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The present study investigates the potentiality of organic waste-to-compost production and viability of waste sorting and recycling in vulnerable areas. The study provides financial analysis of the operation of such compost production and waste sorting and recycling facilities in Jordan, while taking into account the facilities' intake capacities, operational costs, and selling prices. The results showed that the facilities are expected to generate profits in the long term. In the case of the compost facilities, both the facilities of Irbid and Karak are expected to generate profits within 12 months of operation. In the case of the sorting facilities, while only some facilities are expected to generate profits in the first year (Irbid and Madaba), most will incur losses by the end of the first 12 months (Mafraq, Karak, Deir Alla, and West Irbid, New Taybah and Wassatiyah) and begin generating net profits by the second year of operation. In the case of sorted recyclables, the establishment of contractual relationships with recyclers in the value chain is essential to maintain viable revenue to ensure operational feasibility; however, in the case of compost, a more diverse array of avenues for marketing needs to be explored and utilised to ensure profitability.

The present study outlines a cohesive compilation of analysis of the involvement of women in decision-making and leadership in the solid waste sector in Jordan. The socio-economic challenges have been catalyzed by the influx of Syrian refugees into the host communities and camps in Jordan. Hence, deterioration of municipal solid waste services have centered on and proposed that women engagement in the Solid Waste (SW) sector to provide opportunities that aim to improve livelihoods by producing an avenue for added income generation through the recycling and sorting scheme; as well as the cost revenue implications for the municipalities. Since 2015, projects added prospects for continued engagement of women and have drastically increased their involvement by filling management positions in the development and operation of municipal SW Transfer Stations (TSs), including heading the design and operation of the TS, and the recycling project. While 54 employment opportunities were created within North Shouneh SW pilot project; 37,794 women jobs of recycling and composting were made available by the cash for work initiative throughout 2016-2017, as well as, 60 women were employed in Zaatari camp. Moreover, when CBOs are directly involved, there has been more opportunity to engage women in employment in the solid waste sector.

To tackle climate change and secure energy supplies, many countries invest heavily on wind energy as it is a clean source and is becoming more cost effective with the technological advancement and increased capacity per unit installed. The investigation of the availability of wind resources is an essential step of any feasibility study of a wind farm project and is vital for securing financial resources. With this intent, the main aspects for designing a wind farm at Ajloun (north of Jordan) is investigated and wind energy potential is determined based on available wind data. Based on the site characteristic, the required infrastructure is highlighted, including the turbine array layout and the pattern of connections with the external transmission lines. The investigation of the feasibility of the project includes an appraisal of social and environmental consequences of constructing the wind farm project. The results show that the selected location for the wind farm is encouraging and has a promising profit potential. The findings estimate the annual electricity generation of the wind farm at 379659.51 MWh, with a breakeven selling point of around $30.03/MWh, at a highly competitive price. However, with an estimated selling price of $36.65/MWh on average, it will settle the interest rate demanded by the banks that have an internal rate of return of 7%. No major issues with geotechnical and environmental issues were identified with respect to the project.

Hydrogen produced from chlor-alkali plants in Jordan is typically wasted and vented to the atmosphere. If it is recovered and utilized then it can viably play a significant role for process heat on site. This study demonstrates how cleaner production can be applied to the chlor-alkali industry, with focus on utilization of hydrogen as energy resource. A chlor-alkali based on membrane cell process, in northern part of Jordan, was examined as a case of reusing excess hydrogen produced. In the baseline scenario, 47% of produced hydrogen was used in HCl production, 10% in controlling pressure difference, and the remainder was not used (i.e. 43% of hydrogen was vented into the atmosphere). The proposed cleaner production option was to install a hydrogen boiler next to the existing fuel boiler and utilize the hydrogen to generate steam for on-site process heating purposes. The effectiveness of this cleaner production option was discussed in relation to its technical and environmental feasibility. On-site utilization of hydrogen was found to provide 34% of the total steam needed at the full capacity. This in return yields a saving percentage of around 33.37% and a payback period of 0.947 year. From environmental perspective, theoretically, carbon dioxide emission reductions can be up to 1810 tons based on the chlor-alkali productions pattern for 24 consecutive months.

