University of Mentouri

About: University of Mentouri is a education organization based out in Constantine, Algeria. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Thin film & Nusselt number. The organization has 527 authors who have published 407 publications receiving 3114 citations.

Heat transport of magnetized Newtonian nanoliquids in an annular space between porous vertical cylinders with discrete heat source

Abstract: A numerical study of MHD natural convection in an upright porous cylindrical annulus filled with magnetized nanomaterial is made by using the specificity of nanoliquids to improve the phenomenon of heat transport. The upper and lower walls are thermally insulated, whereas the outer wall is kept at a lesser temperature. The finite volume method is used to treat the governing equations via computer code with Fortran programming. The results obtained are given for the values of the Rayleigh number between 103 and 106, aspect ratio Ar = 2, radii ratio λ = 2, Hartmann number (0 ≤ Ha ≤ 80), Darcy number (10−5 ≤ Da ≤ 10−2), porosity ratio (0.1 ≤ e ≤0.9), and the nanoparticles volume fraction (0 ≤ φ ≤ 0.1). The transferred thermal flux, in laminar natural convection, increases with the growth of the nanoparticle concentration, the Darcy number, the porosity, the Rayleigh number and, the length of the source.

Fractional order adaptive high-gain controllers for a class of linear systems

Abstract: In this paper we show that a fractional adaptive controller based on high gain output feedback can always be found to stabilize any given linear, time-invariant, minimum phase, siso systems of relative degree one. We generalize the stability theorem of integer order controllers to the fractional order case, and we introduce a new tuning parameter for the performance behaviour of the controlled plant. A simulation example is given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.

Parabolic trough solar thermal power plant: Potential, and projects development in Algeria

Abstract: Against the background of an increasing energy demand and growing environmental problems in Algeria due to the use of fossil fuels, renewable energy resources offer interesting opportunities for Algeria. In 2011, Algeria has developed a national program for the period 2011–2030 to promote concrete actions in the fields of renewable energies and energy efficiency. This paper gives description and working principles of the parabolic trough power plants, besides a review of considerations on the assessments for concentrating solar power potential of Algeria. The analysis shows the competitive viability of CSP plants. Algeria has the key prerequisites to make an economical CSP power generation; including high-quality insolation and appropriate land in addition to water availability and extensive transmission and power grid. In the end, an overview is given on the parabolic trough power plant projects development in Algeria including the first integrated solar combined cycle Hassi R'mel plant, in addition to the three further hybrid power plants that will be completed by 2018.

Cystic echinococcosis in Algeria: cattle act as reservoirs of a sheep strain and may contribute to human contamination

Abstract: In Algeria, cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a serious economic and public health problem. The common sheep/dog cycle is usually considered as the major source of human contamination. But to date the main strain of Echinococcus granulosus involved in the human contamination and the role of other hosts are still unknown. This paper reports an original work performed in northern Algeria combining field observations and molecular analysis. In a first step, examination of 6237 carcasses in slaughterhouses showed high infection and fertility rates in cattle and dromedaries. Then, in a second step, we used a molecular biology approach to identify the E. granulosus strain(s) involved. Forty-six samples from various origins were collected. They were analysed using comparison of PCR-amplified DNA sequences with one genomic (BG 1/3) and two mitochondrial (COI and NDI) targets. Results show the presence of a "sheep" strain of E. granulosus in North Algeria circulating between cattle and ovines and infectious to humans, whereas in South Algeria, a "camel" strain and a "sheep" strain were found to circulate in camels and in sheep, respectively. This study also reports an ambiguous genotype which resembled the "sheep" strain genotype (Gl) on the basis of the partial COI gene sequence, whereas on the basis of the partial NDI gene sequence, it was similar either to the "sheep" strain (Gl) or to the "camel" strain (G6). Besides its basic interest, our study confirms the role of other hosts (mainly cattle) in leading to transmission to humans and suggests that control measures should not only target sheep.

Non-linear optical and electrical properties of ZnO doped Ni Thin Films obtained using spray ultrasonic technique

Abstract: In the present study zinc oxide doped Nickel thin films (ZnO:Ni) were deposited on glass substrates using a chemical spray ultrasonic technique. The effect of Ni concentration on the structural, electrical, optical, and non-linear optical (NLO) properties of the ZnO:Ni thin films was investigated. The films were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), profilometry and optical transmittance. A polycrystalline structure with a preferential growth along the ZnO (002) plane was found, the optical transmittance was found to be higher than 80% and the band gap (Eg) varied from 3.19 to 3.27 eV. The value of the electrical conductivity was found. Moreover, the effective non-linear quadratic and cubic electronic susceptibilities of thin film samples were determined by the SHG and THG techniques, working at 1064 nm.