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The textile industry plays a major part in the economy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). However, the environmental impact of textile dyeing and wastewater discharge has become a growing concern in the region. This study addressed this issue by identifying and characterizing azo dye degrading enzymes that can be used in bioremediation strategies. Six enzymes, namely Thiol reductase, Thiol peroxidase, Alkene reductase, NADH-oxidoreductase, Oxidoreductase, and Sulfite reductase, were identified through a literature review and used as queries in BLASTp to search for homologous enzymes from Bacillus cereus, Brevibacillus brevis, Bacillus acidicola, and Paenibacillus alvei. The physicochemical characteristics and subcellular distribution of these enzymes were determined using online tools. Phylogenetic analysis was performed to investigate the evolutionary connection of these enzymes across different bacterial species. Additionally, gene structure and motif analysis were conducted to gain insights into functional motifs and gene organization of these enzymes. Domain prediction and protein–protein interaction analysis were carried out to identify conserved domains and potential protein interactions. The outcomes of this study offer valuable understandings on prospect of azo dye degrading enzymes for bioremediation strategies in the KSA textile industry, which is in agreement with the future Vision 2030 strategy. The identified enzymes and their homologs from other microbial genomes represent promising candidates for further experimental validation and utilization in bioremediation processes. Moreover, they contribute to the development of effective bioremediation strategies for the textile industry in the KSA region. Overall, this study enhances our understanding on azo dye degrading enzymes and their potential uses in the textile industry, particularly in the context of KSA.

The textile industry plays a major part in the economy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). However, the environmental impact of textile dyeing and wastewater discharge has become a growing concern in the region. This study addressed this issue by identifying and characterizing azo dye degrading enzymes that can be used in bioremediation strategies. Six enzymes, namely Thiol reductase, Thiol peroxidase, Alkene reductase, NADH-oxidoreductase, Oxidoreductase, and Sulfite reductase, were identified through a literature review and used as queries in BLASTp to search for homologous enzymes from Bacillus cereus, Brevibacillus brevis, Bacillus acidicola, and Paenibacillus alvei. The physicochemical characteristics and subcellular distribution of these enzymes were determined using online tools. Phylogenetic analysis was performed to investigate the evolutionary connection of these enzymes across different bacterial species. Additionally, gene structure and motif analysis were conducted to gain insights into functional motifs and gene organization of these enzymes. Domain prediction and protein–protein interaction analysis were carried out to identify conserved domains and potential protein interactions. The outcomes of this study offer valuable understandings on prospect of azo dye degrading enzymes for bioremediation strategies in the KSA textile industry, which is in agreement with the future Vision 2030 strategy. The identified enzymes and their homologs from other microbial genomes represent promising candidates for further experimental validation and utilization in bioremediation processes. Moreover, they contribute to the development of effective bioremediation strategies for the textile industry in the KSA region. Overall, this study enhances our understanding on azo dye degrading enzymes and their potential uses in the textile industry, particularly in the context of KSA.

Biogenic and anthropogenic feedstocks can be converted into high-quality and hydrogen-rich synthesis gas through high-pressure entrained flow gasification. However, robust pilot-scale process data is essential for the optimisation, design and scale-up of this process. Therefore, this study conducted pilot-scale experiments, developed balancing and equilibrium models for performance analysis and derived input and validation data for CFD models. The experiments were carried out at the bioliqEntrained Flow Gasifier plant using mixtures of ethylene glycol or beech wood pyrolysis oil with glass beads, thermal inputs of up to 5 MW and operating pressures of 40 bar. The cooling screen was recoated before the experiments to ensure well-defined heat transfer conditions. The data from on-line measurements and off-line analyses was evaluated with emphasis on the synthesis gas condition before quenching, the heat extraction from the inner reactor chamber and the carbon conversion. The results show that the balancing model provides consistent and accurate predictions and the equilibrium model is able to track the generated process data. Specifically, the balancing predictions are accurate if the solution of CO$_2$ in the quench water is accounted for, if undetected intermediates are described as lost carbon and lost atomic hydrogen and if further chemical reactions in the quench water are avoided by appropriate operating conditions.

Biogenic and anthropogenic feedstocks can be converted into high-quality and hydrogen-rich synthesis gas through high-pressure entrained flow gasification. However, robust pilot-scale process data is essential for the optimisation, design and scale-up of this process. Therefore, this study conducted pilot-scale experiments, developed balancing and equilibrium models for performance analysis and derived input and validation data for CFD models. The experiments were carried out at the bioliqEntrained Flow Gasifier plant using mixtures of ethylene glycol or beech wood pyrolysis oil with glass beads, thermal inputs of up to 5 MW and operating pressures of 40 bar. The cooling screen was recoated before the experiments to ensure well-defined heat transfer conditions. The data from on-line measurements and off-line analyses was evaluated with emphasis on the synthesis gas condition before quenching, the heat extraction from the inner reactor chamber and the carbon conversion. The results show that the balancing model provides consistent and accurate predictions and the equilibrium model is able to track the generated process data. Specifically, the balancing predictions are accurate if the solution of CO$_2$ in the quench water is accounted for, if undetected intermediates are described as lost carbon and lost atomic hydrogen and if further chemical reactions in the quench water are avoided by appropriate operating conditions.