This study aims to provide analyses and assessment of Jordan’s responses and actions in the first 150 days since March 2, 2020. The present study focuses on the emerging cases COVID-19 in Jordan, investigates the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19, and assesses the concise responses and initiatives to lessen such impacts. Analytical method was adopted in the present study using quantitative and qualitative data captured from official sources and news reports. The findings show that Jordan was so far capable to flatten the curve, and effectively controlled the outbreaks within four to six weeks under strict isolation and curfew measures. Jordan was ranked 132nd in the world based on 1136 positive cases. The sources of external transmissions were 10.2% by trucks drivers crossing the borders, and 18.4% by returning expatriates. Several features enabled Jordan to flatten the curve such as closed contacts tracing and testing capabilities, integration their COVID-19 responses and national initiatives with digital technology and Apps utilization, and providing of transparent and up-to-date information and updates through several media about this unprecedented situation. Jordan is attempting to lessen the socio-economic impacts of prolonged closure of economic sectors on vulnerable population by establishing a fund that tackles the most influenced entities that are informal labor and SMEs. Jordan was exemplified as a successful preparedness and proactive intervention case to combat the unprecedented infectious COVID-19 outbreaks. After 30 days since the lockdown was relaxed, less than 10 cases per day were recorded. Accordingly, Jordan pandemic status is in a moderate risk stage based on the issued re-open strategy and adopted risk assessment matrix.

Water scarcity remains the major looming challenge that is facing Jordan. Wastewater reclamation is considered as an alternative source of fresh water in semi-arid areas with water shortage or increased consumption. In the present study, the current status of wastewater reclamation and reuse in Jordan was analyzed considering 30 wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). The assessment was based on the WWWTPs&rsquo, treatment processes in Jordan, the flowrates scale, and the effluents&rsquo, average total dissolved solid (TDS) contents. Accordingly, 60% of the WWTPs in Jordan used activated sludge as a treatment technology, 30 WWTPs were small scale (˂1 &times, 104 m3/day), and a total of 17.932 million m3 treated wastewater had low TDS (˂1000 ppm) that generally can be used in industries with relatively minimal cost of treatment. Moreover, the analysis classified the 26 million m3 groundwater abstraction by major industries in Jordanian governorates. The results showed that the reclaimed wastewater can fully offset the industrial demand of fresh water in Amman, Zarqa, and Aqaba governorates. Hence, the environmental assessment showed positive impacts of reclaimed wastewater reuse scenario in terms of water depletion (saving of 72.55 million m3 groundwater per year) and climate change (17.683 million kg CO2Eq reduction). The energy recovery assessment in the small- and medium-scale WWTPs (˂10 &times, 104 m3/day) revealed that generation of electricity by anaerobic sludge digestion equates potentially to an offset of 0.11&ndash, 0.53 kWh/m3. Finally, several barriers and prospects were put forth to help the stakeholders when considering entering into an agreement to supply and/or reuse reclaimed water.

Energy sector in Jordan faces serious challenges today. Jordan as a non-oil country depends by 96% on imported fuel to cover its demands. The present work seeks to improve an alternative fuel that can support the goals of National Energy Strategy in Jordan. Therefore; a mathematical model was developed to investigate the possibility of producing solar-hydrogen fuel in Jordan. Ma'an city was chosen to be the location of solar-hydrogen plant. The high solar insulation and the availability to supply the plant with water from Aqaba Gulf directly and/or from Red-Sea Dead-Sea Cannel make Ma'an the suitable location for the plant. A system with photovoltaic (PV) cell array and proton electron membrane (PEM) electrolyzer was suggested to be the connection system for the plant. Accordingly, two different scenarios were proposed for hydrogen production with different hydrogen production doubling time, the first scenario is θ h 1 = 2 + 0.15 ( n − 1 ) year, while the second scenario is θ h 2 = 4 + 0.15 ( n − 1 ) year. Eight different economic, social, and environmental parameters, which directly affect solar-hydrogen production, were evaluated and investigated for Jordan up to year 2060. Accordingly, the research study concluded that solar-hydrogen fuel can potentially offer a good option as an alternative fuel for Jordan. Starting the production at year of 2020 can provide a good sharing in energy demand sector by the end of the year 2060.

