Estudio técnico y ambiental de tecnologías para la producción de vapor saturado a partir de energía solar e hidrógeno. Con estudio de caso a industrias del sector alimenticio y textil del Ecuador: vector energético hidrógeno.

Abstract

The production of saturated steam in the processes of the Ecuadorian industry is essential. In the case of the textile industry, steam is used in a large number of processes, such as dyeing, fluting and the press. Traditionally, saturated steam has been generated through the combustion of fossil fuels, such as bunker, diesel, LPG and natural gas. However, due to environmental concerns and the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, more sustainable alternatives for saturated steam production are being investigated. One of these approaches is the production of saturated steam using hydrogen as an energy vector. Hydrogen is considered a ""clean energy source"" since when it is combusted, its only by-product is water. In short, hydrogen can be produced from renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind. Despite all the benefits offered by the use of the hydrogen energy vector, technical and environmental studies are necessary to assess the feasibility of implementing this technology in a specific case study. To carry out this technical and environmental study, the fuel consumption of the company INTELA S.A. has been approximated. From this, the equivalent carbon emissions associated with the production of saturated steam have been estimated. Decision engineering tools have been used to contrast the needs of the company and the opinion of experts through the bibliographical study to choose the best technological solution. It has been concluded that the solution that combusts a mixture of LPG and Hydrogen (H2) surpasses the solution that only combusts the latter. In addition, despite all the advantages that this technology offers and its availability, it is considered that the direct benefits for the company are only measurable in the long term.