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Omer Khalil Ahmed

Research Interests

Renewable energy

Power engineering

Heat transfer

Gender MALE
Place of Work Polytechnic College Hawija
Department Renewable Energy Research Unit
Position Dean of Institute
Qualification Ph.d
Speciality Renewable energy
Email dr.omer.k.ahmed@ntu.edu.iq
Phone 07708080836
Address Iraq-Kirkuk-hawija, Kirkuk, Mosul, Iraq

Dr. Omer Khalil Ahmed obtained a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering. He was the first in the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Tikrit - Iraq in 1999. He received a master's degree in Energy Engineering and Generation Sciences from the same university in 2001. Dr. Omer Khalil Ahmed obtained his Doctor of Philosophy degree in Mechanical Engineering (Renewable Energy Engineering) in 2006 from Al-Nahrain University, Iraq. He also served as Head of the Department of Mechanical Technologies and the Renewable Energy Research Unit and supervised many doctoral and master's students. He has published numerous technical papers in reputable journals and international conferences in the fields of renewable energy, internal combustion engines, energy efficiency, power systems, and thermal science.

working experience

Academic Qualification

PhD (Renewable energy)
Sep 5, 2002 - May 7, 2006

Al-Nuhrain university, College of enginneing

MSc. Eng. (Power generation)
Oct 5, 1999 - Nov 27, 2001

Tikrit university- College of engineering

Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering (Hon.)
Oct 1, 1995 - Jul 1, 1999

Tikrit University, Iraq

Working Experience

Kirkuk [Assisstance lecturer- Technical college/Kirkuk]
Aug 5, 2002 - May 7, 2006

Publications

Hybrid salinity gradient solar ponds: A short review
Mar 11, 2026

Journal Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews

DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2025.116418

Volume 226

This article reviews hybrid solar pond technologies, which represent an advanced development in harnessing solar energy by integrating traditional ponds with auxiliary systems such as photovoltaic (PV) panels, phase change materials (PCMs), heat exchangers, and advanced thermal insulation. Unlike traditional ponds that rely solely on salinity gradients and suffer from poor thermal conductivity and seasonal efficiency fluctuations, hybrid systems have significantly improved thermal storage, energy conversion efficiency, and reduced losses. Studies indicate that these systems can achieve bottom temperatures of up to 90 ◦C, with energy and exergy efficiencies exceeding 50 %, and generate hybrid capacities of about 5 MW. Self-desalination units based on hybrid ponds have demonstrated exergy efficiencies of around 54 % with an annual output of approximately 2,381 m3 of freshwater, equivalent to 73 % of their operational capacity. These results confirm the ability of these systems to combine electricity production with thermal energy storage, thereby supporting water desalination processes. Recent developments highlight the integration of artificial intelligence technologies with high thermal conductivity materials to achieve adequate control and reduce thermal losses, thereby extending operational life. Comparisons confirm that hybrid solar ponds outperform traditional ones in terms of efficiency and reliability, providing scalable solutions for industrial heating, smart grids, and multi-generation systems. Researchers conclude that these ponds represent a promising and cost-effective solution for addressing global challenges in energy and freshwater, making them an essential pillar in the future renewable energy system. This article reviews hybrid solar pond technologies, which represent an advanced development in harnessing solar energy by integrating traditional ponds with auxiliary systems such as photovoltaic (PV) panels, phase change materials (PCMs), heat exchangers, and advanced thermal insulation. Unlike traditional ponds that rely solely on salinity gradients and suffer from poor thermal conductivity and seasonal efficiency fluctuations, hybrid systems have significantly improved thermal storage, energy conversion efficiency, and reduced losses. Studies indicate that these systems can achieve bottom temperatures of up to 90 ◦C, with energy and exergy efficiencies exceeding 50 %, and generate hybrid capacities of about 5 MW. Self-desalination units based on hybrid ponds have demonstrated exergy efficiencies of around 54 % with an annual output of approximately 2,381 m3 of freshwater, equivalent to 73 % of their operational capacity. These results confirm the ability of these systems to combine electricity production with thermal energy storage, thereby supporting water desalination processes.

