In recent years, the search for economic and environmentally friendly alternatives has become a global necessity to achieve sustainability and preserve raw materials. From this concept, natural bitumen (NB) derived from sulphur springs is now one of the most promising alternative energy resources for many applications, especially in asphalt pavement construction. Its low price and abundance characterise NB since sulphur springs produce thousands of tonnes of NB annually and are used in very limited fields. Two main objectives were adopted for this work. The first objective is to examine the virgin NB properties from five sulphur springs and compare them with petroleum asphalt. The second objective is to enhance NB properties by applying heat treatment. The experimental results reveal that heat treatment is highly effective in improving the NB properties. This was confirmed by conducting many tests, such as asphalt, Marshall, SEM-EDX, and indirect tensile strength tests. Based on the experimental test outcomes, virgin NB properties do not conform to asphalt specification limits and are unsuitable for flexible roads. Also, MS-NB significantly affected the mechanical properties of the asphalt mixture, as Marshall's stability increased by 41.3% compared to the conventional mixture. In addition, SS-NB was more effective in moisture damage resistance due to increasing the tensile strength ratio by 5.72 % and provided a higher stiffness index than the conventional mixture by 40.36%. In conclusion, the treated NB can successfully be used as a binder material in hot asphalt mixtures. ABSTRAK: Beberapa tahun kebelakangan, pencarian alternatif baharu ekonomi dan mesra alam telah menjadi satu keperluan global bagi mencapai kemampanan dan memelihara bahan mentah. Melalui konsep ini, bitumen asli (NB) yang diperoleh daripada mata air sulfur kini merupakan satu sumber tenaga alternatif yang berguna bagi digunakan dalam pelbagai aplikasi, terutamanya dalam pembinaan turapan asfalt. NB dicirikan oleh harga yang rendah dan kelimpahannya kerana mata air sulfur menghasilkan beribu-ribu tan NB setiap tahun dan digunakan dalam bidang terhad. Dua objektif utama telah dipakai untuk kajian ini. Objektif pertama adalah memeriksa sifat NB dara daripada lima mata air sulfur dan membandingkannya dengan asfalt petroleum. Objektif kedua adalah meningkatkan sifat NB dengan menggunakan rawatan haba. Dapatan eksperimen mendedahkan bahawa rawatan haba sangat berkesan dalam meningkatkan sifat NB. Ini disahkan dengan menjalankan pelbagai ujian, seperti ujian asfalt, ujian Marshall, ujian SEM-EDX, dan ujian kekuatan tegangan tidak langsung. Berdasarkan dapatan eksperimen, sifat NB dara tidak mematuhi had spesifikasi asfalt dan tidak sesuai untuk jalan fleksibel. Selain itu, MS-NB mempunyai kesan ketara pada sifat mekanikal campuran asfalt kerana kestabilan Marshalls meningkat sebanyak 41.3% berbanding campuran konvensional. Tambahan, SS-NB lebih berkesan dalam rintangan kerosakan lembapan kerana meningkatkan nisbah kekuatan tegangan sebanyak 5.72 % dan memberikan indeks kekukuhan yang lebih tinggi daripada campuran konvensional sebanyak 40.36%. Kesimpulannya, NB yang dirawat boleh berjaya digunakan sebagai bahan pengikat dalam campuran asfalt panas.
Indirect electrochemical oxidation of phenol and its derivatives was investigated by using MnO2 rotating cylinder electrode. Taguchi experimental design method was employed to find the best conditions for the removal efficiency of phenol and its derivatives generated during the process. Two main parameters were investigated, current density (C.D.) and electrolysis time. The removal efficiency was considered as a response for the phenol and other organics removal. An orthogonal array L16, the signal to noise (S/N) ratio, and the analysis of variance were used to test the effect of designated process factors and their levels on the performance of phenol and other organics removal efficiency. The results showed that th
... Show MoreMany strains of lactic bacteria produce antimicrobial peptides of bacteriocins that are antibiotics used against pathogenic strains. The present work aimed to use a banana peels medium in the fermentation process to replace the commercial MRS medium for decreasing the cost of bacteriocins LAB production. Based on the result, banana peel was a cost-effective and viable alternative carbon source for the production and development of bacteriocin-producing Lactobacilli. The growth of lactobacilli in commercial MRS medium and Banana Peel medium showed no differences, therefore banana peel waste can be used to produce Lactobacilli bacteriocins. Lactobacillus strains grew exceptionally well at 37 C and pH 6.0.
