Alaa Al-Fatlawi | University of Babylon (original) (raw)

Papers by Alaa Al-Fatlawi

Ecological Engineering & Environmental Technology

In aquatic ecosystems, a great concern was has been increased about contaminants by microplastics... more In aquatic ecosystems, a great concern was has been increased about contaminants by microplastics (MPs). Only a small number of researches on contamination of MP in drinking water have been released up until now. In this research, tap drinking water collected in different places in a densely populated region in Al-Hilla city: Al-Bakarly area, Al-Khusrawiya and Al-Tayyara area was analyzed. The collected water samples were tested using different techniques, including Fourier infrared spectrometer (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Micro Raman spectrometer (MRS). Results showed the presence of microplastic particles with that size smaller than 5 mm, as the diameter of the drinking water ranged between (0.5-4.8) nm. The means of Fourier infrared spectrometer (FTIR) was used to analyze component of all found particles chemically. The main components of the tested samples are metal oxides, Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC), polyamides polymer like Nylon6, 6 and skeletal of cellulose. In addition, Micro-Raman spectroscopy (MRS) results indicated a variation in polyethylene (PE), and it was between (121.404-4391.729) cm-1 for collected samples.

Current Trends in Geotechnical Engineering and Construction, Oct 29, 2022

Environmental Technology & Innovation, 2021

Abstract This work was executed to design and construct a scale plant as part of a water treatmen... more Abstract This work was executed to design and construct a scale plant as part of a water treatment process by combining filtration and disinfection in one unit, using the local medium of sand, and a Pulse Electric Field-Low Voltage (PEF-LV). The Existing Rapid Sand Filtration (ERSF) is a purely physical method of drinking water purification. Biofilm formation takes place in the sand medium and comprises three steps i) bacterial cells settle onto the sand medium, ii) cells proliferate and secrete adhesive Extracellular Polymeric Substrates (EPS) and iii) cells detach and spread the biofilm to new locations, forming a soapy substance. In this study, we attempted to modify the ERSF by overcoming the drawbacks, in terms of the quality of the filtered water, EPS removal, as well as ease of operation–maintenance to make it more sustainable. The Disinfectant of Rapid Sand Filter (DRSF) incorporates the Pulse Electric Field-Low Voltage through the electrodes between the media. The experiments were done over the period from December 2019 to July 2020, at 8 hr/day as the running time The effectiveness of the various operational conditions of the DRSF and their findings were also analyzed, together with the observational, experimental and theoretical basis. The results showed that the optimum conditions for better performance of the DRSF include 30V, 3 pulses/second, AC pulse frequency, 50Hz, two pairs of electrodes in the sand medium, 100 L/hr influent flow rate, and parallel connection. Backwashing requirements for the ERSF was necessary every day, but in DRSF it was only once in every 7 days, at the same influent flow rates of 100 L/hr. Therefore, as the DRSF is to be backwashed less frequently, the operation and maintenance difficulties will be greatly minimized. The EPS, which was produced by the bacteria, was responsible for clogging the medium and causing the necessity to backwash every day in the ERSF. This microbial biomass reduced the pore space in the medium and increased the head loss.

Civil Engineering Journal, 2020

The Main aim of the present study is to manufacture "Low- Cost Water Filter" for purifi... more The Main aim of the present study is to manufacture "Low- Cost Water Filter" for purification water and are designed for small water capacity, using readily available material and environmentally friendly such as kaolin clay, and jute fibers. A number of household treatment systems are readily available in the market. They are differing mainly in make and water purification mechanisms utilized. Most of the available household treatment devices are costly and hence there is a need to come up with cheap or affordable treatment technologies. This research was carried out to determine the efficiency of Kaolin-jute fibers filters in improving water impurities. Types of filters that were used during this study are: Filter 1, build with mixing ratio 85% kaolin clay, and 15% jute fibers, Filter 2: 80% kaolin clay, and 20% jute fibers, Filter 3, 75% kaolin clay, and 25% jute fibers. Effectiveness of these filters in decreasing chemical parameters like Hydrogen Ion Concentration (pH...

Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, 2019

Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, 2019

The main objective of this study is designing of Water Distribution Network (WDN) based on loops ... more The main objective of this study is designing of Water Distribution Network (WDN) based on loops hydraulically. The existing water distribution network could not able to service the total area after the subsequent years due to population inflation and the increasing of water demand. Thus, new design of water distribution network suggested to insurance the population consumption and water demand of the present area after 25 years from base year of 2018. The data for the water pipe network such as the maps, diameters, material, utilities, land ordinates and the area supply method were obtained from Babylon Water Directorate.

This paper describes a laboratory study comparing three coagulants (alum, ferric chloride, and fe... more This paper describes a laboratory study comparing three coagulants (alum, ferric chloride, and ferric sulfate) to determine which coagulant would not only remove NOM but DBP precursors as well. Experiments were conducted to compare the effectiveness of three coagulants in removing DBPs precursors from raw water samples. The results show that the removal of total organic carbon (TOC) which is mean NOM here, was dependent on the coagulant type and was enhanced with increasing coagulant dose, but ferric chloride, and ferric sulfate have no further considerable effect in case of increasing to high levels. For all the treated samples coagulation with ferric chloride proved to be more effective than alum and ferric sulfate at similar doses and the mean values of treatment efficiencies were 30%, 37%, and 45% by ferric sulfate, alum, and ferric chloride respectively. The range of TOC removal rates obtained using ferric sulfate (18-48%), (14-50%) for alum, and (21-59%) for ferric chloride. F...

The present study investigates the efficiency of phosphate removal from wastewater by the Drinkin... more The present study investigates the efficiency of phosphate removal from wastewater by the Drinking Water Treatment Sludge (DWTS), and Red Mud The effects of (DWTS) dose, bed height (H), contact time (T), agitation speed (S), hydrogen ion concentration (pH), (DWTS -RM) ratio, were studied. All continuous experiments were conducted at constant conditions, bed depths 25 cm, initial phosphate concentration 4 mg/L, flow rate 5 mL/min, particle size (1mm) for (DWTS), and (0.425mm) 57% and 38% for 50% and 33% (RM) for (RM) and solution pH of 4. The results show that the use of (RM) reduces the operating time by about 21% compared to the use of (DWTS).Increasing (RM) ratio increasing the removal efficiency and decreasing the equilibrium time in about

Grey water use is important because it restricts fresh water demand and reduces stress on treatme... more Grey water use is important because it restricts fresh water demand and reduces stress on treatment system. Therefore, it is the The main goal of this paper is to propose efficient, cheap and sustainable grey water treatment systems to remove heavy metals from household grey water in Karbala city during the year of 2018. This study was examin capacity and effectiveness of bio pre-treatment layer followed by a natural peat layer as the primary filter medium for removing of heavy metals from household grey water. The results showed that the optimal removal efficiencies were achieved after 8 hrs of operation time at 20 cm depth which were (46%), (62%), and (100%), for Cd, Ni, and Fe, respectively. While the maximum removal efficiency of P (33%), and (53%) respectively after 6 hrs of operation at 20 cm depth. However, the X-ray fluorescence analysis showed the post contained a marked reduction in PbO and CoO and increased of SiO and Al2O3. The clogging effect inadvertently transformed t...

This study examine the efficiency of phosphate removal from the activated sludge effluent channel... more This study examine the efficiency of phosphate removal from the activated sludge effluent channel of Almuamirah wastewater treatment plant by using Drinking Water Treatment Sludge (DWTS),taken from the sedimentation tanks of Al-Tayara drinking water treatment plant, in Al-Hilla city, Iraq, and Red Mud (RM) sorbent. Series of laboratory batch and continuous tests, were conducted in order to assess the potential application of Drinking Water Treatment Sludge (DWTS) and Red Mud (RM) as filter to reduce the concentration of phosphate from contaminated effluent wastewater. Batch experiment was carried out to study the adsorption isotherm of phosphorus at 25±1⁰C and solution of different pH and adsorbent dosages. The effects of (DWTS) dose, contact time (T), agitation speed (S), hydrogen ion concentration (pH), (DWTS-RM) ratio, were studied. The phosphate removal efficiencies improved with increasing sorbent dosage from 5 g to 50 g for both (DWTS) and (RM), and they are remained approxima...

