Hydrogen production life-cycle analysis

Since FAS can be produced either from vegetable oil based or petrochemical-based fatty alcohol (Fig. 4.9), both types have been evaluated in a life-cycle analysis with a positive overall result for the natural based product. With vegetable-based fatty alcohol sulfate, the analysis starts with the harvesting of the oil fruits (palm kernels or coconuts) and their processing to isolate the desired plant oil. Subsequent transesterification and hydrogenation of the methyl ester intermediates lead to the fatty alcohols, which are finally sulfated to produce the desired product. Based on this analysis the environmental impact of vegetable oil based fatty alcohol sulfate compared with the petrochemical based product is as follows ... 

Neelis, M., Kooi, H. van der, Geerlings, J. (2004). Exergetic life cycle analysis of hydrogen production and storage systems for automotive applications. Int.. Hydrogen Energy 29,537-545. 

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