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

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy 2020-05, Vol.45 (26), p.13717-13725
• Main Authors: Posso, F., Siguencia, J., Narváez, R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Final use hydrogen; Hydrogen potential estimation; Hydrogen production; Residual biomass
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2019.09.235

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. •The H2 potential based on residual biomass of Ecuador is calculated.•The gasification-based path appears as the most promising alternative for H2 production, in terms of scale and yield.•The H2 potential could cover the demand of this input in three of the analysed economy sectors.•The projected H2 availability makes it attractive for chemical and petrochemical applications in Ecuador.•The fulfilment of the H2 potential estimation of Ecuador is reached in this paper.