Town Hall Meeting FAFS, MSFEA, Qatar Foundation, Texas A&M University (TAMU) and TAMU Qatar

Feb 7, 2018, College Hall, B1 Auditorium

Nesreen GhaddarProfessor of Mechanical Engineering - MSFEA

Director of the Munib and Angela Masri Institute of Energy and Natural Resources American University of Beirut

Interdisciplinary Approaches to Energy Education and Energy

Research

In support of research culture focused on energy and energy efficiency themes

Specialized Graduate Degree Programs 

Master of Engineering; Major: Applied Energy (focused mainly on efficient energy systems for buildings with high‐quality indoor environments; integration of renewable energy technologies with conventional systems to improve sustainability of energy supply)

PhD in Engineering; Major: Mechanical Engineering

Master of Science ; Major: Energy Studies (Interdisciplinary and accept students from different UG majors)

MSFEA Professional Online Diploma in Green Technologies in three concentrations of Energy, Buildings, and Water

Bridging academic and professional collaboration, outreach and knowledge dissemination:

Munib and Angela Masri Institute of Energy and Natural Resources

Aims to promote research in science and engineering that contributes to the sustainable and responsible use, management, and conservation of natural resources and energy.

Governed by a Steering Committee of faculty members from FEA and FAS

Established a community of AUB scholars in energy and water experts

The Community of Energy and Water Experts

Abdel Rahman, Abdel Fattah | GEOLOGY Abou Najm, Majdi| CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERINGAbu Tarboush, Bilal | CHEMICAL AND PETROLEUM ENGINEERINGAhmed, Mohammad | CHEMICAL AND PETROLEUM ENGINEERINGAkkary, Haitham | ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER ENGINEERINGAl‐Ghoul, Mazen | CHEMISTRY Al‐Hindi, Mahmoud | CHEMICAL AND PETROLEUM ENGINEERINGAntar, Ghassan | PHYSICS Artail, Hassan | ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING Asmar, Daniel | MECHANICAL ENGINEERING Awad, Mariette | ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER ENGINEERINGAzizi, Fouad | CHEMICAL AND PETROLEUM ENGINEERINGChaaban, Farid | ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING Chedid, Riad | ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING Chehab, Ali | ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER ENGINEERINGChehab, Ghassan | CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING Costantine, Joseph | ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER ENGINEERINGDagher, Leila | ECONOMICS Darwish, Marwan |  MECHANICAL ENGINEERINGDigambara, Patra | CHEMISTRY El Fadel, Mutasem | CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING El Hajj, Imad | ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING  El Rassy, Houssam | CHEMISTRY Ghaddar, Nesreen | MECHANICAL ENGINEERING Ghaddar, Tarek | CHEMISTRY Ghali, Kamel | MECHANICAL ENGINEERING Ghauch, Antoine | CHEMISTRYHajj, Hazem | ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING  

Halaoui, Lara | CHEMISTRY Hmadeh, Mohamad | CHEMISTRY Jaafar, Hadi | AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SCIENCESJabr, Rabih | ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING Kaafarani, Bilal | CHEMISTRY Kanj, Roweida | ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING Karaki, Sami | ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING Karam, Pierre |  CHEMISTRYKayssi, Ayman |  ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING Kazan, Michel | PHYSICS  Khodr, Hiba | PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION Khoury, Hiam | CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERINGLakkis, Issam | MECHANICAL ENGINEERING Maddah, Bacel | INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT Mansour, Mohammad | ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING Moukalled, Fadl | MECHANICAL ENGINEERING Moussawi, Lama | BUSINESS INFORMATION AND DECISION SYSTEMS Najjar, Shadi | CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING Oweis, Ghanem | MECHANICAL ENGINEERING  Saad, George | CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING Saad, Walid | CHEMICAL AND PETROLEUM ENGINEERINGSadek, Salah | CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING Salam, Darine | CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING Shammas, Elie | MECHANICAL ENGINEERING Srour, Issam | CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING Suidan, Makram | CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERINGTabbal, Malek | PHYSICS Yassine, Ali | INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT Zeaiter, Joseph | CHEMICAL AND PETROLEUM ENGINEERING

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60+ AUB faculty have received funding from the MI and are active members from Five Faculties: FAFS, FAS, MSFEA, FHS, and OSB

http://www.aub.edu.lb/units/masri_institute/about/Pages/members.aspx

Role of the Institute in Research

Annual funding up to $120,000+ of interdisciplinary projects in the following research themes:

Alternative energy and energy efficiency Exploration and recovery of oil and gasWater and Mineral Resources Efficient downstream processing of oil and 

gas Energy management and resource planning Policy research, legislation development, 

and technology need assessment

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Research Area/Cluster Membership

Material Characterization

G. Chehab (Chair); G. Oweis, F. Azizi

Design for Offshore Structures (Blast, Fire, seismic)

