Showing papers by "Irene S. Fahim published in 2021"

Production of Fuel from Plastic Waste: A Feasible Business.

Abstract: This paper aims to conduct a feasibility study of producing fuel from plastic waste. It is a suggested approach to deal with the huge production of synthetic plastic around the world, so as to avoid its accumulation in landfills and the depletion of resources. Several types of research have addressed the conversion of plastic waste into energy, and in this study the authors focused on using pyrolysis to convert plastic to liquid oil. Accordingly, the volume of the waste was reduced significantly, and the produced liquid oil had a high calorific value in comparison to fossil fuel. The authors managed to develop a profitable business model for a facility producing fuel from plastic waste in Egypt. This project could be a very lucrative business opportunity for investors or venture capitalists interested in investing in green economy. A Business Model Canvas was used as a tool to identify how the different components of the business relate to each other.

Bio-composite Thermal Insulation Materials Based on Banana Leaves Fibers and Polystyrene: Physical and Thermal Performance

Abstract: Thermal insulators have a crucial role in reducing the operational building energy. They are commonly fabricated from petrochemical materials that mostly cause negative environmental impacts. This ...

Graphene Reinforced Biopolymer Nanocomposites for Water Filtration Applications

Abstract: The world is encountering outrageous water deficiency due to unequal water dispersion, misuse of water and inefficient water system strategies. Rising populations and quick monetary advancement in the nations, contamination and ecological corruption are diminishing water accessibility. The water shortage is causing a real threat. There must be a sustainable solution to this current problem which lies in reusing the water after ensuring its treatment from any type of waste that could be a threat to human beings. The consistent access of fresh water is a humanitarian objective in the twenty-first century. There are several traditions for treating classical water pollutants such as heavy metals, insecticides, poly aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) but there is less research on nanocomposites filtration membranes. The essential obligations for water purification are suitable materials with elevated separation ability, low cost, and reuse. Nanotechnology offers innovative materials with large surface area thus improving properties like tensile strength, hydrophobicity and porosity. The main disadvantage of nanoparticles is agglomeration; nevertheless, it is minimized by the addition of reinforcements to form nanocomposites. Polymer nanocomposites (PNCs) are used for water purification due to their desired properties such as high mechanical strength.

Organic Solar Cells Parameters Extraction and Characterization Techniques.

Abstract: Organic photovoltaic research is continuing in order to improve the efficiency and stability of the products. Organic devices have recently demonstrated excellent efficiency, bringing them closer to the market. Understanding the relationship between the microscopic parameters of the device and the conditions under which it is prepared and operated is essential for improving performance at the device level. This review paper emphasizes the importance of the parameter extraction stage for organic solar cell investigations by offering various device models and extraction methodologies. In order to link qualitative experimental measurements to quantitative microscopic device parameters with a minimum number of experimental setups, parameter extraction is a valuable step. The number of experimental setups directly impacts the pace and cost of development. Several experimental and material processing procedures, including the use of additives, annealing, and polymer chain engineering, are discussed in terms of their impact on the parameters of organic solar cells. Various analytical, numerical, hybrid, and optimization methods were introduced for parameter extraction based on single, multiple diodes and drift-diffusion models. Their validity for organic devices was tested by extracting the parameters of some available devices from the literature.

Investigation of root causes of order unfulfillment: A Logistics case study

Abstract: This study targets an order fulfillment problem in a freight forwarding company. Some applicable solutions are implemented such as supplier performance evaluation, suppliers' selection, and location analytics. The objective of the study is to reduce the number of unfulfilled orders by supply planning. Some of the tools used to achieve this are Excel (VBA and Pivot tables) to perform drivers' scoring, analytic hierarchy process (AHP), and ArcGIS software to visualize locations. The results showed that the company can implement the suggested solutions to reduce the number of order cancellations and assist drivers based on clients' demands to ensure customer satisfaction and loyalty. The AHP allows the company to standardize the order fulfillment process, keep clients' loyalty, satisfy clients' demands and eliminate a random selection of drivers. In addition, drivers' evaluation can assist the company to visualize drivers' performance through the five different criteria: punctuality, truck quality, reliability, appearance, and mobile app usage in different periods of time and assign the drivers to new clients based on their scores to avoid any complaints from clients. For the map visualization, it matches supply with demand as currently, the company acquires suppliers with no strategic purpose. The locations visualized on the map assist the supply team to indicate the regions that need an increase in the capacity of contractors and drivers close to the client's location. In addition, the map illustrates the business size and territory.

FlexSim Simulation to Enhance Productivity of a Production Cell : A Case Study

Abstract: The use of modelling and simulation as a decision-making tool has increasingly been recognized to solve industrial problems. Modeling and simulation are utilized in this study to assess, analyze, and provide recommendations for improving the performance of an existing production cell in a manufacturing plant. To analyze the performance of the assembly line under investigation, multiple key performance indicators (KPIs) are determined. With the aid of FlexSim simulation tool, an improved system is recommended after running more than 90 different scenarios to enhance the productivity. The improved scenario showed an increase in production level that eliminated the need to have overtime labor costs.

Production of Single-Use Tableware Products from Bagasse

Abstract: This study aims to utilize bagasse waste produced from the sugar cane industry to manufacture single-use tableware such as plates and cups as a potential alternative to Styrofoam and plastic cups and containers. This will reduce the environmental hazardous results from packaging products. Unlike traditional plastics and Styrofoam which can take hundreds of years and require high temperature to degrade, these eco-friendly containers from bagasse take approximately 60 days to degrade and break down. In this research, potato peel starch and glycerol were added to bagasse pulp to improve both surface wetting and flexure properties and facilitate the thermoforming manufacturing process. Experimental results showed 3% of Alkyl ketene dimer (AKD) enhanced the water-resistance of the manufactured bagasse containers.