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Simulation of a gasoline engine to evaluate the performance and thermal efficiency using different gasoline fuels
Feb 24, 2026

Journal Results in Engineering

DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rineng.2025.108514

Volume 29

In this study, the effects of different gasoline fuels are investigated to evaluate the performance and thermal efficiency of the gasoline engine using GT-Power Simulation. The study was conducted on a spark ignition en­ gine, single cylinder, four-stroke (type-Robin EH17), using local gasoline (WA), local enhanced gasoline (WS) and commercial enhanced gasoline (WM) as fuel with constant compression ratio, constant spark timing, and engine speed range between (1200 to 2800 rpm) and at the whole throttle opening (WOT). The Simulation results have been validated against experimental data. The average error percentage in brake torque, brake power, brake specific fuel consumption, and brake thermal efficiency obtained by (5.93 %, 5.26 %, 5.75 %, 5.56 %), respectively5.62 %. The final results show higher brake torque by about (24 %, 20 %, 15.23 %) with (GS), (WM) and (WS), respectively, at (2800 rpm) compared to (WA) fuel. Also, improved brake power with (WS), (WM) and (GS), with the highest improvement with (GS) fuel by about (26.1 %) at speed (2800 rpm). On the other hand, BSFC increased with fuel (WS) by about (5.36 %) and decreased with (GS), (WM) by about (11.47 %, 6.46 %) respectively compared to (WA) fuel at (2800 rpm). In addition, brake thermal efficiency has improved profitability with (WS), (WM), and (GS), resulting in a significant improvement. The higher brake thermal ef­ ficiency obtained with (GS) fuel by about (13.45 %) compared to (WA) fuel at (2800 rpm). The use of the GTPower model has thus provided good predictive power for engine performance parameters.

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Comparative experimental assessment of water cooling, PCM, and porous media for Photovoltaic-Trombe walls
Feb 17, 2026

Journal Environmental Progress & Sustainable Energy

Issue 1

Volume 2024

This study investigates ways to enhance the performance of the PV/Trombe wall (PVTW) system using three thermal management strategies: phase change materials (PCM), porous media (PM), and water cooling. The results indicate that the use of a water-cooling system combined with fans effectively reduced the photovoltaic (PV) panel temperature by 9.2C to 11.6C compared to the systems employing PCM and PM with fans under similar conditions. This temperature reduction was observed at 1:00 p.m. Furthermore, the average temperature difference inside the experimental chamber equipped with the water-cooling system ranged between 6.7C and 8.2C for the systems utilizing PCM and PM, respectively, also recorded at 1:00 p.m. The results also showed that fan-assisted water cooling significantly improved electrical efficiency (13.44%) and thermal efficiency (66.94%), outperforming phase change materials and porous media. PCM demonstrated moderate buffering capability, while porous media showed the weakest thermal regulation. The study concludes that water cooling, especially under forced convection, is the most effective strategy for maintaining low PV surface temperatures and improving energy output. The findings support integrating hybrid cooling methods in future PVTW designs for optimal performance. This study investigates ways to enhance the performance of the PV/Trombe wall (PVTW) system using three thermal management strategies: phase change materials (PCM), porous media (PM), and water cooling. The results indicate that the use of a water-cooling system combined with fans effectively reduced the photovoltaic (PV) panel temperature by 9.2 °C to 11.6 °C compared to the systems employing PCM and PM with fans under similar conditions. This temperature reduction was observed at 1:00 p.m. Furthermore, the average temperature difference inside the experimental chamber equipped with the water-cooling system ranged between 6.7 °C and 8.2 °C for the systems utilizing PCM and PM, respectively, also recorded at 1:00 p.m. The results also showed that fan-assisted water cooling significantly improved electrical efficiency (13.44%) and thermal efficiency (66.94%), outperforming phase change materials and porous media. PCM demonstrated moderate buffering capability, while porous media showed the weakest thermal regulation. The study concludes that water cooling, especially under forced convection, is the most effective strategy for maintaining low PV surface temperatures and improving energy output. The findings support integrating hybrid cooling methods in future PVTW designs for optimal performance.