The Montreal Protocol’s Multilateral Fund is often hailed as a key component of strategies aimed at reducing the amount of ozone-depleting substances in the less-developed countries. Yet, while there are studies that exemplify how the fund has been implemented as well as the strategies that individual countries adopt, there is still a lack of academic literature about the steps taken and implemented to devise successful alternative production strategies. In this case study, we analyze Jordon’s current strategy to reduce ozone-depleting Halon 1211 and 1301, two fully halogenated hydrocarbons that are extensively used in Jordan for their exceptional fire-extinguishing characteristics. In response to the Montreal Protocol, an international treaty to phase out halon use, Jordan adopted a halon management program to manage the use of halons, build strategic reserves for “essential uses,” and limit the amount of these substances that are released into the atmosphere. This study presents the actual inventory data of halons in Jordan in addition to the challenges and obstacles in the halon bank management system in Jordan. Moreover, this research covers the prospects of Jordan halons banking to achieve the goal of meeting Jordan’s halons demand for essential uses up to the year 2030. To this end as well as to fulfill Jordan’s commitment to the Montreal Protocol, the research recommends finding the balance between effectively enforcing regulations against the use of ozone-depleting substances while being able to meet halons demand for the essential uses until alternatives are comparably affordable and available on the national market. The research recommends that regulations should be supported with effective governance measures to minimize the occurrences of ozone-depleting substances escaping into the atmosphere as well as to meet halons demand.

Estimating the generation of e-waste in governorates is critically needed for sustainable and environmentally sound e-waste management in Jordan. The main objectives of the present study are to quantify and evaluate the annual e-waste generation in all governorates in Jordan and disposal practices. The present study comprises the information of e-waste as classified by the European Union Directive including six main categories (16 United Nations University key items). The survey targeted 15,883 households (12.52% females and 87.48% males), where primary data on e-waste generation and disposal methods were gathered, assessed, and quantified. Subsequently, the survey-based data collected from the study sample have been extrapolated to quantify an e-waste generation inventory for Jordan and the disposal methods using ArcGIS mapping. The study-extrapolated findings reveal that ~8,735,187 e-waste items (13 ktons) had been turned into e-waste and discarded by all households in 2018 in the 12 governorates in Jordan. Moreover, dumping of e-waste is still the dominant disposal method practiced by 58.4% of households in Jordan. The other disposal practices showed that granting of the waste EEE to others has the share of 16.6%; selling (10.7%); delivering the waste EEE for environmentally sound recycling (6.8%); and others practices represented 7.4%. Furthermore, the present study has played a vital role in e-waste awareness dissemination since the findings of the present study have been modeled and shown online by the Department of Statistics, Jordan through the link ( https://arcg.is/1KzvjO ). Finally, the challenges, barriers, and prospects of e-waste management in Jordan have been explored in the present study.

This experimental research aimed to examine potential production and utilization of RDF derived from mixed municipal solid waste using bio-drying technology to be used as a substitute fuel for the traditional fuel currently used in cement plants in Jordan. The characteristics of RDF produced were identified and compared with limits and criteria set by some European countries. An economic model for RDF utilization in cement industry was created. The model proposes six different options resulting from adding RDF as a substitute fuel for the petcoke fuel currently used. A cost analysis for each option proposed was performed to estimate the economic and environmental savings of RDF utilization in cement industry. At the end of the bio-drying process, the mass of dried waste directed to the landfill was reduced by about 35%. In the case of the recovery of RDF materials from dried waste, the mass of waste to be landfilled was reduced by 69%. The bio-drying process allowed an increase in the heating value of waste (LHV) by 58% to reach 15.58 MJ/kg, as a result of the reduction of waste moisture. RDF produced had high calorific value, low water content, and satisfactory chlorine content. With regard to the concentration of the heavy metals, all of the RDF samples tested had lower concentrations than those values set by some European countries. The findings showed that adding 15% RDF as a substitute fuel, equaling 4.92 tons/h, to the fuel used in cement kilns will save 486 USD/h in petcoke costs, with 2.27 tons/h of CO2 being emitted into the atmosphere at a net saving of 389 USD/h.