Despite all attempts to define it, ‘Quality’ is still a concept that lacks a common definition ap... more Despite all attempts to define it, ‘Quality’ is still a concept that lacks a common definition applicable in all fields, for every phenomenon or any subject. Yet, there a universal consensus on the positive connotations of this terms that are conjoined with ‘excellence’, ‘good practice’, ‘well-being’, and so forth. As far as higher education is concerned, quality relates to all aspects of the teaching-learning process as swell all aspects of the institutional performance. In this sense quality acquires a many meanings as any as these aspects involved. Apart from the terminological complexities of this issue, all those involved in higher education – whether students, institutions, faculty staff, or other stakeholders – pay great attention to the techniques, approaches, or mechanism for assessing the various aspects of their academic and institutional

In this study, sewage sludge as alternative non-conventional and inexpensive sorbent was investig... more In this study, sewage sludge as alternative non-conventional and inexpensive sorbent was investigated in laboratory scale for removal of methylene blue dye from aqueous solution. The sewage sludge as dead biomass was chosen from drying bed basins of a conventional waste water treatment plant. Characteristics of sewage sludge was studied by laser particle size analyzer, X-Ray Diffraction, and Brunner fmmet Teller. The results batch flow experiments showed that the removal efficiency was 98%, at optimum experimental conditions: pH 6, agitation speed 250rpm, MB dye concentration 40mg/L, adsorbent dose 3g/L, and contact time 20min. Langmuir adsorption isotherm was the best model for the adsorption of MB qmax of 39.2 mg/g, and coefficient of determination R 2 of 0.993. Experiments of continues flow were carried out, at 25±10C, fixed flow 5 mL/min, pH 6, to study the parameters, initial MB dye concentration and bed height. The results explain, that the best initial MB dye concentration wa...

Sanitary landfill is still the most cost-effective and appropriate method for waste disposal in I... more Sanitary landfill is still the most cost-effective and appropriate method for waste disposal in Iraq. The municipal solid waste has high moisture content of about 49.1% and density of 162.6 kg/m3. The organic fraction reaches about 79%. Based on the studies and reports of study area, the average waste generation rate was 0.45 kg/capita/day. The design of the base liner, leachate collection system, and final cover system for the study area landfill is described in this paper. Since the landfill is located in an arid environment, leachate generation is low and potential infiltration through the lining system is minimal. A 250 mm diameter drainage pipes have longitudinal slope 1% to reduce sedimentation and allow adequate flow capacity. Leachate will be collected through 10mm pipe perforations in four rows, set 900 apart on the pipe circumference and spaced 300mm center to center. A minimum 500mm thick high- permeability granular drainage blanket (anticipated to be 25 to 100mm in size)...

This study was concerned with assessment the water quality of Euphrates River in the middle of Ir... more This study was concerned with assessment the water quality of Euphrates River in the middle of Iraq. Water quality assessment is the overall process of evaluation of the physical, chemical and biological nature of the water. Water pollution for Euphrates River in Middle of Iraq (Babylon, Al-Najaf, and Al-Diwaniya governorates) occurs in both rural and urban areas. In rural areas, drinking water from natural sources such as rivers and streams is usually polluted by organic substances from upstream users who use water for agricultural activities. To protect the water resources from pollution and deterioration which caused by natural pollutants or human activities, an environmental database was constructed and applied. A Visual Basic (version 6.0) Software program was constructed to evaluate the pollutant concentrations using regression models obtained by Data Fit Software program (version 8.0) to make the monitoring system. The result of the program is verified with data of year 2008 ...

The aim of water quality assessment and monitoring program is to provide timely and accurate wate... more The aim of water quality assessment and monitoring program is to provide timely and accurate water quality data to various clients within the Department of Ecology and elsewhere. Water pollution for Shatt Al-Hilla river in Middle Euphrates region of Iraq (Babylon and Al-Diwaniya governorates) occurs in both rural and urban areas. In rural areas, drinking water from natural sources such as rivers and streams is usually polluted by organic substances from upstream users who use water for agricultural activities. To protect the water resources from pollution and deterioration which caused by natural pollutants or human activities. An environmental database was constructed and applied. To evaluate the pollutant concentrations, regression models were obtained by Data Fit Software program (version 8.0). The results were compared with the Iraqi and WHO standards for domestic and irrigation purposes to determine pollution extend and suggest suitable solutions. The results of the program are...

