Finite element solutions are highly sensitive to the finite element shape selected and the number of nodes. In this study, a new higher-order finite element analysis is employed to investigate the non-axisymmetric thermoelastic performance of a hollow cylinder made of functionally graded material (FGM) exposed to variable hoop temperature. The analysis employs higher-order finite triangular elements with 6- and 10-nodes to increase the accuracy of the numerical solution as it deals with a curve shaped problem. A strong agreement was achieved when a comprehensive comparison of the thermal and displacement distributions across the cylinder's annulus was conducted with analytical and numerical solutions from prior literature. This study also examines the impact of the volume-graded index on heat and displacement variations along the radial direction. This investigation contributes to understanding the thermal stresses in FGM and highlights the effectiveness of finite element method in analyzing complex thermoelastic systems.
This work conducts performance analysis on a thin-film based photovoltaic (PV) solar system located on the Middle East University (MEU) campus in Jordan. The analysis includes gauging the performance of the PV system using established industry performance parameters, and studying the energy production trends. After investigating different aspects affecting the PV solar system such as the PV modules temperature losses and component availability, several causes of low energy output are hypothesized and discussed. Afterwards, a new PV system that relies on crystalline silicon technology was proposed and designed with proper system components along with an economic feasibility study. The new system is designed to provide a comparison to the currently installed system under the same site conditions and to be presented as a future project proposal for the university to pursue. As a result, we have found that the performance ratio of the new proposed PV solar system is five times higher in comparison with the currently installed system.
PL
W tej pracy przeprowadzono analizę wydajności cienkowarstwowego systemu fotowoltaicznego (PV) zlokalizowanego na terenie kampusu Middle East University (MEU) w Jordanii. Analiza obejmuje pomiar wydajności systemu PV przy użyciu ustalonych parametrów wydajnościowych branży oraz badanie trendów produkcji energii. Po zbadaniu różnych aspektów wpływających na system PV, takich jak straty temperatury modułów PV i dostępność komponentów, wysunięto hipotezę i omówiono kilka przyczyn niskiej wydajności energetycznej. Następnie zaproponowano i zaprojektowano nowy system PV, który opiera się na technologii krzemu krystalicznego, z odpowiednimi komponentami systemu wraz ze studium wykonalności ekonomicznej. Nowy system ma zapewnić porównanie z obecnie zainstalowanym systemem w tych samych warunkach na miejscu i zostać przedstawiony jako przyszła propozycja projektu, którą uniwersytet będzie mógł realizować. W rezultacie odkryliśmy, że współczynnik wydajności nowego proponowanego systemu PV jest pięć razy wyższy w porównaniu z obecnie zainstalowanym systemem.
In this study, the Electrolux ammonia-water-hydrogen vapor absorption system (VAS) has been analyzed for cooling load with different heat transfer media. The performance of the VAS under variable environmental conditions was investigated. It has been concluded that a high heat transfer medium is essential to have a high COP system. The cooling load of air had a COP of about 0.31%, where water improved the COP to 15%. This study also indicated that moving from natural convection to forced convection improves the evaporator temperature from -10 °C to -11.6 °C. Mist water and mist ethanol improved the evaporator temperature to -12.8 °C and -13.7 °C respectively. This study emphasizes choosing suitable heat transfer medium with the VAS maximizes the COP of the system, it also indicates that better heat transfer from the condenser such as ground source heat exchanger or pool cooling condenser must be used instead of natural convection with air.
This study aims to investigate the determinants of the intention to continue using digital accounting systems (ICU-DAS) among Jordanian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This study used a quantitative approach with questionnaires distributed to o 440 Jordanian SMEs. The sample included key decision-makers such as managers and owners, primarily from SMEs. A total of 318 sets of questionnaires were returned with complete responses and were examined further. The research model was analysed using partial least squares (PLS) with the Smart-PLS software. The results of this investigation revealed that system quality, information quality, perceived usefulness, and perceived ease of use significantly influence the intention to continue using digital accounting systems. This study bridges the gap between theory and practice, offering academic and practical insights into the factors influencing the continued use of digital accounting systems in SMEs. This research contributes significantly to understanding technology continuance, particularly in the context of SMEs in Jordan. Integrating ISSM, TAM, and ECM provides insights into how these systems are adopted and sustained in less-developed regions. The study provides actionable recommendations for SMEs and policymakers. SMEs can enhance SQ, IQ, and user satisfaction to improve adoption and long-term use by understanding the key factors driving DAS continuance. Policymakers can leverage these f indings to create policies that encourage SMEs to adopt and maintain DAS, contributing to the region’s economic growth.
