The research aims to apply the novel forward osmosis (FO) process to recover pure water
from contaminated water. Phenol was used as organic substance in the feed solution, while sodium
chloride salt was used as draw solution. Membranes used in the FO process is the cellulose
triacetate (CTA) and polyamide (thin film composite (TFC)) membrane. Reverse osmosis process
was used to treatment the draw solution, the exterior from the forward osmosis process. In the FO
process the active layer of the membrane faces the feed solution and the porous support layer faces
the draw solution and this will show the effect of dilutive internal concentration polarization and
concentrative external concentration polarization.
In the FO process was a run-time for five hours, and the concentration of phenol 100 and
1000 mg/l, and for the NaCl the concentration was 10000 and 30000 mg/l. It was found that
recovery percent increases with increasing time, while water flux through membrane decreases with
increasing time. Also, it was found that recovery and water flux increases with increasing draw
solution concentration, on the contrary, water flux and the percentage of recovery decreases with
increasing the concentration of phenol (feed solution). Increase in draw solute (NaCl) concentration
has more effect on the water flux in FO process compared with increase in the concentration of
phenol. Outlet phenol concentration increases with time, while the outlet salt concentration
decreases with increasing the time. The results showed that the cellulose triacetate membrane gave
the highest recovery ratio from the thin film composite membrane. The highest recovery was
reached in five hours is 51.33%, while using CTA membrane recovery rate increase, by 23%
compared with TFC membrane. The value of the resistance to solute diffusion within the membrane
porous support layer is 36.83 h/m. Reverse osmosis is perfect method for removal of dissolved salts
from water, thus its suitable process for reducing the content of NaCl in draw solution; therefore the
sodium chloride rejection percentage was 91.6 – 96 % for polyamide membrane (TFC). Within two
hours of work of the reverse osmosis system the recovery percentage of pure water is 58%.
Utilizing phase change materials in thermal energy storage systems is commonly considered as an alternative solution for the effective use of energy. This study presents numerical simulations of the charging process for a multitube latent heat thermal energy storage system. A thermal energy storage model, consisting of five tubes of heat transfer fluids, was investigated using Rubitherm phase change material (RT35) as the. The locations of the tubes were optimized by applying the Taguchi method. The thermal behavior of the unit was evaluated by considering the liquid fraction graphs, streamlines, and isotherm contours. The numerical model was first verified compared with existed experimental data from the literature. The outcomes re
... Show MoreHydrogels are hydrophilic biocompatible polymers that can be used as a drug delivery material in different medical branches, including vital pulp therapy. The aim of this study is to characterize the physical and biological properties of the newly developed formula as a candidate direct pulp-capping material. The hydrogel composite was prepared from natural and synthetic origins (polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), hyaluronic acid (HA), and sodium alginate (SA)) with the incorporation of bioactive Moringa. Different formulas of hydrogel containing different concentrations were evaluated for physicochemical (FTIR, XRD, SEM, degradation, and swelling), mechanical (viscosity, folding endurance, film thickness), and biological (antioxidant, antibacterial,
... Show MoreBackground: The collagen triple helix repeat containing 1 (CTHRC1) protein has been connected to decreased levels of vitamin D and calcium, as well as obesity. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between CTHRC1 and osteoporosis in post-menopausal women and compare with healthy subjects. Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional study consisted of 86 women were enrolled in this study and divided into three groups based on the results of dual-energy densitometry (DXA): 30 women with osteoporosis, 30 women with osteopenia, and 26 healthy women. Data on demographic and clinical features and laboratory values of Calcium (Ca) and Vitamin D3 (V.D3) were recorded. Results: Women with osteoporosis had significantly increased level
... Show MoreThe current study was conducted in the environment of the Martyr Monument Lake in the city center of Baghdad during 2019 to monitor the impact of climatic conditions such as drought, water shortage, high temperatures in the environment of the city and the lack of water flow during the years 2015 to 2018 and their effects on some of the physical and chemical factors of water and the dynamics of the phytoplankton community in the lake environment. Heterogeneity of some studied environmental factors, including air and water temperature, permeability, water depth, pH, DO, BOD5, nutrients, nitrate, NO3, and phosphates were found. The results showed the effect of climate change and the pres
For more than a decade, externally bonded carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites successfully utilized in retrofitting reinforced concrete structural elements. The function of CFRP reinforcement in increasing the ductility of reinforced concrete (RC) beam is essential in such members. Flexural and shear behaviors, ductility, and confinement were the main studied properties that used the CFRP as a strengthening material. However, limited attention has been paid to investigate the energy absorption of torsion strengthening of concrete members, especially two-span concrete beams. Hence, the target of this work is to investigate the effectiveness of CFRP-strengthening technique with regard to energy absorption of two-span RC
... Show MoreGlass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) beams have gained attention due to their promising mechanical properties and potential for structural applications. Combining GFRP core and encasing materials creates a composite beam with superior mechanical properties. This paper describes the testing encased GFRP beams as composite Reinforced Concrete (RC) beams under low-velocity impact load. Theoretical analysis was used with practical results to simulate the tested beams' behavior and predict the generated energies during the impact loading. The impact response was investigated using repeated drops of 42.5 kg falling mass from various heights. An analysis was performed using accelerometer readings to calculate the generalized inertial load
... Show MoreIn the current study, synthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) before and after functionalization with ampicillin antibiotic and their application as anti-pathogenic agents towards bacteria were investigated. AgNPs were synthesized by a green method from AgNO3 solution with glucose subjected to microwave radiation. Characterization of the nanoparticles was conducted using UV-Vis spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), zeta potential determination and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. From SEM analysis, the typical silver nanoparticle particle size was found to be 30 nm and Zeta potential measurements gave information about particle stability. Analysis of FTIR patterns and UV-VIS spectroscopy con
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