Procedure for Technological Diagnosis of Oily Residuals Management in Cubans Distributed Generation Power Plants

In Cuba, more than 50 % of the electricity generation capacity is based on small-scale distributed power plants, which guarantee the energy supply-demand from fossil fuels. Several negative environmental impacts are associated with this, including contamination by oily residuals. The purpose was to diagnose oily residuals management in Cubans distributed generation power plants from a technological approach. Ten generating power plants from Cienfuegos territory were selected as a case study. A methodological procedure, supported in the general method of problem-solving was designed. The environmental audit was used as a fundamental tool for the verification of technical requirements regarding the containment, collection, evacuation, treatment, and final disposal of oily waste. For deployment of causes identified as evidence of auditory, failures modes and effects analysis (FMEA) were used. Hydrocarbon concentrations at sampling points in the external environment frequently exceeded the threshold. Hydrocarbon spills, clogging and waste load increased in the treatment system, were the most frequent failure modes and could manifest themselves from the occurrence of more than 150 causes. From this group, a set of common causes inherent to each power plant was identified. A package of corrective actions was designed, which constituted conceptual ideas for improving environmental performance. The procedure was generalized to other power plants in the country, contributing to sustainability in the generation of electricity in Cuba.