Esam Elsarrag - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Esam Elsarrag

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2016

Renewables: Wind, Water, and Solar, 2015

International Journal of Sustainable Built Environment, 2016

Ind Eng Chem Res, 2004

Structured packing represents the newest development in high-efficiency, high-capacity packing fo... more Structured packing represents the newest development in high-efficiency, high-capacity packing for heat and mass transfer in contrast to the traditional, randomly placed packing material. An experimental study for evaluating the heat-and mass-transfer coefficients in ...

Khartoum University Engineering Journal, Nov 19, 2012

Energy reduction and indoor air quality are important requirements in the Qatar Sustainability As... more Energy reduction and indoor air quality are important requirements in the Qatar Sustainability Assessment System (QSAS). New effective technologies and materials that have the potential to reduce energy demand with excellent energy efficiency and low environmental impact are urgently required in the Gulf market.

The eco-villa project was set up to evaluate the use of a dynamically insulated building envelope... more The eco-villa project was set up to evaluate the use of a dynamically insulated building envelope construction in the hot humid climate of the UAE. The villa, a detached family home on two floors, was built using pre-cast concrete panels -a Modern Method of Construction that is widely used across the Gulf Region and in many other countries.

Dynamic insulation is a technology that has matured. Its primary function of recycling fabric hea... more Dynamic insulation is a technology that has matured. Its primary function of recycling fabric heat loss back to the building has been established theoretically and proven in pilot projects across the UK construction market. It sets the green, low carbon benchmark for thermal insulation in buildings.

Buildings, new and old, account for 50% of global energy consumption and related emissions. This ... more Buildings, new and old, account for 50% of global energy consumption and related emissions. This figure rises to more than 70% for the Gulf Region. Estimates of the cut in carbon emissions needed within our lifetime to avert catastrophic climate change range from 60% to 80% of current demand. Buildings thus present both a major impediment to reducing our reliance on the burning of dwindling reserves of fossil fuel and a real opportunity for achieving significant reduction in global carbon emissions. Dynamic Insulation (DI) is an energy-efficient method of supplying pre-tempered, filtered ventilation air to a building through an air-permeable, dynamically insulated envelope or facade. One of the important features of DI is that it effectively decouples ventilation rate from energy use. In theory, it should work well with all buildings, including homes, schools, offices and sports facilities where high occupancy is the norm. Our paper investigates the use of DI in a building facade fo...

The eco-villa project was set up to evaluate the use of a dynamically insulated building envelope... more The eco-villa project was set up to evaluate the use of a dynamically insulated building envelope construction in the hot humid climate of the Gulf Region. The villa, a detached family home on two floors, was built using pre-cast concrete panels - a Modern Method of Construction that is widely used across the Gulf Region and in many other countries. Interlocking assemblies of type permeodynamic insulation cells were fitted internally over the available wall area and sealed in place using an independent, self-supporting gypsum board lining system that contained and protected the cells. As the name suggests, permeodynamic insulation permits the flow of air through the cells to facilitate the recovery of building fabric heat or, as in the present case, coolth loss to ventilation air. In operation, ventilation air has to flow through the rain screen cladding using an inlet vent into an air cavity, then through the permeodynamic insulation into an internal air cavity, and thereafter thro...

This report describes a method of simulating the performance of dynamic insulation in the IES mod... more This report describes a method of simulating the performance of dynamic insulation in the IES modelling environment.

Buildings present both a major impediment to reducing our reliance on the burning of dwindling re... more Buildings present both a major impediment to reducing our reliance on the burning of dwindling reserves of fossil fuel and a real opportunity for achieving significant reduction in global carbon emissions. Dynamic facade, using Dynamic Insulation (DI), is an energy-efficient method of supplying pre-tempered filtered ventilation air to a building through an air-permeable dynamically insulated envelope or facade. One of the important features of DI is that it effectively decouples ventilation rate from energy use. In theory, it should work well with all buildings, including homes, schools, offices and sports facilities where high occupancy is the norm. This paper investigates the use of DI in a building facade for zone local insulation and ventilation. The savings in energy and CO 2 reduction are quantified against existing standards in the Gulf Region. The results show that DI can provide tempered fresh air, raise energy efficiency and reduce air conditioning energy demand without co...

ASHRAE Transactions

The regeneration process represents the vital part of the liquid desiccant air conditioning syste... more The regeneration process represents the vital part of the liquid desiccant air conditioning system. In this study, a solar assisted liquid desiccant packed regeneration tower is tested in a hot-humid climate. The regenerator design parameters are classified as controlled parameters, input parameters and output parameters. The regenerator performance is assessed using previous published results. A new regenerator effectiveness definition based on the desiccant properties is deduced and assessed experimentally. An empirical effectiveness correlation and a quick model are presented to predict the outlet desiccant concentration and temperature. Also, the effect of the design variables on the effectiveness is reported. The new effectiveness and the humidity effectiveness are used to optimize the design parameters.

