Algerian Journal of Engineering and Technology (AJET)
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A Experimental investigation and artificial intelligence modeling of stability of Agbabu Bitumen Emulsion using green-based surfactant
Get PDFOne of the challenges that affected the optimal utilization of 42.47 billion tons of natural bitumen deposit in Nigeria is its high viscosity and high pumping cost in current state. This research investigated the possibility of reducing viscosity of Agbabu Bitumen (AB) through formation of emulsion using plant sourced surfactant solution. AB Emulsion (ABE) was prepared by homogenizing 60 vol. % of bitumen and 40 vol. % of water in the presence of surfactant solution extracted from Sanya root bark (surfactant solution was varied with respect to the volume of aqueous phase). Effect of increase in volume of extract, pH and salinity of extract was tested on the stability of the prepared emulsion. Emulsification Stability Index (ESI) was computed for all ABE prepared. Viscosity, pour, flash and fire point were determined for the emulsion formed while further analysis were conducted on the emulsion using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The surfactant solution extracted ABE prepared from AB and water which was enhanced in alkaline solution, a 64% reduction in viscosity was recorded in emulsion prepared, and the pour point of emulsion drastically reduced when compared with that of AB
Optimal conditions for protecting the germanium detector used in the PGNAA analysis method
Get PDFThe use of high-purity germanium detectors in neutron activation analysis experiments is the best choice and may be the only one due to its ability to separate close peaks, reaching a separation capacity of 1.8 keV. Unfortunately, fast neutrons cannot be prevented from passing through it because they are more permeable than photons. It has been observed that the germanium detector loses some of its properties after being exposed to a certain dose of fast neutrons. This is due to the distortion caused by fast neutrons on the crystal structure of germanium. In the experiment proposed in this work, we aim to determine the optimal conditions for operating the analyser using Prompt gamma-ray neutron activation analysis (PGNAA) method, i.e., the conditions that maximize the number of photons incident on the detector and minimize the number of neutrons passing through it, in addition to studying the damage that occurs to the detector after being exposed to increasing doses of fast neutrons during the operation of the analyser
Multi-parametric study of welding parameters on the durability of CANDU fuel assemblies
Get PDFThis study focuses on TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welding of Zircaloy-4, used in fuel rod assemblies for CANDU (Canada Deuterium Uranium) reactors, to analyze the effect of welding parameters on the microstructural and mechanical quality of end-plug-to-cladding joints. Despite the extensive use of TIG welding for Zircaloy-4, understanding the induced metallurgical phenomena that affect mechanical properties remains a major challenge. This study aims at systematic characterization of welding parameter effects on microstructure and properties of plug-cladding joints, identifying metallurgical zones and correlating operating conditions with final performance. Welds were produced under various conditions of current intensity and rotation speed and examined using optical microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Vickers microhardness, and hydraulic burst tests. The analysis revealed three distinct zones: fusion zone (FZ), heat-affected zone (HAZ), and base metal (BM) with typical Widmanstätten structures. A clear correlation was found between heat input, hardness, and mechanical strength. Hydraulic burst tests confirmed the high performance of optimized welds, showing failure stresses of approximately 425 ± 10 MPa
Microstructural study of ytterbium zirconate pyrochlore synthesized by the mixed method: sintering/chemical infiltration
