M. A. Alghoul

Bio: M. A. Alghoul is an academic researcher from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals. The author has contributed to research in topics: Photovoltaic system & Renewable energy. The author has an hindex of 34, co-authored 130 publications receiving 4148 citations. Previous affiliations of M. A. Alghoul include Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research & National University of Malaysia.

The role of window glazing on daylighting and energy saving in buildings

Abstract: Energy conservation in building arena is essential issue for achieving sustainable environment. However, buildings experienced significant amount of heat gain or loss through window and this will affect the thermal comfort of buildings׳ occupants. Building without window is able to save energy, but it is not recommended due to the benefits of natural light on visual comfort and the biological effect of natural light on humans. Hence, window design plays important role in building architect. One of the essential parts of window is the glazing. Selecting a window glazing is complicated when energy saving and daylighting aspects of a building are considered concurrently. Optimization techniques offer a balance solution for the contradictions in selecting a window glazing of energy-efficient building. This paper intended to reveal the impacts of window glazing on the energy and daylighting performances of building through the previous researches. Then, the optimization techniques used by various researchers in choosing a glazing are highlighted. The emerging glazing technologies were discussed as well.

Review of solar dryers for agricultural and marine products

Abstract: Drying for agricultural and marine products are one of the most attractive and cost-effective application of solar energy. Numerous types of solar dryers have been designed and developed in various parts of the world, yielding varying degrees of technical performance. Basically, there are four types of solar dryers; (1) direct solar dryers, (2) indirect solar dryers, (3) mixed-mode dryers and (4) hybrid solar dryers. This paper is a review of these types of solar dryers with aspect to the product being dried, technical and economical aspects. The technical directions in the development of solar-assisted drying systems for agricultural produce are compact collector design, high efficiency, integrated storage, and long-life drying system. Air-based solar collectors are not the only available systems. Water-based collectors can also be used whereby water to air heat exchanger can be used. The hot air for drying of agricultural produce can be forced to flow in the water to air heat exchanger. The hot water tank acts as heat storage of the solar drying system.

Perspectives of double skin façade systems in buildings and energy saving

Abstract: One of the most important methods of saving energy in a building is by carefully designing its facade. A ‘double skin facade’ is optimally one of the best options in managing the interaction between the outdoors and the internal spaces. It also provides some architectural flexibility to the design. Recently it has received much attention as opposed to the more typically glazed curtain wall. This is because of its ability to efficiently reduce energy and therefore saves cost. The amount of energy saved depends on the climate and the design chosen. The design of the DSF involves decisions on geometric parameters, glass selection, ventilation strategy, shading, daylighting, aesthetics, wind loads, and maintenance and cleaning cost expectations. DSF has an impact on several aspects of the design phase of a building. For example, thermal properties, acoustic characteristics and daylighting are affected in the exploitation phase of the building. In addition, in terms of building safety point of view, fire propagation maintenance or glazing thermal break must be taken into account. Currently, little work has been done on the behaviour of DSFs in hot and humid climates. This paper shall review previous studies made on double skin facade systems (DSFS) in buildings.

Factors affecting basin type solar still productivity: A detailed review

Abstract: Reasonable amounts of fresh water can be produced via inexpensive and sturdy solar stills in places that are exposed to solar radiation and have a brackish water. This work intends to analyze the many studies on factors that affect the performance of solar stills. The results showed that the distillation productivity of solar stills are significantly influenced by ambient conditions (e.g., ambient temperature, insolation, wind velocity, dust and cloud cover), operating conditions (e.g., depth of water, various dyes, salt concentration and inlet temperature of water), and design conditions (e.g., different passive/active designs of solar stills, slope of the cover, materials selection, storing materials, reflectors, insulation, gap distance and sun tracking system). It was also determined that the performance of solar stills was improved through the increase in solar radiation, ambient air temperature, wind speed, and water absorptivity. This also rings through with the decrease in water depth, thickness of cover, gap distance between water surface and condensing cover. It was also determined that both internal and external reflectors are capable of increasing the amount of absorbed solar radiation on the basin liner. The potential output of a basin type still can potentially increase to almost 70–100%. On top of this, the utilization of a sun tracking system was determined to be way more effective in improving the performance of solar still. This translate to the fact that solar stills being able to produce potable water at a very economical cost. Due to the existence of different methods of cost estimation, it is not possible to determine a universal, comparable price per technology; the cost per liter of distilled water obtained from the basin type solar still is ranged from 0.035 to 0.074$/liter. This study proved the fact that distillation productivity of solar still is heavily influenced by climatic, operational, and design parameters. Its output can be further improved via operational and design conditions, as climatic conditions are beyond our control.

Optimization methods applied to renewable and sustainable energy: A review

Abstract: Energy is a vital input for social and economic development. As a result of the generalization of agricultural, industrial and domestic activities the demand for energy has increased remarkably, especially in emergent countries. This has meant rapid grower in the level of greenhouse gas emissions and the increase in fuel prices, which are the main driving forces behind efforts to utilize renewable energy sources more effectively, i.e. energy which comes from natural resources and is also naturally replenished. Despite the obvious advantages of renewable energy, it presents important drawbacks, such as the discontinuity of generation, as most renewable energy resources depend on the climate, which is why their use requires complex design, planning and control optimization methods. Fortunately, the continuous advances in computer hardware and software are allowing researchers to deal with these optimization problems using computational resources, as can be seen in the large number of optimization methods that have been applied to the renewable and sustainable energy field. This paper presents a review of the current state of the art in computational optimization methods applied to renewable and sustainable energy, offering a clear vision of the latest research advances in this field.

A natural resource-based view of the firm

Abstract: Historically, management theory has ignored the constraints imposed by the biophysical (natural) environment. Building upon resource-based theory, this article attempts to fill this void by proposing a natural-resource-based view of the firm—a theory of competitive advantage based upon the firm's relationship to the natural environment. It is composed of three interconnected strategies: pollution prevention, product stewardship, and sustainable development. Propositions are advanced for each of these strategies regarding key resource requirements and their contributions to sustained competitive advantage.

Solar energy for future world: - A review

Abstract: World׳s energy demand is growing fast because of population explosion and technological advancements. It is therefore important to go for reliable, cost effective and everlasting renewable energy source for energy demand arising in future. Solar energy, among other renewable sources of energy, is a promising and freely available energy source for managing long term issues in energy crisis. Solar industry is developing steadily all over the world because of the high demand for energy while major energy source, fossil fuel, is limited and other sources are expensive. It has become a tool to develop economic status of developing countries and to sustain the lives of many underprivileged people as it is now cost effective after a long aggressive researches done to expedite its development. The solar industry would definitely be a best option for future energy demand since it is superior in terms of availability, cost effectiveness, accessibility, capacity and efficiency compared to other renewable energy sources. This paper therefore discusses about the need of solar industry with its fundamental concepts, worlds energy scenario, highlights of researches done to upgrade solar industry, its potential applications and barriers for better solar industry in future in order to resolve energy crisis.