The examination of the flow instability is crucial in nuclear reactors to prevent the occurrence of flow excursion during a postulated accident. Instabilities can reduce the safety margins against these critical heat flux phenomena, where the fuel cladding surface temperature increases dramatically. In this paper, flow instability is investigated at the reactor of Tajoura Nuclear Research Centre with low enriched uranium (LEU) core, the recent reactor’s fuel assembly type is IRT-4M. The flow instability is assessed at the hottest cell of the reactor by implementing PLTEMP/ANL code.

The safety margin to flow instability is evaluated at the maximum power of the reactor (9.7 MW) by running the code at various core flow rates to find the point where FIR equals 1. The inlet coolant temperature is 45°C, the core pressure drop is 0.066 MPa, and the inlet pressure is 0.179 MPa. At the beginning, the calculations have been obtained at the flow rate of 8.1 kg/s. The results show that the maximum cladding surface temperature is 96.971°C which is less than the permissible value (102°C), the minimum FIR, ONBR, and DNBR equals to 2.034, 1.559, and 4.147, respectively. By reducing the core flow rate at the maximum power level, it is determined that FIR equals to 1.0 at the flow rate of 3.976 kg/s. Which means that the safety margin value to flow instability is 2.038. It is concluded from the safety margin value to flow instability that it is in agreement with the thermal-hydraulic safety requirements of TNRC’s reactor. 

Gas flaring is a major source of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in oil-producing countries and remains an acute environmental challenge in Libya. The country’s instability has repeatedly disrupted oil and gas operations, leading to highly volatile flaring behavior and complicating long-term mitigation efforts. This study applies time-series forecasting to model and project per-capita CO2 emissions from gas flaring in Libya using two forecasting frameworks: Exponential Smoothing with additive trend (ETS) and an Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) model, based on annual data from 1967 to 2024. Comparative model evaluation shows that ARIMA outperforms ETS, achieving a root mean squared error of 0.373 and a mean absolute error of 0.327, compared to 0.406 and 0.367 for ETS. Baseline ARIMA forecasts project emissions of 1.27tCO2 capita −1 by 2030, remaining well above the near-zero flaring threshold of approximately approximately 0.05tCO2 capita −1. Scenario analysis shows that attaining this target would require an average annual reduction of approximately 44% starting from 2024, far exceeding historical reduction rates observed during 1967-2024. These results indicate that, under current trends, Libya is unlikely to achieve zero routine flaring by 2030 without substantial structural, infrastructural, and regulatory intervention.

The reliable operation of power plants is essential for the continuity of modern societies. The South Tripoli Power Plant in Libya plays a crucial role within the national power grid. However, it faces significant challenges, including frequent operational failures, aging infrastructure, and ineffective maintenance practices, all of which compromise its reliability and escalate operational costs. This research is motivated by the urgent need to improve maintenance strategies in accordance with documented failure patterns, thereby establishing a comprehensive framework for effective maintenance planning. To address these challenges, a maintenance optimization framework has been developed that integrates Failure Modes, Effects, and Criticality Analysis (FMECA) with Fuzzy Logic techniques to enhance decision making processes regarding maintenance. Furthermore, a fuzzy FMECA framework has been designed to categorize maintenance strategies, thereby facilitating data driven maintenance planning. The contributions of this research are aimed at improving plant reliability, reducing the incidence of unplanned outages, and ensuring the sustainable performance of energy infrastructure.

This study presents a taxonomic note on Fagonia isotricha Murb.

(Zygophyllaceae), a species recorded in Libya and currently treated as a taxonomic

synonym of Zygophyllum mayanum. Global taxonomic databases, such as those

curated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and World Flora Online, recognize this

taxon as part of the Libyan flora under its currently accepted nomenclature.

This study provides field-based and morphological documentation of populations

observed in the Ariggiba region (southern Libya), and discusses their taxonomic

placement within the Fagonia–Zygophyllum complex. Herbarium specimens were

collected, examined, and deposited, supporting the occurrence of this taxon in the

Libyan flora

Boerhavia erecta has been recorded for the first time in the flora of Libya. This widespread wild

weed was collected in 2023 and 2024 from multiple locations, all included in the regions Sabha and Ariggiba,

and situated approximately 110 km southwest of Sabha city. This species, known for it adaptability to

disturbed habitats and arid conditions, holds ecological significance in its native and introduced ranges. To

facilitate its accurate identification and support future research efforts, a comprehensive description of the

species is provided, along with data about the habitat and a distribution map. These findings offer valuable

insights into the plant’s occurrence, ecological preferences, and adaptability within Libya's unique climatic

conditions. Additionally, the study discusses the potential threats posed by Boerhavia erecta to native plant

flora and vegetation. Emphasis is placed on the importance of monitoring the spread of B. erecta and

conducting further studies to assess its ecological impact in Libya. This record not only highlights the plant's

expansion but also underscores the need for continued floristic surveys to document and preserve the

country's rich biodiversity.