ASHRAE Transactions

The regeneration process represents the vital part of the liquid desiccant air conditioning syste... more The regeneration process represents the vital part of the liquid desiccant air conditioning system. In this study, a solar assisted liquid desiccant packed regeneration tower is tested in a hot-humid climate. The regenerator design parameters are classified as controlled parameters, input parameters and output parameters. The regenerator performance is assessed using previous published results. A new regenerator effectiveness definition based on the desiccant properties is deduced and assessed experimentally. An empirical effectiveness correlation and a quick model are presented to predict the outlet desiccant concentration and temperature. Also, the effect of the design variables on the effectiveness is reported. The new effectiveness and the humidity effectiveness are used to optimize the design parameters.

International Journal of Sustainable Built Environment, 2015

Healing environment and Health Associated Infections (HAI) have been researched for more than 30 ... more Healing environment and Health Associated Infections (HAI) have been researched for more than 30 years globally. There is definitely a consensus among the researchers and practitioners about its importance. A range of issues such as knowledge management, performance management, design management and process management have been highlighted as major contributors to healing environment and HAI. This paper presents the results of a workshop conducted in Doha, Qatar with the purpose of exploring the problems encountered in the Qatari healthcare sector regarding HAI and healing environment. The major findings from the workshops indicated that there is a need for more research in the areas of knowledge management and performance management in order to better maintain healthcare facilities. The design of healthcare facilities and the implementation of green building guidelines in Qatar also need to incorporate design practices and features that can improve healing and have been researched in other parts of the world. This paper compiles the research agenda for future researchers to pursue and improve the performance and healing environment in Qatar.

International Journal of Sustainable Built Environment, 2014

The interactions between water, energy, and food in terms of economic and environmental outcomes ... more The interactions between water, energy, and food in terms of economic and environmental outcomes under conditions of a changing climate are something that all countries will need to understand if they intend to effectively manage the consequences. Qatar's measures to increase food security and diversification of the energy system and economy can provide valuable insights to other countries with similar climates but who have a lower capacity to respond. Through Qatari-based organisations, best practice reflecting local characteristics can be shared throughout the region and beyond.

Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine, 2015

The present investigation was deals with identifying traditional uses of medicinal plants for cur... more The present investigation was deals with identifying traditional uses of medicinal plants for curing a variety of ailments and degree of religious conservation for retention of ethnobotanical knowledge. The study was carried out in the State of Qatar to document the ethnobotanical uses of 58 medicinally important plant species including identification, botanical name, Arabic name, family, habit, habitat, distribution pattern, and the plant parts used for curing variety of ailments. The documented species belong to 54 plant genera and 30 botanical families. They have been used to cure more than 38 different kinds of human ailments. A majority of ethnobotanical plant species belonging to shrubs (41.38%) followed by perennial herbs (31.04%), annual herbs (18.96%) and trees (8.62%) respectively. The frequency of ethnobotanical plant species were recorded maximum in fabaceae (13.79%), followed by lamiaceae, chenopodiaceae (6.89% each), asteraceae, capparaceae, polygonaceae, boraginaceae, aizooaceae (5.17% each), brassicaceae, asclepiadaceae, convolvulaceae, zygophyllaceae, solanaceae (3.44% each) while, remaining 17 families had one (1.72%) species each. Perception of stakeholders concerning prioritization and categorization of potential native plants and 25 ethnobotanical species were prioritized and ranked on the basis of their multipurpose use value, feasibility climatic conditions and Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) criteria measures i.e. drought resistant, low water requirement, growth performance, survival rate, canopy size, adaptation potential, low maintenance and use value for sustainability and landscaping. The analysis emphasized the potentials of ethnomedicinal research, sustainable utilization, conservation initiatives, and urgent need to document ethnobotanical knowledge for sustainability and scientific validation to prevent their losses.

International Journal of Sustainable Built Environment, 2013

Current building regulations enforce building designers towards efficient system design and provi... more Current building regulations enforce building designers towards efficient system design and provision of alternative means of supply-11 ing energy. Different green building certification schemes are deployed worldwide to encourage creating a sustainable built environment 12 and the adoption of green building best practices. 13 Micro-generation technologies, low and zero carbon, are either recommended by designers or mandated. A range of constraints 14 including design and technical issues, are currently affecting the wide-scale deployment of micro-generation. For instance, it is important 15 that the micro-generation plant operates for as many hours as possible as an idle plant accrues no benefits. Such issues make the design of 16 a micro-cogeneration technology not quite as straightforward. Combined Heat and Power (CHP) or micro-cogeneration provides means 17 of electricity and heat supply. 18

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2016

Renewables: Wind, Water, and Solar, 2015

International Journal of Sustainable Built Environment, 2016

Ind Eng Chem Res, 2004

Structured packing represents the newest development in high-efficiency, high-capacity packing fo... more Structured packing represents the newest development in high-efficiency, high-capacity packing for heat and mass transfer in contrast to the traditional, randomly placed packing material. An experimental study for evaluating the heat-and mass-transfer coefficients in ...

