In this study, a set of three new silica-based embedded with NiO and/or MgO nanocatalysts (SBNs) ... more In this study, a set of three new silica-based embedded with NiO and/or MgO nanocatalysts (SBNs) have been prepared and tested for the pyrolysis of scrap tires (STs). The intent is to identify and optimize the best nanocatalyst that decreases the operating temperature and speeds up the pyrolysis reaction rate. The influence of the three prepared SBNs nanocatalysts on STs was scrutinized using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The kinetic triplets were estimated utilizing the isoconversional method of the Ozawa–Flynn–Wall (OFW) corrected model. Experimental TGA and FT-IR results showed a thermal decomposition of all volatile organic additives alongside the polyvinyl compounds at a lower temperature in the presence of these SBNs. However, a competitive decomposition behavior appeared for each SBN nanocatalysts. The kinetic triplets’ findings showed different effective activation energy trends at two different conversion regions (low ...
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2021
The annual increase in the number of occupational accidents and diseases in the Palestinian manuf... more The annual increase in the number of occupational accidents and diseases in the Palestinian manufacturing industries confirms a serious problem that threatens the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) in such industries, with negative consequences in the society and economy. As the Palestinian OSH data are insufficient, tightwad, and with discrepancies in published data by different agencies, this study aimed to investigate the OSH status in the Palestinian manufacturing industries and determine the Palestinian OSH trends rates based on international practice in the EU and USA. Also, to shed light on the OSH situation in the manufacturing sector and warrant the inspection and monitoring of industries by the respective officials. The OSH data of 175 industrial establishments and 199 industrial employees was collected by meetings, interviews, and structured questionnaires for the period 2009–2016. The US and EU OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) formulas were used to ...
Water shortage in Palestine is an ominous threat for the 21st century that requires an integrated... more Water shortage in Palestine is an ominous threat for the 21st century that requires an integrated water resources management. Treated wastewater is one candidate as dependable source of water. This research mainly aims at developing an innovative carbon-filtration unit for post treatment of secondary effluents of wastewater treatment plants(WWTPs) in order to be reused for irrigation and ground water recharge. The filter innovation is about enhancingthe efficiency of contaminants removal at a prolonged operational service time without the need for regeneration and cleaning of the filter media. An experimental setup of WWTP and filtration unit was designed, assembled and operated for the treatment of wastewater generated from Nablus city. BOD, turbidity, and Fecal Coliform removal efficiencies exceeded 99% most of the time. Self-cleaning action is proposed for future research byaugmenting the carbon media of the filter with pre-deposited nanomaterials for continuous conversion of mos...
The Impact of Effective Staff Involvement on the Successful Realization of ABET Requirements Amer... more The Impact of Effective Staff Involvement on the Successful Realization of ABET Requirements Amer Hamouz*, Ayham Jaaron, Farouq F.I. Halawa, Basheer W.F. Shaheen, and Maryam Hmouda Paper Presented at the 14 AIChE Annual Meeting, Nov 16-21 2014, Atlanta GA. *Corresponding Author: A. M. EL-Hamouz, Professor of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology- An-Najah National University- Nablus - Palestine E mail: elhamouz@najah,edu Abstract: One of the major endeavors of the faculty of engineering at An-Najah National University over the past few years was the “ABET project” which aimed at boosting the level of quality of education in the faculty. The “ABET project” started with seven engineering programs, Civil, Electrical, Telecommunication, Chemical, Industrial, Mechanical and Mechatronics, at once. Although several obstacles were faced at the beginning of the project such as the resistance of change by both students and instructors, and the high number of ...
The emergence of thin film semiconducting (SC) materials, as replacement for monocrystalline coun... more The emergence of thin film semiconducting (SC) materials, as replacement for monocrystalline counterparts, for photoelectrochemical (PEC) applications, is well justified. Thin films are easy to prepare under mild conditions with no special demand for high cost techniques. Metal chalcogenides thin films, such as those of CdS, are one important example of film SC electrodes. Both CBD and Electrochemical Deposition techniques are known to prepare FTO/CdS electrodes for PEC purposes [1-15]. However, CdS is a hazardous stuff. If used under PEC conditions, it degrades into soluble hazardous Cd2+ ions, which are environmentally unfriendly [16]. This limits the use of CdS as a future large scale material for SC electrode manufacturing, unless its characteristics are modified. The most demanding characteristic modifications are light-to-electricity conversion efficiency and electrode stability to degradation. In earlier reports [17-19], we suggested a number of techniques to enhance the effi...
