Energy and Environmental Engineering
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- ItemSimulation of a Solar Assisted Heat Pump System for Heating An-Najah National University Closed Swimming Pool(2025-07-30) Aseel Amarni; Naheel Shtiwi; Sajed Mithqal; Tamara SawalhaAbstract This graduation project investigates the design, simulation, and economic analysis of a solar-assisted hybrid heat pump system for heating the indoor semi-Olympic swimming pool at An-Najah National University. The current system, which primarily depends on diesel-fired boilers, consumes approximately 70,000 liters of diesel annually, with a total operational cost of 420,000 ILS (~120,000 USD) per year. This results in high environmental and financial burdens, especially during the winter season when solar radiation is insufficient. To address these inefficiencies, the proposed system integrates evacuated tube solar collectors, an electric heat pump (30–70 kW), and a thermal storage tank (5,000–10,000 liters). The design ensures that solar energy is utilized during periods of high radiation, while the heat pump acts as a backup during cloudy days or high demand periods. Advanced simulation tools, including MATLAB, Excel, and RETScreen, were used to assess technical performance, environmental impact, and financial feasibility. The MATLAB model allowed for hourly analysis of system performance, accounting for dynamic thermal losses through evaporation, convection, radiation, and conduction. The system was tested under various scenarios including pipe insulation and thermal pool cover use, which collectively contributed to significant reductions in thermal losses. With both insulation and a pool cover, heat losses were reduced by more than 40%, optimizing the system’s efficiency. RETScreen was employed to calculate key financial indicators. The proposed hybrid system showed a Net Present Value (NPV) greater than zero, a payback period of approximately 4–6 years, and an Internal Rate of Return (IRR) exceeding 15%, indicating high financial viability. Environmentally, the system reduced CO₂ emissions by over 60% compared to the existing diesel-based system, with a potential to save more than 40,000 kg of CO₂ annually. In conclusion, the proposed hybrid solution not only offers a sustainable and cost-effective alternative but also aligns with the university’s goals for energy efficiency and environmental responsibility. The methodology and results presented in this project can serve as a model for similar institutional heating applications in regions with moderate solar resources.
- ItemA Graduation Project Submitted to Energy and Environment Engineering Department in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for Bachelor Degree in Energy Engineering and Environment(2025-07-09) Omar hatem; Abdullah hatem; Fatema NajemAbstract Institutional swimming pools often have high energy consumption and operating expenses, especially in areas like Palestine that are facing energy shortages. With the goal of drastically lowering thermal losses, operating costs, fuel dependence, and related CO2 emissions, this study focusses on a thorough energy audit and methodical optimisation of the Half-Olympic swimming pool at An-Najah National University. Reducing the pool temperature setpoint, insulating hot water distribution pipes, installing a motorised pool cover, repairing and improving the current solar thermal collector array, and switching from traditional diesel boilers to an extremely efficient heat pump system were all part of a planned sequence of energy-saving measures. To further improve the sustainability of the system, a 26 kWp photovoltaic (PV) system was added to help offset the heat pump's electricity consumption. This study amply illustrated the efficacy and viability of each intervention through comprehensive data visualisation and scenario analyses carried out using Tableau software. The energy system configuration that was optimised resulted in a significant 77% reduction in CO₂ emissions and an approximate 95% reduction in annual operating costs. A replicable and scalable model for sustainable energy management in institutional swimming pool facilities is provided by the implemented solutions, which show that it is possible to combine active renewable energy technologies with passive thermal management measures
- ItemNablus Western WWTP Sludge Management Development – Techno – economic Approach P(2024-11-11) Esraa Zammar; Mai SaboobahABSTRACT The escalating challenge of sewage sludge disposal, exacerbated by continuous development and a significant increase in sludge volume, requires innovative solutions. At the West Nablus purification plant, producing 15 tons of sludge per day poses major environmental and economic challenges. Traditionally, this sludge is transported to the Zahrat Al-Fanjan landfill, resulting in high annual costs of approximately 840,303 NIS. This study explores the economic feasibility and operational benefits of using a greenhouse solar dryer (GSD) to address these challenges. Our analysis reveals that implementing GSD can significantly reduce costs. By drying the sludge to 90% dry solids (DS) on site, transportation costs decrease from NIS 840,303 to NIS 263,295 per year, saving NIS 528,390 per year. The initial investment of NIS 187,258.6 for the GSD, including fans and sensors, is quickly recouped by these savings, achieving a simple payback period (SPP) of 0.354 years and a return on investment (ROI) of 282.17%. The design area for the GSD is based on a required space of 2,351.5 square meters, with a construction cost of 94,060. NIS. The study evaluates the drying performance of GSD under different conditions. Worst-case scenario data from January 19, 2019 showed an evaporation rate of 6.249 kg/m2/day, while best-case scenario data from July 18, 2019 indicated a rate of 19.880 kg/m2/day. By improving the ventilation rate (Qv) to 130 m³/m².h and air mixing rate (Qm) to 90 m³/m².h, GSD achieves efficient drying across different climatic conditions. Incineration was considered but found impractical due to high energy requirements and regulatory uncertainty in Palestine. Instead, GSD has emerged as a viable alternative, especially for large-scale operations where long-term cost savings are significant. The study emphasizes the importance of sustainable waste management practices. The proposed GSD solution not only reduces transportation and landfill costs but also reduces environmental impact. By addressing economic and environmental concerns, this project contributes to more sustainable and cost-effective wastewater sludge management practices, promoting the use of greenhouse solar dryers as a practical and environmentally friendly solution
