Journal of Engineering Research

EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON THE PROPERTIES OF RUBBERISED CONCRETE INCORPORATING NANO-SILICA

2024-07-16T08:51:52+00:00

ABSTRACT

This research investigates the effect of incorporating nano-silica (NS) on the mechanical properties of rubberised concrete. Fine aggregate was replaced with rubber at a ratio of 0%, 10%, 20% and 30% by volume. A constant water to cement (w/c) ratio of 0.45 was used in all concrete mixes. The influence of incorporating 0%, 1.5% and 3% of nano-silica (NS) to cement by weight on the basic properties of rubberised concrete, including density, water absorption, compressive strength, flexural strength, splitting tensile strength and drying shrinkage of samples, was studied. The results showed that the utilisation of NS in the rubberised concrete mixes enhanced the strength properties and decreased the drying shrinkage strain.

INFLUENCE OF SPECIMEN ORIENTATION ON THE PLASTIC INSTABILITY AND NECKING OF EXTRUDED HDPE SHEET

2024-07-16T09:31:36+00:00

ABSTRACT

In this work, the initiation and stabilization of the Plastic Instability of High-Density Polyethylene have been experimentally investigated and analyzed. Tensile tests using several complex loading paths involving large deformation have been carried out in order to determine the effect of different constant strain rates and various specimen orientations of extruded HDPE sheet on the elasto-viscoplastic behavior during necking. This work also examines the evolution of Poisson's ratio and Modulus of elasticity of semicrystalline polymers due to phenomenon of damage during instability stage. Based on the Considère criterion, a modified instability criterion is proposed taking into account the significant effect of volume variation due to damage under large deformation. The ability of the modified criterion to predict 1^st and 2^nd Considère strain of this polymer is examined. A good agreement between the modified criterion and the available experimental data is attained. This criterion is also discussed in relation to the orientation behavior and strain rate.https://jer.ly/PDF/Vol-33-2022/JER-02-33-Abstract.php?f=a

THERMOECONOMIC APPROACH FOR EVALUATING THE PERFORMANCE OF MULTI-EFFECT- MECHANICAL VAPOR COMPRESSION DESALINATION UNIT

2024-07-16T09:46:39+00:00

ABSTRACT

Exergy analysis is the traditional approach to evaluate the performance of thermal systems from thermodynamic point of view, where exergy destruction (irreversibility) is determined to assess the deficiency of the plant’s components. However, the costs of those deficiencies can be determined only through thermoeconomic analysis. The aim of this work is to simulate the performance of multi-stage desalination unit from thermoeconomic point of view. The Specific Exergy Costing (SPECO) method is adopted for simulation.

The results show that the minimum unit cost of the product water is obtained for the three stages unit, the obtained result is in good agreement with that given in the literature. The minimum unit cost is found at compressor efficiency of 91% for the single-stage and at 82% for the multi-stages. It is found that, by reducing the pressure ratio of the compressor in the three-stage system from 2.15 to 1.6, the specific power consumption can be reduced by 40.5%., and the unit product cost by 2.75%.https://jer.ly/PDF/Vol-33-2022/JER-03-33-Abstract.php?f=a

SIMULATION OF SARIR CRUDE OIL REFINERY USING ASPEN HYSYS

2024-07-16T09:55:20+00:00

ABSTRACT

Nowadays, distillation of crude oil is an essential process in almost all refineries. Crude distillation is the process of separating the hydrocarbons in crude oil based on their boiling point. The crude oil fractioning is a very intensive complex process. Such complexity was due to a large number of products, side stripper, and pump around which makes the task of evaluating oil refinery tedious. In this study, a process simulation Aspen HYSYS (Version 11) is used at steady state operation to simulate an existing oil refinery in Sarir field for re-evaluation. Sarir crude oil, used in this study, is processed in the Sarir refinery, which has a maximum capacity of 10,000 barrels per day. Sarir Crude oil is waxy Crude which has a medium gravity of about 36.5 API°. The Crude processed on the refinery produces Light Naphtha (LN), heavy Naphtha (HN), Kerosene, Diesel, and Residual (RES.). This study aims to simulate existing units of the refinery process and proposes adding a unit before atmospheric distillation column (ADU) called “Pre-flash column". The study involved the prediction of both temperature and pressure profiles through the atmospheric distillation unit (ADU). Detailed information was found for the temperature distribution of product cuts by ASTM-D86 curves for each product: Light Naphtha, Heavy Naphtha, Kerosene, Diesel, and Residual. Simulated ASTM D86 curves were compared with laboratory data for each product except residual whose curves were not available. The simulation results showed a good agreement with laboratory ASTM-D86 curves for all products except Light Naphtha, which revealed a noticeable difference. Simulation results of production rates were compared with the actual refinery data. The results of the flow rate of Kerosene, Diesel and Residual showed noticeable differences from refinery plant data. At the same time, a simulated Total Naphtha flow rate showed the lowest difference compared with the refinery plant data with a percentage error of about 0.3%. The Proposed pre-flash column showed an improvement in the furnace and the ADU energy consumption.

KEYWORDS: Sarir Crude Oil; Atmospheric Distillation Unit (ADU); Pre-flash Column.https://jer.ly/PDF/Vol-33-2022/JER-04-33-Abstract.php?f=a

Tools and methods of organizing the work environment and their impact on performance levels (a field study in Waha Oil Company)

2024-07-16T10:07:33+00:00

ABSTRACT

This paper investigates the current implementation status of 5S techniques being practiced within Waha Oil Company. The purpose of conducting this study is to know the actual implantation levels at this company as these applications are considered one of the most effective tools that can be used for improving the whole organizational performance. These techniques also aim to reduce any type of waste, raising the level of safety and health in the workplace. They also support the application of Total Quality Management (TQM) and can be used as the basic step for adapting Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) programs, thereby, enhancing for continuous improvement within the working environments throughout the entire organization.

To achieve the objective of this study, a detailed questionnaire was designed, the gathered data were analyzed, and the results indicated a lack, weakness, and modest application levels of 5S workplace organization practices. As a result, the study suggested that the decision makers and the management body within this company should take immediate and effective actions towards adapting the 5S concepts throughout the entire company, starting with the inclusion of these concepts within the training, development, and continuous improvement programs, thus creating a suitable environment for applying the most modern and up-to-date scientific methods and techniques.