Engineering Commons^™

Effect Of A Geothermal Heat Pump System On Cooling Residential Buildings In A Hot, Dry Climate, Rania Rushdy Moussa, Ayman H. Mahmoud

Architectural Engineering

ABSTRACT In the last century, electricity demand has doubled due to urban expansion, which has contributed to the formation of more urban heat islands (UHI) and the appearance of environmental hazards such as the global climate change phenomenon. Since residential buildings are considered the main electricity consumer sector in Egypt, they consume up to 42% of total energy consumption, which contributes to increasing temperatures and constitutes UHI in cities. In this context, the research aims to examine the effectiveness of using the closed vertical loop geothermal system (GSHPCV) for cooling residential buildings in a hot, dry climate, such as Cairo, …

Hierarchical Based Classifcation Method Based On Fusion Ofgaussian Map Descriptors Foralzheimer Diagnosis Using T1‑Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Nourhan Zayed, Shereen E. Morsy, Inas A. Yassine

Mechanical Engineering

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is considered one of the most spouting elderly diseases. In 2015, AD is reported the US’s sixth cause of death. Substantially, non-invasive imaging is widely employed to provide biomarkers supporting AD screening, diagnosis, and progression. In this study, Gaussian descriptors-based features are proposed to be efcient new biomarkers using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) T1-weighted images to diferentiate between Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), and Normal controls (NC). Several Gaussian map-based features are extracted such as Gaussian shape operator, Gaussian curvature, and mean curvature. The aforementioned features are then introduced to the Support Vector Machine (SVM). …

Implementation Of Multiscale Mechanisms In Finite Element Analysis Of Active Composite Structures, Amany G. Micheal Prof., Yehia Bahei El Din Prof.

Centre for Advanced Materials

Composite structures reinforced with electrically active filaments are modeled with the finite element method while the underlying thermo-electromechanical coupling phenomena and damage are taken into consideration. At the outset, structural analysis is performed with a general-purpose finite element code and a special material routine, which propagates local phenomena to the overall scale is utilized. The material routine implements an interactive, multiscale analysis, which provides seamless integration of the mechanics at the composite’s micro, macro, and structural length scales. The interface between the multiscale material routine and the finite element code is made through nonmechanical strains caused by damage, and piezo/pyro-electric …

Implementation Of Multiscale Mechanisms In Finite Element Analysis Of Active Composite Structures, Amany Micheal, Yehia Bahei-El-Din

Centre for Advanced Materials

Interrogation of composite structures for inherent damage is investigated by implementing a three-tier analysis scheme. The analysis starts at the structure level where a general-purpose Finite Element code ABAQUS is employed to obtain the stress field in the second level of analysis which is the composite laminate. A special material routine is prepared to propagate the local fields to the individual plies and hence to the third level of analysis which is the microstructure modeling of the composite. Through the third level of analysis, interface damage between fiber and matrix is checked implementing a certain failure criteria. The interaction between …

The Performance Response Of A Heat Pipe Evacuated Tube Solar Collector Using Mgo/Mwcnt Hybrid Nanofluid As A Working Fluid, Ahmed A. Abdel-Rehim, Shady Henein

Mechanical Engineering

Utilizing a hybrid nanofluid is a promising solution for enhancing the thermal performance of the solar collector in a sustainable manner. In the present work, the effect of using magnesium oxide/multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MgO/MWCNT) hybrid nanofluid on the thermal performance of the evacuated tube solar collector is experimentally investigated. Four different weight ratios of (80:20), (70:30), (60:40), and (50:50) are used for a hybrid of MgO with MWCNTs in a water base, respectively. The experiments are performed at a 0.02% particle concentration and at various volume flow rates ranging from 1 to 3 L/min. The results show an enhancement in …

Responses Of An Axially Rotated Tube Versus Twisted Tube Design As Two Solutions To Enhance The Thermal Performance Under A Non-Uniform Heat Flux Condition: A Numerical Study, Andrew S. Tanious, Ahmed A. Abdel-Rehim, Ahmed A. Attia

Mechanical Engineering

Enhancement of heat transfer in tubes exposed to non-uniform heat flux applications is a key factor in increasing such applications' efficiency.