Enhancing the performance of traditional vapor compression cooling cycles is an important aspect in the quest to minimize global energy consumption, to own sustainable energy systems soon, and to preserve the environment. This study performed a comparative analysis of the performance of a water cooler with different working fluids to replace R143a and improve system performance. A mathematical model derived from energy and exergy analysis is developed for the evaluation of the effect of operating conditions on the system COP, exergetic losses, and exergetic efficiency. The evaluation has been conducted for evaporation and condensation temperatures ranging between -30°C to 15°C and 25°C to 55°C, respectively. Results showed that the cycle with R510A has the maximum COP. The average system COP with R510A, RE170, and R152a are 19.54%, 13.53%, and 9.36 % higher than that with R134a, respectively. The highest value of exergy loss takes place in the compressor. At different working fluids, exergy losses decrease as evaporation temperatures increase and condensation temperatures decrease. The system with R510A has the minimum exergy losses. The average exergy losses for systems with R510A, RE170, and R152a are 34.62%, 28.33%, and 18.64% lower than that of R134a, respectively. The system with R510A has higher exergy efficiency and R134a has the minimum values of exergy efficiency. Generally, the water cooler provided better performance with R510A and RE170 than with R152a and R134a. Therefore, R510A can be considered as the best replacement for R134a and R152a.

Enhancing the performance of traditional vapor compression cooling cycles is an important aspect in the quest to minimize global energy consumption, to own sustainable energy systems soon, and to preserve the environment. This study performed a comparative analysis of the performance of a water cooler with different working fluids to replace R143a and improve system performance. A mathematical model derived from energy and exergy analysis is developed for the evaluation of the effect of operating conditions on the system COP, exergetic losses, and exergetic efficiency. The evaluation has been conducted for evaporation and condensation temperatures ranging between -30°C to 15°C and 25°C to 55°C, respectively. Results showed that the cycle with R510A has the maximum COP. The average system COP with R510A, RE170, and R152a are 19.54%, 13.53%, and 9.36 % higher than that with R134a, respectively. The highest value of exergy loss takes place in the compressor. At different working fluids, exergy losses decrease as evaporation temperatures increase and condensation temperatures decrease. The system with R510A has the minimum exergy losses. The average exergy losses for systems with R510A, RE170, and R152a are 34.62%, 28.33%, and 18.64% lower than that of R134a, respectively. The system with R510A has higher exergy efficiency and R134a has the minimum values of exergy efficiency. Generally, the water cooler provided better performance with R510A and RE170 than with R152a and R134a. Therefore, R510A can be considered as the best replacement for R134a and R152a.

Gas turbine (GT) power plants operating in arid climates suffer a decrease in output power during the hot summer months because of insufficient cooling. Cooling the air intake to the compressor has been widely used to mitigate this shortcoming. An energy analysis of a GT Brayton cycle coupled to a refrigeration cycle shows a promise for increasing the output power with a little decrease in thermal efficiency. A thermo-economics algorithm is developed and applied to an open cycle, Hitachi MS700 GT plant at the industrial city of Yanbu by the Red Sea in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Result shows that the enhancement in output power depends on the degree of chilling the air intake to the compressor (a 12 - 22 K decrease is achieved). For this case study, maximum power gain ratio (PGR) is 15.46%, at a decrease in thermal efficiency of 12.25%. The cost of adding the air cooling system is also investigated and a cost function is derived that incorporates time-dependent meteorological data, operation characteristics of the GT and the air intake cooling system and other relevant parameters such as interest rate, lifetime, and operation and maintenance costs. The profit of adding the air cooling system is calculated for different electricity tariff.

Gas turbine (GT) power plants operating in arid climates suffer a decrease in output power during the hot summer months because of insufficient cooling. Cooling the air intake to the compressor has been widely used to mitigate this shortcoming. An energy analysis of a GT Brayton cycle coupled to a refrigeration cycle shows a promise for increasing the output power with a little decrease in thermal efficiency. A thermo-economics algorithm is developed and applied to an open cycle, Hitachi MS700 GT plant at the industrial city of Yanbu by the Red Sea in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Result shows that the enhancement in output power depends on the degree of chilling the air intake to the compressor (a 12 - 22 K decrease is achieved). For this case study, maximum power gain ratio (PGR) is 15.46%, at a decrease in thermal efficiency of 12.25%. The cost of adding the air cooling system is also investigated and a cost function is derived that incorporates time-dependent meteorological data, operation characteristics of the GT and the air intake cooling system and other relevant parameters such as interest rate, lifetime, and operation and maintenance costs. The profit of adding the air cooling system is calculated for different electricity tariff.

electricity. In this research, the potential of ZigZag PVNBs has been investigated. The ZigZag Solar product, developed by Wallvision, has proven to offer multiple advantages in energy yield and aesthetics for building fa & ccedil;ade applications. For noise barrier applications, the ZigZag structure could offer interesting features in safety and noise cancellation (obtained by filling the ZigZag construction with Rockwool material) on top of the advantages in aesthetics and energy yield. A ZigZag PVNB has been designed and constructed at the Brightlands Chemelot Campus in Geleen, after which the electrical performance has been automatically monitored under Dutch climate conditions. The measurements have been compared to simulated data, which allowed optimiza