The potential benefits of the application of a circular economy—converting biomass at Za'atar... more The potential benefits of the application of a circular economy—converting biomass at Za'atari Syrian refugee camps into energy—was investigated in this study. Representative organic waste and sludge samples were collected from the camp, mixed in different ratios, and analyzed in triplicate for potential biogas yield. Numerous calorific tests were also carried out. The tangential benefit of the co-digestion that was noticed was that it lowered the value of the total solid content in the mixture to the recommended values for wet digestion without the need for freshwater. To test the potential methane production, the automated methane potential test system (AMPTS) and the graduated tubes in the temperature-controlled climate room GB21 were utilized. Also, calorific values were determined for the organic waste and sludge on both a dry and a wet basis. The maximum biogas production from 100% organic waste and 100% sludge using AMPTS was 153 m3 ton-1 and 5.6 m3 ton-1, respectively. M...
Deformation induced crystallization is crucial for determining the final mechanical properties of... more Deformation induced crystallization is crucial for determining the final mechanical properties of elastomers-rubber. Elastomeric networks show high upturn in the stress-strain curves with a significant hysteresis, this is attributed to the deformation induced crystallization phenomenon. Thermodynamics of rubber-like high polymers have been studied, and uniaxial extension with some approximations is discussed to obtain an overview of the proposed thermodynamic constitutive theory. A thermodynamical statistical model is presented for studying the stress-strain behaviour of elastomeric networks, and the dependence of the stress coefficients on the degree of crystallinity. This is based on the modified distribution of chains of finite length. A crystallization formulation based on irreversible thermodynamics is adopted to describe the crystallization taking into account the effects of strain rate and temperature. Mooney representation curves are introduced in this study to show the stro...
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
COVID-19 has posed an unprecedented global public health threat and caused a significant number o... more COVID-19 has posed an unprecedented global public health threat and caused a significant number of severe cases that necessitated long hospitalization and overwhelmed health services in the most affected countries. In response, governments initiated a series of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) that led to severe economic and social impacts. The effect of these intervention measures on the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic are not well investigated within developing country settings. This study simulated the trajectories of the COVID-19 pandemic curve in Jordan between February and May and assessed the effect of Jordan’s strict NPI measures on the spread of COVID-19. A modified susceptible, exposed, infected, and recovered (SEIR) epidemic model was utilized. The compartments in the proposed model categorized the Jordanian population into six deterministic compartments: suspected, exposed, infectious pre-symptomatic, infectious with mild symptoms, infectious with moderate to seve...
The current research focuses on assessing the potential of municipal solid waste (MSW) conversion... more The current research focuses on assessing the potential of municipal solid waste (MSW) conversion into biofuel using pyrolysis process. The MSW samples were taken from Zaatari Syrian Refugee Camp. The physical and chemical characteristics of MSW were studied using proximate and elemental analysis. The results showed that moisture content of MSW is 32.3%, volatile matter (VM) is 67.99%, fixed carbon (FC) content is 5.46%, and ash content is 24.33%. The chemical analysis was conducted using CHNS analyzer and found that the percentage of elements contents: 46% Carbon (C) content, 12% Hydrogen (H2), 2% Nitrogen (N2), 44% Oxygen (O2), and higher heat value (HHV) is 26.14 MJ/kg. The MSW pyrolysis was conducted using tubular fluidized bed reactor (FBR) under inert gas (Nitrogen) at 500 °C with 20 °C/min heating rate and using average particles size 5–10 mm. The products of MSW pyrolysis reaction were: pyrolytic liquid, solid char, and gaseous mixture. The pyrolytic oil and residual char we...
The present study outlines a cohesive compilation of analysis of the involvement of women in deci... more The present study outlines a cohesive compilation of analysis of the involvement of women in decision-making and leadership in the solid waste sector in Jordan. The socio-economic challenges have been catalyzed by the influx of Syrian refugees into the host communities and camps in Jordan. Hence, deterioration of municipal solid waste services have centered on and proposed that women engagement in the Solid Waste (SW) sector to provide opportunities that aim to improve livelihoods by producing an avenue for added income generation through the recycling and sorting scheme; as well as the cost revenue implications for the municipalities. Since 2015, projects added prospects for continued engagement of women and have drastically increased their involvement by filling management positions in the development and operation of municipal SW Transfer Stations (TSs), including heading the design and operation of the TS, and the recycling project. While 54 employment opportunities were created...