- ItemIntegrated Geothermal cooling and heat recovery system with advanced air handling unit for a Wedding Hall in Jenin(2024-10-01) Rawand Jamlan; Reem DalbahAbstract: Rapid industrial and population growth has increased demand for energy in Palestine in recent years. Air conditioning systems are among the most energy consuming systems, as most of them operate on non-renewable energy sources that are harmful to the environment, such as fossil fuels. Therefore, it is necessary to exploit renewable energy sources available in Palestine, such as geothermal energy. In project (1), the system was planned to connect a geothermal heat exchanger with a VRF system to cool the wedding hall, but as the cooling load was too large due to large heat gain due to ventilation requirements, our approach got changed. To achieve a more efficient and sustainable solution. By implementing a heat recovery system that incorporates an Air Handling Unit (AHU), a heat exchanger, a chiller, and a geothermal horizontal loop. This decision was driven by the need to manage the substantial cooling demands more effectively while maximizing energy efficiency. The heat recovery system functions by capturing and reusing waste heat from the indoor air, thereby reducing the workload on the chiller. The AHU circulates and conditions the air within the hall, ensuring a comfortable and consistent indoor environment. By integrating a heat exchanger, the warmer outdoor air can be leveraged to precondition the incoming air, significantly cutting down on energy consumption. The chiller, which is vital for maintaining the desired indoor temperature, is efficiently cooled by the geothermal system. This setup not only enhances overall system performance but also aligns with the sustainability goals by reducing reliance on conventional energy sources. The main idea of the project is to replace the non-effective energy source used in the regular air conditioning system in a wedding hall in the city of Jenin with an area of 900 square meters in a renewable, environmentally friendly energy source and an effective air conditioning system. This is by implementing the combination of heat recovery and geothermal cooling which is better equipped to handle large cooling loads compared to the VRF system, while also providing long-term cost savings and environmental benefits. A comparison between the system with water-cooled chiller without heat recovery and a system with air-cooled chiller without heat recovery was implemented resulting that the water-cooled chiller is a better option. Therefore, another comparison between a system water-cooled chiller and heat recovery and with a system with water-cooled chiller and heat recovery was implemented showing that the system with water-cooled chiller and heat recovery is a better system with higher COP which is 7.3, higher annual saving of $11,895, higher NPV which is $7319 and SIR of 1.20.
- ItemData Center’s Cooling(2024-09-10) Esraa Barahmeh; Hala Kalbouneh; Masa Shaheen; Tala SaffariniProject’s Abstract: This study addresses the substantial energy consumption challenge posed by data centers, essential infrastructure dealing with extensive data and electronic devices. Cooling these devices for proper functionality demands significant energy usage. Therefore, elevated energy consumption resulting from mixing hot and cold air is intended to be mitigated. This will be achieved through research on more efficient cooling technologies and the design of a system aligned with these objectives. Specifically, the study compares data center cooling methods, focusing on a case study of the Palestinian cellular communications company "Jawwal". The company seeks to transition from its current rack-level cooling system to a more efficient and sustainable one. Based on the literature review, cold aisle containment cooling emerged as the most suitable method, requiring a total cooling load about 150 kW. The research analyzes cooling load requirements and device specifications to guarantee that electronic devices are kept in the best possible environment. Notably, the comparison shows a reduction in cooling loads between the old and new systems: the sensible cooling required for the old system is 262.7 kW, whereas the new system is reduced to 133.3 kW, which saves 129.4 kW. The study compares various CRAC (Computer Room Air Conditioning) methods used in data centers to determine the most efficient and cost-effective option for Jawwal Company's data center. A key comparison between DX and chiller systems was conducted, showing that DX systems provide simplicity, lower initial costs, and easier maintenance, while chiller systems require higher initial investment but offer scalability for larger data centers. Based on this analysis, DX air-cooled was chosen as the most suitable option. Additionally, Vertiv Double Circuit models P1094 were selected, featuring a maximum net sensible cooling capacity of 105.1 kW and a minimum net sensible capacity of 15.1 kW.The study also addresses safety measures in the data center, specifically focusing on fire suppression systems. A comparison was made between FM200, Novec 1230 and other suppression systems. The analysis considered various factors, including effectiveness, environmental impact, and cost. However, Novec 1230 was chosen as the preferred protection solution due to its balance of effectiveness, safety for people and equipment, and environmental friendliness, ensuring enhanced protection for Jawwal Company's data center infrastructure. Finally, the project calculates the break-even point based on sensible cooling load to determine the cooling system's financial feasibility. The break-even point is crucial because it determines the minimal return required for the project to be viable, guaranteeing that the initial costs are covered by the present worth (PW) of future cash flows. The savings used to calculate the PW were 419,411 ILS per year, and the project lifespan is considered to 20 years. At a 10% MARR, the PW is 3,570,685 ILS, which is the highest determined value. At a MARR of 25%, the PW is 1,658,303 ILS. These values demonstrate that MARR has a significant impact on the project's financial assessment.