Ecological Engineering & Environmental Technology

In aquatic ecosystems, a great concern was has been increased about contaminants by microplastics... more In aquatic ecosystems, a great concern was has been increased about contaminants by microplastics (MPs). Only a small number of researches on contamination of MP in drinking water have been released up until now. In this research, tap drinking water collected in different places in a densely populated region in Al-Hilla city: Al-Bakarly area, Al-Khusrawiya and Al-Tayyara area was analyzed. The collected water samples were tested using different techniques, including Fourier infrared spectrometer (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Micro Raman spectrometer (MRS). Results showed the presence of microplastic particles with that size smaller than 5 mm, as the diameter of the drinking water ranged between (0.5-4.8) nm. The means of Fourier infrared spectrometer (FTIR) was used to analyze component of all found particles chemically. The main components of the tested samples are metal oxides, Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC), polyamides polymer like Nylon6, 6 and skeletal of cellulose. In addition, Micro-Raman spectroscopy (MRS) results indicated a variation in polyethylene (PE), and it was between (121.404-4391.729) cm-1 for collected samples.

Current Trends in Geotechnical Engineering and Construction, Oct 29, 2022

Environmental Technology & Innovation, 2021

Abstract This work was executed to design and construct a scale plant as part of a water treatmen... more Abstract This work was executed to design and construct a scale plant as part of a water treatment process by combining filtration and disinfection in one unit, using the local medium of sand, and a Pulse Electric Field-Low Voltage (PEF-LV). The Existing Rapid Sand Filtration (ERSF) is a purely physical method of drinking water purification. Biofilm formation takes place in the sand medium and comprises three steps i) bacterial cells settle onto the sand medium, ii) cells proliferate and secrete adhesive Extracellular Polymeric Substrates (EPS) and iii) cells detach and spread the biofilm to new locations, forming a soapy substance. In this study, we attempted to modify the ERSF by overcoming the drawbacks, in terms of the quality of the filtered water, EPS removal, as well as ease of operation–maintenance to make it more sustainable. The Disinfectant of Rapid Sand Filter (DRSF) incorporates the Pulse Electric Field-Low Voltage through the electrodes between the media. The experiments were done over the period from December 2019 to July 2020, at 8 hr/day as the running time The effectiveness of the various operational conditions of the DRSF and their findings were also analyzed, together with the observational, experimental and theoretical basis. The results showed that the optimum conditions for better performance of the DRSF include 30V, 3 pulses/second, AC pulse frequency, 50Hz, two pairs of electrodes in the sand medium, 100 L/hr influent flow rate, and parallel connection. Backwashing requirements for the ERSF was necessary every day, but in DRSF it was only once in every 7 days, at the same influent flow rates of 100 L/hr. Therefore, as the DRSF is to be backwashed less frequently, the operation and maintenance difficulties will be greatly minimized. The EPS, which was produced by the bacteria, was responsible for clogging the medium and causing the necessity to backwash every day in the ERSF. This microbial biomass reduced the pore space in the medium and increased the head loss.

Civil Engineering Journal, 2020

The Main aim of the present study is to manufacture "Low- Cost Water Filter" for purifi... more The Main aim of the present study is to manufacture "Low- Cost Water Filter" for purification water and are designed for small water capacity, using readily available material and environmentally friendly such as kaolin clay, and jute fibers. A number of household treatment systems are readily available in the market. They are differing mainly in make and water purification mechanisms utilized. Most of the available household treatment devices are costly and hence there is a need to come up with cheap or affordable treatment technologies. This research was carried out to determine the efficiency of Kaolin-jute fibers filters in improving water impurities. Types of filters that were used during this study are: Filter 1, build with mixing ratio 85% kaolin clay, and 15% jute fibers, Filter 2: 80% kaolin clay, and 20% jute fibers, Filter 3, 75% kaolin clay, and 25% jute fibers. Effectiveness of these filters in decreasing chemical parameters like Hydrogen Ion Concentration (pH...

Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, 2019

Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, 2019

The main objective of this study is designing of Water Distribution Network (WDN) based on loops ... more The main objective of this study is designing of Water Distribution Network (WDN) based on loops hydraulically. The existing water distribution network could not able to service the total area after the subsequent years due to population inflation and the increasing of water demand. Thus, new design of water distribution network suggested to insurance the population consumption and water demand of the present area after 25 years from base year of 2018. The data for the water pipe network such as the maps, diameters, material, utilities, land ordinates and the area supply method were obtained from Babylon Water Directorate.

This paper describes a laboratory study comparing three coagulants (alum, ferric chloride, and fe... more This paper describes a laboratory study comparing three coagulants (alum, ferric chloride, and ferric sulfate) to determine which coagulant would not only remove NOM but DBP precursors as well. Experiments were conducted to compare the effectiveness of three coagulants in removing DBPs precursors from raw water samples. The results show that the removal of total organic carbon (TOC) which is mean NOM here, was dependent on the coagulant type and was enhanced with increasing coagulant dose, but ferric chloride, and ferric sulfate have no further considerable effect in case of increasing to high levels. For all the treated samples coagulation with ferric chloride proved to be more effective than alum and ferric sulfate at similar doses and the mean values of treatment efficiencies were 30%, 37%, and 45% by ferric sulfate, alum, and ferric chloride respectively. The range of TOC removal rates obtained using ferric sulfate (18-48%), (14-50%) for alum, and (21-59%) for ferric chloride. F...

The present study investigates the efficiency of phosphate removal from wastewater by the Drinkin... more The present study investigates the efficiency of phosphate removal from wastewater by the Drinking Water Treatment Sludge (DWTS), and Red Mud The effects of (DWTS) dose, bed height (H), contact time (T), agitation speed (S), hydrogen ion concentration (pH), (DWTS -RM) ratio, were studied. All continuous experiments were conducted at constant conditions, bed depths 25 cm, initial phosphate concentration 4 mg/L, flow rate 5 mL/min, particle size (1mm) for (DWTS), and (0.425mm) 57% and 38% for 50% and 33% (RM) for (RM) and solution pH of 4. The results show that the use of (RM) reduces the operating time by about 21% compared to the use of (DWTS).Increasing (RM) ratio increasing the removal efficiency and decreasing the equilibrium time in about

Grey water use is important because it restricts fresh water demand and reduces stress on treatme... more Grey water use is important because it restricts fresh water demand and reduces stress on treatment system. Therefore, it is the The main goal of this paper is to propose efficient, cheap and sustainable grey water treatment systems to remove heavy metals from household grey water in Karbala city during the year of 2018. This study was examin capacity and effectiveness of bio pre-treatment layer followed by a natural peat layer as the primary filter medium for removing of heavy metals from household grey water. The results showed that the optimal removal efficiencies were achieved after 8 hrs of operation time at 20 cm depth which were (46%), (62%), and (100%), for Cd, Ni, and Fe, respectively. While the maximum removal efficiency of P (33%), and (53%) respectively after 6 hrs of operation at 20 cm depth. However, the X-ray fluorescence analysis showed the post contained a marked reduction in PbO and CoO and increased of SiO and Al2O3. The clogging effect inadvertently transformed t...

This study examine the efficiency of phosphate removal from the activated sludge effluent channel... more This study examine the efficiency of phosphate removal from the activated sludge effluent channel of Almuamirah wastewater treatment plant by using Drinking Water Treatment Sludge (DWTS),taken from the sedimentation tanks of Al-Tayara drinking water treatment plant, in Al-Hilla city, Iraq, and Red Mud (RM) sorbent. Series of laboratory batch and continuous tests, were conducted in order to assess the potential application of Drinking Water Treatment Sludge (DWTS) and Red Mud (RM) as filter to reduce the concentration of phosphate from contaminated effluent wastewater. Batch experiment was carried out to study the adsorption isotherm of phosphorus at 25±1⁰C and solution of different pH and adsorbent dosages. The effects of (DWTS) dose, contact time (T), agitation speed (S), hydrogen ion concentration (pH), (DWTS-RM) ratio, were studied. The phosphate removal efficiencies improved with increasing sorbent dosage from 5 g to 50 g for both (DWTS) and (RM), and they are remained approxima...

