Ahmed M.E. Khalil

MAKHA—A New Hybrid Swarm Intelligence Global Optimization Algorithm

The search for efficient and reliable bio-inspired optimization methods continues to be an active topic of research due to the wide application of the developed methods. In this study, we developed a reliable and efficient optimization method via the hybridization of two bio-inspired swarm intelligence optimization algorithms, namely, the Monkey Algorithm (MA) and the Krill Herd Algorithm (KHA). The hybridization made use of the efficient steps in each of the two original algorithms and provided a better balance between the exploration/diversification steps and the exploitation/intensification steps. The new hybrid algorithm, MAKHA, was rigorously tested with 27 benchmark problems and its results were compared with the results of the two original algorithms. MAKHA proved to be considerably more reliable and more efficient in tested problems.

Wastewater degradation by iron/copper nanoparticles and the microorganism growth rate

Nowadays, trends in wastewater treatment by zero-valent iron (ZVI) were turned to use bimetallic NZVI particles by planting another metal onto the ZVI surface to increase its reactivity. Nano size zero-valent iron/copper (NZVI/Cu0) bimetallic particles were synthesized in order to examine its toxicity effects on the wastewater microbial life, kinetics of phosphorus, ammonia stripping and the reduction of chemical oxygen demand (COD). Various concentrations of NZVI/Cu0 and operation conditions both aerobic and anaerobic were investigated and compared with pure NZVI experiment. The results showed that addition 10mg/L of NZVI/Cu0 significantly increased the numbers of bacteria colonies under anaerobic condition, conversely it inhibited bacteria activity with the presence of oxygen. Furthermore, the impact of nanoparticles on ammonia stripping and phosphorus removal was also linked to the emitted iron ions electrons. It was found that dosing high concentration of bimetallic NZVI/Cu0 has a negative effect on ammonia stripping regardless of the aeration condition. In comparison to control, dosing only 10mg/L NZVI/Cu0, the phosphorus removal increased sharply both under aerobic and anaerobic conditions, these outcomes were obtained as a result of complete dissolution of bimetallic nanoparticles which formed copper-iron oxides components that are attributed to increasing the phosphorus adsorption rate.

Evaluation of nano zero valent iron effects on fermentation of municipal anaerobic sludge and inducing biogas production

The application of nano size materials on wastewater is going extensive because its high reactivity compared with other materials. As a result, numerous research studies investigated the effectiveness of dosing nano zero valent iron (nZVI) or micro zero valent iron (mZVI) on anaerobic digestion (AD) of sludge and production of biogas as promising renewable energy but inconsistent outcomes have appeared. In this paper, different dosing concentrations of nZVI were applied on anaerobic activated municipal sludge to examine the impact of nZVI on sludge fermentation, biogas generation, and methane (CH4) content stimulation. The results showed that addition 250 mg/L nZVI nanoparticles could enhance 25.23% biogas production and the methane content reached 94.05% after one week of digestion compared with 62.67% without adding iron nanoparticles.

Gravitational Search, Monkey and Krill Herd Swarm Algorithms for Phase Stability, Phase Equilibrium and Chemical Equilibrium Problems

Phase equilibrium calculations (PECs) and phase stability (PS) analysis of reactive and nonreactive systems problems are important for the simulation and design of chemical engineering processes. These problems, which are challenging, multi-variable, and non-convex, require optimization techniques that are both efficient and effective in finding the solution. Stochastic global optimization algorithms, especially swarm algorithms, are promising tools for such problems. In this study, monkey algorithm (MA), gravitational search algorithm (GSA), and Krill Herd algorithm (KHA) were used to solve PS, phase equilibrium, and chemical equilibrium problems. We have also studied the effect of adding a local optimizer at the end of the stochastic optimizer run. The results were compared to determine the strengths and weaknesses of each algorithm. When a local optimizer was used, MA was found to be a reliable algorithm in solving the problems. GSA had relatively the least numerical effort for all problems among the three algorithms but with low reliability. KHA was more reliable than other two algorithms without the use of a local optimizer. The performance of GSA, MA, and KHA was compared with firefly algorithm and cuckoo search (CS). In summary, this study found that CS algorithm was more reliable than the newly tested algorithms. Nevertheless, MA and GSA algorithms, when combined with a local optimizer, solve the thermodynamic problems as reliably and efficiently as CS.

