Utilisation
From Biogas to Biomethane
Biogas can be utilised in cogeneration plants suitable for electricity and heat in cogeneration plants to generate electricity and heat is utilised in. This type of utilisation is however very limited to a specific area and does not allow the full benefits of all the advantages of this primary energy source to be utilised. Through a treatment process of the biogas to biomethane is obtained it is possible to harnessed many other new positive properties and potential uses that can be discovered.
What is Biomethane?
Commercially available natural gas must contain a certain percentage of methane, have a specific calorific value, and be virtually free of other gases and moisture. The processing of biogas produces biomethane, which can be fed into the natural gas grid as a complete substitute for natural gas and used in the same way as that energy source.
From Biogas to Biomethane
The biogas produced, also known as raw gas, first undergoes pretreatment to remove impurities from the incoming biogas before it enters the compressor and the separation membranes. This process includes gas drying, an activated carbon filter, and pre-compression.
In the subsequent processing the CO2 contained in the raw biogas is and other gases are separated using a membrane process. The processed gas contains up to 99 % methane and is now referred to as biomethane or also bio-natural gas known as. The other separated gases such as CO₂ and H2 can be channelled to other applications be used.
Chemically identical
to natural gas
In general, according to the biogas processing: the biomethane can be used anywhere where, where natural gas is also used. Both variants are chemically identical and differ only in their application – only in terms of their either fossil or biogenic origin. Prior to the injection into the natural gas network may be a calorific value adjustment (e.g. by adding a quantity of propane) as well as an odourisation of the biomethane may be < a48> safety reasons may be necessary , as biomethane has no odour.
The Process:
1. BIOGAS PRODUCTION
As a biogas plant manufacturer with more than 20 years’ experience and over 1,000 completed plants worldwide we offer a wide range of plant configurations, a wide range of system configurations based on standardised and high-quality components that are tailored to our customers’ needs. A seamless supply of spare parts, an extensive service network and technical updates ensure a trouble-free operation throughout the entire service life of the plant.
2. PRE-TREATMENT
The biogas consists of a mixture of CO₂, methane and a small amount of other gases from the biogas plant and is desulphurised in the pre-treatment stage using activated carbon desulphurised, filtered and dried in order to protect downstream components from wear or damage to protect. The pre-treated gas is then compressed by a compressor to 16 bar and the diaphragm stage fed. The pre-treatment unit is also developed by agriKomp and manufactured.
3. PROCESSING
The pre-treated and compressed biogas is processed using a membrane separation process, whereby a methane-rich product gas and a CO₂-rich by-product gas are produced. The innovative 3-stage membrane configuration is capable of producing biomethane with a purity of up to 99 % achieve. The membrane separation stage and the control system are housed in a single, bespoke container housed.
4. FEED-IN
The biomethane feed-in station is connected between the biogas treatment plant and the gas distribution network. Its functions include the calibration-compliant measurement of biomethane, gas quality measurement, conditioning, odourisation and adjustment of the pressure to match the network pressure.
5. CO₂ RECOVERY AND LIQUEFACTION INTO BioCO₂
The CO2 removed from biogas can be captured and recovered through liquefaction. It can be used in many industries, such as greenhouses and food and beverage production.
Biomethane can be very well used as biofuel for decarbonisation of the transport sector be used as. Compressed as BioCNG or liquefied as BioLNG. To complement the biomethane supply chain, we have proven technologies for liquefaction in our portfolio. The use of the produced BioLNG enables long-distance storage and the transport of a fully renewable fuel such as methane.
Visit our special feature page on “Biomethane – your step towards the future”!