M. Harajli (Chair), G. Saad, R. Hamadeh, S. Najjar, H. Basha, E. Hantoush

Instrumentation, Control, and Wireless Sensing 

I. Hajj (Chair), M. Liermann; I. Abou Faycal. D. Asmar, E. Shammas

Big Data H. Artail (Chair), Hazem Hajj, H. Akkary, R. Kanj

Modeling and Simulation

F. Moukalled (chair), M. Darwish, F. Azizi, G. Saad

Project Evaluation B. Maddah (chair), I. Srour, F. Hamzeh, M. Hindi

Risk Assessment and Worker Productivity

K. Ghali (Chair), N. Ghaddar, M. Awwad, S. Alkaisi, R. Hamade

Remediation of Oil Spills

D. Salam (Chair), M. Ahmad, W., Saad, I. Hajj, M. Suidan

Example of MI Research ClustersIn February 2014, Institute members,  Advisory Board and Petroleum Authority representative to discuss forming research clusters related to the Oil and Gas Sector.

• Seminars• Lecture Series• Visiting Fellows• Research Awards• International Workshops• High Impact Conferences• Professional Training Programs

Activities of the Masri Institute of Energy and Natural Resources

• Consulting Services to Energy and Governmental Stakeholders.

• Facilitate research and development projects on energy to be performed at relevant academic units at AUB

• Support Educational Outreach Projects (Pro‐Green) 

MI Conference Organization

September 22-23, 2016, ASHRAE and MI organized at AUB 2nd International ASHRAE Conference and Exhibition on Efficient Building Design - Materials and HVAC Equipment Technologies. More than 28 scientific peer-reviewed papers, 6 keynote lectures, and 6 industrial session papers were presented and 200 attendees.The 3rd conference will be held at AUB in 4-5 October, 2018.

https://www.ashrae.org/membership‐‐conferences/conferences/ashrae‐conferences/third‐international‐conference‐on‐efficient‐building‐design

JOINT ONLINE PROFESSIONAL DIPLOMA IN GREEN TECHNOLOGIES (First in the Region)

New joint online professional diploma in green technologies (energy, buildings, and water) was launched in January 2015

The Online Professional Joint Diploma in Green Technologies is a unique and focused program that caters to professionals from a variety of engineering and science disciplines aspiring to enhance their skills in green technologies and green businesses and working towards common goals that integrate green technologies in their designs.

The Online Professional Diploma in Green Technologies

Students can complete the 18 credit program on Moodle, an open‐source e‐learning platform ideally in 12‐18 months 

Students can draw from the expertise of 40+ faculty members from three institutions: AUB, LAU, and AUC offering courses in their area of specialization. 

Architecture23%

Engineering59%

Sciences13%

Others 5%

ArchitectureEngineeringSciencesOthers

Human Comfort, Health, and Productivity in Built-in and Outdoor

Environments

Our Research Theme

Faculty Members:Nesreen GhaddarKamel Ghali 

Post‐Doctoral fellow: Dr Carine Habchi

PhD Students  since 2010:Current: Mariam ItaniDouaa Al‐AssaadFarah MneimnehPast:Dr Alan MakhoulDr Carine HabchiDr Nagham Ismail

Current Graduate students:Rana BachnakRagheb RaadRach Seblany

Past graduate students:About 40+ students completed their master in applied energy or mechanical engineering publishing thesis work on related research

Research GoalTo develop and market technologies to improve human productivity 

and health inside and outdoors with minimal energy use. 

Global warming will profoundly affect our region, increasing cooling, dehumidification, and ventilation needs caused by increased temperatures and air pollution. 

Indoor: Design air conditioning (AC) to deliver Thermal comfort needs to increase human productivity Fresh air needs by providing breathable air of high quality to maintain health

Outdoor: Increase productivity by preventing heat stresses through Clothing and scheduling interventions Bioclimatic Design to mitigate heat island effect

Indoor: Design air conditioning (AC) to deliver Thermal comfort needs to increase human productivity Fresh air needs by providing breathable air of high quality to maintain health

Research areas

Building Envelop including fenestration

Energy‐Efficient Heating Ventilation and Air conditioning (HVAC) System

Optimized HVAC control & operational strategies  Natural and Mixed ventilation modes

Integration of renewable energy into HVAC – Hybrid Systems

Air distribution system

Environmental Air Quality & Climate ControlBioheat Modeling of Human Physiology and Thermal Response and Predictive Tools of Thermal Comfort

Smart and wearable systems to influence human behavior 

Localized Air‐Conditioning & Personalized Ventilation Task Ventilators

Design & Modeling of Human Clothing System  with characteristics that alleviate thermal stress

Contaminant and Particle Transport, Deposition, and Resuspension

Cross‐Contamination between occupants can be direct (by inhalation) or indirect (by contact of contaminated surfaces).

Air cleaning: Filters and UV‐Irradiation 

Outdoor: Increase productivity by preventing heat stresses through Clothing and scheduling interventions Bioclimatic Design to mitigate heat island effect

Research areas

Bioheat Modeling of Human Physiology and Thermal Response and Predictive Tools of Thermal Comfort and Stress State

Personal Cooling Systems through smart clothing ‐ Passive cooling vests using phase change material ‐ Active cooling smart vests using fans and 

evaporative cooling.