The limitation in the allowed new capacities of renewable energy sources to be connected to the electric utility grid is a challenge. This limitation will form an obstacle in expanding towards full dependence on the clean available resource of electricity in Jordan. Battery electricity storage system (BESS) can be a solution for this limitation, and which has been studied to allow storing more electricity from new renewable energy sources, such as PV, to be supplied on demand. This paper evaluates different battery technologies using HOMER (Hybrid Optimization Modelling Software) simulation software, which allows comparing different available battery technologies to different technical specifications from an economic point of view. The essential primary outcome of the simulation is the cost of the electricity stored in each battery technology that can be used to optimize the battery storage system size for each type of battery. The simulation was made for a photovoltaic system in Jordan, connected to the grid, and with different kinds of battery technologies with varying sizes in order to understand their effect on the final cost of energy, and to know the needed minimum tariff that will encourage investors in the field of renewable energy to invest more in battery electricity storage. The findings of this paper show that a tariff of $0.140 per kWh will make the battery electricity storage system more attractive for storing energy from solar PV systems for shares around 20% of the average PV production. The resulted Levelized Cost Of Energy (LCOE) will help in securing more electricity for Jordan from solar PV plants, and to depend less on fossil fuel which has environmental impacts, fluctuating prices, and not indigenously available in Jordan.

It is undeniable that solid waste management in the Syrian refugees host communities was one of the most challenging services to be properly provided to the vulnerable communities by municipalities in Jordan. This paper presents the current waste generation and composition for both Irbid and Mafraq which are considered urban and rural areas, respectively, based on the urbanization index. Hence, the MSW composition in Irbid has relatively less organic content (51%) and more plastics (11%) and papers (12%) than that at Greater Mafraq (58% organics, 10% plastics, and 9% papers). On the other hand, the study reveals that the waste recycling (19%) and recovering (25%) in Mafraq Governorate are relatively much better than that in Irbid Governorate where waste recycling and recovering are 9 and 8%, respectively. The study presents a possible waste recycling model and opportunities to link the private waste-picking activities with the public SWM sector at the local municipality and dumpsite levels. A participatory model to create income generation potentials for the most vulnerable groups in the society (Jordanian Citizen and Syrian Refugees) is proposed based on the study findings.

An assessment of biomass resources potential in Jordan for power/heat generation and biogas production is presented in this paper. The investigation is based on five crucial requirements toward process sustainability and production cost. These requirements include biomass analysis and availability, conversion technologies, optimizing efficiency, reduction of environmental impact, and political decisions. All of these requirements collectively work in synergy toward commercial implementation of bioconversion technologies of biomass into energy. The information obtained in this study is expected to be useful for both decentralized and centralized wastes based energy planning by policymakers and industry developers, which can increase the biomass based renewable energy share to the energy mix. Direct biomass resources including agricultural residues, animal manure and municipal solid waste are considered in the analysis. Jordan produces more than 5.83 MT of wastes and residues annually, where 42% of which are estimated as available sources for energy generation and biogas production. The corresponding annual biogas and power potential is 313.14 MCM and 847.39 GWh, respectively. The produced biogas could replace almost 23.64% of Jordan primary energy consumed in the year 2012 in the form of natural gas (656 toe). Amongst all wastes and residues, municipal solid waste generated in the middle region of Jordan has the highest potential for biogas and power generation at 24.26%. This is followed by poultry manure with 18.58% and olive residues with 15.1%. The potential of the other wastes and residues is estimated at 42.06%.

The accumulation of dust particles deteriorates the performance of solar cells and results in appreciable losses in the generated power due to the sun irradiance scattering effects on the surface of the solar panel. This study investigates the impact of dust accumulation on photovoltaic solar modules in Baghdad city in Iraq. For this purpose an experiment has been conducted to quantify losses caused by the accumulation of dust on the surface of three identical photovoltaic solar modules. The modules have been installed with direct exposure to weather conditions, in a well controlled experimental setup. Subsequently, measurements of dust accumulation on modules have been taken on daily, weekly and monthly basis. The dust density and size distribution of aerosol particles and fibers have been also investigated and measured by a highly sensitive aerosols measuring system. The dusted module and another similar clean module have been then exposed to constant radiation and constant temperature using a solar simulator as light source. The deposition of the dust on the surface of the photovoltaic solar modules showed a reduction in both the short circuit current (Isc) and the output power compared to the same parameters of the clean module. The average degradation rate of the efficiencies of the solar modules exposed to dust are; 6.24%, 11.8% and 18.74% calculated for exposure periods of one day, one week and one month. The experimental results are well compared with the calculations obtained by a theoretical model recently developed by the authors.