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Performance of the solar air vortex engine using a porous medium: an experimental assessment
Feb 4, 2026

Journal Results in Engineering

DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rineng.2025.108110

Volume 25

This study investigates the performance of a solar air vortex engine using a porous medium for thermal energy storage. This is one of the first experimental studies evaluating porous media (Black-coated glass) for thermal storage in solar vortex engines. An experimental setup was used to evaluate the system’s performance with and without the porous medium. The results indicated that the maximum thermal efficiency was 54.16 % at 13:00 pm. without the medium, whereas it decreased to 46.4 % with the medium. However, at 16:00, the efficiency was higher with the medium (48.7 %) than without it (46.4 %). The medium demonstrated its ability to retain heat for a longer period. The maximum mechanical power output was 88.8 mW without the medium and 63.4 mW with it at 13:00 pm.. However, at 16:00 pm., the mechanical power output improved with the porous medium, reaching 56.7 mW compared to 43.6 mW without it. The results demonstrate that the porous medium significantly improves the system’s thermal performance, ensures a more uniform heat distribution in the solar collector, and enhances mechanical power output in later stages of operation. Future research could explore alternative porous materials, different porosity levels, and large-scale industrial applications. This study investigates the performance of a solar air vortex engine using a porous medium for thermal energy storage. This is one of the first experimental studies evaluating porous media (Black-coated glass) for thermal storage in solar vortex engines. An experimental setup was used to evaluate the system's performance with and without the porous medium. The results indicated that the maximum thermal efficiency was 54.16% at 13:00 p.m. without the medium, whereas it decreased to 46.4% with the medium. However, at 16:00, the efficiency was higher with the medium (48.7%) than without it (46.4%). The medium demonstrated its ability to retain heat for a longer period. The maximum mechanical power output was 88.8 mW without the medium and 63.4 mW with it at 13:00 p.m.. However, at 16:00 p.m., the mechanical power output improved with the porous medium, reaching 56.7 mW compared to 43.6 mW without it. The results demonstrate that the porous medium significantly improves the system's thermal performance, ensures a more uniform heat distribution in the solar collector, and enhances mechanical power output in later stages of operation. Future research could explore alternative porous materials, different porosity levels, and large-scale industrial applications.

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Seasonal performance evaluation of a photovoltaic solar chimney: Experimental study under Iraqi climate conditions
Dec 29, 2025

Seasonal performance evaluation of a photovoltaic solar chimney: Experimental study under Iraqi climate conditions
Oct 1, 2025

Journal Results in Engineering

publisher Elsevier

DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rineng.2025.107435

Integrating photovoltaic solar chimneys (PVSCs) presents an innovative approach for generating electricity, though the effects of seasonal performance fluctuations warrant further examination. This experimental investigation focuses on evaluating a PVSC system's annual functioning, tailored explicitly to the Iraqi climate (35.21°N, 43.71°E). A comprehensive, full-scale prototype was diligently observed for four distinct seasons, spanning from summer 2023 to spring 2024, with data meticulously collected on a daily basis between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM during clear-sky conditions. The findings revealed that the overall efficiency peaked in the summer months at an impressive 78.64% when subjected to solar radiation levels of 803 W/m². Conversely, the winter season recorded a standout performance in terms of photovoltaic electrical efficiency, reaching 14.58%, which can be attributed to cooler panel temperatures (50.53°C compared to 86.9°C in the summer). During summer afternoons, the chimney exhibited its highest airflow velocity of 1.84 m/s and kinetic power of 26.42 mW. This system demonstrated its dual capabilities, achieving a maximum electrical output of 392.4 W while simultaneously improving ventilation. Notably, radiation intensity emerged as the primary factor influencing the system's overall performance. These insights offer valuable empirical benchmarks for refining PVSC designs in arid climates, contributing to the understanding of long-term seasonal performance and fostering advancements in hybrid renewable energy applications.

