First Announcement & Call for Papers

Transcription

1 First Announcement & Call for Papers INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On DESALINATION, ENVIRONMENT AND MARINE OUTFALL SYSTEMS April, 2014 Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman ( Organizers and Sponsors Center for Environmental Studies and Research (CESAR), Sultan Qaboos University, Oman International Association for Hydro Environment Engineering and Research (IAHR) National Center for Excellence in Desalination (NCED), Australia King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Saudi Arabia Environment Society of Oman (ESO) Oman Water Society (OWS) 1

2 Background At present, the combined production capacity of all seawater desalination plants worldwide is 36 million cubic meters per day. It is expected that this capacity will double in the next decade. 61% of the water is produced by thermal processes, mainly in the Gulf region, while 34% is produced by reverse osmosis (RO), which is the first choice in many countries that start to use desalination. Worldwide, RO desalination capacity for both sea and brackish water represents 60% of the total desalination capacity. Besides materials, higher salinity and temperature, all desalination plants use chemicals. Due to their large volume of brine discharges through many types of outfall systems into the sea,from simple surface discharge through an open-channel to modern submerged multiport outfall systems, desalination plants were included in the list of major sources of land-based marine pollution in the Gulf by the United Nations Environment Programme. Other main environmental concerns are the intakes, which may cause impingement and entrainment of marine organisms, and energy use, causing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. The need for resource-saving, low-impact green desalination technologies is evident as the use of desalination accelerates in many parts of the world. The concept of best available techniques would be required at the identification of state of the art technologies, processes, or methods of operation, policies and programmes which indicate the practical suitability for preventing or reducing pollution of the atmosphere, sea and land as well as the quantities of waste and for reducing the impact on the environment as a whole. The design and siting of submarine intakes and outfalls are a complex task that relies on many disciplines including Oceanography, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Marine Biology, Construction, Economics, and Public Relations. Objectives of the Conference To bring together scientists, professionals and regulators to communicate and exchange knowledge on environmental issues and management options associated with the Desalination industry To develop and provide a platform to discuss future research for environmental management in the desalination industry and marine intake and outfall systems and their designs. 2

3 Conference Topics Desalination Brine and Industrial Discharges Resource Recovery and Carbon Emission from Desalination Plants Nanotechnology and Desalination Environmental Costs of Desalination: The Economic Aspects Desalination and Renewable Energy Source Harmful Algal Bloom and Threat to Seawater Desalination Plants Advances in Desalination Technology to Mitigate Environmental Impacts Environmental Impact Assessment for Desalination Plants Intake and Outfall Systems for Cooling Water and Wastewater Treatment Plants Experimental and Computational Techniques Regulatory Issues of Desalination Brine and Industrial Discharges Conference Structure The Conference will include Keynote presentations by Invited Speakers Presentations by contributing participants Field trip Language The official languages of the conference will be English. Field Trip A field trip will be organized on the last day of the conference to visit one of the desalination plants at Barka followed by a cruise and tour of sightseeing. 3

4 Publications Abstracts received will be reviewed before acceptance to be presented at the conference. The conference proceedings based on the full papers will be published in a special issue of a peerreviewed scientific journal. PRACTICAL INFORMATION Venue The venue of the conference will be at Sultan Qaboos University (Al-Fahm Stage). Registration Fee The registration fee is USD 200 (with a 25% discount for IAHR and IWA members) which covers the full conference package with conference proceeding, admission to all the technical sessions, opening and closing ceremonies, daily lunch and refreshments, airport transfer and certificate of attendance. The registration fee does not include accommodation during the conference period. Invitation to Submit a Paper Abstracts (at most two for a participant) should contain the title of the contribution, the name and affiliation of the authors, and the address for correspondence, including phone and . The abstract should not exceed 500 words. Please use font size 12 of New Times Roman, 1.5 line spacing. The subject of the presentation should be focused on the topics of the conference. The Scientific Committee will communicate to the authors the provisional acceptance of their contributions to the conference. All selected authors will be informed in which session they will be presenting their oral paper. Important Dates Deadline for abstract submission 15 th October 2013 Acceptance and invitation to submit full paper 15 th November 2013 Final date for submission of full papers 15 th January 2014 Registration and hotel reservation 15 th February 2014 Conference dates th April

5 Travel Grant Limited number of travel grants will be available to support the specific participants. Selection will be based on availability of funds and it will be solely decided by the organizing committee based on conditions and requirements given below. Eligibility requirements for consideration: 1. Submission of an extended abstract (with results and details) or full paper (preferred). 2. Submitted paper should be novel with high quality, and not submitted to anywhere before. 3. An official letter from the head of institution confirming the inability for self-support participation. 4. This offer is for participants from developing countries. 5. The support requests to be approved firstly by the scientific committee for quality and followed by the sub-committee on checking eligibility conditions. Contacts Questions regarding registration, administrative matters, and technical issues can be addressed to Dr. Mahad Baawain, Director, Center for Environmental Studies and Research (CESAR), Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman. Tel.: + (968) (Office), + (968) (Center), + (968) Fax: + (968) (CAED), + (968) (Center) Local Organizing Committee Dr. Mahad Baawain, (Chairman) Center for Environmental Studies and Research Dr. Mushtaque Ahmed, College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences Dr. Anton Purnama, College of Science Dr. B.S. Choudri, Center for Environmental Studies and Research Dr. Osman Abdalla, Water Research Center and College of Science Dr. Ahmed Al-Busaidi, College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences Mr. Saeed Al-Muharrmy, Deanship of Research Mr. Khalifa Al-Zeidi, Center for Environmental Studies and Research Mr. Khamis Al-Hadrami, Department of Public Relations and Information Ms. Rahma Al-Siyabi, Center for Environmental Studies and Research Ms. Safiya Al-Mahrouqi, Center for Environmental Studies and Research Ms. Maryam Al-Nasseri, Center for Environmental Studies and Research 5