COVID-19 has posed an unprecedented global public health threat and caused a significant number of severe cases that necessitated long hospitalization and overwhelmed health services in the most affected countries. In response, governments initiated a series of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) that led to severe economic and social impacts. The effect of these intervention measures on the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic are not well investigated within developing country settings. This study simulated the trajectories of the COVID-19 pandemic curve in Jordan between February and May and assessed the effect of Jordan&rsquo, s strict NPI measures on the spread of COVID-19. A modified susceptible, exposed, infected, and recovered (SEIR) epidemic model was utilized. The compartments in the proposed model categorized the Jordanian population into six deterministic compartments: suspected, exposed, infectious pre-symptomatic, infectious with mild symptoms, infectious with moderate to severe symptoms, and recovered. The GLEAMviz client simulator was used to run the simulation model. Epidemic curves were plotted for estimated COVID-19 cases in the simulation model, and compared against the reported cases. The simulation model estimated the highest number of total daily new COVID-19 cases, in the pre-symptomatic compartmental state, to be 65 cases, with an epidemic curve growing to its peak in 49 days and terminating in a duration of 83 days, and a total simulated cumulative case count of 1048 cases. The curve representing the number of actual reported cases in Jordan showed a good pattern compatibility to that in the mild and moderate to severe compartmental states. The reproduction number under the NPIs was reduced from 5.6 to less than one. NPIs in Jordan seem to be effective in controlling the COVID-19 epidemic and reducing the reproduction rate. Early strict intervention measures showed evidence of containing and suppressing the disease.

This study presents a baseline assessment of carbon emissions in water utilities in Madaba, Jordan. The Energy Performance and Carbon Emissions Assessment and Monitoring Tool (ECAM) is applied in the present study in order to reduce indirect and direct emissions. Input data for the assessment included inter alia, population, water volumes, energy consumption, and type of wastewater treatment. The methodology focuses on the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and energy use that is directly associated with the utility operations covering the whole water cycle. The ECAM's Quick Assessment revealed that 89.7% of the energy is consumed in abstraction and distribution systems of water supply, whereas wastewater collection, treatment, and discharge consumed only 10.3% in Madaba. The detailed ECAM tool assessment results showed that total GHG emissions from the entire water and wastewater system in Madaba are approximately 28.122 million kg CO2/year. The water supply is the major contributor to GHG accounting for 62.4%, while 37.6% of GHG emissions result from sewage treatment, and are associated with treatment process requirements considered in this work, in addition to sludge transport from septic tanks to the wastewater treatment plant. The findings of this work can help the utility to undertake energy efficiency and GHG reduction measures. Miyahuna Company [12.9046.9-006.00] The authors are grateful for the collaboration provided by Miyahuna Company staff in the stage of site visits, data gathering and analysis, and consultative meetings undertaken throughout the WaCCliM project (No. 12.9046.9-006.00) period. This work is co-published by the Water, Energy, and Environment Center, University of Jordan research team and GIZ as part of the Project ` Water and Wastewater Companies for Climate Mitigation WaCCliM' activities. The Project is implemented by GIZ in partnership with the International Water Association and on behalf of the German the Federal Ministry of the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU). All rights for the content of this paper are reserved for GIZ, the views presented are entirely the responsibility of the authors.

Paper mill sludge (PMS) can be efficiently utilized to produce fuels and chemicals. However, wastewater is usually generated during the de-ashing step of the PMS for fibrous materials recovery. Per process requirements, the wastewater stream must be treated which results in an increase in the overall process production cost. Therefore, this research aims at reusing the wastewater produced during the de-ashing step as a substitute for freshwater addition during the conversion of PMS into ethanol. The advantages of this approach include reducing the amount of wastewater produced and enhancing the overall efficiency of the process. It will contribute to the circular economy of zero waste discharges. The results showed that 30% of the process wastewater can be recycled without affecting the enzymatic hydrolysis and ethanol fermentation. Hence, the amount of wastewater that needs to be treated is reduced by 30% resulting in a cost reduction of 22.5%. The results also showed that wastewater recycling minimized the energy demands in the distillation and evaporation units by 1206 kJ/kg. The energy reduction is due to the increase of metals and total soluble solids in the broth stream after fermentation. This process configuration enhanced the process economy, saved energy and managed waste streams.