Performance assessment of water vortex power plant: Effect of material type and blade number
Apr 12, 2025

Journal Results in Engineering

publisher Elsevier

DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rineng.2025.104775

Issue June 2025, 104775

Volume Volume 26

This article aims to evaluate the performance of water vortex power plants by studying the effect of turbine material type, number of blades, and height to enhance the efficiency of sustainable energy generation using turbine systems. The research used an experimental model to simulate an operating environment similar to turbine power plants. The experiment included the use of turbines made of carbon alloys and galvanized alloys, with variable numbers of blades (four blades and six blades) and different heights from the bottom of the basin (1.5 cm, 3 cm, 5 cm, and 8 cm). The rotation rates and resulting force were measured on both sides of the turbine, and the system efficiency was calculated using accurate measuring tools to ensure the reliability of the results. The results showed that the type of turbine material, number of blades, and turbine height directly affect the performance. For example, a turbine made of carbon alloy with four blades and a height of 3 cm achieved a rotation speed of 89 rpm, a generated force of 15.67 N, and an efficiency of 68.6 %. In contrast, the six-blade turbine under the same conditions showed a higher rotation speed of 100 rpm, but the efficiency dropped to 64 %. These results highlight that increasing the number of blades can enhance the rotation speed but may decrease efficiency, reflecting the importance of balancing design and function to achieve optimal performance.

Performance Augumation of PV/Solar Chimney Using Gravel Bed: Experimental Appraisal
Mar 4, 2025

Journal Energy storage

publisher Journal of Thermal Engineering

DOI https://doi.org/10.1002/est2.70149

Issue Issue2

Volume Volume7

This study aims to analyze and enhance the performance of a solar/voltage chimney by incorporating porous media, specifically using a gravel layer beneath the solar panels to facilitate cooling and improve efficiency. The gravel acts as a heat transfer medium, dissipating heat from the panels to the surrounding air, thereby reducing their temperature. A comparative analysis was conducted between systems with and without porous media. The results demonstrated that integrating porous media enhances the performance of the hybrid photovoltaic/solar chimney. Specifically, the electrical energy output increased from 395.56 W without porous media to 447.98 W with porous media at noon. The peak electrical efficiency was observed at the beginning of the test, reaching 14.51% without porous media and 15.22% with porous media at 9 a.m. At midday, electrical efficiency was 11.5% without porous media and 12.2% with porous media. However, as solar radiation intensity increased, efficiency gradually declined. On the other hand, the thermal efficiency of the chimney with porous media was lower compared to the system without it, with values of 53.45% and 59.611%, respectively. The total efficiency of the system without porous media was 65%, while with porous media, it reached 59.611%.

Effect of the design variables on the vortex water turbine performance
Mar 1, 2025

Journal Journal of Thermal Engineering

publisher Journal of Thermal Engineering

DOI 10.14744/thermal.0000897

Issue No. 2, pp. 314−330, March, 2025

Volume Vol. 11

The water vortex power plant has become of more interest to researchers due to its important role in renewable energy technologies, allowing it to operate with low heads and flow rates. The novelty of the work compared to previous efforts is that a group of variables studied together that have an important role in increasing the efficiency of the system, such as the increase and decrease in the number of blades, the effect of weight through changing the type of metal, and the height of the turbine from the bottom of the basin. Therefore, this article evaluated the performance of the water vortex plant, in which several variables were studied: the number of turbine blades, turbine weight, and turbine height from the basin floor where the water vortex system was designed and tested by using four turbines: one of them had six blades and another four blade are made from carbon steel alloy and two other turbines, which one of them six blades the other four blades are made of galvanized alloy. Practical tests also concluded that the four-blade turbine, made of carbon steel alloy, achieved an efficiency of up to 69%. The weight of the turbine plays a vital role in determining the system efficiency when a six-blade turbine made of carbon alloy with a higher weight and a height of 3 cm reaches 64% as the maximum efficiency. Also, the experiments found that the highest efficiency reaches the turbine at a height of 3 cm from the bottom of the basin after different heights were chosen for the turbines used from the bottom, which included (1.5 cm, 3 cm, 5 cm, 8 cm).

