Iraqi Journal of Industrial Research

Al-Mussaib Thermal Power Plant faces critical challenges of excessive fuel consumption, leading to significant CO₂ emissions and reduced operational efficiency. These inefficiencies are primarily attributed to outdated equipment, low boiler efficiency, and inadequate maintenance, posing environmental and economic concerns. This study employs HYSYS software to analyze plant performance and propose operational improvements to enhance efficiency and sustainability. The analysis reveals that a specific fuel consumption (SFC) of 0.24 kg/kWh for 155 MW results in CO2 emissions of 0.75 kg/kWh, while optimal operation requires 0.31 kg/kWh of specific fuel resulting in CO2 emissions of 0.95 kg/kWh. Similar inefficiencies are evident at higher capacities, such as 205 MW, further underscoring the need for upgrades and regular maintenance. At (155 MW), actual efficiency is only 27%, highlighting substantial room for improvement. Targeted operational adjustments, including regular maintenance, can optimize energy conversion, minimize fuel waste, and reduce emissions. Notably, as at a 70% load, the gap between actual and design fuel consumption narrows from 4.2 kg/s to 2.2 kg/s, reflecting improved efficiency at higher operational loads. Operating under optimized conditions not only reduces unnecessary fuel consumption but also supports sustainable and cost-effective power generation. This study emphasizes the importance of addressing inefficiencies to reduce environmental impact and enhance the operational viability of thermal power plants.

Corrosion of submerged steel structures, such as port piers, poses a significant threat to infrastructure durability, especially in aggressive aquatic environments. This study investigates the influence of anode-to-cathode distance on the corrosion rate and cathodic protection performance of low carbon steel using zinc as a sacrificial anode. Experiments were conducted using a Potentiostat MLab 200 system in two simulated environments, representing the riverine Abu Flos Port and the marine Khor Al-Zubair Port at anode distances of 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 cm. Key electrochemical parameters including corrosion potential (Ecorr), corrosion current density (Icorr), and corrosion rate were obtained using Tafel extrapolation. Results indicated that the shortest distance (5 cm) provided the most effective cathodic protection in both environments, with Ecorr values reaching (–904 mV) and (–1044 mV), respectively. Correspondingly, the corrosion rate was minimized, demonstrating a strong inverse relationship between protection efficiency and anode distance. The zinc anode alloy used was also confirmed to meet ASTM B-418 standards for sacrificial anodes. These findings highlight the importance of optimal anode placement in cathodic protection design and confirm that zinc is an effective anode material in both riverine and marine environments. The study also validates the rapid assessment capability of the linear polarization resistance (LPR) technique for evaluating corrosion protection performance in submerged steel structures.

Reducing the weight of a vehicle is a key aspect that affects its performance, driving economy and overall safety. The suspension system is one of the major components for weight saving in vehicles as it contributes to a considerable rate of the unsprung weight. The developing of hybrid materials technology can be employed for avoiding bulky leaf spring with identical load carrying ability and stiffness. This paper describes the design and experimental analysis of composite leaf spring made of woven glass fiber reinforced polymer (FRP). The main goal of this study is to investigate the load carrying capability, stiffness, and possibility for weight minimization in composite materials as a lightweight alternative to conventional metallic leaf springs. The effective geometric parameters have been designed for 1000 kg automobile mass. The finite element analysis has been used as a computer-based simulation technique for prediction spring thickness (h) related to safe displacement and induced stress due to the applied load. The numerical and experimental outcomes demonstrate the strength, durability, and fatigue performance of composite materials. Additionally, the proposed fabricated prototype demonstrates an 80% weight reduction compared to a steel multi leaf spring, confirming its suitability for lightweight and high efficiency applications.

The present study uses a continuous photo-catalytic approach to treat textile wastewater with Acid Black 210 (AB210). In an extract from eucalyptus leaves, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) were created using a liquid-phase reduction technique and utilized as heterogeneous catalysts. SEM, EDAX, and FTIR procedures were among the characterization methods used on (NPs). The produced NPs had a specific surface area of 26 m2 /g and were discovered to be spherical and porous. The effect of the main parameters on the Photo-Catalytic degradation of AB210 was investigated through a continuous fixed-bed system. A photoreactor was used to investigate and analyze the variables affecting the continuous system the dye concentration (5–40 mg/L), the pollutant flow rate through the column (AB210 flow rate) (1–5 mL/min), the height of the catalyst inside the column (ZnO-NPs height) (0.5–1.5 cm), and the UV-intensity (6–24 W/m2). The optimized parameters for the fixed-bed system were with a removal efficiency of 69% determined as 2.25 mL/min, 1.21 cm, 30 mg/L, and 15 W/m2 for flow rate, ZnO-NPs height, AB210 concentration, and UV intensity respectively. This study demonstrates the potential of ZnO-NPs synthesized from green sources as effective catalysts in the treatment of dye-contaminated textile wastewater using a continuous photo-catalytic system.

