Globally, the cement industry has been identified as a factor which causes significant pollution. This study is conducted to assess environmental impacts of cement industry - Rabak Cement Factory on vegetation and soil. Standard methods were followed in collecting, preparation and examination of some plant and soil samples from the study areas. The results showed that, the mean values of soil pH, electric conductivity and moisture contents, were (7.58, 449.38 µs/cm, 4.56%), respectively in the exposed area, and (7.28, 343.63 µs/cm, 4.31%) in the unexposed area. There were significance differences between exposed and unexposed areas with regard to concentrations of oxides of elements (Fe2O3, CaO, MgO, Mn2O, Na2O and K2O) in soil and in different vegetables (Radish, Jews mallow, Fennel, Rocket) in the study area. The factory management should further provide the latest technologies to reduce industrial emissions to protect the environment and population living around the factory. Further studies are needed to investigate the impacts of cement industry on environment.

Cement industry caused environmental impacts at all stages of the process in the area; include emissions of airborne pollution in the form of dust, gases, noise and vibration. This study is conducted to evaluate the noise pollution and heat stress in different parts of Rabak Cement Factory. The study involved the exposed and unexposed groups. The noise levels were measured by the aid of an occupational health specialist who was familiar with the measuring device instructions and the study protocol. On the other hand, structured questionnaires were used to assess the workers' response to noise pollution in all sections of the factory. Environmental temperature was measured as close as feasible to the work area where the workers are exposed. The measurements were taken from two locations in the factory; the chemical laboratory and kiln in order to determine the heat stress. Some instruments were used to calculating heat stress parameters. Highest noise level was found in compressors 105.33 dB, conveyor belts 101.66 dB, raw materials mills 98.33dB and workshops 97.00 dB. The levels exceeded the maximum permitted noise level described by WHO. There is high temperature in work environment over standard level which may lead to heat stress. For these findings, the company should create a formal noise and heat stress management program.

This work presents analysis of historical data of four Sudanese sugar factories namely Assalaya, Sennar, Gunned and New Halfa. The historical data covers more than 40 years . In about 38 years of this period the sugar industry operates with one set of evaporator. In 2005 a standby set of evaporator is installed in each factory. The installed set of evaporator is similar in configuration (Robert type) to existing set however, with a relatively large heat transfer area and made of stainless steel rather than brass. The result of the analysis revealed that before 2004 the total downtime is 26.6% (53 days) of the operation period on average; 10.4 days (19.6%) of which is for evaporator scale removal. The provision of standby evaporator has completely eliminated the evaporator downtime. The improvement in total downtime has made significant saving on bagasse. The bagasse saved in 10 days is 14379 ton ($215691 based on bagasse price $15/ ton). The shortening of crop season made by standby evaporator has saved the sugar cane from over maturation and improved sugar recovery by 0.2% (from 9.3 to 9.5%). The savings due to bagasse and sugar recovery only made the evaporator payback period of 2.8 years. The standby evaporator has also improved the overall steam economy and evaporation coefficient. The steam economy of the standby and existing sets of evaporators is about 3.1 and 2.6 respectively.

There are many techniques to remove fluoride from drinking water. However, adsorption was found to be very effective and easy to apply. Along with this line, many studies were done to find an effective and affordable fluoride adsorbent. Activated Alumina (AA), Aluminum oxide coated sand (AOCS), pumice (AOCP), bauxite (AOCB) and charcoal (AOCC) were recently investigated. Nevertheless, AOCC found to be more promising for two reasons: it is cheap and can be regenerated. This paper aims to further contribute to feasibility of AOCC for fluoride removal in order to reduce the operation cost. Batch and continuous flow filter runs were conducted AOCC regenerated batch-wise, and used for the next filter run. AOCC was consequently regenerated three times. The results showed a considerable increase in AOCC fluoride adsorption capacity after each regeneration cycle. Characterization of virgin charcoal, virgin AOCC and regenerated AOCC after the first, the second and the third regeneration cycle, showed that virgin charcoal has highest specific surface area and micro porosity. For virgin AOCC and regenerated AOCC after the first, the second regeneration cycle a reduction in the specific surface area occurred, coupled with a reduction of micro porosity. AOCC after third regeneration cycle showed an increase in specific surface area likely due to aluminum hydroxide deposits on re-coated AOCC surface. Most of the pores after the third regeneration cycle were found to be meso pores. This means that, specific surface area alone cannot explain the increase in the AOCC adsorption capacity after regeneration. The paper recommends investigating the fluoride removal mechanism onto AOCC in order to produce affordable fluoride removal material from drinking water.

The main objectives of this paperare to characterize the physical and chemical properties of the locally produced fly ash,to study its suitability to be utilized in concretemixes and to determine the degree of its pozzolanicity .Physical and chemical properties of fly ash were tested according to the standards of the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTMC311-02). Fly ash was tested for density, fineness, moisture, Loss on Ignition (LOI), chemical composition, X-ray Fluorescence test (XRF), X-ray Diffraction test (XRD) and strength test. The results were then compared with the ASTM C618-03.It was found that the locally produced fly ash contains high level of silica, hence it can be classified, based on its chemicalcomposition, as class F fly ash; this may be probably due to the addition of sand applied in the combustion chamber. TheXRD showed that it contained crystalline form of silica which is not good for the use in concrete. On the other hand, thestrength test proved that there was a degree of strength and pozzolanicity obtained. The strength activity index of 28-daywas found 70%.This may be due to presence of amorphous silica within the crystalline one.