The classic experiments of Paul and Treybal (1971) on the competitive/ consecutive iodination of ... more The classic experiments of Paul and Treybal (1971) on the competitive/ consecutive iodination of L—tyrosine exhibit mixing affected yields of the mono—iodo intermediate product. The network of backmixed zones model has been applied to provide a comprehensive simulation of Paul’s semi—batch experiments which showed yields in the 50% to 70% range. It is shown that the reactions are fast relative to internal impeller generated mixing rates, so that iodine concentrations show strong partial segregation. A localised excess of iodine leads to a loss of yield of the intermediate relative to perfect mixing. The intensity of this partial segregation changes markedly with stirrer speed and so therefore does the yield. Details of the internal concentration fields in space and time are presented as sectional image reconstructions.
Nitrate & nitrite contamination of surface and ground water has become one of the most serious en... more Nitrate & nitrite contamination of surface and ground water has become one of the most serious environmental problems all over the world. Therefore simple and economic processes to purify water from those contaminants based on agricultural wastes are proposed. Carbon has been prepared here based on solid olive stones, using different routes. Different carbon batches were then activated by different techniques. ZnCl2, H3PO4 and NaHCO3 were all used for activation under different treatment conditions. The resulting activated carbon surface was characterized by SEM and surface area measurement. Carbon activated by ZnCl2 effectively adsorbed nitrate and nitrite ions from pre-contaminated water samples. Different methods of preparation and activation showed significant effects on the activated carbon adsorption efficiencies, which paralleled their porosities, surface textures and surface areas. Effect of different parameters on adsorptions processes such pH, concentration and others will...
This paper addresses the problems of the municipal solid waste (MSW) collection system in the Tub... more This paper addresses the problems of the municipal solid waste (MSW) collection system in the Tubas district of Palestine. More specifically, it addresses the often-voiced concerns pertaining to low efficiency as well as environmental problems. This was carried out through a systematic methodological approach. The paper illustrates how a private company applied a logistical management strategy, by rescheduling the MSW collection system, reallocating street solid waste containers and minimizing vehicle routing. The way in which the MSW collection timetable was rescheduled decreased the operating expenses and thus reduced MSW collection costs. All data needed to reschedule the collection timetable and optimize vehicle routing were based on actual field measurements. The new MSW collection timetable introduced by a private company was monitored for a period of a month. The new system resulted in an improvement in the MSW collection system by reducing the collection cost to a level that...
An-Najah University Journal for Research - Natural Sciences, 1999
Drop size distribution data for kerosene-water dispersion were obtained in 1."1.1/ pipe at a... more Drop size distribution data for kerosene-water dispersion were obtained in 1."1.1/ pipe at a range of velocities in turbulent flow for a straight horizontal pipe. U shaped pipe and an offset pipe fitting oriented horizontally and vertically (upward and downward) to the main flow. A Lightnin in line static mixer was used as a premixer and the drop size distribution was measured by a Malvern 2600 analyzer. By changing the number of internal elements from 4 to 18 the mixer produced a primary dispersion with the mean drop sizes in the range of 50-700 um for the flow rates of 20 to Uminute. The Sauter mean diameter, d ri ,, was found to decrease as the number of elements was increased until an equilibrium drop size was reached. This equilibrium drop size varied with the fluid velocity through the mixer. For a dispersion of 0.5% kerosene in water, the correlation of drop site with energy dissipation rate, e, was found to give a reasonable agreement with Kolmogoroffs theory mm ith au...
