Journal of Engineering

The performance of sewage pump stations is affected by many factors throughout their operational time, which can lead to undesired transportation efficiency. This paper focuses on the use of artificial neural network (ANN) and multiple linear regression (MLR) models for predicting the performance of a major sewage pump station in Baghdad city. The data used in this work were obtained from Al-Habibia sewage pump station over a period of three years in the Al-Karkh district, Baghdad. The pumping capability of the stations was evaluated by considering the influent input importance of discharge, total suspended solids (TSS), and biological oxygen demand (BOD). Additionally, chemical oxygen demand (COD), pH, and chloride (Cl) were also considered. The proposed model's performance was compared using the correlation coefficient (r). The suitable structure design of the neural network model was examined through various trials, errors, preparations, and evaluation steps. Two prediction models of organic and sediment loading were presented. The results indicated that the estimation of organic and sediment loading by the ANN model could be successful. Moreover, the results showed that the influent discharge rate had a more significant effect on predicting organic and sediment loading compared to other parameters.

Lean Six Sigma methodologies and Ergonomics principles are the main pillars of this work given their importance in the implementation of continuous improvement in assembly workstations design. When looking at the introduction of the Ergonomics that has been affected by the integration of the Lean and Six Sigma for improvements, it is necessary to understand why these methodologies belong to each other and how they can be handled in the industrial field. The aim of the work seeks towards the impact of analyzing the integration of the basics tools of Lean and Six Sigma that enhanced Ergonomics highlighted the importance of using the priority matrix in the selection of the priority criteria. Two models of a system based on building a knowledge base were used to collect and record measurement data from information and facts. The first is the "Process-flow vs. Time Efficiency" relates to "value added and non-value added" activities. The second is the "Work-Condition vs. Ergonomics Effects", which focuses on postural movements of the worker. These integrative models are represented by the application of a system called "LSS + ERGO System". The appropriate state that can deal with this situation is the use of Smart Priority Matrices that will prove to be a useful tool. This method (tool) is possible to understand what actions are potential and important to be implemented, according to the track that the research will be taken. The results show that the improvement suggestions existing in the Improve stage focused on the opportunities that weigh larger than the average (10%) obtain the acceptable procedures for optimization proposals can be identified as the research plan is presented for implementation. The case study has been implemented in the General Company for Hydraulic Industries/ Damper Assembly Factory

Oily carwash wastewater is a high organic and chemical wastewater. This paper targeted to investigate a treatment to decrease the water consumption and contaminants in car-washing stations. Electrocoagulation combined with ultrasonic energy (Sono-Electrocoagulation) was suggested so that the carwash wastewater is treated to be reused. The effect of both the voltage and time of treatment on the removal of COD, turbidity, conductivity, and total dissolved solids (TDS) were studied at constant initial pH 7 and electrode distance 2 cm. The results showed the best results of removal COD, turbidity, TDS, and reduce electrical conductivity is when the voltage was 30 V and a treatment time of 90 minutes

Soil wetted pattern from a subsurface drip plays a significant role in the design of subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) systems for delivering the required water directly to the roots of the plant. An equation to estimate the dimensions of the wetted area in soil, taking into account water uptake by roots, is simulated numerically using HYDRUS (2D/3D) software. In this paper, three soil textures—loamy sand, sandy loam, and loam soil—were used with three different types of crops: tomato, pepper, and cucumber, respectively. Different values of drip discharge, drip depth, and initial soil moisture content were proposed. The soil wetting patterns were obtained every thirty minutes for a total irrigation time of three hours. Equations for wetted width and depth were predicted and evaluated using statistical parameters (model efficiency (EF) and root mean square error (RMSE)). The model efficiency was more than 95%, and RMSE did not exceed 0.64 cm for the three soils. This shows that the evolved formula can be utilized to describe the soil wetting pattern from SDI systems with good accuracy.

The technology of subsurface soil water retention (SWRT) uses a polyethylene trough that is fixed under the root zone of the plant. It is a modern technology to increase the values of water use efficiency, plant productivity, and saving irrigation water by applying as little irrigation water as possible. This study aims at improving the crop yield and water use efficiency of a cucumber plant with less applied irrigation water by installing a membrane trough below the soil surface. The field experiment was conducted in the Hawr Rajab District of Baghdad Governorate in Winter 2018 for testing various trickle irrigation systems. Two agricultural treatment plots were utilized in a greenhouse for the comparison. Plot T1 used a subsurface trickle irrigation together with a membrane trough. Plot T2 used only a surface trickle irrigation system without using SWRT. The total area of the plots T1 and T2 was 13.2 m² and 6.66 m², respectively. The obtained results of the study confirmed that plot T1 satisfies values greater than plot T2 in terms of crop yield, field water use efficiency, and in saving the applied irrigation water. The increase rate of field water use efficiency and crop yield in plot T1 compared with plot T2 was 103% and 24%, respectively. Additionally, the increase rate in saving the applied irrigation water in plot T1 compared with plot T2 was 64%. The installation of the membrane trough below the plant’s root zone together with the subsurface trickle irrigation system assisted in keeping the water, nutrients, and fertilizers during the root zone profile, improving the field water use efficiency and then the parameter of water productivity

