Production of fatty acid esters (biodiesel) from oleic acid and 2-ethylhexanol using sulfated zirconia as solid catalyst for the production of biodiesel was investigated in this work.

       The parameters studied were temperature of reaction (100 to 130°C), molar ratio of alcohol to free fatty acid (1:1 to 3:1), concentration of catalyst (0.5 to 3%wt), mixing speed (500 to 900 rpm) and types of sulfated zirconia (i.e modified, commercial, prepared  catalyst according to literature and reused catalyst). The results show the best conversion to biodiesel was 97.74% at conditions of 130°C, 3:1, 2wt% and 650 rpm using modified catalyst respectively. Also, modified c

To decrease the impact on the environment of building waste, the recycled aggregate may be used in various sustainable engineering applications, such as roller compacted concrete pavement (RCCP). This research examined how using recycled aggregate as a partial replacement for natural aggregate as coarse or fine affected the mechanical properties of roller-compacted concrete pavement. The recycled aggregate was crushed and sieved to coarse and fine aggregate before being used in the roller-compacted concrete pavement. Compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, and flexural strength were all evaluated after the samples were prepared at 28 and 90 days of curing. According to the study's findings, the partial replacem

There are serious environmental problems in all countries of the world, due to the waste material such as crushed clay bricks (CCB) and in huge quantities resulting from the demolition of buildings. In order to reduce the effects of this problem as well as to preserve natural resources, it is possible to work on recycling (CCB) and to use it in the manufacture of environmentally friendly loaded building units by replacing percentages in coarse aggregate by volume. It can be used as a powder and replacing of percentages in cement by weight and study the effect on the physical and mechanical properties of the concrete and the masonry unit. Evaluation of its performance through workability, dry density, compressive strength, thermal conduct

The Next-generation networks, such as 5G and 6G, need capacity and requirements for low latency, and high dependability. According to experts, one of the most important features of (5 and 6) G networks is network slicing. To enhance the Quality of Service (QoS), network operators may now operate many instances on the same infrastructure due to configuring able slicing QoS. Each virtualized network resource, such as connection bandwidth, buffer size, and computing functions, may have a varied number of virtualized network resources. Because network resources are limited, virtual resources of the slices must be carefully coordinated to meet the different QoS requirements of users and services. These networks may be modifie

In this paper a Modified version of Adjusted Step Size Least Mean Square algorithm (MASSLMS) is proposed which overcome and avoid one of the drawback of the standard LMS and our previous proposed algorithm Adjusted Step Size Least Mean Square algorithm (ASSLMS). This drawback is the requirement of a statistical knowledge of the input signal prior to the starting training of the algorithm which is necessary to determine the fixed value of the maximum step size (i.e. the upper bound value) in the initialization stage of the ASSLMS algorithm. In this proposed algorithm an appropriate time varying value of the maximum step size was calculated based on inversely proportional of the instantaneous energy of the input signal vector. Then this ti

This research is devoted to study the strengthening technique for the existing reinforced concrete beams using external post-tensioning. An analytical methodology is proposed to predict the value of the effective prestress force for the external tendons required to close cracks in existing beams. The external prestressing force required to close cracks in existing members is only a part from the total strengthening force.
A computer program created by Oukaili (1997) and developed by Alhawwassi (2008) to evaluate curvature and deflection for reinforced concrete beams or internally prestressed concrete beams is modified to evaluate the deflection and the stress of the external tendons for the externally strengthened beams using Matlab

Experimental tests were carried to control lost circulation in the Khabaz oil field using different types of LCMs including Nano-materials. A closed-loop circulation system was built to simulate the process of lost circulation into formations. Two dolomite plugs were used from different depths of the formation of Azkand in Khabaz oil field. The experimentations were carried out to study the effect of different types of LCMs, cross-linked copolymer (FLOSORB CE 300 S), SiO₂ NP, and Fe₂O₃ NP, on mud volume losses as a function of time.

The rheological measurements of the nanoparticles-reference mud system showed that both of the SiO₂ NP and Fe₂O₃ NP w

The analysis of the root cause techniques is a reasonable option to be made to assess the root causes of the funding of construction projects. There are a variety of issues related to financing in construction industries in Iraq. The root,cause analysis is the impact of security and social conditions on financial funding. Variety tools of root cause analysis have originated from literature, as common methods for the detection of root causes. The purpose of this study was to identify and diagnose causes that lead to obstruction of financial funding in the construction projects in the republic of Iraq from the contractors' point of view and their interaction with a number of variables. The study diagnosed nine causes of fi

In this paper, precision agriculture system is introduced based on Wireless Sensor Network (WSN). Soil moisture considered one of environment factors that effect on crop. The period of irrigation must be monitored. Neural network capable of learning the behavior of the agricultural soil in absence of mathematical model. This paper introduced modified type of neural network that is known as Spiking Neural Network (SNN). In this work, the precision agriculture system  is modeled, contains two SNNs which have been identified off-line based on logged data, one of these SNNs represents the monitor that located at sink where the period of irrigation is calculated and the other represents the soil. In addition, to reduce p

