Chemical Engineering
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- ItemProduction and Characterization of Nanocomposites Composed of Polyvinyl Alcohol and Silver(2024-09-22) Abeer Bsharat; Shahed Salameh; Sondos sobohAbstract Nanocomposites are synthetic or naturally occurring solid materials created by combining two or more different constituent materials, each with its own important physical or chemical qualities, to form a new substance with enhanced properties. PVA/Ag nanocomposites are currently in great demand for a variety of industrial applications due to their improved thermal, optical, electrical, and antibacterial properties. In this work, Ag-NPs have been synthesized by using rapid method (microwave-assisted method), studying the effect of the microwave power on Ag-NPs properties like optical such as energy bandgap, electrical, product yield and then used to enhance the properties of PVA films such as electrical, thermal, and antibacterial properties. It was found that the power affected size, increasing power leads to an increase in size and a decrease in the energy band gap from 2.93eV to 2.55eV. As for the product yield, 22.11% of the Ag-NPs which is not significantly change d by power changes, The synthesized Ag-NPs showed a broad spectrum of antibacterial activities toward different Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria strains, The decrease in power lead to a decrease in the Ag-NPs’ size , inducing an increase in their ability to penetrate the cell membrane, improving antibacterial activity for Ag-NPs. Ag/PVA nanocomposite film caused high colony forming unit reduction from 36 to 6 with a reduction percent of 84 %for the E. coli bacteria. Different volume of Ag-NPs that were prepared at medium- low power and combined with PVA polymer to give Ag/PVA nanocomposite film. The UV-Vis absorption of Ag/PVA nanocomposite film increases with increasing Ag-NPs had with a slight effect on the band gap, resulted from the distribution of the particles within the PVA film. Also, the electrical conductivity of PVA film increases from 0.065 S/m to 0.57 S/m with increasing the amount of Ag-NPs added to the film, the degree of crystallinity of PVA film increases from 14.047% to 18.331% with increasing the wt% of Ag-NPs added to the film.
- ItemDesign and Simulation of an Extractive Distillation Process to Dehydrate Ethanol Using Aspen Plus(2024-09-05) Mohammad DebesI Abstract This project introduces an optimized design for an extractive distillation system for the production of anhydrous ethanol using Aspen Plus software. Addressing the increasing demand for alternative energy sources, particularly bioethanol, the project focuses on overcoming the challenges of ethanol-water azeotropic mixtures through the innovative use of glycerol as an entrainer. By simulating the distillation process, the project aims to design a system that can purify ethanol from near-isotropic purity to anhydrous purity, achieving a final product of 99.7% ethanol by mass from an input of 92% ethanol, with minimal energy use and waste generation. The design has achieved and surpassed the objective it originally set out to accomplish by showcasing a system that is energy-efficient, environmentally friendly, and resistant to fluctuations in process and environmental variables. This research contributes valuable insights into high-purity substance production through distillation processes, paving the way for further application in the industry and aligning with the objectives of green chemistry.
- ItemOlive Mill Wastewater Treatment by the Combination of Coagulation-Flocculation and Sand Filtration.(2024-09-01) Aya Haj Mohammad; Tasneem Mousa; Leema AbdalhaleemProject Summary 1. Introduction: The Admissions and Registration Department at An-Najah National University plays a crucial role in organizing and managing the admissions and registration processes for new and current students to ensure an effective educational environment. Its tasks include receiving and processing admission applications, organizing registration processes, issuing academic documents, and providing support and guidance to students. 2. Problem Statement: The current operations in the Admissions and Registration Department suffer from inefficiency due to the lack of standardized procedures, leading to time consumption, increased errors, student dissatisfaction, and administrative burdens. There is a need for an automated system that provides real-time information, reduces scheduling conflicts, and efficiently stores student data for long-term use. 3. Project Objective: The project aims to develop and enhance Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the Admissions and Registration Department to improve operations and increase productivity. This includes: - Standardizing processes to reduce errors and improve efficiency. - Ensuring compliance with university policies and regulations. - Providing easy-to-use resources for staff. - Establishing a framework for regular review and updating of procedures. - Implementing an automated registration system integrated with the university database. 4. Significance of the Work: This project is essential for improving the efficiency of operations in the Admissions and Registration Department, leading to higher student satisfaction and better administrative control. It also aims to reduce excess costs, streamline processes, and enhance the quality of services provided to students and the academic community. 5. Results and Analysis: The project developed and enhanced 39 SOPs covering all aspects of the department's operations, which were reviewed and approved. The procedures included application submission and processing, course registration and enrollment, issuance of academic records, and providing support and guidance services to students. Flowcharts for each procedure were created to facilitate staff understanding and adherence to the procedures. 6. Recommendations: The project recommends the continuous review and improvement of SOPs to ensure adaptation to changing needs, the implementation of an automated registration system to improve efficiency and record-keeping accuracy, and the provision of ongoing staff training on the use of standardized procedures and the automated system.