Get PDFIn this study, a zirconate pyrochlore with the chemical formula (Yb₀.₁Ba₀.₉)₂Zr₂O₇ was synthesized and stabilized by ytterbium nitrate. The used synthesis method combined between calcination and infiltration procedure where the considered infiltration parameters were concentration of ytterbium solution set at C=390 g/L, infiltration temperature and T= 105°C. However the thermal cycle of sintering in two stages, calcination at 550°C for 4 h, then a sintering of 1200°C for 24h. The characterization of the synthesized material was carried out by several analysis techniques. Archimedes' density using a hydrostatic balance gave a value of 4.001 g/ cm3 for the raw ceramic and 4.665g/cm3 for the sintered one. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis was used to track the progress of the synthesis and confirm its success through the formation of the ZrO₂ structure, the main framework of the pyrochlore material. Observation using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) allowed us to observe the distribution of grains and pores and estimate the quality of sintering, combined with analysis using X-ray energy dispersive spectrometry (EDX), which allowed us to check the global chemical composition of the sintered matrix. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis of pyrochlore (Yb₀.₁Ba₀.₉)₂Zr₂O₇ shows essential absorption bands between 400-4000 cm⁻¹.Two absorption bands can be seen at 470 cm⁻¹corresponding to Zr-O vibrations, and an absorption band at 682 cm⁻¹ corresponding to Ba-O vibrations
Incorporation of Recycled Glass-Derived Powders For Manufacturing High- Performance Fiber-Reinforced Concrete
Get PDFConcrete, as the most widely used material in the construction industry, plays a crucial role in modern infrastructure. However, its production is a major contributor to environmental challenges, particularly due to the high carbon footprint of cement manufacturing. To address this issue, researchers are exploring sustainable alternatives, including the use of supplementary cementitious materials SCMs to partially replace cement while maintaining or enhancing concrete performance. This study investigates the feasibility of incorporating recycled glass derived powders namely, glass powder and cullet powder as partial cement replacements in high-performance concrete HPC manufacturing. The research evaluates their effects on key properties such as workability, setting time, mechanical strength, and durability, with replacement levels of up to 25%, as suggested from the literature. Preliminary experimental results indicate that while these materials influence fresh and hardened concrete properties, their use remains within acceptable engineering limits. While this approach seems promising to mitigating the environmental impact of cement production is the incorporation of sustainable supplementary cementitious materials to reduce cement consumption, optimizing the dosage is crucial to maintaining desirable properties. The findings of this study highlight the potential of recycled glass as an eco-friendly SCM, contributing to reducing the environmental impact of concrete production while promoting circular economy principles in the construction industry
Study on the degradation behavior and mechanical properties of Diopside in simulated body fluid at pH 7.4
Get PDFThis study explored the impact of immersion time in simulated body fluid on the degradation behavior and mechanical properties of a diopside composite. The selected immersion durations were 6 h and 2, 3, 7, 14, and 30 days. The composite was synthesized using dolomite (CaMg(CO3)2) as the raw material, with experimental results analyzed using X-ray diffraction. The initial results indicated a weight reduction of 0.93% after 6 h of immersion, which shifted to a slight weight increase of 0.08% after 30 days. Porosity rose by 7.67% in the first 6 h due to dissolution but diminished to 3.54% after 30 days following apatite deposition. Mechanical testing revealed that microhardness declined from 4.7 GPa to 4 GPa within 2 days and further decreased to 3.2 GPa by day 14, where it stabilized. Notably, this stabilized value is close to the hardness of tooth enamel. A decrease in flexural strength was also observed, dropping from 167.4 to 129.6 MPa by day 14, aligning with values typically found in cortical bone. X-ray diffraction analysis after 14 days of immersion confirmed the formation of a hydroxyapatite layer during dissolution, highlighting diopside's pronounced bioactivity. Its robust mechanical properties combined with an acceptable level of bioactivity make it a promising candidate for load-bearing biomedical applications, offering durability and resistance to degradation in simulated body fluid environments
Mode-Based Assessment of Irrigation Scheduling using CROPWAT 8.0 under different soil Types in Babel: Case Study in Iraq
