Alejandro Martinez-Amariz

Solid-state hydrogen storage via metal hydrides represents a safe, efficient alternative for sustainable energy systems, yet optimizing initial activation kinetics remains a critical bottleneck. In this study, a custom high-pressure Sieverts-type volumetric apparatus was designed, constructed, and validated for real-time hydrogen absorption and desorption profiling up to 400 °C and 65 bar. To evaluate system sensitivity and microstructural processing effects, pure titanium powders mechanically activated via high-energy ball milling for 4 h and 8 h were utilized as benchmarks. Additionally, a preliminary hydriding trial on a BCC Ti–V–Cr powder mixture bracketed the working temperature range for this multi-component system, demonstrating the platform’s broader applicability. Structural and morphological evolutions were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Experimental results demonstrated that mechanical processing drastically enhances hydrogen uptake; while non-activated titanium showed negligible reactivity, the 4 h and 8 h milled samples achieved absorption capacities of 1.69 wt% and 3.00 wt%, respectively, despite differences in initial pressure and heating profiles. XRD analysis confirmed near-complete transformation into δ-TiH₂ for the 8 h sample, whereas the 4 h sample retained unreacted α-Ti. SEM micrographs revealed significant particle decrepitation and surface area creation induced by hydriding cycles. This work validates the custom apparatus as an accurate tool for monitoring fine kinetic traces and provides insights into optimizing early-stage activation barriers in transition metal matrices.

This study assesses the technical, operational, environmental, and economic feasibility of integrating alkaline water electrolysis (AEL) using on-site measured surplus electricity from two 20 MW natural-gas turbogenerators installed at a Central Processing Facility (CPF) in a Colombian oilfield. Unlike approaches based on modeled profiles, the analysis relies on more than 31,000 experimental records of gas consumption and active power, enabling an accurate characterization of the structural availability of energy surpluses under real operating conditions. A specialized industrial water treatment and purification company was consulted and provided with the physicochemical characterization results obtained from process water samples analyzed by an accredited laboratory. Based on these parameters, the technical supplier confirmed the feasibility of designing a multistage treatment train, including equalization, filtration, clarification, activated carbon, ultrafiltration, and reverse osmosis, capable of achieving final conductivities at or below 5 µS/cm. This water quality level is compatible with typical industrial alkaline electrolysis requirements and in line with technical specifications commonly aligned with ASTM and ISO standards for pressurized AEL systems. A strategic comparison between PEM and AEL technologies, supported by IFE/EFE matrices and sensitivity analyses, identified alkaline electrolysis as the optimal alternative under a stable electrical profile and capital expenditure constraints. Energy sizing for scenarios between 1.5 and 10 MW, assuming continuous 24 h operation and an average specific consumption of 50 kWh/kg H₂, yields productions between 0.5 and 3.5 t H₂/day, with electrical efficiencies above 70%. A 20-year financial analysis indicates a techno-economic threshold near 3 MW (NPV > 0; IRR > WACC), with optimal performance in the 6.5–10 MW range and payback periods between 2 and 4 years under internal valorization of the surplus electricity. From an environmental perspective, the produced hydrogen is classified as low-carbon rather than “green” due to its thermal origin; however, the integration improves the turbines’ operating regime and valorizes surplus electrical exergy that was previously unused, providing a replicable strategy for industrial assets with self-generation and treatable water availability.

Austenitic stainless steels are widely used in high‐temperature refining operations because of their corrosion resistance and mechanical stability, which arise from thermodynamically stable surface oxides. This work analyzes the thermal properties of surface layers formed on AISI 316L under simulated N ₂ H ₂ SO ₂ atmospheres at 300–400 °C. Steel coupons are exposed for 12–36 h; morphology and composition are characterized by scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive x‐ray spectroscopy, and thermal conductivity ( K ) and interfacial thermal conductance ( G ) are quantified by noncontact micro‐Raman thermometry. Spinel chromite (FeCr ₂ O ₄ ), Cr ₂ O ₃ , Fe ₃ O ₄ , Fe ₂ O ₃ , and iron sulfides are identified, with stratification depending on atmosphere and exposure time. A relationship is established between O ₂ content and both K and G of the formed layers using noncontact micro‐Raman thermometry. Compared with oxidation‐only conditions, oxide/sulfidation layers exhibit systematically lower K and G , indicating improved thermal insulation and potential benefits for controlling parasitic heat transfer in refinery units handling sulfurous heavy crudes. The results link crystallinity and defect density (e.g., oxygen vacancies) with heat transport, supporting micro‐Raman thermometry as a sensitive probe of thin‐layer thermal behavior in complex multiphase scales.