- ItemProduction and Utilization of Biochar from Municipal Solid Waste Group members: Dana Qamhiyeh Dima Shnity Fatima Abu Jaish Suzan Shnity Supervisors: Dr. Abdelrahim Abusafa Dr. Abdelhaleem Khader 2023/(2024-07-29)Abstract This project addresses the global challenge of municipal solid waste (MSW) management, focusing on Palestine, and explores sustainable solutions through biochar production. Biochar, produced via pyrolysis of organic waste, presents an eco-friendly alternative to conventional waste disposal methods. The project aims to alleviate environmental impacts associated with MSW, offering a dual benefit of waste reduction and sustainable resource utilization. Key objectives include production and characterizing biochar from cooked rice and pyrolysis conditions, evaluating its physical and chemical properties, and exploring its applications in environmental remediation. Experimental methodologies involve conducting pyrolysis under controlled conditions, and analyzing biochar properties such as pH, surface area, water holding capacity, and ash content. In this project, rice was exclusively used to produce biochar, with no prior studies available. The biochar samples showed varying physical and chemical properties depending on the pyrolysis conditions. For instance, a sample treated for 3 hours at 400°C had a surface area of 307.40 m², while a sample treated for 2 hours at 450°C had 285.45 m², compared to activated carbon with 1,317.45 m². Biochar pH ranged from 5.46 to 7.36, while activated biochar had a pH of 9.72. The highest water holding capacity (WHC) was 180% for biochar treated for 1 hour at 450°C, dropping to 80% after 2 hours, versus 160% for activated carbon. Ash did not appear at high temperatures, and no combustion occurred, highlighting the potential for further investigation. Adsorption efficiency using methylene blue dye varied with pyrolysis conditions, favoring the Freundlich isotherm for heterogeneous surfaces and the Langmuir isotherm for homogeneous ones. Surface area increased with chemical activation using Phosphoric acid (H3PO4) to 346.06 m² and to 807.47 m² with physical activation at 750°C for one hour. After studying the physical and chemical properties of all the samples, the sample treated at 450°C for 2 hours was selected.
- ItemValorization of Low-Grade Dates through Bioethanol Production: A Sustainable Solution for Palestine(2024-02-19) Mahmoud SallamAbstract The successful cultivation of date palm trees significantly benefits Palestinian agriculture, particularly in the Jordan Valley and the Gaza Strip. However, this agricultural practice encounters challenges under Israeli occupation, leading to the production of low-quality dates that are unsuitable for consumption or export and are often discarded as waste. This study aimed to explore the potential for producing bioethanol from these low-grade dates and introduced a novel method for determining ethanol concentration using a density meter by establishing a correlation between density and ethanol concentration. The study successfully achieved three objectives: establishing the relationship between solution density and alcohol content, examining the impact of sugar concentration on alcohol yield post-fermentation, and exploring the feasibility of ethanol production from low-grade dates. The results revealed a non-linear relationship between sugar concentration and ethanol yield, with initial increases followed by declines due to the inhibition of yeast cells by higher sugar concentrations. Thermal extraction of sugars from 100 grams of dates followed by a 5-day fermentation produced a 9.49% yield, indicating a promising feedstock for ethanol. Furthermore, the average ethanol concentration obtained from 150 grams of dates after fermentation was 34.95% (by volume), and a second distillation revealed a remarkable maximum achievable ethanol concentration of 77.79% (by volume).