Electronic waste (E-waste) has recently been perceived to be a problem confined to Jordan. The changing of economic scenarios and global technological development has contributed the amount of E-waste becomming part of the waste stream in Jordan. The necessary regulations regarding E-waste are not yet in place. Therefore, a reliable estimation of E-waste generation is crucial to policymakers. Considering the limited available data, this paper describes the current and future estimation of E-waste generation in Jordan, namely cell phones, personal computers, TVs, refrigerators, and washing machines. Jordan is estimated to generate about 16,874 tons of E-waste in the year 2015, as compared to the present generation of 15,211 tones, accounting for about 0.7% of all municipal solid wastes dumped in the country. The average amount of E-waste produced per capita indicates it is estimated to grow from 2.38 kg/capita in 2012 to 2.48 kg/capita in 2015. Over a span of 5 years, from 2007 to 2012, a total of 84,533 tones became obsolete. In the 3 years prior to 2015, it is projected that an additional 49,153 tones will become obsolete.

Chlorine disinfection of drinking water containing natural organic matter leads to the formation of brominated trihalomethanes (THMs) in the presence of bromide ions. In the present study, the results of an experimental investigation into the factors forming THMs in the presence of bromide ions are presented. The experiments were conducted using samples collected from Zai water treatment plant in Jordan under different operating conditions such as reaction time, temperature, pH, TOC, and the ratio between bromide ions and initial chlorine dose. The experimental results showed that the formation of all brominated THMs, mainly CHBr3), increased with increasing of any of these parameter values and decreased chloroform formation. CHCl2Br and CHClBr2 increased with increasing the experimental parameters and thereafter remained constant or slightly decreased. Moreover, n(Br) values which represents bromine incorporation into THMs are almost in the range from 2.5 to 2.7. However, the values of n(Br) incr...

This paper evaluates the effect of addition of precipitated lignin, from spent pulping black liquor, to a wet single-ply linerboard handsheet followed by hot-pressing at different temperatures, on the improvement of its compressive strength. Linerboard handsheets for testing the effect of lignin addition were prepared so that the lignin-modified sheets would have the same basis weights as the control handsheets. Both the commercial and the black liquor lignin were added as a powder to wet handsheets after couching from the handsheet mold. The experiments and testing of the physical and strength properties of dried handsheets were conducted according to TAPPI test methods. The results revealed that the addition of the recovered lignin (at pH of 2) to the wet handsheet followed by hot-pressing at 150?C increased the compressive strength of linerboard handsheets by 10% to 20% above that for handsheets made without the addition of lignin. The same results were achieved using purchased lignin. However, with a 16% addition to linerboard, purchased lignin would be too expensive. These results indicate that inclusion of kraft lignin in linerboard sheets could be proved as an attractive option to reduce linerboard basis weight.

Generation of different types and quantities of non-hazardous solid waste in the industrial sector are subject to different factors including the type of industry, production capacity, and raw materials involved in the production processes. The present study is a cross-sectional descriptive study which was conducted in 400 industries in Jordan in 2016. A structured questionnaire was used to collect all data related to the industrial processes, the types and quantities of waste generation, waste management practices and other general data. Moreover, quick-walk through assessment and observations were needed to get more details in some industries. The collected data were statistically analyzed using SPSS 19 software. Based on the results, the monthly generation rate of waste and daily waste generation per worker indicators were determined as 10,580.3 tonnes/month and 10.16 kg per day per worker, respectively. Also, it was found that the chemical industries followed by the agricultural and food Industries were the most waste generating sectors with 47.7% and 35.26%, respectively. Breaking down by NHIW category type, plastics (31.9%) and metals (28%) constituted about 59.9% of total waste generated. While only 28% of the industries showed recycling practice which is not very common in the surveyed industries, segregation of solid waste was reported by nearly 54.3% of industries within the five sectors. Moreover, the total waste generation was extrapolated based on the currently existing number of workers (93030 workers) in the five industrial sectors, and consequently estimated to equal 331743.7 tonnes per year. Finally, in total more than $71 million per year can be gained by expenses savings and recyclables selling of NHIW categories.