Floating photovoltaic (FPV) systems have emerged as an innovative and sustainable solution for renewable energy generation, offering advantages such as enhanced efficiency, land conservation, and integration with aquatic environments. This review examines critical factors influencing the efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and long-term viability of FPV systems compared to conventional land-based photovoltaic installations. Key considerations include the natural cooling effect of water, structural stability under environmental forces, electrical system optimization for safety and performance, and site selection to balance ecological preservation with energy generation. The study also explores maintenance strategies to address challenges like biofouling and corrosion, along with the environmental impacts of FPV systems on aquatic ecosystems, water quality, and biodiversity. Advanced corrosion protection methods, including multilayer coatings and cathodic protection, are highlighted for their role in extending system durability, while innovations in design, such as compliant modular structures, address stability in variable-depth and high-stress environments. FPV systems benefiting from reduced maintenance and enhanced energy output due to water’s cooling effect. Case studies, such as the Huainan Coal Mine FPV system in China and the Omkareshwar Reservoir FPV project in India, demonstrate the transformative potential of FPV technology in mitigating climate change, optimizing land use, and promoting energy security. The review provides a comprehensive framework for successful FPV system deployment, offering actionable insights for engineers, policymakers, and stakeholders to advance sustainable energy solutions.
This review highlights the effects of adding to asphalt binder and asphalt mixtures, emphasizing its growing adoption globally due to environmental and economic advantages. The analysis evaluates the performance of asphalt binders and concrete mixtures modified with different forms of polyethylene (PE), including low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE). The review revealed that incorporating waste polyethylene significantly enhances key properties of asphalt mixtures. Specifically, PE addition increases the softening point, viscosity, and specific gravity while reducing penetration. Furthermore, it improves the complex shear modulus, thermal stability, moisture resistance, and resistance to permanent deformation, although it may lead to a decrease in bulk density and creep rate of modified mixtures. The optimal PE content is recommended to be in the range of 4–12% by weight of binder, yielding substantial improvements in Marshall stability, flow, voids in mineral aggregates (VMA), air voids, dynamic modulus, and overall strength.
Humidification is a core factor in air conditioning, agriculture, industry, and health applications. Many humidification techniques were used in the literature, and the humidification and evaporative cooling from multi-wet cylinders were investigated in this study. An experimental test rig was constructed to perform tests. The air temperature and the number of wet cylinders were varied and tested, experimental results were recorded and validated with theory, and the maximum error was recorded to be 3.3%. It has been noted that the relative humidity drops by increasing air temperature as expected from the literature. The use of multiple cylinders has the effect of humidification and evaporative cooling. The more the number of wet cylinders the more the evaporation rate. As mα = 0.0975 kg/s with an almost constant wet bulb temperature of 9 C, the amount of water evaporated was calculated as 73.7, 130, and 263 g/h for single, double, and triple wet cylinders respectively.
The development of sustainable, high-performance composite materials has led to an increasing interest in natural fiber-reinforced polymers enhanced with nanofillers. This study investigates the effect of graphene nanoplatelets (GnPs) on the interfacial and mechanical properties of flax fiber-reinforced epoxy composites. The GnPs were added at concentrations ranging from 0 wt.% to 6 wt.% while maintaining a constant flax fiber volume fraction of 25%. The mechanical performance of Flax/Epoxy/GnPs (F/E/GnPs) composites was assessed alongside their corresponding Epoxy/GnPs (E/GnPs) matrix composites. The interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) of the F/E/GnPs composites was measured using the short-beam bending method. Results showed that the GnPs addition decreased the fracture strength, fracture strain, and toughness in the E/GnPs matrix composites but significantly improved the stiffness. Incorporating flax fiber into these matrix composites enhanced the mechanical strength across all compositions. Notably, the F/E/1.5GnPs composite demonstrated optimal performance, with a 166% increase in the fracture strength and a 500% increase in the modulus of elasticity compared to E/1.5GnPs, alongside an 18% improvement in ILSS relative to neat epoxy. These improvements were attributed to the better interfacial adhesion and stress transfer caused by the uniform GnPs dispersion. However, increasing the GnPs content beyond 1.5 wt.% led to agglomeration and higher matrix viscosity, which weakened the fiber wetting and reduced interfacial bonding. SEM analysis of E/GnPs matrix composites revealed a more brittle fracture behaviour with a higher GnPs content. In the F/E/GnPs composites, excessive GnPs content further reduced the interfacial cohesion between flax fibers and the epoxy resin, likely caused by limited wetting during the fabrication process. These findings highlight the importance of optimising the GnPs content to balance the strength, adhesion, and processability in natural fiber composites.
