FOR THE DEGREE

MASTER of SCIENCE
in
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

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 GENERAL SUBJECT AREA
Assessment and Life Cycle Analysis of
Bioethanol as Source of Hydrogen
SPECIFIC TOPIC
Bioethanol from Water Hyacinth as source
of Hydrogen by Transient Conversion

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 INTRODUCTION
Utilization of renewable energy sources such as
aquatic biomass, considered as a waterways pest,
offers environmental benefits in the long term while
providing a new source of energy option to an
industry dependent on fossil and food grade fuels.
The main source of ethanol are sugar and corn with
sorghum in the interim which competes with the
food chain resources, thereby affecting food supply
and prices.
Low value crops such as wild grass (talahib) and
aquatic plants such as water hyacinth can be an
alternative source of ethanol feedstock that has poor
food value.

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 Hydrogen as fuel derived from biomass is still in
the introductory phase as far as the Philippine energy
sector is concerned, being in the tail end of the
research paradigm due to financial constraints and
political priorities.
Hydrogen is highly flammable and must be stored
under great pressure and fuel cells as medium to
convert for practical use are but one of the
constraints since a requisite of fuel cell technology is
to have an industry that can locally develop the
architecture needed for the structure undertaking to
succeed in harnessing this type of green energy
source.

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 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is a fast
growing perennial plant widely distributed especially
in the tropical regions and can cause infestations over
large areas of water resources that lead to a series of
problems that has been counteracted by using the
water hyacinth͛s potentials in a variety of applications
such as in paper production and crafts and lately in
the extraction of ethanol. On the other hand, the
main problem of hydrogen, that can be made from
biomass gasification or natural gas, is storage due to
its flammability. Ethanol from water hyacinth can be
an alternative hydrogen storage medium due to its
molecularly bonded hydrogen and steam reforming to
release the hydrogen for use by the fuel cell.

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 GENERAL OBJECTIVE
This research study aims to assess the
capability of ethanol from water hyacinth to be
the storage medium of hydrogen aside from
producing hydrogen without the use of
gasification methods.

SCOPE and LIMITATIONS

The study will use secondary data and
extraction methods of ethanol from water
hyacinth and design and simulation on the
reaction between hydrogen and ethanol and for
the combination͛s fuel cell architecture.

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SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES

ACTIVITY M1 M2 M3 M4 M5
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 RESOURCE REQUIREMENTS
1. Books and journals
2. Simulation software program
3. Chemical laboratory and raw materials for
extraction
4. Internet sources

EXPECTED OUTPUT
1. Ethanol from water hyacinth
2. Design of fuel cell and simulation of ethanol
and hydrogen production
3. Documentation of output

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 GENERAL SUBJECT AREA
Evaluation and Resource Assessment of Off-shore
Wind Energy Combined with Ocean Thermal
Conversion System

SPECIFIC TOPIC
Design of off-shore wind energy system for the
Philippine setting and combining with an ocean
thermal conversion mechanism to maximize output

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 INTRODUCTION
The power system integration of off shore wind
power is challenged by its variability and limited
predictability and combining an ocean thermal
conversion system to offset these characteristics is
the subject of this research study that aims to
maximize the potential of this area of renewable
energy source. At present, the Philippines has an
onshore wind energy facility and as such could
create the necessary onshore and offshore
infrastructure should be considered for the purpose
of increasing renewable energy sources, reducing
carbon emissions and improving the
interconnection capability of the power grid.

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 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
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 GENERAL OBJECTIVE
To evaluate data gathered on the feasibility of
combining an off shore wind power generating facility
and an ocean thermal energy conversion system.

SCOPE and LIMITATIONS

The study will use data gathered about off shore
wind and ocean thermal energy systems that will
include the latest technology and the applicability to
the Philippine setting. The proposed design and
simulation of an offshore wind power system will be
based on the selected site or local area.

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 SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES
ACTIVITY M1 M2 M3 M4 M5
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 RESOURCE REQUIREMENTS
1. Books and journals
2. Simulation software program
3. Data from PAGASA about the Philippine wind
regime and coastal currents
4. Internet sources

EXPECTED OUTPUT
1. Design of an appropriate offshore wind energy
structure and OTEC system based on Philippine
conditions
2. Simulation of design according to local conditions
3. Documentation of output

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