Purpose The purpose of this paper is to achieve the national strategic agenda’s criteria that aim for accomplishing sustainable buildings by estimating the effects of energy efficiency measures in order to reduce energy consumption and CO2 emission. Design/methodology/approach A design approach has been developed based on simulation software and a modeled building. Therefore, a typical office building is considered for testing five efficiency measures in three climatic conditions in Algeria. This approach is conducted in two phases: first, the analysis of each measure’s effect is independently carried out in terms of cooling energy and heating energy intensities. Then, a combination of optimal measures for each climate zone is measured in terms of three sustainable indicators: final energy consumption, energy cost saving and CO2 emission. Findings The results reveal that a combination of optimal measures has a substantial impact on building energy saving and CO2 emission. This saving can rise to 41 and 31 percent in a hot and cold climate, respectively. Furthermore, it is concluded that obtaining higher building performance, different design alternatives should be adapted to the climate proprieties and the local construction materials must be applied. Originality/value This study is considered as an opportunity for achieving the national strategy, as it may contribute in improving office building performance and demonstrating a suitable tool to assist stakeholders in the decision making of most important parameters in the design stage for new or retrofit buildings.

Aiming to provide a generalized method for assessing the performance of safety instrumented systems with a flexible and accurate consideration of the common cause failures’ contribution. This paper is devoted to the development of a direct way to generate the transition rate matrix associated with the continuous-time Markov model of any typical KooN architecture using any parametric model. Such a choice is considered after a detailed comparison of the ability of several dependability methods (e.g., fault trees, reliability block diagrams, Markov models, Bayesian networks, etc) to provide simple representations and genuine results in this context. To validate the developed method, the unavailability and the unconditional failure intensity of a wide range of configurations are quantified using the Binomial Failure Rate model and compared to those of the complete fault tree implementation.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to show the impact of operational and environmental conditions (risk influencing factors) on the component criticality of safety barriers, safety barrier performance and accidents frequency and therefore on risk levels. Design/methodology/approach The methodology focuses on the integration of criticality importance analysis in barrier and operational risk analysis method, abbreviated as BORA-CIA. First, the impact of risk influencing factors (RIFs) associated with basic events on safety barrier performance and accident frequency is studied, and then, a risk evaluation is performed. Finally, how unacceptable risks can be mitigated regarding risk criteria is analyzed. Findings In the proposed approach (BORA-CIA), the authors show how specific installation conditions influence risk levels and analyze the prioritization of components to improve safety barrier performance in oil and gas process. Practical implications The proposed methodology seems to be a powerful tool in risk decision. Ordering components of safety barriers taking into account RIFs allow maintenance strategies to be undertaken according to the real environment far from average data. Also, maintenance costs would be estimated adequately. Originality/value In this paper, an improved BORA method is developed by incorporating CIA. More precisely, the variability of criticality importance factors of components is used to analyze the prioritization of maintenance actions in an operational environment.

Purpose This paper aims to propose a process optimization approach showing how organizations are able to achieve sustainable and efficient process optimization, based on integrated process-risk analysis using several criteria to a better decision-making. Design/methodology/approach Several approaches are used (functional/dysfunctional) to analyze how processes work and how to deal with risks forming multi-criteria decision-making. In addition, a risk factor is integrated into the structured analysis and design techniques (SADT) method forming a novel graphical view SADT-RISK; it identifies process’s failures using the traditional failure modes, effects and criticality analysis (FMECA) and economic consideration “failure mode and effect, criticality analysis-cost FMECA-C” making a multi-criterion matrix for better decision-making. Subsequently, some recommendations are proposed to overcome the failure. Findings This paper illustrates a methodology with a case study in a company, which has a leading brand in the market in Algeria. The authors are integrating a varied portfolio of approaches linking with each other to analyze, improve and optimize the processes in terms of reliability and safety to deal with risks; reduce the complexity of the systems; increase the performance; and achieve a safer process. However, the proposed method can be readily used in practice. Originality/value The paper provides a new approach based on integrated management using new elements as an innovative contribution, forming a novel graphical view SADT-RISK; it identifies process’s failures using the traditional FMECA and economic consideration “a new multi-criterion matrix for better decision-making and using the SWOT analysis – Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats – as a balance to decide about the process improvement”. The authors conclude that this methodology is oriented and applicable to different types of companies such as financial, health and industrial as illustrated by this case study.