Integrating remote sensing and magnetic data for structural geology investigation in pegmatite areas in eastern Afghanistan

Abstract This study used an integrated approach to investigate pegmatite areas in eastern Afghanistan. The analysis of surface data, including a digital elevation model (DEM), and Landsat Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) images, was combined with airborne magnetic data to better understand three-dimensional geology in the area. The ETM+ and DEM data were used to map geological structures at the surface, which indicate that the area consists of two main fault systems that trend NNE and E-W. The two trends represent the remnants of reactivated structures that formed under the stress regimes generated during the tectonic evolution of eastern Afghanistan. Magnetic data indicate an NE-SW trending basin. A two-dimensional schematic model shows that the basin gradually deepens toward the SW with depths to the magnetic basement ranging between 2 and 11.5 km. The integration of the results gave new insight into the tectonic evolution and structure patterns near the pegmatites area.

Performance of nanoscale zero-valent iron in nitrate reduction from water using a laboratory-scale continuous-flow system

Nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) is a versatile treatment reagent that should be utilized in an effective application for nitrate remediation in water. For this purpose, a laboratory-scale continuous-flow system (LSCFS) was developed to evaluate nZVI performance in removal of nitrate in different contaminated-water bodies. The equipment design (reactor, settler, and polisher) and operational parameters of the LSCFS were determined based on nZVI characterization and nitrate reduction kinetics. Ten experimental runs were conducted at different dosages (6, 10 and 20 g) of nZVI-based reagents (nZVI, bimetallic nZVI-Cu, CuCl2-added nZVI). Effluent concentrations of nitrogen and iron compounds were measured, and pH and ORP values were monitored. The major role exhibited by the recirculation process of unreacted nZVI from the settler to the reactor succeeded in achieving overall nitrate removal efficiency (RE) of >90%. The similar performance of both nZVI and copper-ions-modified nZVI in contaminated distilled water was an indication of LSCFS reliability in completely utilizing iron nanoparticles. In case of treating contaminated river water and simulated groundwater, the nitrate reduction process was sensitive towards the presence of interfering substances that dropped the overall RE drastically. However, the addition of copper ions during the treatment counteracted the retardation effect and greatly enhanced the nitrate RE.

Enhanced Generic Nonlinear and Linearized Models of Wind Power Plants

This paper develops enhanced hybrid generic (nonlinear) models of Type-3 and Type-4 wind power plants (WPPs) and extracts the corresponding linear (small-signal) dynamic models for power system transient stability analysis. The models are hybrid in nature since they consider both continuous states and discrete logic-controlled variables. The introduced enhancements include (i) a freezing function to reactivate reactive power emulator of Type-3 and Type-4 WPPs, (ii) active-current command recalculation step for Type-3 WPP and (iii) elimination of an activating logic of PI-controller limits in real current control path. The main feature of the enhanced models is that they can replicate the field-verified responses of the built-in PSS/E software models in any adopted software platform. It should be noted that the generic models described in the technical literature do not necessarily provide such replication. The paper also deduces small-signal dynamic models of Type-3 and Type-4 WPPs and addresses the multiple eigen structures of the linearized enhanced generic model of Type-3 WPP, which has not been comprehensively discussed in the technical literature. The enhanced nonlinear hybrid models and the corresponding linearized models are evaluated and verified based on time-domain simulation studies in PSS/E and MATLAB platforms, using NPCC system as the test bed.

Treatment and regeneration of nano-scale zero-valent iron spent in water remediation

Nano-scale zero-valent iron (nZVI) has shown its promising treatment technique to decontaminate nitrate from water. However, research reports lack the treatment and regeneration of the spent reagent from the treatment process. This research utilized different derivatives of nZVIs in the purpose of nitrate treatment in its aqueous solution to show their different reactivities in applied batch experiments. Selected nanoparticles were investigated via transmission electron microscopy, surface characterization analyzer, X-ray diffraction and laser-scattering particle size analyzer. The fresh synthesized nZVI had the highest performance with complete nitrate removal within 60 min. Treated nZVI succeeded to regain the lost reactivity of aged nZVI and boosted its removal efficiency 10 times. On the other hand, the regenerated nZVI, recovered from spent synthesized nanoparticles, regained full and complete removal efficiency of nitrate, the same as the synthesized nZVI. The obtained result gives a great competitiveness of nZVI reagent to treat nitrate against any other treatment technology.