Chlorinated volatile organic compounds (CVOCs) are toxic chemical entities emitted invariably from stationary thermal operations when a trace of chlorine is present. Replacing the high-temperature destruction operations of these compounds with catalytic oxidation has led to the formulation of various potent metal oxides catalysts; among them are ceria-based materials. Guided by recent experimental measurements, this study theoretically investigates the initial steps operating in the interactions of ceria surface CeO2(111) with three CVOC model compounds, namely chloroethene (CE), chloroethane (CA) and chlorobenzene (CB). We find that, the CeO2(111) surface mediates fission of the carbon–chlorine bonds in the CE, CA and CB molecules via modest reaction barriers. As a result of localization of excess electrons left behind after creation of oxygen vacancies, analogous fission over an oxygen vacant surface systematically necessitates lower energy barriers. Dehydrochlorination of CE and CA molecules preferentially proceeds via a dissociative addition route; however, subsequent desorption of vinyl and ethyl moieties requires less energy than surface assisted β C–H bond breakage. The profound stability of hydrocarbon species on the surface contributes to the observed deactivation of ceria at temperatures as low as 580 K under pyrolytic conditions. Adsorption of an oxygen molecule at an oxygen vacant site initiates decomposition of the adsorbed phenyl moiety. Likewise, adsorbed surface hydroxyl groups serve as the hydrogen source in the observed conversion of CB into benzene. A plausible mechanism for the formation of 1,4-dichlorobenzene incorporates abstraction of a para hydrogen in the CB molecule by an O− surface anion followed by chlorine transfer from the surface. Plotted conversion–temperature profiles via a simplified kinetic model against corresponding experimental profiles exhibit a reasonable agreement. The results from this study could be useful in the ongoing efforts to improve ceria's catalytic capacity for destroying CVOCs.
Machine learning (ML) is a key component within the broader field of artificial intelligence (AI) that employs statistical methods to empower computers with the ability to learn and make decisions autonomously, without the need for explicit programming. It is founded on the concept that computers can acquire knowledge from data, identify patterns, and draw conclusions with minimal human intervention. The main categories of ML include supervised learning, unsupervised learning, semisupervised learning, and reinforcement learning. Supervised learning involves training models using labelled datasets and comprises two primary forms: classification and regression. Regression is used for continuous output, while classification is employed
... Show MoreAs an architectural philosophical concept, Islamic architecture cannot be considered arches, doors, domes and lighthouses, since Islamic architecture is based on a structural system of religious, mental, philosophical and logical origins and beliefs shared by the arts, technology and the requirements of the surrounding environment. Rather, the architectural designer's distance from it becomes as if it is for people not from this world, and Islamic architecture is not abbreviated on the heritage side as much as it is a renewed "modern" state, dealing with the concepts of Islam that are valid for every time and place. This can be seen through the mechanisms that produced heritage architecture and what was built on it, which is not a simula
... Show MoreIf the Industrial Revolution has enabled the replacement of humans with machines, the digital revolution is moving towards replacing our brains with artificial intelligence, so it is necessary to consider how this radical transformation affects the graphic design ecosystem. Hence, the research problem emerged (what are the effects of artificial intelligence on graphic design) and the research aimed to know the capabilities and effects of artificial intelligence applications in graphic design, and the study dealt in its theoretical framework with two main axes, the first is the concept of artificial intelligence, and the second is artificial intelligence applications in graphic design. The descriptive approach adopted a method of content
... Show MoreMany critics suggest that Beckett’s early plays are comic because they focus their analyses on the use comic elements. Waiting for Godot is one of Beckett’s early plays, and it has been heavily analyzed and read as a comic text partly because its subtitle is “a tragicomedy in two acts” and also because of the comic techniques used in the play. The present paper, however, attempts to read the play as a piece in which comedy fails to produce any effects on the characters who remain apparently very desperate and frustrated throughout the play. The characters perform different comic acts, but they do not really feel amused or entertained. The paper suggests that the acts these characters put on stage are only means to pass t
... Show MoreFatigue cracking is the most common distress in road pavement. It is mainly due to the increase in the number of load repetition of vehicles, particularly those with high axle loads, and to the environmental conditions. In this study, four-point bending beam fatigue testing has been used for control and modified mixture under various micro strain levels of (250 μƐ, 400 μƐ, and 750 μƐ) and 5HZ. The main objective of the study is to provide a comparative evaluation of pavement resistance to the phenomenon of fatigue cracking between modified asphalt concrete and conventional asphalt concrete mixes (under the influence of three percentage of Silica fumes 1%, 2%, 3% by the weight of asphalt content), and (chan
... Show MoreThis research includes theoretical and evaluation design of a polarizer filter of high transmission in the near IR region of (900-1200nm) for different incidence angles to obtain a long wave and short wave pass filter using analytical calculations. Results refer to a new configuration design in fewer layers than used in previous studies in the long wave pass at incidence angles (45o,50o,55o). Adopted Hafnium dioxide (HfO2) and Magnesium fluoride (MgF2) as coating material at design wavelength (933nm), the study also included design short wave pass polarizer by using the same coating material.
Sustainable pavements are pavements that meet the requirements of present generation without influencing the capability of the future generation to meet their needs. One of the problems of the warm mix asphalt is that it has low resistance to moisture damage; therefore, the aim of this research paper is to study the possibility of producing more durable warm mixes against the moisture damage with the use of recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) which has not been studied before. Six replacement rates (0, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100%) for the coarse version aggregate (VA) with RCA were studied. The Marshall mix design method was used to determine the optimum asphalt cement content for each replacement rate. Thereafter, specimens with the opt
... Show MoreAThe Bridge Maintenance Management System (BMMS) is an application system that uses existing data from a Bridge Management System database for monitoring and analysis of current bridges performance, as well as for estimating the current and future maintenance and rehabilitation needs of the bridges. In a transportation context, the maintenance management is described as a cost-effective process to operate, construct, and maintain physical money. This needs analytical tools to support the allocation of resources, materials, equipment, including personnel, and supplies. Therefore, Geographic Information System (GIS) can be considered as one tool to develop the road and bridge maintenanc