Composting is one of the solid waste management (SWM) methods where the organic component decomposes biologically under controlled conditions. In this study, a 0.166 m³ bioreactor tank was designed to compose 59.2 kg of simulated common municipal solid food waste having a bulk density, organic matter, organic carbon, pH, nitrogen content, C/N, and nitrification index (NH₄-N/ NO₃-N) of 536.62 kg/m³, 62.34%, 34.76%, 6.53, 1.86%, 23, and 0.34 respectively. The bioreactor operated aerobically for 30 days and anaerobically for 70 days until the end of the composting process. Results proved that the composting process could reduce the mass of the waste by 69%. Nitrogen content, C/N, nitrification index, NPK, and germination index (GI) were found to be 1.52%, 14.54, 0.31, 1.52%, 1.53%, 0.85%, and 85.5% respectively, indicating that the obtained compost is stable and mature according to the standards. Twelve heavy metals of Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), Molybdenum (Mo), Zirconium (Zr), Strontium (Sr), Rubidium (Rb), Manganese (Mn), Scandium (Sc), Iron (Fe), Titanium (Ti), Calcium (Ca), and Potassium (K) were detected using a Niton (XRF) device. Results of Cu and Zn were within the limits of the standards, while the rest were considered acceptable as standards did not restrict them.

Tests were performed on Marshall samples and were implemented for permanent deformation and resilient modulus (Mr) under indirect tensile repeated loading (ITRL), with constant stress level. Two types of liquid asphalt (cutback and emulsion) were tried as recycling agents, aged materials that were reclaimed from the field (100% RAP), samples were prepared from the aged mixture, and two types of liquid asphalt (cutback and emulsion) with a weight content of 0.5% were utilized to prepare a recycled mixture. A group of twelve samples was prepared for each mixture; six samples were tested directly for ITRL test (three samples at 25˚C and three samples at 40˚C), an average value for ITRL for every three samples was calculated (ITRL for unconditioned samples). The other six samples were placed in a volumetric flask 4000-ml heavy-wall glass filled with water at 25˚C under a vacuum pressure of (3.74 kPa) for 5 to 10 minutes. Then the samples were put in deep freeze for 16 hours at -18˚C. The samples were frozen then were transported to a water bath at 60ºC for 24 hours. Then they were soaked in a water bath for 1 hour at 25ºC and tested for the ITRL test (three samples at 25˚C and three samples at 40˚C), the average value of ITRL for every three samples was calculated (ITRL for conditioned samples). It was concluded that the reduction in (Mr) at the Conditioned test as compared to the Unconditioned test was (29.5%, 22.27% and 9.09%) at 25˚C, while at 40˚C, the reduction was (21.28%, 15.53%, and 17.89%) for aged and recycled mixtures with (cutback), and (emulsion) respectively. The change in permanent deformation at the Conditioned test as compared to Unconditioned one was (76.19%, 75.61% and 53.22%) at 25˚C, while at 40˚C it was (56.48%, 35.19%, and 78.33%) for aged and recycled mixtures with (cutback), and (emulsion) respectively

Recently, important efforts have been made in an attempt to search for the cheapest and eco-friendly alternative adsorbents. In the present work, waste molasses from Iraqi date palm (Zahdi) had been used as a provenance to produce charcoal for the removal of methylene blue (MB) dye from water. The optimum prepared charcoal was obtained at 150°C, by increasing temperature to 175°C, the charcoal had almost converted to ash. The obtained charcoal has been inspected for properties using scanning electron microscope (SEM), atomic force microscope (AFM), porosity, and surface area. Adsorption data were optimized to Langmuir and Freundlich models, and adsorption parameters have been evaluated. The thermodynamic parameters like a change in Gibbs energy (ΔG), enthalpy (ΔH), and entropy (ΔS) were also investigated. The effects of increasing temperature on adsorption capacity were studied, and the results indicate that the pseudo-second-order kinetics model could present the adsorption dynamic data. The resultant values for the heat of adsorption and the free energy indicated that adsorption of methylene blue dye is preferred at low temperatures.