Ozone generation by dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) is widely used in industry. Several DBD configurations can be used to generate ozone, which are classified in two main types depending on the geometry of the electrodes: volume DBD and surface DBD models. The aim of this work is to conduct a comparative experimental analysis between surface DBD and volume DBD ozone generators having a cylindrical geometry. This comparative investigation is carried out not only in terms of ozone concentration and energy efficiency, but also in terms of cooling performance. Two experimental setups were used in this work, one for measuring the ozone concentration (in mg/L) and the ozone rate production (in g/h) and a second for cooling experiments. The obtained results show that although the volume DBD model is the most frequently used in industry, the surface DBD reactor gives better results in terms of ozone rate production and cooling.

This study presents the outcomes of an experimental investigation aimed at evaluating the combined impact of irrigating tomatoes with ozonated water and applying organic fertilization. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse equipped with an innovative ozonated water generation system. Tomato seeds were planted in 240 pots of 2-liter volume, arranged in 16 rows with 15 pots each. Alongside the native greenhouse topsoil, three distinct substrate mixtures incorporating compost compositions of 10%, 20%, and 40% were examined. Regular irrigation, twice a week, was implemented using three varying concentrations of dissolved ozone in water (1, 2, and 3 ppm). Results obtained after approximately three months of cultivation unveiled an almost twofold increase in plant productivity with ozonated water irrigation. This effect was notably pronounced when utilizing the native topsoil and a substrate containing 10% compost, coupled with an ozone concentration of 2 ppm. Intriguingly, the use of ozonated water facilitated enhanced development of both aerial and root components of the tomato plants. Moreover, the study suggests that organic fertilization may not be necessary when irrigating with ozonated water, as comparable productivity was observed for both fertilized and non-fertilized soil substrates. Although physicochemical analyses indicated minimal alterations, the noticeable improvement in plant vitality underscores the positive influence of ozone.

Waste minimization is a major way to achieve sustainable development. Electrostatic separation is already used in the recycling industry for processing certain mixtures of shredded plastics originating from waste electric and electronic equipment. Standard tribo-electrostatic separators use electric forces to deflect the trajectories of triboelectrically charged particles in the electric field generated between two vertical plate electrodes connected to high voltage supplies of opposite polarities. However, the efficiency of this device is often limited by the impacts between the particles and the electrodes, which diminish the recovery and the purity of the end product. An innovative electrostatic separator was specifically designed to mitigate this risk. The innovation lies in using two rotating co-axial vertical cylindrical electrodes and assisting the movement of the particles with downward-oriented air flow to reduce their impact on the electrodes and improve the quality of the recovered products. The aim of this study was to optimize the operation of the patented electrostatic separator by using experimental design methodology to obtain quadratic polynomial models of the recovery and the purity of the products as functions of the high voltage applied to the electrode system and of the air flow through the device. The experiments were conducted with a granular mixture composed of 88% polypropylene (PP) and 12% high-impact polystyrene (HIPS) particles, extracted from the recycling process of waste electrical and electronic equipment, and triboelectrically charged in a fluidized bed device. A voltage of 50 kV combined with an air flow rate of 1700 m³/min maximized the recovery and the purity of PP and HIPS products collected at the outlet of the separator. These results open promising prospects for expanding the use of tribo-electrostatic separation for efficient recycling of granular waste plastics.

This extensive study offers a thorough analysis of the complex technical and economical factors involved in incorporating photovoltaic (PV) systems into the buildings' electrical grid in Algeria. It focuses on a crucial element in the country's energy transition. This study aims to evaluate the viability and potential advantages of implementing solar panels on the rooftop of a university parking lot located at the prestigious Faculty of Electrical Engineering of the University of Sidi Bel Abbess. By utilising advanced modelling tools such as PVSOL and HOMER Pro, this study applies a comprehensive methodology to assess the feasibility of this facility. In the first step, a comprehensive three-dimensional model is carefully constructed using PVSOL software in order to assess the maximum achievable photovoltaic (PV) capacity for the neighbouring parking lot. This estimation considers several parameters, including potential shadows, size of furniture, direction, and slope. This thorough assessment establishes the foundation for subsequent examinations. Following this, a thorough technical-economic analysis is performed using HOMER Pro software to comprehensively evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of two separate scenarios: one that exclusively depends on the current electrical network and another that combines conventional grid power with solar-generated electricity. The study offers useful insights into the economic feasibility and sustainability of incorporating photovoltaic (PV) systems into the university's infrastructure, taking into account several aspects such as installation costs, maintenance requirements, electricity rates, and possible savings. The results highlight the considerable potential offered by integrating photovoltaic (PV) systems into the electrical grids of buildings, enabling the provision of electricity to both structures and perhaps facilitating the recycling of electric vehicles. Not only does this have the potential to reduce long-term energy costs, but it also plays a crucial role in promoting Algeria's shift towards more eco-friendly and sustainable energy options. This, in turn, contributes to global initiatives to address climate change and promote a more environmentally friendly future for future generations.

The water treatment process with ozone is influenced by various operating parameters and environmental factors that can impact its efficiency. In this study, experiments were conducted using a Venturi pumping frame to investigate the effects of three controllable variables: oxygen flow height, applied voltage level, and water flow rate. The tests aimed to develop a mathematical model that accurately represents the relationship between these input variables and the resulting ozone concentration in the treated water. The experimental data was analyzed using the MODDE 5.0 software, a specialized application for statistical modeling and design of experiments. By fitting the data to appropriate model equations, a mathematical model was obtained that quantifies the influence of each variable and their interactions on the ozone concentration response. To optimize the process performance, a particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm was employed to extract the best-fit parameters for the mathematical model. PSO is a computational technique inspired by the social behavior of bird flocks or fish schools, utilizing a population of candidate solutions that evolve iteratively to converge on the global optimum solution. In this case, PSO searched for the model parameter values that minimized the error between predicted and experimentally measured ozone concentrations, rapidly converging to an accurate solution. The optimized mathematical model enables predicting the ozone concentration under any combination of oxygen flow height, voltage, and water flow rate within the experimental range. This predictive capability facilitates identifying the optimum operating conditions to maximize ozone concentration, thereby enhancing the efficiency of the water treatment process. The model serves as a valuable tool for process control, monitoring, and optimization, ensuring consistent treatment quality while minimizing resource consumption and operational costs.