In the present study, heat transfer in an axially rotating pipe with concentrated heat flux at the lower section of the pipe is numerically investigated and compared to the twisting technique in such applications. The effects of pipe’s length (1, 2, and 3 m) and rotation rate (N = 0–10.5), which is the ratio between the rotational and axial Reynold’s numbers, are studied numerically using ANSYS Fluent while the effect of the twist ratio (S = 0.1–1m) is studied …

Analysis Of A Solar Hybrid Sulfur Ammonia Copper Oxide Thermochemical Cycle For Hydrogen Production, Moustafa A. Soliman, Abdel Moniem Abomosalam, Noran Shedid, Mohamed Othman, Toka Hatem, Marc Samer

Chemical Engineering

Solar energy conversion to hydrogen by water splitting is a promising technique because it is sustainable and environmentally friendly. One option for water splitting is through thermochemical cycles in which one of the steps is electrolytic or photocatalytic. In this paper, the economics of a thermochemical process that combines photocatalysis, photovoltaics, high temperature thermal energy and energy storage to harvest solar energy is assessed. This paper focuses on the standard hybrid sulfur ammonia thermochemical cycle (SA) in which the electrolytic step of the hydrogen production from ammonium sulfite solution is augmented by a photocatalytic step. Trying to make use of …

Performance And Economical Analysis Of Different Insulating Materials Used To Reduce The Heat Load Of An Existing Residential Building, Radwa A. El-Awadly, Ahmed A. Abdel-Rehim

Mechanical Engineering

The energy consumption from the residential sector is an important element which has an impact on the total energy consumption in any country. The heating and air conditioning loads can be reduced through many means. Using thermal insulation in buildings does not only contribute in reducing the required air conditioning system size, but also in reducing the annual energy cost for the whole building. In this case, the energy saving varies according to the building type, the climatic conditions at which the building is located as well as the type of the insulating material used. In the present study, an …

Effect Of Dust And High Temperature On Photovoltaics Performance In The New Capital Area, Engy Elshazly, Ahmed A. Abdel-Rehim, Amr Abdel Kader, Iman El-Mahallawi

Mechanical Engineering

The trend for integrating solar Photovoltaic Panels as an alternative renewable and sustainable energy source is growing in Egypt, North Africa and the Middle East. However, these efforts are not widely accepted by the society due to their lower efficiencies. The efficiency of the photovoltaic panels is affected by many environmental parameters, which have a negative impact on system efficiency and cost of energy, dust and increased panel temperatures being the most serious. This work presents the results of a case study conducted at The British University in Egypt at El-Sherouk city to study the effect of different parameters such …

Energy And Exergy Analysis For Stationary Solar Collectors Using Nanofluids: A Review, Mahmoud Eltaweel, Ahmed A. Abdel-Rehim

Mechanical Engineering

Fossil fuels demonstrate pollution effects and significant emissions on the atmosphere, which made the use of clean, renewable sources of energy a necessity. Renewable energy has many sources, but the most promising and cheapest energy source is solar energy, which has led to a focus on efficient solar energy harvesting to be cheaper for public use. Stationary solar collectors like evacuated tube and flat-plate solar collectors are the most commonly used solar collectors for their simplicity of installation and maintenance. They are mostly used for domestic applications such as solar water heaters. Nanofluids can improve the thermal properties of the …

Recent Advances In Preparation And Testing Methods Of Engine-Based Nanolubricants: A State-Of-The-Art Review, Sayed Akl, Sherif Elsoudy, Ahmed A. Abdel-Rehim, Serag Salem, Mark Ellis

Mechanical Engineering

Reducing power losses in engines is considered a key parameter of their efficiency improvement. Nanotechnology, as an interface technology, is considered one of the most promising strategies for this purpose. As a consumable liquid, researchers have studied nanolubricants through the last decade as potential engine oil. Nanolubricants were shown to cause a considerable reduction in the engine frictional and thermal losses, and fuel consumption as well. Despite that, numerous drawbacks regarding the quality of the processed nanolubricants were discerned. This includes the dispersion stability of these fluids and the lack of actual engine experiments. It has been shown that the …

Numerical Investigation Of The Thermal Performance Of An Axially Rotating Internally Finned Receiver Tube Of A Parabolic Trough Concentrator, Andrew S. Tanious,, Ahmed A. Abdel-Rehim