Medical waste generated in West Bank hospitals and medical centers is collected in plastic bags a... more Medical waste generated in West Bank hospitals and medical centers is collected in plastic bags and then dumped together with other domestic waste without any separation. This malpractice usually leads to air pollution and the danger of spreading viruses and bacteria widely. It is only in the last three years that medical waste has been separated from municipal waste in Nablus city and disposed of in a medical waste incinerator In this paper, the type and quantity of the medical waste generated from four hospitals and two medical centers in Nablus City was recorded (on daily basis) for one month. It was found that PVC plastic waste represents the largest amount of waste. A computer reaction program was written to simulate the combustion process taking place during medical waste incineration and to calculate the emission factor and the amount of pollutant emission gases from the medical waste incinerator. It has been found that the highest amount of pollutant emission gases was from ...
ZnCl2 activated carbon (ZnCl2-AC, with specific surface area ~1480 m2/g) effectively adsorbs nitr... more ZnCl2 activated carbon (ZnCl2-AC, with specific surface area ~1480 m2/g) effectively adsorbs nitrate from water with uptake capacity (~5.5 mg/g) four-fold that for other commercial activated carbons (CACs). Kinetics show a small activation energy value (~7 kJ/mol) consistent with a diffusion-controlled process. This is further confirmed by intra-particle diffusion study. Negative thermodynamic parameters (ΔH° −13.859 kJ/mol, ΔS° −43.8 J/mol K, and ΔG° −0.808 kJ/mol) indicate spontaneous nitrate adsorption. The high specific surface area rationalizes the high uptake capacity for the ZnCl2-AC. A Langmuir type adsorption, is observed. ZnCl2-AC effectively adsorbs the nitrate from water, even at high concentrations, and brings the concentration to allowed maximum values. Despite these advantages, the ZnCl2-AC exhibits low desorption (~20%) of pre-adsorbed nitrate ions into concentrate solutions. Up to ~40% desorption is observed by grinding the pre-saturated ZnCl2-AC. Developing other m...
The scanning laser microscope (Par-tec) has been used to measure drop size distributions of oil-w... more The scanning laser microscope (Par-tec) has been used to measure drop size distributions of oil-water mixtures in both batch and online operations and the performance of the instrument has been assessed. Measurements have been made to determine the ...
In this study, a set of three new silica-based embedded with NiO and/or MgO nanocatalysts (SBNs) ... more In this study, a set of three new silica-based embedded with NiO and/or MgO nanocatalysts (SBNs) have been prepared and tested for the pyrolysis of scrap tires (STs). The intent is to identify and optimize the best nanocatalyst that decreases the operating temperature and speeds up the pyrolysis reaction rate. The influence of the three prepared SBNs nanocatalysts on STs was scrutinized using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The kinetic triplets were estimated utilizing the isoconversional method of the Ozawa–Flynn–Wall (OFW) corrected model. Experimental TGA and FT-IR results showed a thermal decomposition of all volatile organic additives alongside the polyvinyl compounds at a lower temperature in the presence of these SBNs. However, a competitive decomposition behavior appeared for each SBN nanocatalysts. The kinetic triplets’ findings showed different effective activation energy trends at two different conversion regions (low ...
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2021
The annual increase in the number of occupational accidents and diseases in the Palestinian manuf... more The annual increase in the number of occupational accidents and diseases in the Palestinian manufacturing industries confirms a serious problem that threatens the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) in such industries, with negative consequences in the society and economy. As the Palestinian OSH data are insufficient, tightwad, and with discrepancies in published data by different agencies, this study aimed to investigate the OSH status in the Palestinian manufacturing industries and determine the Palestinian OSH trends rates based on international practice in the EU and USA. Also, to shed light on the OSH situation in the manufacturing sector and warrant the inspection and monitoring of industries by the respective officials. The OSH data of 175 industrial establishments and 199 industrial employees was collected by meetings, interviews, and structured questionnaires for the period 2009–2016. The US and EU OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) formulas were used to ...