The removal of turbidity from produced water by chemical coagulation/flocculation method using locally available coagulants was investigated. Aluminum sulfate (alum) is selected as a primary coagulant, while calcium hydroxide (lime) is used as a coagulant aid. The performance of these coagulants was studied through jar test by comparing turbidity removal at different coagulant/ coagulants aid ratio, coagulant dose, water pH, and sedimentation time. In addition, an attempt has been made to examine the relationship between turbidity (NTU) and total suspended solids (mg/L) on the same samples of produced water. The best conditions for turbidity removal can be obtained at 75% alum+25% lime coagulant at coagulant dose of 80 m

Unmodified and modified sunflower stalks were examined for adsorption as a replacement of expensive activated carbon which has been recognized as a highly effective adsorbent for the removal of heavy metal-ion.
Two modes of operation were used, batch mode and fixed bed mode. In batch experiment the effect of sunflower stalk doses (2,3,4,5 and 6g/L) with constant initial copper concentration of 100 mg/L and constant particle size less than1.18 mm was studied.
Batch kinetics experiments showed that the adsorption rate of copper ion by sunflower stalks was rapid and reached equilibrium within 60 min. Adsorption models Freundlich, Langmuir and Freundlich-Langmuir were fitted to experimental data and the goodness of their fit for adsorp

An experimental system was designed and built to produce the flash evaporation of upward water flow in a (1.8 m) vertical mounted glass test section pipe. The water loses the static head as it moves up, accordingly flash evaporation occurs somewhere inside the test section, where the water local temperature reaches its saturation temperature at that position, which is dependent on the water inlet temperature and its mass flow rate. The steam quality in the test section exit was measured by collecting the steam generated in the test section outlet and condensed in the condenser at specified time.

The hydrogen bubbles are injected inside the two-phase mixture flow within the test section. These bubbles act as an exciter for steam g

This research involves design & implementation of fractional – N frequency synthesizer with the following specifications: Frequency range (2350– 2750) MHz,Step size (1 kHz), Switching time 8.9 μs, & phase noise @10 kHz = -115dBc & spurious -69 dBc The third order Fractional –N technique was chosen to satisfy the design requirements. In this system the modulator placed on digital phase-locked loop to control the fractional value of the
frequency division ratio thereby eliminating spurious and allowing good phase noise performance. The development in I.C. technology provides the simplicity in the design of fractional –N frequency synthesizer because it implements the phase frequency detector(PFD) , prescalar,modul

The low order panel method with Neumann boundary condition have been used to predict the
normal force curve slope, the pitching moment curve slope, the center of pressure location and the
aerodynamic load distribution for missile in compressible, steady flow. The wing-body-canard
interference problem have been solved using two schemes (iterative method and internal singularity
method) both are based on the panel method. The normal force curve slope, the pitching moment
curve slope and the center of pressure location for a given missile has been predicted using the
present numerical method and the DATCOM technique.

This study included three trials that were made during December 2003 by using lime, of 98% w/w
calcium hydroxide to find the relation between lime doses to be added and the hardness removed
.The trials were performed by adding various doses of lime and measuring the hardness, electrical
conductivity and pH in water produce by three plants, Nissan in the north of Baghdad, Al-Karama
and Al-Wathba water treatment plant in Baghdad center. The objective of this study is to find the optimum lime dose that gives the minimum hardness content. The results indicate a non linear relation between lime dose added and the hardness removed . The results represented a 36% removal in hardness when using an optimum dose of lime 200 ppm in Niss

Heuristic approaches are traditionally applied to find the optimal size and optimal location of Flexible AC Transmission Systems (FACTS) devices in power systems. Genetic Algorithm (GA) technique has been applied to solve power engineering optimization problems giving better results than classical methods. This paper shows the application of GA for optimal sizing and allocation of a Static Compensator (STATCOM) in a power system. STATCOM devices used to increase transmission systems capacity and enhance voltage stability by regulate the voltages at its terminal by controlling the amount of reactive power injected into or absorbed from the power system. IEEE 5-bus standard system is used as an example to illustrate the te

This study examines the vibrations produced by hydropower operations to improve embankment dam safety. This study consists of two parts: In the first part, ANSYS-CFX was used to generate a three-dimensional (3-D) finite volume (FV) model to simulate a vertical Francis turbine unit in the Mosul hydropower plant. The pressure pattern result of the turbine model was transformed into the dam body to show how the turbine unit's operation affects the dam's stability. The upstream reservoir conditions, various flow rates, and fully open inlet gates were considered. In the second part of this study, a 3-D FE Mosul dam model was simulated using an ANSYS program. The operational turbine model's water pressure pattern is conveyed t

