Dr Ahmed Khalil Archives

Model and simulation-based investigation on use of agriculture waste/byproduct in brick manufacturing

Model and simulation-based investigation on use of agriculture waste/byproduct in brick manufacturing

This case study utilises ThermoRecycliSt (Thermodynamic simulation-guided (waste/byproduct) materials Recycling Strategy) and other available models to conduct an exploratory investigation to manufacture eco-friendly light-weight bricks through the mixing of agriculture waste/byproduct with raw materials used for clay brick manufacturing at the Wienerberger brick factory. The primary focus is on examining the feasibility of incorporating agricultural waste and byproducts into the brick manufacturing process. By leveraging ThermoRecycliSt, alongside proven models, this study seeks to relatively predict the essential properties of pre-manufactured bricks, significantly reducing the need for laborious and resource-intensive lab-scale trials. By incorporating modelling tools, it becomes possible to conduct a more streamlined and economical evaluation of the feasibility of utilising waste/byproduct materials in the production of bricks. Ultimately, this case study endeavours to provide valuable insights into the feasibility of implementing ThermoRecycliSt and similar models for enhancing sustainability in the construction industry by reducing reliance on traditional raw materials, [...]

Joanna Johnson2023-12-15T12:53:25+00:00December 15th, 2023|

TransFIRe at the TFI Network+ Conference

TransFIRe at the TFI Network+ Conference

TransFIRe made an appearance at the excellent Transforming Foundation Industries Network+ Conference in Sheffield this week. It was great to get together with other members of the TFI community and hear about the different Network+ funded projects! As part of the event, TransFIRe researchers, James Railton, PhD, Natanael Bolson and Ahmed Khalil, generated a lot of attention with their posters on “Polymers in the Foundation Industries”, “Resource Flows in UK Steel Production” and “Exploring New Horizons for Waste Recycling in Foundation Industries with ThermoRecycliSt’s Universal Guidance Approach”. Dr Michal Drewniok also gave a presentation on "Element-based mapping to identify industrial symbiosis opportunities in the UK cement, steel, glass and ceramics sectors". A great event and a number of contacts made – thanks Transforming Foundation Industries Network+! You can read a short write up of the conference here and see some of the presentations (including Michal's) here .

Joanna Johnson2023-12-08T14:26:39+00:00December 8th, 2023|

Embedding TransFIRe within industry

Embedding TransFIRe within industry

Secondments are a brilliant way of offering professional benefits to both companies and employees, in our case researchers, alike. For industry, it can be an opportunity to bring someone new into their company, with a fresh set of eyes and skills, that has the potential to help develop a new area of business or solve a particular problem and to help build collaboration. For secondees, it’s an opportunity to immerse themselves in the fabric of a company, help bring their expertise to the table and broaden their skills and knowledge. In light of this, it has been really important and worthwhile for TransFIRe to have a number of secondment placements set up for our research staff for a range of Foundation Industry companies. These placements focus on short term projects or challenges that are of benefit to both the companies and to the TransFIRe researchers. For example, this month [...]

Joanna Johnson2023-08-09T14:35:49+00:00August 9th, 2023|

Poster competition celebrates advanced ceramics research

Poster competition celebrates advanced ceramics research

TransFIRe researcher, Dr Ahmed Khalil, has won first prize for his poster, “ThermoRecycliSt – Thermodynamic simulation-guided (waste) Recycling Strategy” at the Advanced Ceramics Show at the Birmingham NEC. The competition on advanced ceramic innovation and research was sponsored and supported by the Midlands Industrial Ceramics Group (MICG) and presented an opportunity for researchers and academics to network and interact with industry to celebrate research from across the sector. Each poster entry was marked for technical content, visual and verbal presentation skills and industrial application awareness by two judges from industries from the MICG and their international advisory group. The poster, that won in the category for Sensors, Artificial Intelligence and Modelling for the ceramics sector, describes a reliable waste or byproduct recycling guidance approach that evaluates the recycling potential and quality of waste materials and directs them to suitable applications. This strategy relies on thermodynamic calculations to predict phase [...]

Joanna Johnson2023-07-10T08:45:35+00:00July 10th, 2023|

Key performance indicators in sustainability reporting: what do we need to measure?

Key performance indicators in sustainability reporting: what do we need to measure?

Sustainability reporting is a vital tool to provide information on an organisations’ social, economic, and environmental performance and is an essential way for organisations to demonstrate accountability to their various stakeholders. But how do companies know which metrics or key performance indicators (KPIs) they should use? The TransFIRe project through its different Work Streams (WS) is addressing the need of identifying the most suitable metrics for the foundation industries (FI), by looking at different levels for measuring and reporting performance, ranging from the process level to factory level and eventually to the “beyond the fence” level (a system view, looking from the perspective of external stakeholders, including the surrounding community, and the environment). Figure 1 - Schematic representation of the different levels for measuring performance of FIs. Process level metrics At a process level, TransFIRe researchers have created a framework to help the manufacturing industries identify the right [...]

Joanna Johnson2023-06-05T11:02:10+00:00May 16th, 2023|

Investigating alternative uses for Spent Foundry Sand

Investigating alternative uses for Spent Foundry Sand

After an extensive literature review by TransFIRe researchers, a number of potential applications for re-using huge quantities of Spent Foundry Sand (SFS) have been identified. As part of Work Stream 2 of the TransFIRe project, which focusses on creating new materials and process opportunities for the foundation industries, TransFIRe researchers have been undertaking a case study focussing on potential uses of Spent Foundry Sand (SFS), a waste product of UK metals foundries leftover after the production of sand moulds or cores for casting of metals. A literature review, carried out with input from the Cast Metals Federation, John Winter Ltd and Wm Lee Ltd, was undertaken to identify potential opportunities for re-using SFS and several applications were identified within ceramics, glass, cement, fillers in concrete and asphalt; and several others. Although SFS can be successfully recycled and used numerous times, the sand grains eventually degrade and their ability to [...]

Joanna Johnson2023-05-15T08:44:48+00:00May 15th, 2023|