Renewable power generation facilities are constantly expanding due to the expected depletion of fossil fuels and the increasingly demanding policy of pollution control. Having said that, hydrogen is one of the promising energy sources. That said, hydrogen chain safety is an unescapable parameter that should continuously coexist with the development of hydrogen domain. In this context, this article presents a contribution to the risk analysis and evaluation of a complex hydrogen production system ’EGA-9000' at CIEMAT (Centre for Research on Energy, Environment and Technology - Madrid, Spain). The methodology followed in this study revolves around the risk analysis process through a FAST (Functional Analysis System Technique) functional analysis method and a HAZOP (HAZard and Operability) dysfunctional analysis method. The evaluation of the thirty-three scenarios identified by the risk analysis shows that the studied system is insecure. Indeed, five scenarios at an unacceptable level of risk. And it is noted that the risk of fire and explosion is the major risk for all scenarios studied. To this end, safety measures (recommendation) have been proposed based on the weaknesses detected by the risk analysis carried out.

The industrial risk mapping is a topical problem in the field of risk management that attracts many researchers to develop risk matrices to ensure consultation between their actors. In this context, this paper aims to propose the principal component analysis (PCA) method as support for this consultation. Indeed, the use of PCA method is justified by its robustness for aggregate initial data associated with industrial risks as principal factors and ranking of this risk in terms of their criticalities in risk matrices. However, the aggregation of initial data on industrial risks by the main factors, in some cases, leads to inaccuracies which make it difficult to classify certain risks. This paper proposes two variants of PCA method to solve this inaccuracy and succeeds in classifying risks according to their respective criticalities, namely PCA-Improved (PCA-I) and PCA-I-Fuzzy (PCA-IF). The results come from the PCA application and its proposed variants (PCA-I and PCA-IF) on an example of accident scenarios ranking. We have established a scientific basis for the capitalization of mapping tool for consultation and decision support to industrial risk managers.

This paper presents a hybrid scheme for the control of active and reactive powers using the direct vector control with stator flux orientation (SFO) of the DFIG. The hybrid scheme consists of Fuzzy logic, Reference Signal Tracking (F-RST) controllers. The proposed (F-RST) controller is compared with the classical Proportional-Integral (PI) and the Polynomial (RST) based on the pole placement theory. The various strategies are analyzed and compared in terms of tracking, robustness, and sensitivity to the speed variation. Simulations are done using MATLAB software. The simulation results prove that the proposed approach leads to good performances such as the tracking test, the rejection of disturbances and the robustness concerning the parameter variations. The hybrid controller is much more efficient compared to those of PI and RST controller, it also improves the performance of the powers and ensures some important strength despite the parameter variation of the DFIG.

This paper presents a hybrid scheme for the control of active and reactive powers using the direct vector control with stator flux orientation (SFO) of the DFIG. The hybrid scheme consists of Fuzzy logic, Reference Signal Tracking (F-RST) controllers. The proposed (F-RST) controller is compared with the classical Proportional-Integral (PI) and the Polynomial (RST) based on the pole placement theory. The various strategies are analyzed and compared in terms of tracking, robustness, and sensitivity to the speed variation. Simulations are done using MATLAB software. The simulation results prove that the proposed approach leads to good performances such as the tracking test, the rejection of disturbances and the robustness concerning the parameter variations. The hybrid controller is much more efficient compared to those of PI and RST controller, it also improves the performance of the powers and ensures some important strength despite the parameter variation of the DFIG.