Water shortage in Palestine is an ominous threat for the 21st century that requires an integrated... more Water shortage in Palestine is an ominous threat for the 21st century that requires an integrated water resources management. Treated wastewater is one candidate as dependable source of water. This research mainly aims at developing an innovative carbon-filtration unit for post treatment of secondary effluents of wastewater treatment plants(WWTPs) in order to be reused for irrigation and ground water recharge. The filter innovation is about enhancingthe efficiency of contaminants removal at a prolonged operational service time without the need for regeneration and cleaning of the filter media. An experimental setup of WWTP and filtration unit was designed, assembled and operated for the treatment of wastewater generated from Nablus city. BOD, turbidity, and Fecal Coliform removal efficiencies exceeded 99% most of the time. Self-cleaning action is proposed for future research byaugmenting the carbon media of the filter with pre-deposited nanomaterials for continuous conversion of mos...
The Impact of Effective Staff Involvement on the Successful Realization of ABET Requirements Amer... more The Impact of Effective Staff Involvement on the Successful Realization of ABET Requirements Amer Hamouz*, Ayham Jaaron, Farouq F.I. Halawa, Basheer W.F. Shaheen, and Maryam Hmouda Paper Presented at the 14 AIChE Annual Meeting, Nov 16-21 2014, Atlanta GA. *Corresponding Author: A. M. EL-Hamouz, Professor of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology- An-Najah National University- Nablus - Palestine E mail: elhamouz@najah,edu Abstract: One of the major endeavors of the faculty of engineering at An-Najah National University over the past few years was the “ABET project” which aimed at boosting the level of quality of education in the faculty. The “ABET project” started with seven engineering programs, Civil, Electrical, Telecommunication, Chemical, Industrial, Mechanical and Mechatronics, at once. Although several obstacles were faced at the beginning of the project such as the resistance of change by both students and instructors, and the high number of ...
The emergence of thin film semiconducting (SC) materials, as replacement for monocrystalline coun... more The emergence of thin film semiconducting (SC) materials, as replacement for monocrystalline counterparts, for photoelectrochemical (PEC) applications, is well justified. Thin films are easy to prepare under mild conditions with no special demand for high cost techniques. Metal chalcogenides thin films, such as those of CdS, are one important example of film SC electrodes. Both CBD and Electrochemical Deposition techniques are known to prepare FTO/CdS electrodes for PEC purposes [1-15]. However, CdS is a hazardous stuff. If used under PEC conditions, it degrades into soluble hazardous Cd2+ ions, which are environmentally unfriendly [16]. This limits the use of CdS as a future large scale material for SC electrode manufacturing, unless its characteristics are modified. The most demanding characteristic modifications are light-to-electricity conversion efficiency and electrode stability to degradation. In earlier reports [17-19], we suggested a number of techniques to enhance the effi...
The classic experiments of Paul and Treybal (1971) on the competitive/ consecutive iodination of ... more The classic experiments of Paul and Treybal (1971) on the competitive/ consecutive iodination of L—tyrosine exhibit mixing affected yields of the mono—iodo intermediate product. The network of backmixed zones model has been applied to provide a comprehensive simulation of Paul’s semi—batch experiments which showed yields in the 50% to 70% range. It is shown that the reactions are fast relative to internal impeller generated mixing rates, so that iodine concentrations show strong partial segregation. A localised excess of iodine leads to a loss of yield of the intermediate relative to perfect mixing. The intensity of this partial segregation changes markedly with stirrer speed and so therefore does the yield. Details of the internal concentration fields in space and time are presented as sectional image reconstructions.
Nitrate & nitrite contamination of surface and ground water has become one of the most serious en... more Nitrate & nitrite contamination of surface and ground water has become one of the most serious environmental problems all over the world. Therefore simple and economic processes to purify water from those contaminants based on agricultural wastes are proposed. Carbon has been prepared here based on solid olive stones, using different routes. Different carbon batches were then activated by different techniques. ZnCl2, H3PO4 and NaHCO3 were all used for activation under different treatment conditions. The resulting activated carbon surface was characterized by SEM and surface area measurement. Carbon activated by ZnCl2 effectively adsorbed nitrate and nitrite ions from pre-contaminated water samples. Different methods of preparation and activation showed significant effects on the activated carbon adsorption efficiencies, which paralleled their porosities, surface textures and surface areas. Effect of different parameters on adsorptions processes such pH, concentration and others will...
