Browsing by Author "Posso Rivera, Fausto René"

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El desarrollo del sistema energético solar-hidrógeno en América Latina: potencialidades, oportunidades y barreras
(Universidad de Cuenca, 2014-12) Posso Rivera, Fausto René; Sánchez Quezada, Johanna Patricia; Universidad de Cuenca; Dirección de Investigación de la Universidad de Cuenca; DIUC
Solar-Hydrogen Energy Systems (SHES) are systems whose primary energy source is solar energy, directly or indirectly, and the secondary is hydrogen. Those systems are currently considered as the best option to complement and replace mid-term the energy systems based on fossil fuels. The main objective of the work presented herein is the identification and analysis of the factors involved in the development of SHES in Latin America. The study is a documentary research based on an extensive review of literature. Latin American countries possess an enormous potential of exploitable renewable energy; among them hydropower and biomass are often seen as the most suitable contributors to the energy mix, however SHES might evolve with time to an economic attractive alternative. Studies indicate that rural electrification and urban transport are niche opportunities that will enhance the development of SHES. The barriers hindering in Latin America the development and application of hydrogen energy are discussed: among them Latin American countries invest little in hydrogen energy research, and the few research is concentrated in a limited number of countries; the availability of poor trained and skilled human talent to further develop, adopt and operate this technology, with the consequence of an overall weak formative offer; a non competitive cost structure with respect to the fossil fuel based energy systems; and the lack of an institutional framework that encourages the development of this system. It is concluded that only the concerted action of research centers, universities and the private sector, guided by the government, will make it possible that this unique chemical element via sustainable applications shall contribute to the human development in Latin America.
Estimation of the potential for bioethanol production from the residues of cacao husks in Ecuador
(2020) Siguencia Avila, Jorge Marcelo; Delgado Noboa, Jorge Washington; Posso Rivera, Fausto René; Sanchez Quezada, Johanna Patricia
In this study, the theoretically obtainable bioethanol production potential is estimated from the use of cacao residues in Ecuador, through the formulation of a mathematical model of the acid hydrolysis in cellulose of cacao husks and its conversion to ethanol by fermentation. Methodologically, the study was based on official documentation on the national and provincial amount of residual biomass of this crop, and on a kinetic model adapted to the case under study. An amount of 8.28 Mml of bioethanol was obtained, whose mixture with extra gasoline, at a ratio of 5:95 v/v, results in the Ecopaís E5C gasoline. Production of 166 Mml of E5C was estimated, corresponding to 10 % of the national production for the year 2017 and 56 % of the production for the year 2014, year in which the residual biomass of cacao was estimated. The coastal region contributes with 71 % of the national bioethanol and E5C production, led by the province of Guayas, in which E5 gasoline represents 25 % of its consumption in 2017. It is concluded that this production route of bioethanol is an attractive diversification option of the current production route based on the cultivation of sugarcane, adding value to residual biomass that is currently discarded. The theoretical results constitute the basis for more detailed studies in those provinces that combine a high potential for cacao residues and increasing consumption of E5 but must be complemented with experimental research to corroborate their validity and provide elements that determine the viability of the bioethanol production route studied.
Hydrogen from hydropower in Ecuador: use and impacts in the transport sector
(2015) Posso Rivera, Fausto René; Espinoza Abad, Juan Leonardo; Sánchez Quezada, Johanna Patricia; Zalamea Suárez, Juan Xavier
Abstract This paper estimates the potential for hydrogen production via electrolysis from hydropower coming from spilled turbinable energy of the hydroelectric plants of Ecuador. As a case study, the use of hydrogen in fuel cell-powered vehicles in public transportation in Cuenca city is analyzed. The technical and economic analysis determine the size of the electrolytic plant as well as the cost of hydrogen production, valued at 1.77 US$/kg in the best-case scenario. When compared to the price at which the State buys diesel in the international market, the results show that the cost of hydrogen is only 0.64 times the cost of diesel. In addition, the favorable impact of hydrogen penetration is calculated from both environmental and economic points of view. This study concludes that hydrogen production from untapped hydropower and its use in Cuenca's urban transport is a niche opportunity for leading the country towards a Hydrogen Economy.
Preliminary estimation of electrolytic hydrogen production potential from renewable energies in Ecuador
(2016) Posso Rivera, Fausto René; Sanchéz Quezada, Johanna Patricia; Espinoza Abad, Juan Leonardo; Siguencia Ávila, Jorge Marcelo
Abstract An initial assessment of the production potential of H 2 by electrolysis is performed in Ecuador with electricity from renewable sources. The renewable energies considered are: solar photovoltaic, wind, geothermal and hydropower. The information about their potential is based on maps of solar and wind resources, geothermal surveys, as well as estimates on mini-hydro and spilled turbinable energy from hydroelectric plants with reservoir. The amount of H 2 is obtained by considering a PEM electrolizer, with an efficiency of 75%, reaching a production of 4.55 × 10 8 kg/year in a likely scenario. Two different uses of H 2 are presented: 1) automotive transportation, replacing gasoline and diesel and, 2) rural energy, replacing firewood for cooking in rural households in the country. As a result, H 2 is able to replace 65% and 44% of the volumes of imported gasoline and diesel, respectively and the overall replacement of gasoline in 9 out of 23 provinces. Also, it is possible the total replacement of firewood in rural households in 20 provinces, and, under certain conditions, the H 2 surplus could be used to completely cover the electricity needs in the same rural households in 20 provinces. It is concluded that, there are certain opportunities in Ecuador to include H 2 in its energy matrix, contributing to improve the supply of secondary energy, raising the life quality in rural areas, mitigation of environmental pollution and strengthening the national economy. All this makes necessary to conduct more detailed technical and economic studies.
Residual biomass-based hydrogen production: Potential and possible uses in Ecuador
(2020) Posso Rivera, Fausto René; Siguencia Avila, Jorge Marcelo; Narváez, Rory
The residual biomass sources available in Ecuador are evaluated as prime matter for hydrogen (H2) production when considering that it sourced in agriculture, animal husbandry and forestry-related activities. The analysis is performed out of the official cropping information available per provinces. H2 production methods to be assayed consider thermochemical, biochemical and electrochemical paths. The total H2 production potential is 1,600,000 ton H2/year and its use as energy vector would contribute with 38% of the national energy demand in 2017. In addition, its potential application as input in fat hydrogenation and nitrogenated products, in a country-wide scale, would be completely fulfilled. This finding demonstrates that residual biomass-based H2 could become a suitable source of this vector for energy and chemical uses in Ecuador, since it proposes novel approaches for diversifying the secondary energy sources, petrochemical and chemical industry inputs with the purpose of promoting the incorporation of the country to the Hydrogen Economy.