Water scarcity remains the major looming challenge that is facing Jordan. Wastewater reclamation ... more Water scarcity remains the major looming challenge that is facing Jordan. Wastewater reclamation is considered as an alternative source of fresh water in semi-arid areas with water shortage or increased consumption. In the present study, the current status of wastewater reclamation and reuse in Jordan was analyzed considering 30 wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). The assessment was based on the WWWTPs’ treatment processes in Jordan, the flowrates scale, and the effluents’ average total dissolved solid (TDS) contents. Accordingly, 60% of the WWTPs in Jordan used activated sludge as a treatment technology; 30 WWTPs were small scale (˂1 × 104 m3/day); and a total of 17.932 million m3 treated wastewater had low TDS (˂1000 ppm) that generally can be used in industries with relatively minimal cost of treatment. Moreover, the analysis classified the 26 million m3 groundwater abstraction by major industries in Jordanian governorates. The results showed that the reclaimed wastewater can fu...
Journal of Water Supply: Research and Technology-Aqua
This study presents a baseline assessment of carbon emissions in water utilities in Madaba, Jorda... more This study presents a baseline assessment of carbon emissions in water utilities in Madaba, Jordan. Energy Performance and Carbon Emissions Assessment and Monitoring Tool (ECAM) is applied in the present study in order to reduce indirect and direct emissions. Input data for the assessment included inter alia, population, water volumes, energy consumption, and type of wastewater treatment. The methodology focuses on the greenhouse gases emissions and energy use that is directly associated with the utility operations covering the whole water cycle. The ECAM's Quick Assessment revealed that 89.7% of the energy is consumed in abstraction and distribution systems of water supply, whereas, wastewater collection, treatment, and discharge consumed only 10.3% in Madaba. The detailed ECAM tool assessment results showed that total GHG emissions from the entire water and wastewater system in Madaba are approximately 28.122 million kg CO2/year. The water supply is the major contributor to GH...
The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of refuse-derived fuel (RDF) production ... more The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of refuse-derived fuel (RDF) production from municipal solid waste (MSW) generated in Jordan using a biodrying process for coprocessing in cement kilns in the region. At the end of the biodrying process, the mass of waste was reduced on average by approximately 35% when the dried waste was directed to the landfill without recovery of material. For RDF utilization of the dried waste, the mass of waste to be landfilled was reduced by approximately 69%. The RDF produced was of high calorific value, with low moisture and acceptable chlorine content (0.56–1.20% w/w) compared to the RDF produced in other countries. The quality of the produced RDF did not differ from the RDF quality set by some European countries. Concerning heavy metal concentrations, in all cases, they were lower than the reported ranges from the other countries considered. The biodrying process allowed an increase of about 58% in the waste calorific value (LHV) as...
This study is conducted to investigate the characteristics of outflow wastewater of the 1 m3 on-s... more This study is conducted to investigate the characteristics of outflow wastewater of the 1 m3 on-site wastewater treatment unit on the basis of the testing and measurement data of the samples that were taken during the study monitored period (August 2017 to January 2018). For this purpose, samples were taken on a weekly basis from the treated wastewater effluent and five quality parameters (biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total suspended solids (TSS), pH, E-coli counts) were monitored and measured. The average values of the five parameters were compared with the Jordanian standard maximum values, and water reuse in irrigation of plants classifications have been assessed and investigated. Average values of BOD, COD, TSS, pH, and E-coli in treated wastewater were 11 mg/L, 104 mg/L, 15 mg/L, 7.51, and 387 counts, respectively. The installation of in-line ultraviolet (UV) unit in recirculating delivery system played a vital role in the reduction of counts far below the permissible maximum level (1000 counts). Based on national and international standards and criteria, results showed that the treated wastewater is suitable for the irrigation of two classifications of plants: (i) Fruit trees, road-green sides outside cities, and green landscape; (ii) Crops, commercial crops, and forest trees. Hence, such very low water flow rate treatment system can be utilized in refugees’ camps and water scarce residential areas in Jordan
A process improvement in a tablet manufacturing process within a pharmaceutical industry was carr... more A process improvement in a tablet manufacturing process within a pharmaceutical industry was carried out based on an eco-efficiency approach. As it is one of the most energy consuming processes in the production line, the tablet manufacturing process was considered. It has the highest production volume with a complicated and long manufacturing product life cycle. Data were collected on energy inputs and emissions data for the stages of powder direct mixing, particle size reduction, and tableting. A straightforward approach was then used to analyze environmental impacts in terms of GHG emissions. Non-added value steps were removed from the product life cycle process, which has led to significant time and cost savings, as well as to a reduction in the emission. Annual economic savings have been achieved, a time reduction of approximately 71% was attained, and the reduction in GHG emissions and energy cost were 73.2%. The g CO 2 eq per tablet reduction has been calculated within the process improvement to be 2.06 g CO 2 eq per tablet instead of 7.71 g CO 2 eq per tablet.
