With a promising industrial project, chemical engineering students at the Emirates International University present a comprehensive vision for establishing a polyethylene plant using natural gas in Yemen.

University Media

In a distinguished academic event that embodies the quality of academic output and the connection between theoretical knowledge and practical application, the College of Engineering and Information Technology at the Emirates International University witnessed the discussion of a unique graduation project by students of the Chemical Engineering Department, entitled: "Study and Design of a Polyethylene Production Plant Using Natural Gas." This project is part of the requirements for obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering for the academic year 2025-2026.

The project, presented by students Al-Azz Al-Thalaya, Ahmed Qamsha, Yahya Ma'sar, Emad Al-Naqeeb, and Abdul Rahman Al-Barghash, was supervised by Professor Dr. Hani Ahmed Damaj, within a stimulating academic environment that supports innovation and keeps pace with the needs of industrial development.

 The discussion committee comprised a distinguished group of academics and experts, chaired by Dr. Khalil Al-Hattab, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at Sana'a University. Also participating was Professor Mustafa Al-Arabi, a chemical engineering and quality control expert and Director of Quality Management at Arwa Mineral Water Company. The event was attended by a number of prominent academic and professional figures, including Professor Ibrahim Fara'a, Dean of the Faculty; Professor Sharaf Al-Hamdi, Dean of the University's Development and Quality Assurance Center; Professor Abdul Salam Al-Thulaya, former Assistant President of Hajjah University for Scientific Centers; Professor Adel Hussein, Quality Control Officer at Arwa Mineral Water Company; Professor Mustafa Mahmoud Al-Mujahid, a chemical engineering and quality control expert and Head of the Laboratory at Arwa Mineral Water Company; as well as several faculty members, engineers, relatives of the examiners, alumni of the department, and engineering students.

The project represents a significant advancement in integrating academic study with industrial application. The team presented a comprehensive engineering and economic plan for establishing a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) production plant using natural gas as a raw material. The plan strategically selected a location in the Balhaf area of Shabwa Governorate, leveraging the available natural resources. 

The project was distinguished by its meticulous study, which included an analysis of global markets, the selection of cutting-edge production technologies (the Unipol gas-phase process), and the design of production stages from ethane separation to polymerization using advanced catalysts. It also involved comprehensive material and energy budgets and the highly efficient design of key industrial units, achieving a production capacity of over 65,000 tons per year.

The project was not limited to the technical aspects alone, but also addressed environmental considerations and industrial safety systems, reflecting the students' high level of professional awareness and their ability to provide sustainable solutions that meet the demands of modern industry.

The discussion committee commended the project's advanced scientific level, emphasizing that it reflects the quality of education at Emirates International University and its ability to graduate qualified engineers capable of effectively contributing to building the national economy and achieving industrial development.

This achievement reflects the university's vision of preparing a generation of engineers capable of transforming knowledge into tangible projects and building a promising future based on innovation and investment in young minds.

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