The aim of the research was to enhance the trajectory control of a nonlinear freedom flying body model by comparing time-varying linear quadratic regulator (TVLQR) controller with proportional–integral–derivative (PID) control. The nonlinear behavior of the flying body is represented using a linear time-varying (LTV) approach, accounting for parameter variations over time. The equations of motion for the LTV model and the nonlinear flying body were elaborated within the Matlab-Simulink environment. The optimization method was utilized to adapt the PID gains for the simulation of the nonlinear flying body. Their response was then compared to that of identical PID gains implemented on the LTV model. TVLQR optimal controller was generated by solving the Riccati Equation. A comparison between the performance of TVLQR and PID controllers was conducted using a nonlinear flying body. Additionally, the study examined the impact of wind by introducing wind velocity to the velocity of the flying body. In conclusion, we found that the TVLQR controller had better tracking performance, it excelled in actuator deflection, was wind resistant, and effectively dealt with dynamics and actuator uncertainties.
PL
Celem badań było usprawnienie kontroli trajektorii nieliniowego modelu swobodnie latającego obiektu poprzez porównanie regulatora zmiennoprzecinkowego liniowego regulatora kwadratowego (TVLQR) ze sterowaniem proporcjonalno-całkująco-różniczkującym (PID). Nieliniowe zachowanie latającego obiektu przedstawiono za pomocą modelu liniowego zależnego od czasu (LTV), uwzględniającego zmiany parametrów w czasie. Równania ruchu modelu LTV oraz nieliniowego obiektu latającego opracowano w środowisku Matlab-Simulink. Zastosowano metodę optymalizacji w celu dostosowania wzmocnień PID do symulacji nieliniowego obiektu latającego. Ich odpowiedź została następnie porównana z identycznymi wzmocnieniami PID zastosowanymi w modelu LTV. Optymalny kontroler TVLQR został wygenerowany poprzez rozwiązanie równania Riccatiego. Porównanie wydajności regulatorów TVLQR oraz PID przeprowadzono przy użyciu nieliniowego obiektu latającego. W pracy zbadano ponadto wpływ wiatru poprzez wprowadzenie prędkości wiatru do prędkości przemieszczającego się obiektu latającego. W podsumowaniu stwierdzono, że sterownik TVLQR miał lepszą wydajność śledzenia obiektu, wyróżniał się pod względem odchylenia siłownika, był odporny na wiatr i skutecznie poradził sobie z dynamiką i niepewnością siłownika.
This paper provides a fuzzy logic approach with multi-stakeholder decision support to evaluate and rank different strategies as well as policies that may have a direct impact on the implementation of low emission zones in low income and developing countries. The multi decision-making analysis, which was performed using the Delphi method and fuzzy logic and applied on the city of Amman, suggested that promoting and investing in last-mile delivery solutions, such as electric vehicles and cargo bikes has the highest impact on implementing low emission zones in Amman and this strategy could increase the sustainability. According to local decision makers, encouraging and investing in last-mile delivery alternatives, such as EVs and cargo bikes, has the most impact on adopting LEZ in Amman’s inner city.
Atmospheric water harvesting (AWH) devices represent a fruitful hope to cope with the water shortage problem throughout the world. The vast development in AWH technology and the wide spread of various AWH techniques will largely contribute to the implementation of AWH machines in different household, agricultural and industrial applications. In the last decades, a huge amount of research has been done on AWH methods with amazing differences in results that mislead readers and even researchers. In this study, the AWH theoretical technology developments, various AWH methods and various AWH machines in the market were reviewed. A comparison between the different theoretical methods was presented, concentration on unifying results based on area and energy consumption per harvested amount was performed for clear judgment on the different published data. The gaps between theory and market available devices were stated with recommendations for further development in AWH technology.