The Sliding Mode Control (SMC) has been among powerful control techniques increasingly. Much attention is paid to both theoretical and practical aspects of disciplines due to their distinctive characteristics such as insensitivity to bounded matched uncertainties, reduction of the order of sliding equations of motion, decoupling mechanical systems design. In the current study, two-link robot performance in the Classical SMC is enhanced via Adaptive Sliding Mode Controller (ASMC) despite uncertainty, external disturbance, and coulomb friction. The key idea is abstracted as follows: switching gains are depressed to the low allowable values, resulting in decreased chattering motion and control's efforts of the two-link robo

Hot mix recycling of asphalt pavements is increasingly being used as one of the major rehabilitation methods by various highway agencies. Besides general savings in costs and energy expended, it also saves our natural resources and environment.  Recycling process presents a sustainable pavement by using the old materials that could be reclaimed from the pavement; these materials could be mixed with recycling agents to produce recycled mixtures. The important expected benefits of recycling process are the conservation of natural resources and reduction of environmental impact. The primary objectives of this work are evaluating the Tensile and Shear Properties of recycled asphalt concrete mixtures, In addition to the

Compaction curves are widely used in civil engineering especially for road constructions, embankments, etc. Obtaining the precise amount of Optimum Moisture Content (OMC) that gives the Maximum Dry Unit weight g_dmax. is very important, where the desired soil strength can be achieved in addition to economic aspects.

In this paper, three peak functions were used to obtain the OMC and g_dmax. through curve fitting for the values obtained from Standard Proctor Test. Another surface fitting was also used to model the Ohio’s compaction curves that represent the very large variation of compacted soil types.

The results showed very good correlation between the values obtained from some publ

One of the most important parameters determining structural members' durability and strength is the fire flame's influence and hazard. Some engineers have advocated using advanced analytical models to predict fire spread impact within a compartment and considering finite element models of structural components to estimate the temperatures within a component using heat transfer analysis. This paper presented a numerical simulation for a reinforced concrete beam’s structural response in a case containing Water Absorbing Polymer Spheres (WAPS) subjected to fire flame effect. The commercial finite element package ABAQUS was considered. The relevant geometrical and material parameters of the reinforced concrete beam model a

The difficulty of building a secure network is due to the changing nature of the enterprise coupled with the increasing sophistication of the hacker threat, both from inside and outside of the network. Active networks enable individual user or groups of users to inject customized programs into the nodes of the network.
The proposed system depends on the basic concepts (authentication and authorization) and uses RSA algorithm to add additional level of security. The proposed system also depends on active packet architecture, the packet will represented in the active node as input, and when the packet is retransmitted to another active node it carries information about each node it visits. The result of execution the packet will display

Leaching scheduling techniques are one of the suggested solutions for water scarcity problems .The aim of the study is to show the possibility of using leaching scheduling, when applying the irrigation scheduling program for a certain irrigation project, which was prepare by Water Resources Engineering –University of Baghdad with some modifications to generalized it and it make applicable to various climatic zone and different soil types.
The objectives of this research is to build a system that concerns the prediction of the leaching scheduling (depth and date of leaching water), illustrating the main problems (soil salinity, save the amount of leaching requirement, and to maintain crops growth).The other objective is to compare be

Nowadays power systems are huge networks that consist of electrical energy sources, static and lumped load components, connected over long distances by A.C. transmission lines. Voltage improvement is an important aspect of the power system. If the issue is not dealt with properly, may lead to voltage collapse.  In this paper, HVDC links/bipolar connections were inserted in a power system in order to improve the voltage profile. The load flow was simulated by Electrical Transient Analyzer Program (ETAP.16) program in which Newton- Raphson method is used. The load flow simulation studies show a significant enhancement of the power system performance after applying HVDC links on Kurdistan power systems. Th

The reality of the field of construction projects in Iraq refers to needing for the development of performance in order to improve quality and reduce defects and errors and to control the time and cost, so there is needing for the application of effective methods in this area, one of the methods that can be applied in this area is the manner of Six Sigma. This research aims to enhance the performance and quality improvement for the construction projects by improving performance in the work of the implementation of the concrete structure depending on the Six Sigma methodology, and for the purpose of achieving the aim of the research, the researcher firstly depends on the theoretical study that include the concepts of qual

A competitive adsorption of Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Cd²⁺ ions from a synthetic wastewater onto nanomaterial was studied.(Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles obtained from US Research Nanomaterials, Inc., Houston, TX 77084, (USA), was used as nanosorbent. Experimental parameters included pH, initial metal concentrations, and temperature were studied for nanosorbent. The uptake capacity 11.5, 6.07 and 11.1 mg/g for Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺and Cd²⁺, respectively, onto nanosorbent . The optimum pH values was 6 and the contact time was 50 min. for Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺and Cd²⁺, respectively. The equilibrium isotherm for