Mechanical Engineering

Enhancement of the thermal performance of the parabolic trough receiver tube is one of the approaches to energy sustainability. In the present work, the thermal performance of an axially rotating receiver tube equipped with internal flat longitudinal fins is studied. The effects of both the fin height and the rate of axial rotation are investigated at low values of axial Reynold’s number. The numerical analysis is held at various rotation rates using ANSYS Fluent. The numerical findings showed that the effect of the axial rotation on the internally finned receiver tube is not significant yet negative where a maximum reduction …

Investigation Of The Tribological Behavior Of Mineral Lubricant Using Copper Oxide Nano Additives, Ahmed A. Abdel-Rehim, Sayed Akl, Sherif Elsoudy

Mechanical Engineering

In this study, tribological properties of custom formulated and stabilized nano lubricant are investigated. Spherical CuO nanoparticles are suspended in 20W-50 mineral base lubricant using Oleic Acid (OA) as a surfactant. Three different nano lubricant concentrations with 0.2, 0.5, and 1 wt.% were analyzed through ASTM G-99 pin-on-disc tribometer standardized test under boundary/mixed lubrication regimes. The generated friction and wear analyses confirm a consolidation of tribological properties with a reduction in friction coefficient in the range of 14.59–42.92%, compared with the base lubricant. Analysis of worn surfaces (SEM/EDX) as well as (AFM) was conducted. Combined hypotheses were proposed from the …

An Experimental Study Of A Hemi-Spherical Solar Collector Under Egyptian Climate, Mohamed Ebaid, Salma Salah, Ahmed A. Abdel-Rehim

Mechanical Engineering

Traditional flat plate collectors have shown, under many investigations, low system operating efficiency, which prompted the idea of designing new solar collectors operating with higher efficiency. Such designs include spherical, hemi-spherical, cylindrical, or rhombic solar collectors. The current study experimentally investigates the performance of a stationary newly designed hemi-spherical solar collector in comparison with a flat plate solar collector with the same surface area and weather conditions. This target has been achieved through designing and manufacturing a hemi-spherical collector, followed by analyzing its performance under normal operating conditions of Egyptian climate. The Hemi-spherical solar collector showed a maximum efficiency of …

Kinetics Of Photolysis And Photocatalytic Oxidation Of Ammonium Sulfite For Hydrogen Production, Moustafa A. Soliman, Maryam Zakaria

Chemical Engineering

The production of hydrogen via photocatalytic water splitting is one of the most promising technologies for obtaining chemical energy from direct solar energy while maintaining the least possible waste and pollutants. In this paper, we obtain the kinetic parameters necessary for the design of a photoreactor for photolysis and photocatalysis of ammonium sulfite solution. For the case of photolysis, we obtain the kinetics for the effect of changing the pH on the produced amount of hydrogen. For the case of photocatalysis, the intrinsic kinetic parameters of photocatalysis of water splitting reaction of ammonium sulfite and water in the presence of …

A Reduced Model For Microbial Electrolysis Cells, Dina Aboelela, Moustafa A. Soliman, Ibrahim Ashour

Chemical Engineering

Microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) are breakthrough technology of cheap hydrogen production with high efficiency. In this paper differential-algebraic equation (DAE) model of a MEC with an algebraic constraint on current was studied, simulated and validated by implementing the model on continuous-flow MECs. Then sensitivity analysis for the system was effectuated. Parameters which have the predominating influence on the current density and hydrogen production rate were defined. This sensitivity analysis was utilized in modeling and validation of the batch-cycle of MEC. After that parameters which have less influence on MEC were eliminated and simplified reduced model was obtained and validated. Finally, …

A Reduced Model For Microbial Fuel Cell, Dina Aboelela, Moustafa A. Soliman, Ibrahim Ashour

Chemical Engineering

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are a group of microbial electrochemical cells (bioreactors) that are used to generate energy from organic waste found in wastewater. MFCs represent a promising method of waste disposal and production of electricity. Scaling up the use of MFCs requires extensive analysis and detailed grasp of the required processes. The current work aimed to study a model of an MFC, and find the optimum parameters needed for maximum energy production. The process was simulated and validated on continuous-flow MFCs with a Columbic efficiency of 162% and 35% COD removal. Sensitivity analysis of the model was performed. The …