Thermal comfort in openair situations is a difficult industrial task. In literature there were insufficient studies on how to control the external microclimate in a region, and there are many activities outside the house in open areas that require temperature control, such as the stadiums in hot humid countries, and tourism, and recreational areas in humid and hot climates. Openair conditioning requires huge amount of energy, that negatively affects the global warming of the earth. To reduce energy consumption microclimate control is proposed. Isolation of the controlled area is performed to reduce the amount of air-conditioned load. In this project the air conditioning of an external open area will be studied. Wind tunnel with two air flows at different temperatures, relative humilities, angle of attach and velocities will be constructed. The two flows will be allowed to intersect to gather at different conditions (different wind speeds ranging from 1 to 7 m/s, as well as a jet flow about 1 m/s and angles 60 to 90 degrees) to construct an isolation Dom for the targeted outside open area. An open area with the use of cross flow that stops the local wind speed in the targeted area and allows to keep the conditioned air for a long time in the open space. This method allows to save huge energy used continuously for the air-conditioning purpose.
Hot storage tanks (HST) are known for their high energy consumption, attributed to variations in usage, heat dissipation within the tank, and heat losses to the surroundings. This study proposes a chimney-type electrically heated HST, which is investigated under static mode to enhance its thermal performance. Different natural circulation areas (chimney areas) with large (9.5 cm diameter), medium (2.5 cm diameter), and small (1.5 cm diameter) sizes were utilized to examine the effect of natural circulation on the HST performance. Additionally, the influence of chimney insulation on the HST performance was also studied. The experiments revealed that the chimney significantly affected the thermal stratification within the tank. Different chimney contact diameters (9.5 cm, 2.5 cm, and 1.5 cm) were tested, showing varying degrees of thermal stratification. The results indicated that smaller chimney contact diameters led to higher thermal stratification and more rapid heating of the top layer temperatures. However, the impact of insulation on thermal performance was inconclusive, suggesting the need for more effective insulation and further investigation into the dynamic mode of operation. The findings also highlighted the faster heating of the top outer layer compared to the larger diameter, emphasizing the significance of the chimney type electrical heater in the hot storage tank.
The industrial development and economic growth have provided a conducive environment for manufacturing process improvements. However, this progress also poses several challenges to remain competitive and improve efficiency and productivity. Failure mode and effect analysis is a systematic approach that is used extensively in the field of risk management to enhance quality and efficiency in different sectors including manufacturing and healthcare sectors. In this paper, novel approach to enhance the failure mode and effects analysis is proposed. The approach can address the inherent uncertainty involved in assigning numerical values to represent the severity, occurrence and detection of each failure. A case study from a small-scale factor was assessed to ensure the applicability and effectiveness of the proposed approach.
One way to cut down the consumption of diesel fuel in domestic heating in Jordan is to blend it with shale oil, which may be extracted from oil shale. This leads to a cut down in the national fuel bill in Jordan. Unfortunately, shale oil contains significant amounts of sulfur as impurities and upon burning sulfur oxides are emitted causing a negative environmental impact, and hence desulfurization of such fuel blends is essential. This may be achieved by adding activated carbon to the fluids. The process of removing sulfur from shale oil is crucial for safeguarding the environment, human well-being, and equipment, as well as meeting regulatory requirements and creating superior-quality goods. In this study, a domestic boiler was utilized to evaluate the degree of desulfurization process of blends of diesel and shale oil fuels upon their burning in a domestic boiler, to achieve this, blends of both fuels were prepared with varying amounts of shale oil (10%, 20%, 30%, and 40%) and various amounts of activated carbon were added to the prepared mixtures of diesel fuel and shale oil. The assessment of performance included examining the environmental impact, specifically by analyzing exhaust gases to measure the concentration of Sulfur Oxide (SO2). It was found that an increase in the concentration of shale oil in the mixture led to an increase in the concentration of SO2. However, adding more activated carbon to the mixture from the fuels resulted in a decrease in the SO2 concentration. The lowest SO2 concentration was observed when 1g of activated carbon was added per liter of the fuel mixture at a 20% concentration of shale oil, and 0.6g of activated carbon per liter of the fuel mixture at a 40% concentration of oil shale.