This paper addresses the problems of the municipal solid waste (MSW) collection system in the Tub... more This paper addresses the problems of the municipal solid waste (MSW) collection system in the Tubas district of Palestine. More specifically, it addresses the often-voiced concerns pertaining to low efficiency as well as environmental problems. This was carried out through a systematic methodological approach. The paper illustrates how a private company applied a logistical management strategy, by rescheduling the MSW collection system, reallocating street solid waste containers and minimizing vehicle routing. The way in which the MSW collection timetable was rescheduled decreased the operating expenses and thus reduced MSW collection costs. All data needed to reschedule the collection timetable and optimize vehicle routing were based on actual field measurements. The new MSW collection timetable introduced by a private company was monitored for a period of a month. The new system resulted in an improvement in the MSW collection system by reducing the collection cost to a level that...
An-Najah University Journal for Research - Natural Sciences, 1999
Drop size distribution data for kerosene-water dispersion were obtained in 1."1.1/ pipe at a... more Drop size distribution data for kerosene-water dispersion were obtained in 1."1.1/ pipe at a range of velocities in turbulent flow for a straight horizontal pipe. U shaped pipe and an offset pipe fitting oriented horizontally and vertically (upward and downward) to the main flow. A Lightnin in line static mixer was used as a premixer and the drop size distribution was measured by a Malvern 2600 analyzer. By changing the number of internal elements from 4 to 18 the mixer produced a primary dispersion with the mean drop sizes in the range of 50-700 um for the flow rates of 20 to Uminute. The Sauter mean diameter, d ri ,, was found to decrease as the number of elements was increased until an equilibrium drop size was reached. This equilibrium drop size varied with the fluid velocity through the mixer. For a dispersion of 0.5% kerosene in water, the correlation of drop site with energy dissipation rate, e, was found to give a reasonable agreement with Kolmogoroffs theory mm ith au...
Medical waste generated in West Bank hospitals and medical centers is collected in plastic bags a... more Medical waste generated in West Bank hospitals and medical centers is collected in plastic bags and then dumped together with other domestic waste without any separation. This malpractice usually leads to air pollution and the danger of spreading viruses and bacteria widely. It is only in the last three years that medical waste has been separated from municipal waste in Nablus city and disposed of in a medical waste incinerator In this paper, the type and quantity of the medical waste generated from four hospitals and two medical centers in Nablus City was recorded (on daily basis) for one month. It was found that PVC plastic waste represents the largest amount of waste. A computer reaction program was written to simulate the combustion process taking place during medical waste incineration and to calculate the emission factor and the amount of pollutant emission gases from the medical waste incinerator. It has been found that the highest amount of pollutant emission gases was from ...
ZnCl2 activated carbon (ZnCl2-AC, with specific surface area ~1480 m2/g) effectively adsorbs nitr... more ZnCl2 activated carbon (ZnCl2-AC, with specific surface area ~1480 m2/g) effectively adsorbs nitrate from water with uptake capacity (~5.5 mg/g) four-fold that for other commercial activated carbons (CACs). Kinetics show a small activation energy value (~7 kJ/mol) consistent with a diffusion-controlled process. This is further confirmed by intra-particle diffusion study. Negative thermodynamic parameters (ΔH° −13.859 kJ/mol, ΔS° −43.8 J/mol K, and ΔG° −0.808 kJ/mol) indicate spontaneous nitrate adsorption. The high specific surface area rationalizes the high uptake capacity for the ZnCl2-AC. A Langmuir type adsorption, is observed. ZnCl2-AC effectively adsorbs the nitrate from water, even at high concentrations, and brings the concentration to allowed maximum values. Despite these advantages, the ZnCl2-AC exhibits low desorption (~20%) of pre-adsorbed nitrate ions into concentrate solutions. Up to ~40% desorption is observed by grinding the pre-saturated ZnCl2-AC. Developing other m...
The scanning laser microscope (Par-tec) has been used to measure drop size distributions of oil-w... more The scanning laser microscope (Par-tec) has been used to measure drop size distributions of oil-water mixtures in both batch and online operations and the performance of the instrument has been assessed. Measurements have been made to determine the ...
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