A Cheap Way to Improve the Performance of Simple Solar Still
Feb 4, 2014

Journal Energy Science and Technology

DOI 10.14744/thermal.0000897

دراسة عملية ونظرية لانتقال الحرارة بالحمل الحر بين اسطوانتين متحديتي المركز مملوءة بوسط مسامي
Jun 2, 2009

Journal مجلة هندسة الرافدين

publisher جامعة الموصل

DOI 10.14744/thermal.0000897

تحسين اداء المقطر الشمسي البسيط باستخدام وسط مسامي
Jan 22, 2009

Journal المؤتمر العلمي الحادي عشر لهيئة التعليم التقني-العراق

publisher المؤتمر العلمي الحادي عشر لهيئة التعليم التقني-العراق

DOI 10.14744/thermal.0000897

EFFECT OF THE SHAPE SURFACE OF ABSORBER PLATE ON PERFORMANCE OF BUILT-IN-STORAGE SOLAR WATER HEATER
Jan 22, 2009

Journal المؤتمر العلمي الأول لمركز بحوث الصحراء – جامعة الانبار

publisher جامعة الانبار

DOI 10.14744/thermal.0000897

قوى السحب وانماط الجريان على انواع غير تقليدية من الكتل الكابحة لاحواض التسكين
Sep 3, 2008

Journal مجلة تكريت للعلوم الهندسية

publisher جامعة تكريت

DOI 10.14744/thermal.0000897

دراسة التعرية على تكسر ريش التوربين البخاري في محطة بيجي الحرارية
Apr 1, 2008

Journal مجلة تكريت للعلوم الهندسية

publisher جامعة تكريت

DOI 10.14744/thermal.0000897

دراسة الأداء الأمثل لمجمع شمسي خازن ملائم للبيئة العراقية
Feb 1, 2008

Journal المؤتمر العلمي الأول –الكلية التقنية-النجف

publisher الكلية التقنية-النجف

DOI 10.14744/thermal.0000897

دراسة عملية ونظرية لانتقال الحرارة بالحمل الحر الطباقي الانتقالي بين اسطوانتين أفقيتين غير متحديتي المركز
Mar 1, 2007

Journal مجلة تكريت للعلوم الهندسية

publisher جامعة تكريت

DOI 10.14744/thermal.0000897

إمكانية استخدام الطاقة الشمسية في تدفئة المنازل في مدينة كركوك باستخدام مجمع شمسي خازن.
Jan 1, 2007

Journal مجلة جامعة كركوك

publisher جامعة كركوك

DOI 10.14744/thermal.0000897

دراسة أداء الاستخدام الفعال للطاقة الشمسية باستخدام مادة الفرشة المسامية لمدينة كركوك
Feb 1, 2006

Journal مجلة جامعة كركوك

publisher جامعة كركوك

DOI 10.14744/thermal.0000897

تأثير الظروف التشغيلية على تكسر ريش التوربين البخاري في محطة بيجي الحرارية
Mar 1, 2003

Journal مجلة تكريت للعلوم الهندسية

publisher جامعة تكريت

DOI 10.14744/thermal.0000897

تأثير الظروف التاكلية على تكسر ريش المراحل الأخيرة لتوربينات محطة كهرباء بيجي الحرارية
Sep 3, 2002

Journal مجلة تكريت للعلوم الهندسية

publisher جامعة تكريت

DOI 10.14744/thermal.0000897