Get PDFIraq's economy is highly dependent on agricultural income, and irrigated agriculture requires an adequate supply of serviceable water. The current study aims to apply a computer model that predicts the water requirement for two types of soil (sandy and sandy loam) and suggests a plan to protect the modified water management. A numerical model (CROPWAT model) is implemented in this study based on the climate data and crop coefficient values of the plants that were established depending on the soil types. The agricultural area that lies in the city of Babel in Iraq is utilized in two locations for this study.The results explained that the total CWR of vegetables, barley, and wheat was determined to be 32.2 mm/dc, 35.1 mm/dc, and 33.5 mm/dc, respectively, for total growth periods of 92, 120, and 129 days in the years 2020–2024. Also, the maximum values of the net and gross irrigation requirement in two types of soil are 166 and 111.4 m, respectively. Moreover, the raising ratios of the gross depth when comparing between sandy and sandy loam soil types for the three classes of crops are 26%, 33%, and 52%, respectively. A comprehensive irrigation schedule plan that estimates the irrigation requirements for the other crops cultivated in the area may be created using this information, which contributes to improving the irrigation management and increasing the productivity of agriculture. The study recommended to irrigate the field according to a critical depletion scenario, which emphasizes water application prior to the crop going under water stress
Radiobinding Assay: A Sensitive Approach for Selecting Anti-TSH Antibodies in Thyroid Disorder Detection
Get PDFThe study aimed to evaluate the Radiobinding Assay (RBA) as a sensitive method for assessing antibody responses following immunization, and to compare its performance with the conventional enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). BALB/c mice were immunized with purified human thyroid-stimulating hormone (hTSH) using Freund’s adjuvants, and antisera were collected after successive booster injections. Antibody production was initially screened by indirect ELISA and subsequently re-evaluated by RBA employing 125I-labeled hTSH to measure antigen–antibody binding with higher precision. RBA analysis revealed notable inter-individual variability and demonstrated superior sensitivity in differentiating strong from weak immune responders. Among the immunized mice, serum from IM4 exhibited the highest binding activity, reaching 68.2% at 1:300 dilution. These findings highlight the value of RBA as a robust and highly sensitive approach for identifying optimal antibody producers. This approach provides a strong foundation for subsequent monoclonal antibody generation and the development of advanced immunoassays for the clinical detection of thyroid disorders
Removal of total phenolic compounds from olive mill wastewater by adsorption on natural soils: characterization of adsorbents, classical and under microwave irradiation kinetic study
Get PDFThe removal of total phenolic compounds (TPC) from olive mill wastewater (OMWW) was studied by sorption under the conditions of conventional and microwave on previously characterized soils. The sorption process was studied in batch using inorganic materials (soils) in their natural states for sustainable development. The characterizations of the soils have shown variability in the potential of hydrogen (4.6-8.9), in total nitrogen, which is between 0.2 and 2.5%, and in mineral matter, which varies between 6 and 15%. On the other hand, the mineralogical characterization showed that the three adsorbents are composed of several clay and non-clay minerals. The experimental data were analyzed using the reaction and diffusional models. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model provides the best correlation for the three natural adsorbents denoted G (gray), B (black), and R’ (red). The sorption models of Langmuir, Freundlich, and Dubinin-Radushkevich were used for the mathematical description of the conventional adsorption equilibrium. The best correlations were obtained with the Langmuir model (r2 > 0.95) on the G and B adsorbents, unlike the Freundlich and Dubinin-Radushkevich models (r2 < 0.64). The adsorbent R’ can be represented by the Freundlich model (r2 ≥ 0.96) and the Langmuir model (r2 > 0.94). The latter is confirmed by the value of the dimensionless coefficient RL. The removal rates of TPC were calculated, and the value obtained (71%) shows that the G adsorbent is a good adsorbent. The results are satisfactory and promising
Celebrating Five Years of Scientific Excellence and Innovation
Get PDFFive years ago, a bold scientific vision took shape: to establish an Algerian platform dedicated to open access, peer-reviewed research and innovation in engineering and technology. This vision gave birth to the Algerian Journal of Engineering and Technology (AJET), a journal founded by a dedicated group of professors and researchers committed to promoting a culture of rigorous and ethical scholarly publishing across the Arab world beginning in Algeria, with an eye toward global impact