Water quality model is a helpful management tool for water distribution system. Estimation of growth coefficients is an important and challenging component of water quality modeling. Reactions occurring in the bulk flow for both trihalomethanes (THMs) formation and chlorine decay kinetics in Zai drinking water have been studied. It was found that both THMs and chlorine kinetics follow first-order reactions for growth and decay, respectively. A numerical model for predicting THMs formation in drinking water distribution system networks has been developed and applied. THMs measurements were taken at three locations over 106 h from a northern portion of Sport City area (Kharabshe Reservoir), while the water quality time step is set to 3 min, to insure predicting accurate total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) concentrations. The bulk flow for TTHMs formation rate constant value is determined and set to 5.82 × 10−2/h. The modeled results for THMs formation in the field network were compared favorably with the ...

a b s t r a c t In order to evaluate the performance of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) with an active area of 25 cm 2 , several variables were studied (flow pattern, flow rate, degradation in the Pt-Ru/C catalyst). Polarization curves revealed that the electrochemical reaction on both sides of the fuel cell is under the effect of mass transfer and the values of the cell voltage, current density, and power density were inversely proportional with the increase of the hydrogen and oxygen flow rates for both flow patterns (counter current and cocurrent) and clear corrosion phenomenon was observed on the surface of the Pt-Ru/C catalyst before and after exposure to the hydrogen and oxygen. On the other hand and in order to increase the performance of Nafion membrane, SiO 2 particles were introduced to the Nafion polymeric matrix using sol-gel method to form composites. The surface morphology of the Nafion-SiO 2 composite membrane was investigated and compared with the existing commercial Nafion membrane. It was found that water uptake of the Nafion- silica composite membrane as a function of temperature is higher than that of the existing commercial Nafion membrane.

The revolution in information and communication technology has brought huge technical benefits and wealth, but has created a major global problem: the generation of vast amounts of electronic waste, or e-waste through product obsolesce. The challenge in managing e-waste will be in developing sustainable recycling technologies that are able to address the volume and complexity of this waste using cost effective and ecologically sensitive methods. In this study, the capability of microorganism metabolic acids in dissolving the metallic fractions from waste printed circuit boards was examined. Several factors were considered in the examination of the activity of the acids including secondary reactions, solution pH, temperature and the nature of ligands in solutions (or bioacid constituents). The leaching tests were conducted ex-situ , using synthetic organic acids. Leaching was performed for periods of up to 6 h at 70–90 °C and 1000 r·min −1 .

This study is conducted to investigate the characteristics of outflow wastewater of the 1 m3 on-site wastewater treatment unit on the basis of the testing and measurement data of the samples that were taken during the study monitored period (August 2017 to January 2018). For this purpose, samples were taken on a weekly basis from the treated wastewater effluent and five quality parameters (biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total suspended solids (TSS), pH, E-coli counts) were monitored and measured. The average values of the five parameters were compared with the Jordanian standard maximum values, and water reuse in irrigation of plants classifications have been assessed and investigated. Average values of BOD, COD, TSS, pH, and E-coli in treated wastewater were 11 mg/L, 104 mg/L, 15 mg/L, 7.51, and 387 counts, respectively. The installation of in-line ultraviolet (UV) unit in recirculating delivery system played a vital role in the reduction of counts far below the permissible maximum level (1000 counts). Based on national and international standards and criteria, results showed that the treated wastewater is suitable for the irrigation of two classifications of plants: (i) Fruit trees, road-green sides outside cities, and green landscape; (ii) Crops, commercial crops, and forest trees. Hence, such very low water flow rate treatment system can be utilized in refugees’ camps and water scarce residential areas in Jordan.

