Oil refineries play a crucial role in meeting global energy demands, and optimizing the efficiency of critical processes is vital for economic feasibility and environmental sustainability. Simulation is an essential tool for the optimization of valuable products. This work presents the rigorous simulation of a vacuum distillation unit (VDU) based on actual data from the vacuum distillation processes using Aspen HYSYS V10. The Peng–Robinson fluid package is used in this simulation, and an input assay with a standard density of 29 API_60 (879.8 kg/m³) is employed. True boiling point (TBP) assay data are the type that is being used. Methane, ethane, propane, i-Butane, n-Butane, i-Pentane, and n-Pentane are the components listed in the simulation. The research determines that achieving a yield capacity of 685 tons/h requires thirty stages in the atmospheric distillation unit and twelve stages in the vacuum distillation unit while operating at 420 °C temperature and 9 kPa pressure. Adjustments in the flash section temperature (FST) and steam flow rate (SFR) are proposed to enhance operational efficiency. Increasing the FST from 370 °C to 400 °C and adjusting SFR from 10 tons/h to 26 tons/h increases the Light Vacuum Gas Oil (LVGO) yield by 7.2% while elevating the FST from 400 °C to 430 °C and adjusting SFR from 10 tons/h to 26 tons/h enhances the High Vacuum Gas Oil (HVGO) yield by 7.4%. These optimization strategies offer a practical and effective approach for refineries to improve the economic benefits of vacuum distillation units. The implications of this research can act as a computational thinking exercise for higher education students considering the case study where only through changing the operational strategies can the yield be enhanced by 10.81% in the vacuum distillation unit of the oil refinery.

This research explores the potential of hybrid nanofluids to improve the thermal efficiency of a car’s louvered fin flat-tube radiator. Hybrid nanofluids were prepared by combining distilled water with a 0.1% vol. concentration of Si${\mathrm{O}}_2$ and MWCNT nanoparticles, using different ratios of nanoparticles: 80:20, 50:50, and 20:80. The experimental analysis focused on examining the heat-transfer performance of the radiator. The results clearly demonstrated a significant improvement in the radiator’s thermal performance when using hybrid nanofluids. These nanofluids effectively enhanced the rate and coefficient of heat transfer. Notably, an increase of 15.6% in the Nusselt number was observed with the Si${\mathrm{O}}_2$–MWCNT 20:80 water containing a 0.1% volumetric concentration of nanoparticles. Overall, the findings highlight the promising application of hybrid nanofluids in boosting the thermal efficacy of car radiators.

Operating temperature and outdoor contaminants strongly influence photovoltaic (PV) performance, particularly in hot, dust‐prone regions, where elevated cell temperature increases irreversible losses and surface soiling reduces optical transmittance. This study experimentally evaluates the energy, exergy, and environmental performance of a phase change material (PCM)‐integrated PV module under real outdoor exposure. Two identical 10 W polycrystalline PV panels were installed on the rooftop of HITEC University, Taxila, Pakistan (33.7°N, 72.8°E) during peak summer operation (08:00–17:00). One panel served as a reference, and the other incorporated an RT44HC PCM on the rear side for passive thermal regulation. Critical parameters such as solar irradiance, ambient conditions, module temperature, electrical output, electrical conversion efficiency, energy performance ratio (EPR), and exergy efficiency were tracked by calibrated sensors and a data acquisition system. These results demonstrate that PCM integration effectively suppresses thermal rise, resulting in a 20–21°C drop in peak module temperature compared to the reference panel. Thus, the PCM‐cooled module exhibited enhanced electrical performance, achieving 18.6%–73.7% rated EPR vs. 15.86%–72.5% for the uncooled panel, and increased electrical conversion efficiency throughout the day. The analysis revealed lower thermodynamic irreversibility and an overall exergy efficiency of 7.44%−13.02% for the PCM configuration. An environmental assessment conducted over a 6‐week natural dust exposure period showed power degradation of up to 6.74%, thereby establishing soiling as a nonnegligible loss mechanism. Overall, this work provides a combined outdoor assessment of thermal regulation and dust‐induced degradation in PCM‐integrated PV modules, supporting their suitability for high‐climate conditions and highlighting the need for complementary soiling‐mitigation strategies.