Khartoum University Engineering Journal, Nov 19, 2012

Energy reduction and indoor air quality are important requirements in the Qatar Sustainability As... more Energy reduction and indoor air quality are important requirements in the Qatar Sustainability Assessment System (QSAS). New effective technologies and materials that have the potential to reduce energy demand with excellent energy efficiency and low environmental impact are urgently required in the Gulf market.

The eco-villa project was set up to evaluate the use of a dynamically insulated building envelope... more The eco-villa project was set up to evaluate the use of a dynamically insulated building envelope construction in the hot humid climate of the UAE. The villa, a detached family home on two floors, was built using pre-cast concrete panels -a Modern Method of Construction that is widely used across the Gulf Region and in many other countries.

Dynamic insulation is a technology that has matured. Its primary function of recycling fabric hea... more Dynamic insulation is a technology that has matured. Its primary function of recycling fabric heat loss back to the building has been established theoretically and proven in pilot projects across the UK construction market. It sets the green, low carbon benchmark for thermal insulation in buildings.

Buildings, new and old, account for 50% of global energy consumption and related emissions. This ... more Buildings, new and old, account for 50% of global energy consumption and related emissions. This figure rises to more than 70% for the Gulf Region. Estimates of the cut in carbon emissions needed within our lifetime to avert catastrophic climate change range from 60% to 80% of current demand. Buildings thus present both a major impediment to reducing our reliance on the burning of dwindling reserves of fossil fuel and a real opportunity for achieving significant reduction in global carbon emissions. Dynamic Insulation (DI) is an energy-efficient method of supplying pre-tempered, filtered ventilation air to a building through an air-permeable, dynamically insulated envelope or facade. One of the important features of DI is that it effectively decouples ventilation rate from energy use. In theory, it should work well with all buildings, including homes, schools, offices and sports facilities where high occupancy is the norm. Our paper investigates the use of DI in a building facade fo...

The eco-villa project was set up to evaluate the use of a dynamically insulated building envelope... more The eco-villa project was set up to evaluate the use of a dynamically insulated building envelope construction in the hot humid climate of the Gulf Region. The villa, a detached family home on two floors, was built using pre-cast concrete panels - a Modern Method of Construction that is widely used across the Gulf Region and in many other countries. Interlocking assemblies of type permeodynamic insulation cells were fitted internally over the available wall area and sealed in place using an independent, self-supporting gypsum board lining system that contained and protected the cells. As the name suggests, permeodynamic insulation permits the flow of air through the cells to facilitate the recovery of building fabric heat or, as in the present case, coolth loss to ventilation air. In operation, ventilation air has to flow through the rain screen cladding using an inlet vent into an air cavity, then through the permeodynamic insulation into an internal air cavity, and thereafter thro...

This report describes a method of simulating the performance of dynamic insulation in the IES mod... more This report describes a method of simulating the performance of dynamic insulation in the IES modelling environment.

Buildings present both a major impediment to reducing our reliance on the burning of dwindling re... more Buildings present both a major impediment to reducing our reliance on the burning of dwindling reserves of fossil fuel and a real opportunity for achieving significant reduction in global carbon emissions. Dynamic facade, using Dynamic Insulation (DI), is an energy-efficient method of supplying pre-tempered filtered ventilation air to a building through an air-permeable dynamically insulated envelope or facade. One of the important features of DI is that it effectively decouples ventilation rate from energy use. In theory, it should work well with all buildings, including homes, schools, offices and sports facilities where high occupancy is the norm. This paper investigates the use of DI in a building facade for zone local insulation and ventilation. The savings in energy and CO 2 reduction are quantified against existing standards in the Gulf Region. The results show that DI can provide tempered fresh air, raise energy efficiency and reduce air conditioning energy demand without co...

ASHRAE Transactions

The regeneration process represents the vital part of the liquid desiccant air conditioning syste... more The regeneration process represents the vital part of the liquid desiccant air conditioning system. In this study, a solar assisted liquid desiccant packed regeneration tower is tested in a hot-humid climate. The regenerator design parameters are classified as controlled parameters, input parameters and output parameters. The regenerator performance is assessed using previous published results. A new regenerator effectiveness definition based on the desiccant properties is deduced and assessed experimentally. An empirical effectiveness correlation and a quick model are presented to predict the outlet desiccant concentration and temperature. Also, the effect of the design variables on the effectiveness is reported. The new effectiveness and the humidity effectiveness are used to optimize the design parameters.

