Key Engineering Materials Vol. 925

Abstract: Algeria has known various models of construction. The general observation is the failure of construction models used not only for their inability to meet the growing demand for housing, but also for the destruction of the architectural and urban landscape. Considering the ability of natural fibers improve the mechanical properties and durability of concrete, a renewable resource and permanently available. To this end, researchers have started to search for the most durable materials that respect the environment. The objective of this research is the study of the effect of date palm fibers in cementitious compositions with various proportions on the mechanical characteristics of prefabricated concretes in southern Algeria. The experimental study focuses on the use of local materials (CEMII Class 42.5 R cement, sand, gravel (7/15 and 15/25) and palm fiber with a water/cement ratio of 0.55). The results show that fiber concrete with a length of 5 mm and a dosage of 0.5% is beneficial for prefabricated fiber concrete.

Abstract: Currently, the geotextile industry is dominated by petroleum-based products, and the market share of bio-based geotextiles is still very low. With climatic and more generally environmental issues, combined with the scarcity of petroleum resources, the use of bio-based products appears to be an avenue of choice to explore. Through this study, we intend to raise the environmental benefits of a natural geotextile woven from fibers extracted from the leaves of the dwarf palm plant, an abundant renewable resource in Morocco and Mediterranean basin. We used the life cycle assessment analysis from cradle to factory gate following the requirements of ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 standards. Our main objective is to provide an environmental profile for this natural geotextile to encourage its use in soil protection and to stimulate therefore the local economy. The LCA analysis results showed that the transportation phase is the main contributor to almost every environmental impact category. We also noticed that no environmental impact was identified for the raw material supply phase which is characterized by a traditional harvest of raw palm leaves from the palm plant that grows spontaneously in eco-friendly environment. A comparison with two examples of petroleum-based geotextiles available in the market shows that palm-fiber-based geotextile presented the lower impacts in all the categories, except for eutrophication and ozone layer depletion potentials, its carbon footprint is relatively low and can save an average of 0.84 Kg CO₂ eq. per surface unit (1 m²), nevertheless, its water consumption exceeds that recorded for synthetic geotextiles. Finally, palm-fiber geotextile can compete with the synthetic ones used in soil erosion, it is designed from renewable resource, naturally biodegradable, requires little energy for its production, and contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

Abstract: Abstract. Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.), commonly grown in the hot arid zones predominantly in the Middle East and North Africa, became one of the highly important cultivated palms around the world, because of the multiple processing utilization of the edible fruit, and the various industry- uses of the whole tree parts. Moreover, there are intensive studies indicated the higher nutraceutical value of the essential biological compounds in the date palm tissues like (carotenoids, phenols, lignin, flavonoids, tannins and sterols) and their therapeutic aspects, such as antioxidants (lutein, β-carotene and vitamin A), antibacterial (syringic acid, vanillic acid and gallic acid), antifungal (tannic acid) and anti-cancer (quercetin) and anti-sterility (β-sitosterol and stigmasterol). Meanwhile, the biotechnology approach provides the production possibilities of the plants' secondary metabolites, using cell suspension cultures and the scale-up by bioreactors. Also, using the biotic and abiotic elicitors as important factors inducing bioactive compounds accumulation in plants tissue cultures. This review describes the progress in studying the in vitro production of some important secondary metabolites from the date palm tissues.

Abstract: This paper evaluates the influence of two types of treatments on the tensile related properties of sugar palm fiber (SPF) by using a single fiber test. Natural fibers are one of the vital reinforcing materials in polymer composites due to their positive properties. Sugar palm fiber is a kind of lignocellulose fiber that can be a good potential filler material in fibers/polymer composites for many uses. A Scanning electronic microscope was used to evaluate morphological analyses. Seawater and alkaline solution treatments were used to treat the fiber before the test. The properties of sugar palm fibers improved significantly, as the effect of alkaline concentration by 0.5% and 0.25% improved the tensile properties of a single fiber by 10% and 176%, respectively compared to the untreated fiber. On the other hand, the highest effect on sugar palm fibers was the fibers treated by seawater for 30 days by 273%. Morphologic analyses showed that the treatment plays a big role to clean the surface of the fibers and remove the undesirable impurities. Overall, the results depict that the treatments improve the tensile properties of the single SPF.