This study presents a novel thermoelectric system that integrates the Seebeck and Peltier effects to determine the conductivity type of semiconductors with high precision and improved energy efficiency. Traditional Seebeck measurement setups typically require high-power resistive heaters and bulky cooling systems, consuming up to 500W of electrical power. In contrast, the proposed system employs Peltier modules as both heating and cooling sources, significantly reducing energy consumption while enabling sustainable, solar-powered operation. The system was validated through a series of controlled laboratory experiments conducted on silicon semiconductor samples. The results demonstrated that the device effectively identified the conductivity type by analyzing voltage generation under controlled thermal gradients. The p-type samples exhibited a Seebeck coefficient of -0.0477 V/K at a temperature differential of 48.2°C, generating a maximum voltage of -2.3V, while the n-type samples displayed a coefficient of 0.00037 V/K at a 50°C temperature difference, producing a stable voltage output. The system rapidly reached thermal equilibrium within 36 minutes, confirming its efficiency in thermoelectric testing. The integration of Peltier elements not only enhances precision and thermal stability but also reduces operational costs and environmental impact. This innovative approach offers a more sustainable, compact, and energy-efficient alternative to conventional Seebeck and Hall Effect systems, making it highly suitable for semiconductor characterization, renewable energy applications, and portable thermoelectric testing solutions.

Many chemical, physical, and biological methods have been applied for plastic pollution as a global environmental problem. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a commonly used polymer for many human life-related applications (food and water containers). In this paper, PET was hydrolyzed in a alcoholic NaOH medium at 110°C to obtain sodium terephthalate (Na-Terephthalate) that refluxed with glycerine and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). PVA-terephthalate polymeric composite formed a flexible thin film. Other composites were prepared using PVA, Na-Terephthalate, and glycerine and NiCl2.6H2O, ZnSO4.7H2O, Sr(NO3)2, or FeCl3. All PVA-terephthalate composites were characterized using FTIR, XRD, SEM, and DTA. Additionally, all prepared composites were screened for their microbial activity against E. coli, S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, and Candida albicans. The PVA-terephthalate composite showed a good to moderate inhibition zone towards S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, and Candida albicans. All metallic composites showed a negative response against P. aeruginosa and Candida albicans. The Zinc composite exhibited a noticeable inhibition zone against E. coli and S. aureus. These newly prepared composites (PVA-terephthalate, Nickel, and Iron composites) were evaluated for endo- and/or exothermic DTA peaks. The exothermic temperature of the Nickel composite was higher than the Iron composite, while PVA-terephthalate did not show any exothermic reaction. The obtained characteristics suggest promising materials for industrial applications such as seedling planting bags, food coating, and packaging materials, starting with minimizing PET quantity in the environment. The addition of metal salt to the blend composition may be a good suggestion in other research fields such as optical or electric applications.

This study presents a one-dimensional steady-state computational analysis of fluid-solid interactions using Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis (CFD) analysis techniques. The analysis is conducted through numerical simulation based on Biot’s theory, implemented using COMSOL Multiphysics 6.0. Four two-layer models: air-stainless steel, air-silicon carbide, water-limestone, and water-sand are examined to investigate the influence of key parameters on acoustic wave reflection at interfaces. The models were analyzed under varying acoustic frequencies (10 Hz to 10 kHz) and oblique incidence angles (0° to 80°). The results indicate that the reflection coefficient is relatively stable at low frequencies, ranging between 0.8 and 0.9. However, with higher frequencies and larger incidence angles, the coefficient gradually decreases, reaching approximately 0.4 at 80° and 10 kHz. Silicon carbide maintained a stable reflection pattern across the frequency range with less than 5% variation, while sand showed a significant increase in reflection up to 20% at high oblique angles. Interfaces with high acoustic impedance contrast, such as air–stainless steel, exhibited the highest reflection. The study concludes that porosity, permeability, and the angle of incidence are critical parameters that influence acoustic reflection behavior. These findings support the design and optimization of porous and composite materials for insulation and noise control in engineering applications. The simulation approach can be extended in future work to validate results against experimental data and to explore more complex structures and dynamic conditions.

Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM) in the oil and gas industry pose significant environmental and health challenges. During extraction and production, radionuclides such as radium-226, radium-228, uranium-238, polonium-210, and lead-210 accumulate in equipment, pipelines, and sludge, forming Technologically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (TENORM). Exposure to these radioactive contaminants can increase health risks for workers and complicate waste management. This study evaluates the effectiveness of an integrated remediation process combining thermal, chemical, and detergent-based treatments to reduce NORM contamination. Experimental procedures involved heating contaminated samples to 800°C, applying phosphoric acid to dissolve radioactive scales, and using chlorine-based detergents to facilitate radionuclide removal. The decontamination efficiency was assessed by measuring radionuclide concentrations before and after treatment using gamma spectroscopy. Results showed that acid leaching reduced uranium-238 by 64% and radium-226 by 56%, while detergent application further decreased radium-226 by 99.4%, lowering it from 700,000 Bq/kg to 4,000 Bq/kg. The final step, liquid evaporation, achieved a 99.98% reduction, with radium-226 levels dropping to 500 Bq/kg. These findings highlight the importance of a multi-step remediation approach for effectively managing NORM waste. The proposed treatment strategy provides a practical and scalable solution for reducing radiation hazards in oil and gas operations, supporting worker safety and environmental protection while aligning with international regulatory standards.

Background: Enzyme Kinetics it is a fundamental part of metabolic biochemistry because it helps to explore the mechanism of action and interaction of all substrates under the influence as well as environmental factors. Aim: The present study intends to compare the kinetic models that have been employed to assess their efficacy in pharmaceutical kinetics and drug-trans metabolizing enzymes and efficiency. Study Design: Methodology and Experimental Design: The data were collected for separate enzymes (CYP3A4, CYP2D6 and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase) at different substrate concentrations and fit comparison analysis based on the accuracy of fit, residuals, and Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) scores and R-squared (R²). Enzymes at high concentrations that exhibit cooperative behaviour or synergistic regulation may require advanced kinetic models such as the Hill model and the allosteric models, with a focus on the analysis at optimal conditions and Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) scores. Results: The Michaelis-Menten model was effective for non-cooperative systems; however, for enzymes demonstrating cooperative binding, like CYP2D6, the Hill model showed improved predictive capabilities. The allosteric model consistently outperformed the Michaelis-Menten and Hill models in capturing the observed velocities across a variety of enzyme-substrate pairs, particularly for enzymes exhibiting allosteric behavior. Conclusion: The study showed that Michaelis-Menten model effectively describes basic enzyme kinetics, particularly at low substrate concentrations, where simple saturation kinetics apply. The Hill model incorporates cooperatively, making it particularly useful for enzymes like CYP3A4 that exhibit sigmoidal kinetics. The Allosteric model is the most versatile, as it accommodates cooperative and regulatory effects over a broad range of substrate concentrations.

Recent studies have suggested potential health risks associated with the consumption of artificial sweeteners. This study investigates the effects of the artificial sweeteners aspartame and neotame on neurobehavioral performance and selected hematological parameters in male rats. Twenty-four male albino rats, weighing 200 to 240 g, were divided into three groups: a control group receiving tap water, a group receiving neotame (250 mg/kg/day), and a group receiving aspartame (500 mg/kg/day). The study was conducted over eight weeks under controlled conditions. Neurobehavioral assessments included the open field test, swimming rank test, and Y-maze test. Hematological parameters were analyzed using an automated blood analyzer after the experimental period. The findings indicated that both aspartame (ASP) and neotame (NEO) significantly affected neurobehavioral parameters in male rats. The open field test results demonstrated a marked reduction in locomotor activity in both treatment groups compared to controls (p < 0.05). Similarly, the swimming rank test revealed diminished swimming capabilities in the ASP and NEO groups, suggesting potential neurotoxic effects. Hematological analyses showed a significant increase in red and white blood cell counts in both treatment groups, while hemoglobin and hematocrit levels decreased compared to controls (p < 0.05). The study concludes that chronic exposure to artificial sweeteners such as aspartame and neotame can adversely affect neurobehavioral and hematological parameters in male rats. These findings underscore the importance of further research to clarify the long-term health effects of artificial sweeteners in both animal models and humans.