The thermoelectric cooler (TEC) and thermoelectric generator (TEG) modules have several appealing features, including fixed parts, high reliability, low maintenance costs, and seamless connection with other heating equipment, accompaniment, can be powered by a variety of low-energy renewable energy sources such as solar water/air collectors, ground heat exchangers or heat from biomass. The thermoelectric assembly was integrated into the TEC using the TEG in this study. A prototype was developed in which recently developed thermoelectric modules were integrated into a thermoelectric cooler. For this purpose, a TEC sandwiched between two TEGs with different heat transfer conditions was established, to simulate the heat transfer and thermoelectric behavior of both the TEG and the TEC system, and evaluate the effect of the combined TEG-TEC on the performance parameters of the good system by comparing different cooling modes ranging from natural convection, forced convection, and water-cooling tests. It was shown that to the natural convection of heat transfer, as the TEC voltage increases, the hot surface temperature of the upper TEG increases, and the cold surface temperature of the lower TEG decreases, where the lowest TEC temperature reaches 1.36 A. When using forced convection (by using a fan), the temperature profile decreases over time, starting at around 70 °C for 7V, and after almost 60 minutes, the temperature drops to around 45 °C for 3V. This turned out to be a match between experiment and theory in all traces shown, with a voltage difference of 25 mV for 3V TEC and ending at 70 mV for 8V TEC.
The worldwide transition to a future with net-zero emissions depends heavily on solar energy. However, when land prices rise, and population density rises, the need for large land expanses to develop solar farms poses difficulties. Floating Photovoltaics (FPV) has come to light as a viable remedy to this problem. FPV, which includes mounting solar panels on bodies of water, is gaining popularity as a practical choice in many nations worldwide. A significant capacity of 404 GWp for producing clean energy might be attained by using FPV to cover only 1% of the world’s reservoirs. This review shows that FPV has several benefits over conventional ground-mounted PV systems. On the other hand, there is a large study void regarding the effects of FPV on water quality and aquatic ecosystems. This review looks at the most recent FPV research, including its advantages, disadvantages, and potential. It looks into the compatibility of various bodies of water, worldwide potential, system effectiveness, and the possibility of integrating different technologies with FPV.
Risk, as an effect of uncertainty, is associated with every human activity. Like any other industry, construction companies are eager to reduce the uncertainty of reluctant events. A well-planned risk communication system could contribute to the success of a construction project. A proper announcement protocol could be a mitigating lever for identified or unidentified risks during planning and monitoring processes. This research aims to present a risk communication management system (RCMS) for construction companies involved in large projects. The proposed model includes a step-by-step communication procedure considering the authority level within the organisational hierarchical structure. The model aims to remove the ambiguity of risk communications during the construction process under uncertain conditions. It leaves no or little room for the emergence of unplanned risks. The proposed communication structure has been implemented in GRC cladding construction projects, and the risk communication time and response have been significantly improved.
Many particle accelerators rely on maintaining low pressures to ensure efficient operation, minimize beam losses, and reduce radiation background. To ensure a beam lifetime of 1–20 hours for the Synchrotron-light for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East (SESAME) vacuum system, an ideal average dynamic pressure of 1×10-9 mbar was targeted. This pressure was intended to be maintained while running the accelerator at a current of 400 mA after a cumulative dose of 100 Ah. In this study, a MATLAB code was employed to develop a series of one-dimensional equations that simulate the behavior of the vacuum system within the SESAME storage ring. The proposed model was then compared with the results generated by the VACCALC software and the Particle Monte Carlo (TPMC) MOLFLOW code, establishing a comprehensive assessment framework. The collected data from the model was subsequently compared with the recorded static and dynamic pressure measurements obtained during more than 1000 Ah of beam conditioning at 2.5 GeV. In results, the projected and actual values of dynamic pressures exhibited a satisfactory degree of agreement across the investigated range of beam conditioning doses, with a consistency factor exceeding 2 after a 100 Ah dose.
The objective of this study is to compare the performance of diesel engines, fuelled with biofuel blends extracted from corn, sunflower, and palm oils, against pure diesel. The experiments were performed using Lister LVI, single-cylinder, direct injection, four-stroke engines, with a compression ratio of 17:1. The following parameters were analysed: brake torque, brake mean effective pressure (BMEP), brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC), brake thermal efficiency (BTE), and exhaust gas temperature (EGT). The findings indicate that the characteristics of biodiesels are close to diesel fuel. Therefore, biodiesel becomes a viable alternative to diesel fuel without any modifications. Pure diesel has higher brake thermal efficiency and lower BSFC than all the biodiesel blends tested in this study. In addition, the engine consumes less fuel for biodiesel blends than pure diesel. High exhaust temperatures are conducive to nitrogen oxides (NOx) generation; hence, this study reveals that the exhaust temperature is reduced when utilizing biodiesel compared to pure diesel. According to several tests, palm biodiesel provides greater torque and BMEP than the rest of the biodiesel blends, and pure diesel due to emitting less NOx. Therefore, it stands to reason that it would be utilized in a diesel engine.
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