In this research, an analysis for the standard Hueckel edge detection algorithm behaviour by using three dimensional representations for the edge goodness criterion is presents after applying it on a real high texture satellite image, where the edge goodness criterion is analysis statistically. The Hueckel edge detection algorithm showed a forward exponential relationship between the execution time with the used disk radius. Hueckel restrictions that mentioned in his papers are adopted in this research. A discussion for the resultant edge shape and malformation is presented, since this is the first practical study of applying Hueckel edge detection algorithm on a real high texture image containing ramp edges (satellite image).
In this study, the adsorption of Zn (NO3)2 is carried out by using surfaces of malvaparviflora. The validity of the adsorption is evaluated by using atomic absorption Spectrophotometry through determination the amount of adsorbed Zn (NO3)2. Various parameters such as PH, adsorbent weight and contact time are studied in terms of their effect on the reaction progress. Furthermore, Lagergren’s equation is used to determine adsorption kinetics. It is observed that high removal of Zn (NO3)2 is obtained at PH=2. High removal of Zn (NO3)2 is at the time equivalent of 60 min and reaches equilibrium,where 0.25gm is the best weight of adsorbant . For kinetics the reaction onto malvaparviflora follows pseudo first order Lagergren’s equation.
In the present work theoretical relations are derived for the efficiency evaluation for the generation of the third and the fourth harmonics u$ing crystal cascading configuration. These relations can be applied to a wide class of nonlinear optical materials. Calculations are made for beta barium borate (BBO) crystal with ruby laser /.=694.3 nm . The case study involves producing the third harmonics at X. =231.4 nm of the fundamental beam. The formula of efficiency involves many parameters, which can be changed to enhance the efficiency. The results showed that the behavior of the efficiency is not linear with the crystal length. It is found that the efficiency increases when the input power increases. 'I'he walk-off length is calculated for
... Show MoreAutism is a lifelong developmental deficit that affects how people perceive the world and interact with each others. An estimated one in more than 100 people has autism. Autism affects almost four times as many boys than girls. The commonly used tools for analyzing the dataset of autism are FMRI, EEG, and more recently "eye tracking". A preliminary study on eye tracking trajectories of patients studied, showed a rudimentary statistical analysis (principal component analysis) provides interesting results on the statistical parameters that are studied such as the time spent in a region of interest. Another study, involving tools from Euclidean geometry and non-Euclidean, the trajectory of eye patients also showed interesting results. In this
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The toxic lead additives to gasoline are no longer used in many countries around the world. Many other countries are now phasing out the lead in gasoline. Although the lead fuel is still in use in Iraq, several plans are considered to phase out the lead. The use of organic compounds to replace the lead additives in gasoline is considered now as an option in Iraqi refineries. The main objective of this project was preparation of premium gasoline, by blending of gasoline with Alternative additives (alcohol, aromatic) to enhancing octane number of Al-Doura gasoline pool. Improved gasoline was tested by ASTM standard method which includes octane number measuring by CFR engine analyzer. Gasoline pool RON (80) was used and selective components
... Show MoreMost of the known cases of strong gravitational lensing involve multiple imaging of an active galactic nucleus. The properties of lensed active galactic nuclei make them promising systems for astrophysical applications of gravitational lensing. So we present a simple model for strong lensing in the gravitational lensed systems to calculate the age of four lensed galaxies, in the present work we take the freedman models with (k curvature index =0) Euclidian case, and the result show a good agreement with the other models.