
Published: 09 Dec 2010
DOI: 10.5383/swes.03.01.004
by Mohd Ali Hashim, Adeeb Hayyan, Farouq S. Mjalli, Maan Hayyan, Inas M. AlNashef from Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, 50603, Malaysia, Petroleum & Chemical Engineering Department, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat 123, Oman , King Saud University, Chemical Engineering Department, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Abstract: Malaysia, as one of the biggest palm oil producers and exporters in the world, produces large amount of crude palm oil (CPO) from its mills. Due to the high free fatty acids content (FFA) in CPO, the alkali catalysed transesterification to produce biodiesel gives low biodiesel yield because FFA reacts with alkali to produce soap. To resolve this problem, esterification reaction was used to convert FFA to fatty acid methyl ester (FAME). In this study, trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (TfOH) was used in the pre-treatment of CPO by esterification process. The purpose of pre-treatment process was to reduce the FFA content in CPO to a minimum level for biodiesel production. Esterification process of CPO was carried out to evaluate TfOH as a super acid catalyst. The optimum conditions showed that the FFA of CPO was reduced from 8.3% to less than 0.5% FFA and the yield of treated CPO and conversion of FFA to FAME were 95% and 97% respectively. read more... read less...
Keywords: Biodiesel; Esterification; Free fatty acids; Trifluoromethanesulfonic acid
Network Design for End of Life Vehicles Recovery in Countries with Developing Economy
SWES, volume-03, Issue 1 (2011) , PP 5 - 11
Published: 09 Dec 2010
DOI: 10.5383/swes.03.01.002
by Nermine A. Harraz, Noha Galal from Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology, Alexandria, Egypt, 21934 , Alexandria University, Faculty of Engineering, Alexandria, Egypt, 21544 , Arab Academy for Science and Technology and Maritime Transport, Alexandria, Egypt
Abstract: This paper aims at establishing a visible and traceable system for recovering End of Life Vehicles (ELVs) in a sustainable manner. The target is to cease the inefficient and scattered practices associated with ELVs, and simultaneously enhance the recycling and reuse activities and implementing life cycle management practices in regions with developing economies and Labor intensive aspect. To tackle this problem a mixed integer linear goal programming (MILGP) model is developed. The solution of the model helps deciding on the location of the recovery facilities in addition to the number of parts and assemblies headed to different End of Life (EOL) options. The effect of the model parameters on the network design is examined. The results may be used as a guide in setting recovery targets and environmental regulations controlling the activities of ELVs treatment read more... read less...
Keywords: Recovery Network Design, End of Life Vehicles, Sustainability, Goal Programming, Reverse Logistics
Polysilicon Micro Pirani Vacuum Gauge
SWES, volume-03, Issue 1 (2011) , PP 1 - 4
Published: 09 Dec 2010
DOI: 10.5383/swes.03.01.001
by Moh’d Sami Ashhab , Firas Makahleh from Department of Mechanical Engineering, The Hashemite University, Zarqa 13115, Jordan, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan
Abstract: A new Polysilicon Micro Pirani vacuum gauge that has a perforated grill structure with two parallel bridges has been designed and the fabrication method was established. A bridge with patterned square shape holes of poly-Si was formed on (100) silicon substrate. The bridge is suspended is suspended by its ends. This structure provides large active area and better heat distribution across the sensor, therefore improving full scale range of sensor. To optimize the shape, different sensor lengths and width were studied. Simulation with ANSYS software is used to study the deformation of the bridge due to its weight. Fabrication method of the sensor is fully explained. The sensor working pressure range is 10-4 mbar to 1000 mbar read more... read less...
Keywords: Pressure Vacuum Gauge, Heat Distribution, Polysilicon, Micro Scale