ASHRAE Transactions

The regeneration process represents the vital part of the liquid desiccant air conditioning syste... more The regeneration process represents the vital part of the liquid desiccant air conditioning system. In this study, a solar assisted liquid desiccant packed regeneration tower is tested in a hot-humid climate. The regenerator design parameters are classified as controlled parameters, input parameters and output parameters. The regenerator performance is assessed using previous published results. A new regenerator effectiveness definition based on the desiccant properties is deduced and assessed experimentally. An empirical effectiveness correlation and a quick model are presented to predict the outlet desiccant concentration and temperature. Also, the effect of the design variables on the effectiveness is reported. The new effectiveness and the humidity effectiveness are used to optimize the design parameters.

International Journal of Sustainable Built Environment, 2015

Healing environment and Health Associated Infections (HAI) have been researched for more than 30 ... more Healing environment and Health Associated Infections (HAI) have been researched for more than 30 years globally. There is definitely a consensus among the researchers and practitioners about its importance. A range of issues such as knowledge management, performance management, design management and process management have been highlighted as major contributors to healing environment and HAI. This paper presents the results of a workshop conducted in Doha, Qatar with the purpose of exploring the problems encountered in the Qatari healthcare sector regarding HAI and healing environment. The major findings from the workshops indicated that there is a need for more research in the areas of knowledge management and performance management in order to better maintain healthcare facilities. The design of healthcare facilities and the implementation of green building guidelines in Qatar also need to incorporate design practices and features that can improve healing and have been researched in other parts of the world. This paper compiles the research agenda for future researchers to pursue and improve the performance and healing environment in Qatar.

International Journal of Sustainable Built Environment, 2014

The interactions between water, energy, and food in terms of economic and environmental outcomes ... more The interactions between water, energy, and food in terms of economic and environmental outcomes under conditions of a changing climate are something that all countries will need to understand if they intend to effectively manage the consequences. Qatar's measures to increase food security and diversification of the energy system and economy can provide valuable insights to other countries with similar climates but who have a lower capacity to respond. Through Qatari-based organisations, best practice reflecting local characteristics can be shared throughout the region and beyond.

Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine, 2015

The present investigation was deals with identifying traditional uses of medicinal plants for cur... more The present investigation was deals with identifying traditional uses of medicinal plants for curing a variety of ailments and degree of religious conservation for retention of ethnobotanical knowledge. The study was carried out in the State of Qatar to document the ethnobotanical uses of 58 medicinally important plant species including identification, botanical name, Arabic name, family, habit, habitat, distribution pattern, and the plant parts used for curing variety of ailments. The documented species belong to 54 plant genera and 30 botanical families. They have been used to cure more than 38 different kinds of human ailments. A majority of ethnobotanical plant species belonging to shrubs (41.38%) followed by perennial herbs (31.04%), annual herbs (18.96%) and trees (8.62%) respectively. The frequency of ethnobotanical plant species were recorded maximum in fabaceae (13.79%), followed by lamiaceae, chenopodiaceae (6.89% each), asteraceae, capparaceae, polygonaceae, boraginaceae, aizooaceae (5.17% each), brassicaceae, asclepiadaceae, convolvulaceae, zygophyllaceae, solanaceae (3.44% each) while, remaining 17 families had one (1.72%) species each. Perception of stakeholders concerning prioritization and categorization of potential native plants and 25 ethnobotanical species were prioritized and ranked on the basis of their multipurpose use value, feasibility climatic conditions and Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) criteria measures i.e. drought resistant, low water requirement, growth performance, survival rate, canopy size, adaptation potential, low maintenance and use value for sustainability and landscaping. The analysis emphasized the potentials of ethnomedicinal research, sustainable utilization, conservation initiatives, and urgent need to document ethnobotanical knowledge for sustainability and scientific validation to prevent their losses.

International Journal of Sustainable Built Environment, 2013

Current building regulations enforce building designers towards efficient system design and provi... more Current building regulations enforce building designers towards efficient system design and provision of alternative means of supply-11 ing energy. Different green building certification schemes are deployed worldwide to encourage creating a sustainable built environment 12 and the adoption of green building best practices. 13 Micro-generation technologies, low and zero carbon, are either recommended by designers or mandated. A range of constraints 14 including design and technical issues, are currently affecting the wide-scale deployment of micro-generation. For instance, it is important 15 that the micro-generation plant operates for as many hours as possible as an idle plant accrues no benefits. Such issues make the design of 16 a micro-cogeneration technology not quite as straightforward. Combined Heat and Power (CHP) or micro-cogeneration provides means 17 of electricity and heat supply. 18