Despite all attempts to define it, ‘Quality’ is still a concept that lacks a common definition ap... more Despite all attempts to define it, ‘Quality’ is still a concept that lacks a common definition applicable in all fields, for every phenomenon or any subject. Yet, there a universal consensus on the positive connotations of this terms that are conjoined with ‘excellence’, ‘good practice’, ‘well-being’, and so forth. As far as higher education is concerned, quality relates to all aspects of the teaching-learning process as swell all aspects of the institutional performance. In this sense quality acquires a many meanings as any as these aspects involved. Apart from the terminological complexities of this issue, all those involved in higher education – whether students, institutions, faculty staff, or other stakeholders – pay great attention to the techniques, approaches, or mechanism for assessing the various aspects of their academic and institutional

In this study, sewage sludge as alternative non-conventional and inexpensive sorbent was investig... more In this study, sewage sludge as alternative non-conventional and inexpensive sorbent was investigated in laboratory scale for removal of methylene blue dye from aqueous solution. The sewage sludge as dead biomass was chosen from drying bed basins of a conventional waste water treatment plant. Characteristics of sewage sludge was studied by laser particle size analyzer, X-Ray Diffraction, and Brunner fmmet Teller. The results batch flow experiments showed that the removal efficiency was 98%, at optimum experimental conditions: pH 6, agitation speed 250rpm, MB dye concentration 40mg/L, adsorbent dose 3g/L, and contact time 20min. Langmuir adsorption isotherm was the best model for the adsorption of MB qmax of 39.2 mg/g, and coefficient of determination R 2 of 0.993. Experiments of continues flow were carried out, at 25±10C, fixed flow 5 mL/min, pH 6, to study the parameters, initial MB dye concentration and bed height. The results explain, that the best initial MB dye concentration wa...

Sanitary landfill is still the most cost-effective and appropriate method for waste disposal in I... more Sanitary landfill is still the most cost-effective and appropriate method for waste disposal in Iraq. The municipal solid waste has high moisture content of about 49.1% and density of 162.6 kg/m3. The organic fraction reaches about 79%. Based on the studies and reports of study area, the average waste generation rate was 0.45 kg/capita/day. The design of the base liner, leachate collection system, and final cover system for the study area landfill is described in this paper. Since the landfill is located in an arid environment, leachate generation is low and potential infiltration through the lining system is minimal. A 250 mm diameter drainage pipes have longitudinal slope 1% to reduce sedimentation and allow adequate flow capacity. Leachate will be collected through 10mm pipe perforations in four rows, set 900 apart on the pipe circumference and spaced 300mm center to center. A minimum 500mm thick high- permeability granular drainage blanket (anticipated to be 25 to 100mm in size)...

This study was concerned with assessment the water quality of Euphrates River in the middle of Ir... more This study was concerned with assessment the water quality of Euphrates River in the middle of Iraq. Water quality assessment is the overall process of evaluation of the physical, chemical and biological nature of the water. Water pollution for Euphrates River in Middle of Iraq (Babylon, Al-Najaf, and Al-Diwaniya governorates) occurs in both rural and urban areas. In rural areas, drinking water from natural sources such as rivers and streams is usually polluted by organic substances from upstream users who use water for agricultural activities. To protect the water resources from pollution and deterioration which caused by natural pollutants or human activities, an environmental database was constructed and applied. A Visual Basic (version 6.0) Software program was constructed to evaluate the pollutant concentrations using regression models obtained by Data Fit Software program (version 8.0) to make the monitoring system. The result of the program is verified with data of year 2008 ...

The aim of water quality assessment and monitoring program is to provide timely and accurate wate... more The aim of water quality assessment and monitoring program is to provide timely and accurate water quality data to various clients within the Department of Ecology and elsewhere. Water pollution for Shatt Al-Hilla river in Middle Euphrates region of Iraq (Babylon and Al-Diwaniya governorates) occurs in both rural and urban areas. In rural areas, drinking water from natural sources such as rivers and streams is usually polluted by organic substances from upstream users who use water for agricultural activities. To protect the water resources from pollution and deterioration which caused by natural pollutants or human activities. An environmental database was constructed and applied. To evaluate the pollutant concentrations, regression models were obtained by Data Fit Software program (version 8.0). The results were compared with the Iraqi and WHO standards for domestic and irrigation purposes to determine pollution extend and suggest suitable solutions. The results of the program are...