Water quality model is a helpful management tool for water distribution system. Estimation of gr... more Water quality model is a helpful management tool for water distribution system. Estimation of growth coefficients is an important and challenging component of water quality modeling. Reactions occurring in the bulk flow for both trihalomethanes (THMs) formation and chlorine decay kinetics in Zai drinking water have been studied. It was found that both THMs and chlorine kinetics follow first-order reactions for growth and decay, respectively. A numerical model for predicting THMs formation in drinking water distribution system networks has been developed and applied. THMs measurements were taken at three locations over 106 h from a northern portion of Sport City area (Kharabshe Reservoir), while the water quality time step is set to 3 min, to insure predicting accurate total trihalome-thanes (TTHMs) concentrations. The bulk flow for TTHMs formation rate constant value is determined and set to 5.82 × 10 −2 /h. The modeled results for THMs formation in the field network were compared favorably with the observed data for three sampling points in the network. The THMs formed inside the selected network of this case study was sixfolds higher than that formed in Zai treatment plant; and 113% higher than that formed in Kharabshe Reservoir. The model proved to be an effective tool for prediction of THMs formation in drinking water distribution systems.
The potential benefits of the application of a circular economy—converting biomass at Za'atar... more The potential benefits of the application of a circular economy—converting biomass at Za'atari Syrian refugee camps into energy—was investigated in this study. Representative organic waste and sludge samples were collected from the camp, mixed in different ratios, and analyzed in triplicate for potential biogas yield. Numerous calorific tests were also carried out. The tangential benefit of the co-digestion that was noticed was that it lowered the value of the total solid content in the mixture to the recommended values for wet digestion without the need for freshwater. To test the potential methane production, the automated methane potential test system (AMPTS) and the graduated tubes in the temperature-controlled climate room GB21 were utilized. Also, calorific values were determined for the organic waste and sludge on both a dry and a wet basis. The maximum biogas production from 100% organic waste and 100% sludge using AMPTS was 153 m3 ton-1 and 5.6 m3 ton-1, respectively. M...
Deformation induced crystallization is crucial for determining the final mechanical properties of... more Deformation induced crystallization is crucial for determining the final mechanical properties of elastomers-rubber. Elastomeric networks show high upturn in the stress-strain curves with a significant hysteresis, this is attributed to the deformation induced crystallization phenomenon. Thermodynamics of rubber-like high polymers have been studied, and uniaxial extension with some approximations is discussed to obtain an overview of the proposed thermodynamic constitutive theory. A thermodynamical statistical model is presented for studying the stress-strain behaviour of elastomeric networks, and the dependence of the stress coefficients on the degree of crystallinity. This is based on the modified distribution of chains of finite length. A crystallization formulation based on irreversible thermodynamics is adopted to describe the crystallization taking into account the effects of strain rate and temperature. Mooney representation curves are introduced in this study to show the stro...
