Residual biomass-based hydrogen production: Potential and possible uses in Ecuador

Abstract

The residual biomass sources available in Ecuador are evaluated as prime matter for hydrogen (H2) production when considering that it sourced in agriculture, animal husbandry and forestry-related activities. The analysis is performed out of the official cropping information available per provinces. H2 production methods to be assayed consider thermochemical, biochemical and electrochemical paths. The total H2 production potential is 1,600,000 ton H2/year and its use as energy vector would contribute with 38% of the national energy demand in 2017. In addition, its potential application as input in fat hydrogenation and nitrogenated products, in a country-wide scale, would be completely fulfilled. This finding demonstrates that residual biomass-based H2 could become a suitable source of this vector for energy and chemical uses in Ecuador, since it proposes novel approaches for diversifying the secondary energy sources, petrochemical and chemical industry inputs with the purpose of promoting the incorporation of the country to the Hydrogen Economy.