6 International Scientific Committee Dr. Adrian Law, Nanyang Technical University, Singapore Dr. Ahmed Mohamed, Hydraulic Research Institute, Egypt Dr. Anupam Sarkar, National Institute of Oceanography, India Dr. B. Miller, University of New South Wales, Australia Dr. C.D. Memos, National Technical University of Athens, Greece Dr. D. Botelho, BMT WBM Pty Ltd, Brisbane, Australia Dr. D.D. Shao, Beijing Normal University, China Dr. Joydeep Dutta, Sultan Qaboos University, Oman Dr. J.P. Ortiz, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil Dr. K. Murali, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, India Dr. Mohammed Al-Abri, College of Engineering, Sultan Qaboos University, Oman Dr. Mushtaque Ahmed, Sultan Qaboos University, Oman Mr. Neil Palmer, National Centre of Excellence in Desalination, Australia Dr. Nabil Al-Abri, College of Engineering, Sultan Qaboos University, Oman Dr. Philip J Roberts, Georgia Institute of Technology, USA Dr. In S. Kim, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Korea Dr. Ahmad Sana, College of Engineering, Sultan Qaboos University, Oman Dr. Tobias Bleninger, Federal University of Parana, Brazil Dr. Md. Abdullah Al-Mamun, College of Engineering, Sultan Qaboos University, Oman Keynote / Invited Speakers Mr. Neil Palmer National Centre of Excellence in Desalination, Australia Professor Joydeep Dutta Sultan Qaboos University Oman Dr. Mushtaque Ahmed Sultan Qaboos University, Oman Dr. Mattheus (Theo) F. A. Goosen, Alfaisal University, Saudi Arabia Professor Tobias Bleninger Federal University of Parana, Brazil Professor Jan C. Schippers UNESCO-IHE, Delft, The Netherlands Professor Philip Roberts Georgia Institute of Technology, USA Dr. Adrian Law Nanyang Technological University, Singapore Prof. Mohammed Hamoda- Kuwait University, Kuwait Prof. In S. Kim, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Korea 6

7 Sultan Qaboos University ( The University is 16 km to the west of Muscat International Airport and about 35 km from the main downtown area. Set in a valley of the nearby foothills of the Oman Mountains, the university is a tasteful array of buildings designed with arches and courtyards and constructed in white and pink sandstone in a manner that reflects traditional Omani and Islamic architecture. The University was constructed on an axis in the valley with one end aligned toward Mecca. The University Mosque is situated at the western end of the campus on higher ground, and with its large dome and minarets is visible from many points within and around the University. The University landscape includes plants species native to Oman and other Gulf regions that grow and flourish in an arid environment. The landscaping provides shade from the sun, shelter against the wind, and a splendid display of color from flowers and foliage throughout the year. The botanical gardens in the University are the only one of its kind in the Gulf, with a variety of plants and trees. In short, the campus portrays the rich heritage of Oman and Islam while incorporating all the efficiencies of modern life. The result is an educational and living environment which is both functional and attractive. Muscat, Sultanate of Oman Oman possesses a rich diverse topography ranging from the rugged mountains and rocky deepwater fjords in the North, to the spectacular dunes of Sharqiyah (Wahiba) Sands in the East, two large salt flats in the centre and the lush green hills of Dhofar region in the South. The northern coastal strip is the Batinah Coast, a narrow fertile plain separated from the rest of the country by the Hajar Mountains, the highest peak being the Jabal Shams (Sun Mountain) at 3,075 m. The varied geography of the Sultanate has resulted in a wide variety of climatic conditions. The hottest months in Oman are June through August. The summer monsoon just touches the southern coast of Dhofar bringing light rain during these months (the Khareef). The most pleasant months to visit Oman are mid-october through to March, when daytime temperatures fall in to the lower 30s and below. For its size, Oman boasts an unprecedented number of UNESCO classified World Heritage Sites, including Al Blaid, site of the ancient city of Zafar; the Bat tombs, which date back 3,000 years; Bahla Fort; and Ras Al Hadd, home to the rare Green Sea Turtle. Oman's heritage features a prominent sea-faring tradition, as one would expect from a country with 1,700 km of coastline. Muscat is the capital of Oman, a cosmopolitan but relaxed city, free from the hustle and bustle found in many of Arabia's other capital cities. Today, under the leadership of His Majesty Sultan 7

8 Qaboos Bin Said, Muscat has become a modern city, but has never lost its pride in its heritage and culture. A legacy that has been passed on from generation to generation, the art, culture, folklore and artistry has to be seen. There is much more in the heart of Oman to explore: the sense of respect for time, for people, and for nature. The capital area is a prime example of intelligent and aesthetic development, blending ancient and modern times. Muscat has a number of beautiful beaches, public gardens and parks. Muscat rose to importance with the Portuguese occupation of the Persian Gulf, and is noted for the extent of Portuguese ruins about it. Two lofty forts, of which the most easterly is called Jalali and the western Mirani, occupy the summits of hills on either side of the cove overlooking the town, and beyond them on the seaward side are two smaller defensive works called Sirat. A ruinous low sandy isthmus connects the rock and fortress of Jalali with the mainland. Muscat has many places of interest, especially museums and forts showing the history of Muscat. But current development has changed the city into an interesting combination of old and modern with beautiful scenery of mountain and beaches. Some useful websites: Useful Information about Oman Ministry of Information Ministry of Foreign Affairs Oman as a Tourist Destination Andy Carvin's Muscat Photo Gallery Photo Galleries and Videos from Muscat 8