Assess building energy conservation measures toreduce both energy use and UHI effect

“bioclimatic planning” : Environmental factors , building density that affect outdoor microclimates; interventions in building materials (envelop); cooling systems, and infrastructure.

Urban Heat Island (UHI): Predict air temperature, humidity and air speed at pedestrian level

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BioheatModel

•Multi‐node segmental model (15 segments)• Simple but captures physiology based on arterial circulatory system

•Predicts segmental skin and core temperatures and their rate of change 

Clothing Model

• Clothing heat and moisture transport• Clothing dynamic insulation 

Space /Environment 

Model

• Shape factor determination• Predictor of transient room air and wall temperatures

Local and Overall Sensation and 

Comfort Modeling

• Zhang Model (2010) of local thermal comfort and sensation as a function of segmental skin and core temperature and their rate of change for influential body segments

• Predict thermal discomfort

Bioheat and Comfort Assessment Tool

Approach: Integration of Human Physiology, Space, and System

Approach : Modeling, CFD Simulations and ExperimentationSimplified models of:• Clothing Ventilation• Air conditioning System Models• Space models• Particle spread models• Particle Deposition and Resuspension Models• Desiccant dehumidification/humidification models 

(liquid and solid)• Evaporative Cooling Models

Detailed simulations:• CDF Simulations using commercial software ANSYS of 

indoor air transport models for different air distribution systems and configurations

Open source models (UHI)• MESO‐NH: meso‐scale atmospheric model.• SURFEX: package of 4 models for 4 surface types: town 

(urban), nature, sea, lakes.• TEB: micro‐scale urban model.• BEM: building energy model.

Approach : Modeling, CFD Simulations and Experimentation‐ Indoor and outdoor climatic chambers completely 

instrumented‐ Walking Thermal Manikin‐ Particle concentration measurements/analyzer‐ Gas analyzers‐ Fabric characterization equipment‐ Electrospinning machine to produce nano‐fibers

‐ Human subject Experiments (Effectiveness of cooling vests)

Localized and Personalized Ventilation:

With Mixed Convection and with Displacement Ventilation System1‐ Task Ventilation directly on the face: Reduction 27%2‐ Intermittent Task Ventilation: Reduction 10% reduction in energy consumption

3‐ Ceiling Personalized Ventilation (CPV)‐ CPV aided with desk fan‐ CPV aided with chair fan‐ Increased space utility and minimized cross infection

The low‐mixing coaxial PV nozzle system has showedremarkable ventilation effectiveness values (up to 32%) andenergy savings up to 34%.Desk fans combined with single axial PV allowed to reach aventilation effectiveness of 22.05% and energy savings up to13.25%.

Hybrid Systems: Chilled Ceiling Displacement Ventilation – Evaporative Ceiling – LDS Membrane Ceiling

1. Chilled ceiling displacement ventilation system (CC/DV): Developed Design Charts and optimized operation with online controller (15% additional savings in energy consumption)

2. Replaced the ceiling with evaporative cooled ceiling and added solid desiccant dehumidification (additional 28% reduction from CC/DV)

3. Liquid Desiccant Membrane Cycle at the Ceiling combined with Displacement Ventilation (LDMC‐C/DV) system (49% reduction in electric energy consumption)

Envelop Research – Layering, glazing, use of basement cool air

‐ Optimized Insulation Layering Order in Walls taking into consideration the climate

‐ Envelop material selection, heavy, light, insulation for mechanical, natural, and mixed ventilation systems

‐ Evaporatively cooled window: Solar Chimney Integrated with Passive Evaporative Cooler Applied on Glazing Surfaces (20% in energy savings for dry hot climate) 

‐ Trombe Wall inducing Natural Ventilation through cooled Basement Air to meet Space Cooling Needs 

Outdoor: Body cooling methods in hot environments

The Use of Personal Cooling Vests with Phase Change Material (PCM) at low Melting Temperature to reduce thermal stress on Workers in Hot Environment.  (Physiology, Modeling and Experimentation on Manikin and Human Subjects

• Optimize performance by minimizing the weight andimproving comfort either by: PCM placement (Back, Upper Front, Lower Front) Using two melting temperatures in one vest, or Applying two‐bout strategy

• Combine PCM with Desiccant to extend use of PCM in humid conditions to ensure dry microclimate

Ambient Conditions Experiment Duration (min)40 ºC & 40 % RH Two-bout strategy 50

35 ºC & 50 % RHDifferent PCM placements on torso

45PCMs of two melting temperatures in one vest

The optimal cases at the 40 °C and 45 °C environments were V21 → V21and V18 → V10, respectively, and showed significant reductions in PCM weight from the reference single-bout cases by a minimum of 47%.

Impact of Integrating Solid Desiccant Dehumidification Processes to Conventional AC System on Urban Microclimate and Energy Use in Beirut City

Hybrid Desiccant system with integrated heat exchanger (HE)

Conventional AC

Hybrid Desiccant system with indirect evaporative cooler (IEC)

Thank you!