In the present paper, the authors present a new hybrid optimization technique toward optimum reservoir planning and operation. The basis of the developed hybrid algorithms is the combination of harmony search (HS) and incremental dynamic programming (IDP). This resulted in the development of a new...

This work employs the environmental methodology of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) in compliance with ISO 14040 and uses software SimaPro® 7.3.2 to compare the environmental impact in process production of flat plate and evacuated tube solar collectors. In addition, an economic analysis was performed...

It is well known that chlorine and its compounds, traditionally utilized for water and wastewater disinfection, react with some organic matter to form undesirable by-products, hazardous to human health, known as Disinfection By-Products (DBPs). In many countries very stringent limits for...

The structure of the wind turbines nowadays is a critical element due to their importance from the reliability, availability, safety, and cost points of view. This is more relevant when the offshore wind turbine is considered. This paper introduces a novel design of a Fault Detection and Diagnosis...

The photocatalytic degradation of caffeine has been investigated in aqueous suspensions of titanium dioxide (TiO 2) by monitoring process efficiency at varying TiO 2 (25 - 175 mg l -1) and initial drug concentrations (0.5 - 9.5 mg l -1). The use of the response surface methodology (RSM) allowed to...

The production of bio-pellets is an alternative to add value to the residual biomass of the oil palm-extraction process. In this work, an experimental study of the pelletising process of oil palm residual biomass blends is presented. An experimental full factorial design that uses as factors the...

Cement production is an energy-intensive process. Utilisation of fossil fuels is common practice in the cement industry around the world. Alternative fuel substitution rates increase every year. More specifically, 18 % of the fuel used by the European cement industry in 2006 consists of alternative...

A study of the pyrolysis and gasification of biomass residues such as oil palm shells and fibers, coffee shells, sugarcane bagasse and beech wood is presented. All of them are abundant agroindustrial biomass residues in Latin American countries. The characterization of the raw materials and products...

Olive oil mill solid residue (OMSR) is the solid waste generated during olive oil production process in three-phase olive mills. It consists of the remaining pulp of olive processing after the extraction of oil, as well as the cracked seeds of the olive fruits, containing thus mainly lignocellulose...

Anaerobic digestion of pressmud diluted with water for biohydrogen production was performed in continuous fed UASB bio reactor for 120 days. Experiment was conducted at a dilution ratio of 1:7.5, by maintaining constant HRT of 30 hrs and the volume of biohydrogen evolved daily was monitored. Various...

The present paper reviews the wastewater reuse regulations, practices and applications of countries around the Mediterranean Region, particularly focusing on reuse practices for municipal and industrial uses. Water scarcity and water need is established in Mediterranean countries using international...

The use of organic manures as amendments to improve soil organic matter level and long term soil fertility and productivity is gaining importance. The disposal of the great quantity of organic wastes produced by the municipal, agricultural and agroindustrial activities, is causing energetic...

Groundwater in the area of eastern Croatia contains increased concentrations of organic compounds, primarily natural organic matter (NOM). Organic compounds in water become a problem in drinking water treatment, especially during water disinfection with chlorine, when harmful disinfection by...

The objective of the study was to determine the effect of CaCN2 on pathogenic E. coli as an antimicrobial agent and its impact on composting progress as an amendment in dairy cow manure based mixtures composted at laboratory scale. The changes in physical parameters, chemical parameters and...

We have carried out a geochemical study on the behaviour of certain trace elements during the evaporative concentration of free brines (salinity from 41 to 400 ‰) of the solar salt works of Sfax saline (S.E of Tunisia). The elements concerned by this survey are Zinc, Cadmium, Manganese, Molybdenum...

Salt, the world’s best-known mineral, is the chemical substance most related to human civilization history. Apart from his significance for the creation of life on the planet it has been used as main commodity for centuries. Man produces salt by solar evaporation since the dawn of human civilization...

The Margherita di Savoia Saltworks, located in Apulia (South Italy), are the largest productive saltworks in Italy. They are connected with the Apulian wetlands, an important network thanks of its central geographic position, between the east and west of the Mediterranean basin. Several species and...

Solar saltworks are most efficient converters of solar energy into an inorganic commodity. Conversion rate of solar radiation into removal of water vapour from the brine takes place with 45% efficiency. Solar salt requires only a fraction of man made energy compared with salt produced by solution...

The final effluents from pulp and paper industry, even after biological treatment, often contain a plethora of unwanted by-products, which confer them colour and toxic characteristics. The aim of this work was to promote degradation of organic matter and remove colour by contacting fungi Pleurotus...

The commonly accepted brine concentration practice in most Chinese Northern solar works is to pump the sea water into salt works and then let it go through a physical changing process of natural evaporation, condensation and crystallization, during which, weather factor and the soil nature have to...

Ecological management plan and its implementation for particular wetland are highly dependent on securing effective management tools, including management according to the management plan. The implementation of such a plan requires adequate resources, both in terms of human and financial support...

Halide gases used in various industrial processes significantly contribute to the greenhouse effect owing to their high GWPs. In addition, the halide gases have high chemical stability and thus remain in the atmosphere for a long period. Therefore, effective treatment techniques of halide gases are...

Photocatalysis is a promising method for eliminating the volatile organic compounds emitted from various industrial processes because mild or ambient conditions are used. Titanium dioxide is commonly used as photocatalyst and ultraviolet light is utilized for decomposing gas phase pollutants. In the...

Heterogeneous Catalysis and Electrocatalysis can be used very effectively on air pollution control. Air emissions coming either from mobile sources or from stationary sources, including volatile organic emissions, nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide could be well converted to harmless...

During the last years, the waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) are gathering attention, as a very special section of waste. In fact, they have been proven to be source for the recovery of metals. In the present study printed circuit boards (PCBs) were cut and treated thermally at 500oC...