This study investigates the microstructure and first hydrogenation properties of Fe₅₂Ti₄₀Zr₃V₅ and Fe₃₇Ti₄₄Zr₉V₁₀ alloys, which are individual phases present in the as-cast TiFe + 12 wt.% ZrV₂ alloy (parent alloy). The parent alloy exhibited fast first hydrogenation kinetics due to the interplay of these two phases. Our objective is to study the hydrogen storage behavior of these individual phases. The samples were synthesized by arc melting and characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive spectroscopy. The results show that when these alloys are melted separately, they do not exhibit the same phase composition as in the parent alloy, indicating a metastable state under our synthesis conditions, which significantly impacts their hydrogen storage behavior. Hydrogenation capacity was measured using a homemade Sieverts apparatus. Both alloys demonstrated excellent first hydrogenation kinetics, with an absorption capacity of 0.9 wt.% for the Fe₅₂Ti₄₀Zr₃V₅ alloy and 2.3 wt.% for Fe₃₇Ti₄₄Zr₉V₁₀ alloy. Our key finding is that the final crystal structure of multi-element alloys is highly dependent on the synthesis method.

El presente proyecto de investigación es innovador ya que busca que las empresas de Colombia conozcan e implementen la Norma ISO 50001 considerando que proporciona un enfoque sistemático, que permite que se estructuren de una forma más eficiente él uso y consumo de la energía, la norma busca que las organizaciones consuman lo necesario sin afectar la productividad ni la calidad de vida de los empleados, es conocido que a nivel mundial el aumento en la demanda de energía eléctrica ha llevado a la necesidad de adoptar medidas de ahorro y eficiencia energética, para Colombia no es incierto ya que el País busca la optimización de los procesos ayudados de un modelo más económicamente sostenible gracias a la transición energética. El documento "Transición energética: un legado para el presente y el futuro de ColIombia" se enfoca en establecer mejoras para las organizaciones en cuanto a la eficiencia energética en los diferentes sectores de la economía, incluyendo el transporte, la industria, los edificios y el sector público. El propósito de este proyecto es dar a conocer la norma ISO 50001 aprobada en el 2011, como una alternativa innovadora que ayude a optimizar los procesos de producción y mejorar los indicadores de consumo energético en las empresas. Para el desarrollo del proyecto se implementa un tipo de investigación cuantitativa con un enfoque descriptivo y tecnológico, considerando las etapas de planeación y diseño bajo tres fases, para la primera fase se conocen las herramientas aplicadas en la norma buscando todo lo que compete con la identificación y los requisitos que se deben tener en cuenta para la implementación en las organizaciones, en la segunda fase se investiga la normativa y los beneficios que tienen las empresas al implementar un SGE a nivel Nacional, para la tercera fase se toman casos estudios de empresas que han implementado sistemas de gestión y se realiza un análisis de cuales fueron los beneficios y como se desarrolló el trabajo, la innovación del tema busca que todo el personal de las empresas conozca la gestión energética y ayuden aportando en el desarrollo de la organización y mejorar los indicadores de consumo energético. El análisis muestra que la implementación de la gestión energética aumenta la productividad y la competitividad, logrando ahorros de energía al rededor del 10% para el primer año y hasta el 20% para el segundo año y ayuda a la mejora continua del mismo, usando como estrategia la aplicación del ciclo PHVA (planear, hacer, verificar y actuar). Al identificar las áreas donde se consume más energía, se clasifican los usos significativos de energía, y las variables de control que son pasos clave que ayudan a disminuir los valores de consumo y obtener grandes resultados, en el área de mantenimiento los equipos que se les lleva control mejoran su rendimiento en un 15%, con la implementación se pudo observar que además se tienen beneficios económicos con la mejora de la producción, la reducción en los costos de mantenimiento y fortalece la imagen corporativa en las organizaciones.

El estudio pone a prueba el análisis técnico (AT) para el mercado colombiano mediante la aplicación de 6 reglas a 11 acciones del COLCAP y consta de tres momentos. Inicialmente, se utilizan las reglas de manera individual bajo la propuesta teórica que establece cada indicador para su cálculo; seguidamente, por medio de dos estrategias se propone combinar el uso de las reglas, las cuales han sido evaluadas en el periodo de estudio y posterior a este. Los resultados no logran alcanzar el desempeño mostrado por la estrategia pasiva, lo cual respalda la hipótesis de eficiencia débil en el mercado accionario colombiano.