The combination of neural networks and fuzzy controllers is considered as the most efficient approach for different functions approximation, and indicates their ability to control nonlinear dynamical systems. This paper presents a hybrid control strategy called Neuro-Fuzzy Sliding Mode Control (NFSMC) based on the Brushless Doubly fed Induction Generator (BDFIG). This replaces the sliding surface of the control to exclude chattering phenomenon caused by the discontinuous control action. This technique offers attractive features, such as robustness to parameter variations. Simulations results of 2.5 KW BDFIG have been presented to validate the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed approach in the presence of uncertainties with respect to vector control (VC) and sliding mode control (SMC). We compare the static and dynamic characteristics of the three control techniques under the same operating conditions and in the same simulation configuration. The proposed controller schemes (NFSMC) are effective in reducing the ripple of active and reactive powers, effectively suppress sliding-mode chattering and the effects of parametric uncertainties not affecting system performance.

Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) is used in automobiles to prevent slipping and locking of wheels after the brakes are applied. Its control is a rather complicated problem due to its strongly nonlinear and uncertain characteristics. The aim of this paper is to investigate the wheel slip control of the ground vehicle, comprising two new strategies. The first strategy is the Sliding Mode Controller (SMC) and the second one is the Fuzzy Sliding Mode Controller (FSMC), which is a combination of fuzzy logic and sliding mode, to ensure the stability of the closed-loop system and remove the chattering phenomenon introduced by classical sliding mode control. The obtained simulation results reveal the efficiency of the proposed technique for various initial road conditions.

Unified power flow controller is a power electronics-based device utilised to improve transmission line capacity and control power flow transmitted by power transmission systems. This paper presents the application of the decoupled control strategy to control independently active and reactive power in the event of changes in the step points of the powers. Two types of controllers are used to handle the control strategy proposed: conventional PI regulator and fuzzy logic PI regulator. The fuzzy logic controller must have high performance to handle the problem of adjustment of power decoupling. Also, a three level neutral point controller inverter is used in both series and shunt parts of the UPFC to get multistep voltage wave and improve the power quality.

The paper presents two fuzzy logic control algorithms: type-1 and type-2. These two nonlinear techniques are used for adjust the speed control with a direct stator flux orientation control of a doubly fed induction motor. The effectiveness of the proposed control strategy is evaluated under different operating conditions such as of reference speed and for load torque step changes at nominal parameters and in the presence of parameter variation (stator resistance, rotor resistance and moment of inertia). The results of the simulation of the doubly fed induction motor velocity control have shown that fuzzy type-2 ensures better dynamic performances with respect to fuzzy type-1 control, even by parametric variations and external disturbances.

Electrochemical methods, weight loss and surface analysis technique were used to study the effect of glutamic acid on the corrosion of Fe-19Cr stainless steel in 1 M hydrochloric acid solution. Results revealed that the corrosion inhibition of glutamic acid of Fe-19Cr in 1 M HCl was enhanced in the presence of the iodide ions due to synergistic effect. In the absence of KI, the inhibition of Fe-19Cr corrosion by glutamic acid was glutamic acid concentration dependent. Potentiodynamic polarization curves demonstrated that glutamic acid acts as a mixed type inhibitor. Self-Assembled Monolayers of glutamic acid were able to protect stainless steel from corrosion effectively. The adsorption of the inhibitor onto the stainless steel surface follows Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The value of free energy of the adsorption indicated that there is a physical interaction between the glutamic acid and the stainless steel surface.

During turning operations, tool-part-chip contact causes wear to the cutting tool. The objective of this work is to study the wear of the clearance faces of tungsten carbide cutting tools during turning operations. Experimental tests on tool life for dry turning operations were carried out at four different cutting speeds, where the feed rate and the depth of cut are kept at constant values: 0.08 mm/rev for feed rate and 0.5 mm for depth of cut. An analysis of the influence of cutting parameters on the tools wear and consequently tool life (Τ) was presented, then the roughness of the machined surface Ra and the morphology of the chips produced were studied. This study makes it possible to identify that the wear mechanisms and the tool life are strongly linked to the roughness of the machined surfaces and to the morphology of the chips produced during the turning operations.