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
COVID-19 has posed an unprecedented global public health threat and caused a significant number o... more COVID-19 has posed an unprecedented global public health threat and caused a significant number of severe cases that necessitated long hospitalization and overwhelmed health services in the most affected countries. In response, governments initiated a series of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) that led to severe economic and social impacts. The effect of these intervention measures on the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic are not well investigated within developing country settings. This study simulated the trajectories of the COVID-19 pandemic curve in Jordan between February and May and assessed the effect of Jordan’s strict NPI measures on the spread of COVID-19. A modified susceptible, exposed, infected, and recovered (SEIR) epidemic model was utilized. The compartments in the proposed model categorized the Jordanian population into six deterministic compartments: suspected, exposed, infectious pre-symptomatic, infectious with mild symptoms, infectious with moderate to seve...
The current research focuses on assessing the potential of municipal solid waste (MSW) conversion... more The current research focuses on assessing the potential of municipal solid waste (MSW) conversion into biofuel using pyrolysis process. The MSW samples were taken from Zaatari Syrian Refugee Camp. The physical and chemical characteristics of MSW were studied using proximate and elemental analysis. The results showed that moisture content of MSW is 32.3%, volatile matter (VM) is 67.99%, fixed carbon (FC) content is 5.46%, and ash content is 24.33%. The chemical analysis was conducted using CHNS analyzer and found that the percentage of elements contents: 46% Carbon (C) content, 12% Hydrogen (H2), 2% Nitrogen (N2), 44% Oxygen (O2), and higher heat value (HHV) is 26.14 MJ/kg. The MSW pyrolysis was conducted using tubular fluidized bed reactor (FBR) under inert gas (Nitrogen) at 500 °C with 20 °C/min heating rate and using average particles size 5–10 mm. The products of MSW pyrolysis reaction were: pyrolytic liquid, solid char, and gaseous mixture. The pyrolytic oil and residual char we...
The present study outlines a cohesive compilation of analysis of the involvement of women in deci... more The present study outlines a cohesive compilation of analysis of the involvement of women in decision-making and leadership in the solid waste sector in Jordan. The socio-economic challenges have been catalyzed by the influx of Syrian refugees into the host communities and camps in Jordan. Hence, deterioration of municipal solid waste services have centered on and proposed that women engagement in the Solid Waste (SW) sector to provide opportunities that aim to improve livelihoods by producing an avenue for added income generation through the recycling and sorting scheme; as well as the cost revenue implications for the municipalities. Since 2015, projects added prospects for continued engagement of women and have drastically increased their involvement by filling management positions in the development and operation of municipal SW Transfer Stations (TSs), including heading the design and operation of the TS, and the recycling project. While 54 employment opportunities were created...
Water scarcity remains the major looming challenge that is facing Jordan. Wastewater reclamation ... more Water scarcity remains the major looming challenge that is facing Jordan. Wastewater reclamation is considered as an alternative source of fresh water in semi-arid areas with water shortage or increased consumption. In the present study, the current status of wastewater reclamation and reuse in Jordan was analyzed considering 30 wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). The assessment was based on the WWWTPs’ treatment processes in Jordan, the flowrates scale, and the effluents’ average total dissolved solid (TDS) contents. Accordingly, 60% of the WWTPs in Jordan used activated sludge as a treatment technology; 30 WWTPs were small scale (˂1 × 104 m3/day); and a total of 17.932 million m3 treated wastewater had low TDS (˂1000 ppm) that generally can be used in industries with relatively minimal cost of treatment. Moreover, the analysis classified the 26 million m3 groundwater abstraction by major industries in Jordanian governorates. The results showed that the reclaimed wastewater can fu...
Journal of Water Supply: Research and Technology-Aqua
This study presents a baseline assessment of carbon emissions in water utilities in Madaba, Jorda... more This study presents a baseline assessment of carbon emissions in water utilities in Madaba, Jordan. Energy Performance and Carbon Emissions Assessment and Monitoring Tool (ECAM) is applied in the present study in order to reduce indirect and direct emissions. Input data for the assessment included inter alia, population, water volumes, energy consumption, and type of wastewater treatment. The methodology focuses on the greenhouse gases emissions and energy use that is directly associated with the utility operations covering the whole water cycle. The ECAM's Quick Assessment revealed that 89.7% of the energy is consumed in abstraction and distribution systems of water supply, whereas, wastewater collection, treatment, and discharge consumed only 10.3% in Madaba. The detailed ECAM tool assessment results showed that total GHG emissions from the entire water and wastewater system in Madaba are approximately 28.122 million kg CO2/year. The water supply is the major contributor to GH...