Numerical Investigation Of Darrieus Wind Turbine With Slotted Airfoil Blades, Ahmed Elbaz, Omar Sherif Mohamaed, Ahmed Abdelhamid Ibrahim, Ahmed Khaled Etman, Amr A. Abdelfattah

Mechanical Engineering

Low starting torque is considered as one of the major drawbacks of Darrieus type vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT). Design optimization to overcome this problem by modifying the airfoil geometry has received great attention by the wind energy community. Moreover, efforts have been directed towards augmenting the power coefficient of the turbine. In the present work, the effect of employing slotted airfoil as turbine blade on the performance and starting characteristics has been investigated. The slot parameters; slot location, angle of inclination, and dimensions, were optimized for NACA 0018 airfoil which is commonly used in Darrieus turbines. The flow over …

Experimental And Numerical Behavior Of Plain Hybrid Fiber Metal Laminate Composites, Aiea A. Elhabak, Mostafa Shazly, Tarek A. Osman, Aly A. Khattab

Centre for Advanced Materials

This study presents an investigation to the mechanical properties of FML components under static axial and bending loads. Two types of Fiber Metal Laminates (FMLs), namely, FML 1 and 2 were considered in the present research. FML1 contains 4 layers of laminated glass/epoxy laminate while FML 2 contains two aramid fiber laminates that replaced the glass/epoxy laminates and adjacent to the inner metal layer. Experimental stiffness and strength are discussed and compared with the theoretical values. Under bending loads, two different end conditions are considered, free and fixed and the results both ends were compared. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) was …

Mechanical Behavior Of Aluminum Hybrid Laminates, Aiea A. Elhabak, Mostafa Shazly, Tarek A. Osman, Aly A. Khattab

Centre for Advanced Materials

This work has been dedicated to investigating the stiffness and strength of FML components under static axial and bending loads. There are two types of fiber metal laminates (FML) called Al3G4 and Al3G2K2 labeled according to the plate design. Al3G4 is Glare 3/2 -0.4 contains 4 layers of laminated glass/epoxy laminate. Al3G2K2, is a hybrid fiber laminate, has two aramid fiber laminates adjacent to the inner metal layer. Experimental stiffness and strength are discussed and compared with the theoretical data. The relationship between tensile and bending forces is discussed. Referred to the end bending condition, results of free end support …

A Multiscale Model For Damage Progression And Detection In Piezo/Pyroelectric Composite Laminates, Yehia Bahei-El-Din, Amany Micheal

Centre for Advanced Materials

Assessment of damage initiation and progression in composite structures reinforced with electrically active filaments is modelled in a multiscale analysis. The analysis developed is a two-tier, interactive analysis, which involves two length scales; macroscopic, and microscopic. The proposed multiscale analysis provides seamless integration of the mechanics at the two length scales, including piezoelectric and pyroelectric coupling effects and damage under overall thermomechanical loads and an electric field applied to electroactive fibers. The macromechanical analysis is performed for multidirectional, fibrous laminates using the lamination theory, including bending, and the micromechanical analysis is performed using a two-phase model and a periodic array …

Detecting Laminate Damage Using Embedded Electrically Active Plies – An Analytical Approach, Amany Micheal, Yehia Bahei-El-Din

Centre for Advanced Materials

Assessment of damage initiation and progression in composite laminates with embedded electrically active plies is modeled. Utilizing electrically active layers embedded in composite laminates as damage sensors is proposed by several researchers and is mainly assessed experimentally. Sensing damage using embedded electrically active plies is generally preferred over the use of surface mounted PZT wafers since the range of the latter is limited to a very narrow area underneath the surface, while multiple damage mechanisms can generally be found in several plies of the laminate. The solution presented invokes two levels of analysis. Firstly, on the laminate level, applied membrane …

Exploiting Modern Image Processing In Surface Flow Visualisation, Tarek Ihab Abdelsalam, Richard Williams, Grant Ingram