This paper studies aquifer’s hydrodynamic behavior by combining a flow-simulation model with transmissivity optimization (cokriging) in order to provide an optimal management scheme for the groundwater aquifer. The use of a cokriging approach improves the transmissivity data which are insufficient for the database of the groundwater flow simulation model. The obtained results are then used to model the groundwater flow of the Tebessa-Morsott shallow aquifer, located in NE Algeria, under a steady and transient regime. The results of the model calibration for the steady-state (year 2010) show that the recharge by rainfall and leakage rate are similar compared to those calculated by the analytical approach, (84,354 m3/day for the recharge and 36,986 m3/day for pumped water flow rate). The results of the transient regime show the alluvial aquifer affected by large drawdowns reaching 40 m over 20 years (year 2030 scenario) due to increase in water exploitation from pumping wells to answer water needs of the Tebessa region.

This study investigates the multiple contamination sources of a coastal Mediterranean aquifer in northeastern Algeria that is bordered by two rivers and neighboring densely populated areas. Hydrogeochemical and isotopic groundwater characterization is carried out, including the analyses of major elements, water stable isotopes δ2H-H2O and δ18O-H2O, and stable isotopes of nitrate δ15N-NO3 and δ18O-NO3, and then integrated into the history of land use over the study area. Groundwater nitrate concentrations ranging from 1.6 to 235 mg/L with a median value of 69 mg/L are evidence of the degradation of groundwater quality induced by anthropogenic sources. The combined of δ15N-NO3 and δ18O-NO3 ratios showed that nitrate in groundwater is attributable to (i) the uncontrolled development of inadequate private sanitation systems over the study area, and (ii) the unsafe application of animal manure to fertilize crops. Very active saltwater intrusion is confirmed by several hydrogeochemical indicators. Interestingly, the intrusion mechanism appears to be more complex than a direct intrusion from the Mediterranean Sea. During the high-water period, saltwater intrusion may also originate from the two rivers bordering the aquifer, via upstream migration of seawater through the river mouths. The heavier ratios in δ2H-H2O and δ18O-H2O of surface water collected from the rivers suggest that water from the Mediterranean Sea is mixing with water in the rivers. Multi-source contamination not only contributes to complex chemical reactions within the aquifer, but also contributes, via the cumulative effect of the various sources, to affecting large parts of the study area. The present study may serve as a warning to the effect that historical land-use practices may exert seriously deleterious impacts on groundwater quality and greatly limit conditions for the sustainable management of Mediterranean coastal areas.

In this paper, we consider a coupled system of two nonlinearhyperbolic equations with variable-exponents in the damping and sourceterms. Under suitable assumptions on the intial data and the variableexponents, we prove a global existence theorem, using the Stable-setmethod. Then, we establish a decay estimate of the solution energy, byKomornik’s integral approach.

In this paper, we present a new technique for constructing a nonstationary wavelet. The key idea relies on the following: for each wavelet level, we solve the Bezout’s equation and we propose a positive solution over the interval [–1, 1]. Using the Bernstein’s polynomials we approximate this proposed positive solution with the intention to perform a spectral factorization.

In this paper, we consider a nonlinear wave equation with damping and source terms of variable-exponent types. First, we use the stable-set method to prove a global result. Then, by applying an integral inequality due to Komornik, we obtain the stability result.

The current paper is principally motivated by establishing the global wellposedness to the three-dimensional Boussinesq system with zero diffusivity in thesetting of axisymmetric flows without swirling with v0 ∈ H12(R3) ∩ B˙ 30,1(R3) anddensity ρ0 ∈ L2(R3)∩B˙ 30,1(R3). This respectively enhances the two results recentlyaccomplished in Danchin and Paicu (2008) and Hmidi and Rousset (2010). Ourformalism is inspired, in particular for the first part from Abidi (2008) concerningthe axisymmetric Navier–Stokes equations once v0 ∈ H12(R3) and external forcef ∈ L2 loc(R+; Hβ(R3)), with β > 1 4 . This latter regularity on f which is thedensity in our context is helpless to achieve the global estimates for Boussinesqsystem. This technical defect forces us to deal once again with a similar proof tothat of Abidi (2008) but with f ∈ Lβ loc(R+; L2(R3)) for some β > 4. Second, weexplore the gained regularity on the density by considering it as an external forcein order to apply the study already obtained to the Boussinesq system.