Chemical engineering, sustainability, process and product design, optimization, green chemistry, energy transition
7
Scopus Publications
248
Scholar Citations
3
Scholar h-index
3
Scholar i10-index
Scopus Publications
Process Flowsheeting in Chemical Engineering Elena C. Blanco, Maria Isabel Hernández Sánchez, Mariano Martín Martín Introduction to Software for Chemical Engineers, 2025 Drawing a flowsheet is one of the more common tasks of a chemical engineer. While process simulators allow one to draw a diagram, the aim is not to provide a proper flowsheet. Two open source packages, DIA and draw.io, are presented. The aim is to show how to draw process flowsheets and special units and include them in the flowsheet.
Comparative assessment of methanol and ammonia: Green fuels vs. hydrogen carriers in fuel cell power generation Antonio Sánchez, Elena C. Blanco, Mariano Martín Applied Energy, 2024 Methanol and ammonia emerge as two of the most important energy carriers in a new decarbonized society. In this work, a systematic assessment of the power generation based on these chemicals is performed using two different alternatives: direct utilization as green fuels in fuel cells or as carriers for hydrogen. Despite the need for a previous stage for hydrogen production, the use of these chemicals as hydrogen carriers demonstrates higher efficiencies (around 40%), mainly due to the higher degree of maturity of the hydrogen fuel cells. This is reflected in the cost of electricity for the different alternatives with around 700 €/MWh for hydrogen carrier options and about 1200 €/MWh for the direct utilization as green fuels. Compared to hydrogen, the use of methanol or ammonia has a higher electricity production cost. However, future improvements in the efficiency of fuel cell units could convert these fuels is competitive options. In addition, for different scenarios combining transportation and power generation, methanol and ammonia emerge as technically and economically feasible alternatives, especially for distances over 3000 km. Consequently, both hold a pivotal role in addressing the challenges associated with hydrogen within a future energy systems characterized by high renewable penetration.
Achieving energy self-sufficiency in wastewater treatment plants by integrating municipal solid waste treatment: A process design study in Spain Elena C. Blanco, Mariano Martín, Pastora Vega Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 2023 Water-energy nexus is a highlighted topic nowadays, particularly, the energy consumption in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) is becoming an important issue. WWTPs typically consume more energy than the one that can be obtained from the biogas produced from sludge anaerobic digestion. In this work, a process-level analysis is presented to study the feasibility of integrating wastewater and municipal solid waste (MSW) treatment to achieve the energetically self-sustainable operation of a WWTP. The influence of the climate of different regions across the Iberian Peninsula on the energy requirements has also been evaluated. Mesophilic and thermophilic digestion is compared in Salamanca as a case base, and the optimal digestion temperature is also evaluated, finding a value of 30∘C. Moreover, in all cities considered, it is necessary for MSW to provide between 37–40% of the facility energy consumption corresponding to around 0.19 kg of MSW per kg of sludge, with a small difference between cities. From an economic point of view, an investment between 0.09–0.16 €/kg of sewage sludge is required for the integrated process. Therefore, this techno-economic assessment demonstrates the feasibility of integrating these two treatments for a fully self-sufficient and sustainable process.
Methanol and ammonia as emerging green fuels: Evaluation of a new power generation paradigm Elena C. Blanco, Antonio Sánchez, Mariano Martín, Pastora Vega Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2023 In the current context of the energy transition, the use of liquid fuels is attracting attention to be used as energy storage, due to the inherent fluctuations of the main renewable energy sources. In addition, these liquid fuels have also been proposed as energy carriers, to introduce renewables in hard-to-electrify applications. Methanol and ammonia emerge as the two most promising green liquid fuels for energy purposes. In this work, a systematic assessment of the transformation of methanol/ammonia into power is performed. Two different routes have been studied: thermochemical (through fuel combustion) and electrochemical (using fuel cells). From a technical analysis, the methanol process reaches the highest efficiency, around 38%. In general, thermochemical processes show better performance in terms of energy efficiency. From an economic perspective, the current costs of the thermochemical route are around 0.3 €/kWh and 0.6-1 €/kWh for the electrochemical. Electricity cost is expected to be reduced as process efficiency increases down to values of around 0.1 €/kWh. A progressive introduction of these green liquid fuels will be necessary to achieve a 100% renewable energy system in all areas, guaranteeing the long-term sustainability of the planet.
Achieving energy self-sufficiency in wastewater treatment plants by integrating municipal solid waste treatment: A process design study in Spain EC Blanco, M Martín, P Vega Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 110673 , 2023 2023 Citations: 21
Methanol and ammonia as emerging green fuels: Evaluation of a new power generation paradigm EC Blanco, A Sánchez, M Martín, P Vega Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 175, 113195 , 2023 2023 Citations: 115
Waste integration for sustainable operation of WWTP’s EC Blanco, M Martín, P Vega Computer Aided Chemical Engineering 52, 1969-1974 , 2023 2023
A Systematic Comparison of Renewable Liquid Fuels for Power Generation: Towards a 100% Renewable Energy System A Sánchez, EC Blanco, M Marím, P Vega Computer Aided Chemical Engineering 49, 1939-1944 , 2022 2022 Citations: 2
Evaluating ammonia as green fuel for power generation: A thermo-chemical perspective A Sánchez, E Castellano, M Martín, P Vega Applied Energy 293, 116956 , 2021 2021 Citations: 110
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Methanol and ammonia as emerging green fuels: Evaluation of a new power generation paradigm EC Blanco, A Sánchez, M Martín, P Vega Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 175, 113195 , 2023 2023 Citations: 115
Evaluating ammonia as green fuel for power generation: A thermo-chemical perspective A Sánchez, E Castellano, M Martín, P Vega Applied Energy 293, 116956 , 2021 2021 Citations: 110
Achieving energy self-sufficiency in wastewater treatment plants by integrating municipal solid waste treatment: A process design study in Spain EC Blanco, M Martín, P Vega Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 110673 , 2023 2023 Citations: 21
A Systematic Comparison of Renewable Liquid Fuels for Power Generation: Towards a 100% Renewable Energy System A Sánchez, EC Blanco, M Marím, P Vega Computer Aided Chemical Engineering 49, 1939-1944 , 2022 2022 Citations: 2
Waste integration for sustainable operation of WWTP’s EC Blanco, M Martín, P Vega Computer Aided Chemical Engineering 52, 1969-1974 , 2023 2023