A new Master Program in environmental technology and management has been developed in the framework of the Swiss-Jordanian cooperation, to ensure sustainable knowledge transfer in environmental management, technology, and economics. The areas represented in this program are cleaner production, hazardous substances management, and meso-economic analysis. All of these areas are under the theme of integrated resources management. The program implementation is carried out at Princess Sumaya University for Technology PSUT through cooperation with universities and environmental organizations in Switzerland, which was started in February 2008. The need for establishing this program in Jordan emerged from the practical experience of the Swiss partners who are working in environmental management. It was found that the concept of integrated resources management and the efficient utilization of resources were under estimated by practitioners. This leads to the urge of establishing a comprehensive program to upgrade the capacity of practitioners and new graduates to be able to handle environmental resources in a sustainable manner. For this purpose, the program includes and promotes the use of a number of tools. Meso-economic analysis is introduced in the program as a suitable tool to reflect the environmental values in monetary perspective, and to fill the gap at a meso (sector level) between the traditional micro (enterprise level) and macro (country level). Thus, meso-analysis comes out with integrated picture about the whole country’s sector and its related environmental damage and remediation options.

There is a need for Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) stream characterization and composition analysis to allow for an accurate estimation of its recycling potential and for effective management of the entire system. Recycling provides employment and a livelihood for vulnerable social groups such as refugees. The aim of this paper is to determine the composition of MSW in Zaatari Syrian Refugee Camp, where approximately 430,000 Syrian refugees have passed through the camp. The representative waste samples and analysis included household waste and commercial waste produced by the refugees in the selected districts in Zaatari. The waste sampling was performed in 2015 over two seasons to ensure that the seasonal fluctuations in the composition of the waste stream are taken into consideration. Hand sorting was used for classifying the collected wastes into the categories and subcategories. The organic waste represents the main waste category with 53% of the total MSW, while plastics, textile, and paper and cardboard are 12.85%, 10.22% and 9%, respectively. Moreover, the MSW composition percentage in Zaatari Camp is similar to that in municipalities in Jordan with slight disparity. The potential recyclable materials market has been investigated in this study. Plastics and paper and cardboard have significant potential to be separated and collected for recycling purposes. Financial revenues of potential recyclables have been analyzed based on local prices. Recycling model in the camp is also proposed based on the present study findings. Consequently, these results should be taken as a baseline for all Syrian refugees camps in the Middle East, as well as, in Europe.

A process improvement in a tablet manufacturing process within a pharmaceutical industry was carried out based on an eco-efficiency approach. As it is one of the most energy consuming processes in the production line, the tablet manufacturing process was considered. It has the highest production volume with a complicated and long manufacturing product life cycle. Data were collected on energy inputs and emissions data for the stages of powder direct mixing, particle size reduction, and tableting. A straightforward approach was then used to analyze environmental impacts in terms of GHG emissions. Non- added value steps were removed from the product life cycle process, which has led to significant time and cost savings, as well as to a reduction in the emission. Annual economic savings have been achieved, a time reduction of approximately 71% was attained, and the reduction in GHG emissions and energy cost were 73.2%. The g CO2eq per tablet reduction has been calculated within the process improvement to be 2.06 g CO2eq per tablet instead of 7.71 g CO2eq per tablet.

Cyclodextrins (CDs) increase the cake solids and drainage rate of belt-pressed biological or primary sludge when added to the sludge slurry along with conventional conditioning chemicals. These benefits are obtained at very low CD dosage. A 2.8 percentage point increase in cake solids was obtained in a full-scale trial with mixed primary and biological sludge from a paper mill. CDs also decrease the specific resistance to filtration and increase the capture rate of solids during belt pressing. Mechanistic studies showed that CDs increase the surface tension of c-PAM polymers in water and reduce the turbidity, indicating that they are able to aggregate the charged polymers, and, by inference, sludge particles treated with the polymer. A mechanism is proposed where CDs reduce excessively charged regions of the polymer-treated surface of the sludge, thereby facilitating its flocculation.

Aviation is different from other energy-using activities. Currently it makes about 2% of the global CO2 emission but it is rising fast. This will negatively affecting on the environment and urges us to pay more attention to the risks of travelling on environment The principal aviation emissions include the greenhouse gases carbon dioxide (CO2), water vapor (H2O), nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulphur oxides (SOx), and soot. The emissions affect the climate through various mechanisms. CO2 has a long atmospheric residence time of about 100 years. It is well mixed throughout the atmosphere and affects the global climate as a green house gas. Aircraft engines represent an increasing and potent source of greenhouse gas emissions, due in part to the unprecedented growth in air travel. This study highlights for the first time the importance and carbon footprint of Royal Jordanian Airlines aircraft fuel in producing CO₂ airborne emissions as well as emissions generated during the flight due to the use of wide variety of products and equipment.