Mechanical Engineering

Surface flow visualisation is an experimental technique where the surface of interest is painted with an oil and dye mixture before a flow is applied to the object. In regions of high shear stress the oil/dye mixture is then removed and in regions of low shear stress the oil/dye mixture stays or builds up. The resulting pattern can be analysed to determine the structure near the surface under test, this is normally done in a qualitative manner with flow structures being identified based on the expertise of the experimentalist. Modern image processing tools can identify shapes and lines in pictures …

Co-Gasification Of Coal And Biomass Wastes In An Entrained Flow Gasifier: Modelling, Simulation And Integration Opportunities, Dalia A. Ali Eng, Mamdouh A. Gadalla Prof., Omar Y. Abdelaziz, Christian P. Hulteberg, Fatma H. Ashour Prof.

Chemical Engineering

Gasification processes convert carbon-containing material into syngas through chemical reactions in the presence of gasifying agents such as air, oxygen, and steam. Syngas mixtures produced from such processes consist mainly of carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen (H2), carbon dioxide (CO2), and methane (CH4); this gas can be directly utilised as a fuel to produce electricity or steam. Besides, it is regarded as a basic feedstock within the petrochemical and conventional refining industries, producing various useful products like methanol, hydrogen, ammonia, and acetic acid. In this work, a rigorous process model is developed to simulate the co-gasification of coal-biomass blends through an …

Finite Element Simulation Of Pzt-Aided Interrogation Of Composite Laminates Exhibiting Damage, Amany Micheal, Yehia Bahei-El-Din

Centre for Advanced Materials

Piezoelectricity has proved effective in capturing changes in structures caused by various damage mechanisms. In one approach, piezoelectric wafer active sensors (PWAS) are mounted on the surface of the host structure and utilized as both actuators and sensors to interrogate the structure and monitor its health. This is achieved by subjecting the PWAS to a transient electric pulse and reading the resulting voltage. Changes in the stiffness of the substrate due to structural damage affect the response of the PWAS, which could be correlated to integrity of the structure. Applying this technique to fibrous composite laminates encounters particular challenges due …

Modelling Of Coal-Biomass Blends Gasification And Power Plant Revamp Alternatives In Egypt’S Natural Gas Sector, Dalia A. Ali Eng, Mamdouh A. Gadalla Prof., Omar Y. Abdelaziz, Fatma H. Ashour Prof.

Chemical Engineering

Recently, there has been a growing research interest in the co-gasification of biomass with coal to produce syngas and electricity in a sustainable manner. Co-gasification technology do not only decrease potentially the exploitation of a significant amount of conventional coal resources, and thus lower greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions, but also boost the overall gasification process efficiency. In the present work, a rigorous simulation model of an entrained flow gasifier is developed using the Aspen Plus® software environment. The proposed simulation model is tested for an American coal and the model validation is performed in good agreement with practical data. The …

Gasification Of Coal And Heat Integration Modification For Igcc - Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle, Dalia A. Ali Eng, Mamdouh A. Gadalla Prof., Fatma H. Ashour Prof.

Chemical Engineering

Use of energy is closely related to the development of an economy. The most useful form of energy in the modern world is electricity. IGCC has higher fuel flexibility (biomass, refinery residues, petroleum coke, etc.) and generates multiple products (electricity, hydrogen and chemicals like methanol and higher alcohols) and by-products - sulphur, sulphuric acid, slag, etc. IGCC plants include coal preparation unit, air separation unit (ASU) to separate oxygen from air to use it in the gasification process, gasification unit where an incomplete combustion for coal is made to produce Syngas, cleaning unit to remove acid gases and CO2 from …

Evaluation Of Solar Energy Solution For Egyptian Remote Areas, Tarek Ihab Abdelsalam, Tarek M. Hatem

Mechanical Engineering

Egypt is currently suffering the symptoms of the energy crises, such as electricity outage and high deficit as a result of constant increase in fossil foils through the last decades. On the other hand, Egypt has a high solar availability of more than 18.5 MJ annually. Additionally, Egypt has large uninhabited deserts on both sides of the Nile valley and in Sinai Peninsula, which represent more than 96.5% of the nation’s total land area. Therefore, solar energy is one of the prospective solutions for energy shortage in Egypt. Furthermore, these vast lands are advantageous for commissioning huge solar power generation …