The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of refuse-derived fuel (RDF) production ... more The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of refuse-derived fuel (RDF) production from municipal solid waste (MSW) generated in Jordan using a biodrying process for coprocessing in cement kilns in the region. At the end of the biodrying process, the mass of waste was reduced on average by approximately 35% when the dried waste was directed to the landfill without recovery of material. For RDF utilization of the dried waste, the mass of waste to be landfilled was reduced by approximately 69%. The RDF produced was of high calorific value, with low moisture and acceptable chlorine content (0.56–1.20% w/w) compared to the RDF produced in other countries. The quality of the produced RDF did not differ from the RDF quality set by some European countries. Concerning heavy metal concentrations, in all cases, they were lower than the reported ranges from the other countries considered. The biodrying process allowed an increase of about 58% in the waste calorific value (LHV) as...
This study is conducted to investigate the characteristics of outflow wastewater of the 1 m3 on-s... more This study is conducted to investigate the characteristics of outflow wastewater of the 1 m3 on-site wastewater treatment unit on the basis of the testing and measurement data of the samples that were taken during the study monitored period (August 2017 to January 2018). For this purpose, samples were taken on a weekly basis from the treated wastewater effluent and five quality parameters (biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total suspended solids (TSS), pH, E-coli counts) were monitored and measured. The average values of the five parameters were compared with the Jordanian standard maximum values, and water reuse in irrigation of plants classifications have been assessed and investigated. Average values of BOD, COD, TSS, pH, and E-coli in treated wastewater were 11 mg/L, 104 mg/L, 15 mg/L, 7.51, and 387 counts, respectively. The installation of in-line ultraviolet (UV) unit in recirculating delivery system played a vital role in the reduction of counts far below the permissible maximum level (1000 counts). Based on national and international standards and criteria, results showed that the treated wastewater is suitable for the irrigation of two classifications of plants: (i) Fruit trees, road-green sides outside cities, and green landscape; (ii) Crops, commercial crops, and forest trees. Hence, such very low water flow rate treatment system can be utilized in refugees’ camps and water scarce residential areas in Jordan
A process improvement in a tablet manufacturing process within a pharmaceutical industry was carr... more A process improvement in a tablet manufacturing process within a pharmaceutical industry was carried out based on an eco-efficiency approach. As it is one of the most energy consuming processes in the production line, the tablet manufacturing process was considered. It has the highest production volume with a complicated and long manufacturing product life cycle. Data were collected on energy inputs and emissions data for the stages of powder direct mixing, particle size reduction, and tableting. A straightforward approach was then used to analyze environmental impacts in terms of GHG emissions. Non-added value steps were removed from the product life cycle process, which has led to significant time and cost savings, as well as to a reduction in the emission. Annual economic savings have been achieved, a time reduction of approximately 71% was attained, and the reduction in GHG emissions and energy cost were 73.2%. The g CO 2 eq per tablet reduction has been calculated within the process improvement to be 2.06 g CO 2 eq per tablet instead of 7.71 g CO 2 eq per tablet.
Water quality model is a helpful management tool for water distribution system. Estimation of gr... more Water quality model is a helpful management tool for water distribution system. Estimation of growth coefficients is an important and challenging component of water quality modeling. Reactions occurring in the bulk flow for both trihalomethanes (THMs) formation and chlorine decay kinetics in Zai drinking water have been studied. It was found that both THMs and chlorine kinetics follow first-order reactions for growth and decay, respectively. A numerical model for predicting THMs formation in drinking water distribution system networks has been developed and applied. THMs measurements were taken at three locations over 106 h from a northern portion of Sport City area (Kharabshe Reservoir), while the water quality time step is set to 3 min, to insure predicting accurate total trihalome-thanes (TTHMs) concentrations. The bulk flow for TTHMs formation rate constant value is determined and set to 5.82 × 10 −2 /h. The modeled results for THMs formation in the field network were compared favorably with the observed data for three sampling points in the network. The THMs formed inside the selected network of this case study was sixfolds higher than that formed in Zai treatment plant; and 113% higher than that formed in Kharabshe Reservoir. The model proved to be an effective tool for prediction of THMs formation in drinking water distribution systems.
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