Abstract: Making of date-palm jaggery (popularly known as khejur gur) with its characteristic aroma and flavor is very popular all over India for making various sweet dishes and confectionery products. It is available only for a short duration between middle of November and end of January. The production of solid jaggery includes sap collection (juice) by tapping, filtration, concentration by boiling, cooling of concentrated juice followed by moulding, drying, and storage. Making date-palm jaggery from the raw juice is an art and requires some skill to get the characteristic aroma bearing product with optimum stickiness and colour. Solid jaggery deteriorates rapidly and becomes liquid within 1 or 2 weeks due to its moisture content, invert sugar, and hygroscopic nature. Granular jaggery having low moisture content (1 - 2%d.b) is very popular, tenders several advantages, such as extended shelf-life, easy handling and distribution, high demand for domestic and international markets. It could be made from either solid jaggery or concentrated juice. Therefore, a manually-powered operated granulator (20 kg capacity) was designed, developed, and tested with 5 levels of moisture content (8.4 to 16.25 %db) and 5 levels of rotational speed (48 - 132 rpm) of blades for the production of desired size of jaggery granules. The mass mean diameter of the particles varied linearly with the moisture content of the feed, yielding particles having an average size of 656 µm (D_p) for feed containing 8.4 (%db) moisture. The mean particle size was as low as 700 µm when the machine was operated at 132 rpm with feed moisture content of 12 (%db). The average particle size of 1000 µm is obtained at feed moisture content of 9.0 (%db) and the agitator rotational speed of 76 rpm.

Abstract: Liquefied adhesive made of oil-palm trunk (OPT) was produced according to bio-refinery concept. In this context, OPT was converted into 20-60 mesh powder and it was converted into liquid via liquefaction process involving reaction of thermo-chemical and resulting in pre-polymer like phenol-formaldehyde (PF). The characteristics were determined based on Indonesian Standard (SNI) 06-4567-1998 for PF resin. The pre-polymer then was used for binding of three composition types of particleboards, namely 100% OPT particle, 50:50 mixture of OPT and jabon wood particles, and 100% jabon wood particle. Evaluation of the board was carried out based on Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) A 5908-2003 for particleboard. Results of this study exhibited properties of the pre-polymer generally met the SNI except its viscosity was too high. For overcoming this, the pre-polymer was then diluted in solvent until it was appropriate to be placed in spray gun and passed the nozzle for further use as binder. Physical properties of the board showed moisture content (MC) and density fulfilled JIS standard however thickness swelling was up to limit. Mechanical properties of the board showed only modulus of elasticity (MoE) met the criteria of JIS while modulus of rupture (MoR) and internal bonding were below the target. Statistically, two parameters, namely MC and MoE were different among the boards. For sum up, making adhesive from oil-palm stem using bio-refinery method was feasible and it can be applied for particleboard binding.

Abstract: UAE is one of the world major producer of dates. In 2015, the country had more than 42 million date palm trees and this number is increasing gradually. Every year there is more than 600,000 tons of date palm tree wastes are generated in farms. Since composting of date palm tree wastes is hard and slow, but when mixed with chicken manures it has been improved and time needed for maturation is greatly reduced, and the produced compost has better quality. Amended sandy soil with produced compost showed better physical, chemical and biological properties against control treatment (farm yard manure, FYM). In this experiment we used several treatments e.g chicken manure compost, CMC, and date palm tree composted wastes, DPTCW in different ratios, to evaluate its quality as organic fertilizer and to study its effects on the properties of sandy soils against control, FYM. CMC reached maturation faster than DPTCW and has higher contents of NPK nutrients than DPTWC, while organic matter and humus were different as composting activity performed. Tested sandy soil showed higher organic carbon content and its numbers of microorganisms has been increased in all treatments against control. Date fruits yield was increased in all treatments above control by 27-62% above control.

Abstract: The composition of spent detergent solutions of the repair shop of special agricultural machinery, which is based on the use of synthetic detergents, was studied. The technological scheme of oil preparation on the basis of the spent detergent solutions, water-oil emulsions and oil-containing slimes was developed. The obtained oil was used for lubrication of the forms of reinforced concrete structures.

Abstract: This article outlines an innovative solution for clearing detergent solutions after car washing. Managerial decision-making process being environmentally friendly is based on experimental data. The focus of the research is the development of a mobile car wash and dryer with regeneration of detergent solutions, which ensures environmental safety. The calculation of the prevented damage from the discharge of detergent solutions after car washing into water bodies was carried out as a result of an effective environmental solution. The economic efficiency of the proposed introduction of a mobile car wash with the regeneration of detergent solutions is given.