A validation of the factorial, Taguchi and response surface methodology (RSM) statistical models is developed for the analysis of mechanical tests of hybrid materials, with an epoxy matrix reinforced with natural Chambira fiber and synthetic fibers of glass, carbon and Kevlar. These materials present variability in their properties, so for the validation of the models a research methodology with a quantitative approach based on the statistical process of the design of experiments (DOE) was adopted; for which the sampling is in relation to the design matrix using 90 treatments with three replicates for each of the study variables. The analysis of the models reveals that the greatest pressure is obtained by considering only the source elements that are significant; this is reflected in the increase in the coefficient of determination and in the predictive capacity. The modified factorial model is best suited for the research, since it has an R² higher than 90% in almost all the evaluated mechanical properties of the material; with respect to the combined optimization of the variables, the model showed an overall contribution of 99.73% and global desirability of 0.7537. These results highlight the effectiveness of the modified factorial model in the analysis of hybrid materials.

RETScreen presents a proven focused methodology on pre-feasibility studies. Although this tool has been used to carry out a number of pre-feasibility studies of solar, wind, and hydropower projects; that is not the case for geothermal developments. This method paper proposes a systematic methodology to cover all the necessary inputs of the RETScreen-International Geothermal Project Model. As case study, geothermal power plant developments in the Ecuadorian context were analysed by RETScreen-International Geothermal Project Model. Three different scenarios were considered for analyses. Scenario I and II considered incentives of 132.1 USD/MWh for electricity generation and grants of 3 million USD. Scenario III considered the geothermal project with an electricity export price of 49.3 USD/MWh. Scenario III was further divided into IIIA and IIIB case studies. Scenario IIIA considered a 3 million USD grant while Scenario IIIB considered an income of 8.9 USD/MWh for selling heat in direct applications. Modelling results showed that binary power cycle was the most suitable geothermal technology to produce electricity along with aquaculture and greenhouse heating for direct use applications in all scenarios. Financial analyses showed that the debt payment would be 5.36 million USD/year under in Scenario I and III. The correspindig values for Scenario II was 7.06 million USD/year. Net Present Value was positive for all studied scenarios except for Scenario IIIA. Overall, Scenario II was identified as the most feasible project due to positive NPV with short payback period. Scenario IIIB could become financially attractive by selling heat for direct applications. The total initial investment for a 22 MW geothermal power plant was 114.3 million USD (at 2017 costs). Economic analysis showed an annual savings of 24.3 million USD by avoiding fossil fuel electricity generation. More than 184,000 tCO2 eq. could be avoided annually.

Los estudios de los materiales compuestos juegan un papel importante en aplicaciones de ingeniería, materiales, metalurgia y mecánica. Las fibras reforzadas con polímeros son ampliamente utilizadas en la industria automotriz e industria aeronáutica debido a sus beneficios como bajo costo, control de ruido, bajo peso y facilidad de procesamiento. El objetivo de esta investigación fue preparar un compuesto a base de fibra de vidrio 375 (FV) con adiciones de fibra natural de cabuya (FC) en estratificaciones de fibra natural corta de cabuya (FCO1-30%) y fibra larga del mismo (FL-30%). Los resultados muestran un mejor comportamiento mecánico a tracción en un 7,7% respecto al material comúnmente utilizado. Se observó que la fibra larga al 30% en un orden de capas, FV+FC+FV, es un potencial refuerzo del material hibrido alternativo para aplicaciones automotrices. Además, se evidenció una equilibrada organización de refuerzos, FV+FC, y adherencia micro estructural con la matriz de refuerzo polimérico (RP) mediante microscopía de barrido. Los resultados del esfuerzo a la tracción y la deformación axial de la mejor combinación del material compuesto, FL-30%, son validados a través del método de elementos finitos (MEF).

The study of the application and mechanical behavior of new composite and hybrid materials within the bodywork industry in its different parts (external and internal) has led to perform different characterizations and analysis of results which determined the material with the best mechanical properties in many cases depending on the subjectivity of the researcher. In the present study the optimization of the mechanical properties tensile and flexural hybrid composite made of natural fiber and synthetic fiber was made. To produce the hybrid fabric, abaca (AbF) and cotton (CF) over glass (FG), combined with a polymer matrix polyester resin was used. The configuration of the fibers and the type of drying (ambient and oven), were taken as input factors. The influence of these factors on the overall responses were analyzed using factorial design. A function of desirability was used for the optimization of experimental responses. The results indicated that the optimal factors to take advantage of the experimental responses or mechanical properties, were the configuration of 20% FV + 7.75% FAb (45°) + 2.25% FAI (135°) and the type of oven drying, with a value of global desirability of 0.8208.