Diseño de un sistema de gestión integral para el hexafluoruro de azufre en la Empresa Eléctrica Regional Centro Sur C.A.

Abstract

The permanent growth and technological development of the Ecuadorian Electricity Sector has generated a consequent environmental impact on the atmosphere through the emissions of fluorinated greenhouse gases (GEIF). Considering the absence of national environmental regulations that control the use of fluorinated gases, this technical project consisted of designing an Integrated Management System for Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6) gas at the Regional Electricity Company Centro Sur C. A. (CENTROSUR), an entity that carries out distribution and Commercialization of electric energy. The design of this system identified 2 subprocesses involved in the direct use of SF6, an inventory of the SF6 was created using the methodology of mass balance proposed by the EURELECTRIC Association, knowing the existence of 34 electric equipments retired and not managed, what allows us to assume that these store a total of 219.3 kg of SF6, representing a potential risk of atmospheric emissions equivalent to a greenhouse effect of 5000.04 tons of CO2 if these are not briefly recovered. In addition, an environmental assessment identified 55 possible environmental impacts, the most significant negative impacts are health conditions and contribution to the greenhouse effect by emissions of SF6, finally created a Manual of Comprehensive Management and an Environmental Management Plan. The identified environmental and business benefits are: contribution to the reduction of GEIF from the electricity sector, improvement of processes / job performance, and improvement of corporate image by being a pioneer in SF6 management at the national level.