Pests severely threaten tomato cultivation, prompting pesticide use that endangers health and the environment. To mitigate this problem, the investigation was conducted at the Gopalganj Science and Technology University, Gopalganj, Bangladesh in order to find out an integrated pest management (IPM) approach for controlling insect pests of tomato during October 2023 to April 2024 in accordance with randomized complete block design with three replications. One tomato variety cv. BARI tomato 2 was evaluated against the nine treatments viz. T1 = Vertical Support, T2 = Vertical Support + Neem Oil (3 ml/L), T3 = Vertical Support + Bishkatali (20 g/L), T4 = Horizontal Support, T5 = Horizontal Support + Neem Oil, T6 = Horizontal Support + Marshal 20EC (4 ml/L), T7 = No Support + Bishkatali, T8 = No Support + Marshal 20EC, and T9 = Untreated Control. It was manifested that T6 was the most effective, recording the lowest whitefly population during vegetative (3.07), early flowering (3.50), late flowering (5.67), early fruiting (3.77), late fruiting (3.50), and ripening (3.13) stages and highest yield (34.36 t/ha). Conversely, untreated control (T9) had the highest whitefly population at all stages, with counts reaching 27.67 during late flowering and the lowest yield (15.94 t/ha). T6 also resulted in the lowest fruit infestation by fruit borer (5.32%), compared to the highest infestation (24.41%) in T9.

Cytochrome P450 (CYP3A4) enzymes and organic anion-transporting polypeptides (OATPs) are critical in drug pharmacokinetics. Fifteen rabbits were divided into three groups: the atorvastatin group received a single oral dose of atorvastatin (0.86 mg/kg B.W.); the clarithromycin-atorvastatin group received a single oral dose of clarithromycin (43.7 mg/kg B.W.), followed by atorvastatin (0.86 mg/kg B.W.) 30 minutes later; and the azithromycin-atorvastatin group received a similar dosing protocol with azithromycin instead of clarithromycin. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) measured atorvastatin concentrations in hyperlipidemic rabbit serum, while ELISA assessed macrolides’ CYP3A4 and OATP inhibition potential. Coadministration of clarithromycin significantly increased atorvastatin’s area under the curve (AUC) by 2.74-fold, compared to a slight increase of 1.11-fold with azithromycin. CYP3A4 inhibition was higher in the clarithromycin group (1.67-fold in the liver, 1.50-fold in the intestine) than the azithromycin group (1.64-fold in the liver, 1.17-fold in the intestine). Similarly, OATP inhibition in serum, liver, and intestine was greater in the clarithromycin group (1.4-fold, 1.5-fold, and 1.9-fold, respectively) compared to the azithromycin group (1.1-fold, 1.2-fold, and 1.1-fold, respectively). The results suggest that atorvastatin does not interact with azithromycin, while clarithromycin strongly interacts with it, indicating potential pharmacokinetic concerns in coadministration.

This study investigates the formulation and evaluation of eco-friendly nanoemulsion-based gels (GN1–GN6) that incorporate natural ingredients, specifically lavender oil and myrtle oil. These oils are recognized for their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiseptic, and immune-boosting properties, making them ideal candidates for counteracting the effects of aging. The primary objective was to develop a stable and therapeutically effective topical gel contain environmentally friendly natural oils in nanoemulsion form to be promising product against photoaging and chronological aging. Utilizing a microwave-based method, a pseudoternary phase plot was created, leading to the assessment of six distinct nanoemulsion formulations (NE1–NE6) through thermodynamic and characterization processes that were used to prepare nanoemulsion-based gels (GN1–GN6). The results revealed that all nanoemulsion formulations exhibited favorable surface charge, low polydispersity indices, robust thermodynamic stability, and nanosized particle dimensions. Additionally, the evaluation of the gel formulations (GN1–GN6) demonstrated stable organoleptic properties, suitable pH and spreadability values, acceptable viscosity, no skin irritation and good biological membrane permeation ability. The therapeutic efficacy of the various chemical constituents within the essential oil-based nanoemulsions, combined with the positive evaluation results of the nanoparticle-based gels, positions these formulations as promising natural masks. They effectively restore skin health and protect against the adverse effects of aging and environmental stressors, particularly sun exposure.