Conference article

Synergy Effects on Combining Hydrogen and Gasification for Synthetic Biogas

Farzad Mohseni
Royal Institute of Technology – KTH, School of Chemical Science and Engineering, Chemical Engineering and Technology, Division of Energy Processes, Stockholm, Sweden

Martin Görling
Royal Institute of Technology – KTH, School of Chemical Science and Engineering, Chemical Engineering and Technology, Division of Energy Processes, Stockholm, Sweden

Per Alvfors
Royal Institute of Technology – KTH, School of Chemical Science and Engineering, Chemical Engineering and Technology, Division of Energy Processes, Stockholm, Sweden

Download articlehttp://dx.doi.org/10.3384/ecp11057287

Published in: World Renewable Energy Congress - Sweden; 8-13 May; 2011; Linköping; Sweden

Linköping Electronic Conference Proceedings 57:39, p. 287-294

Show more +

Published: 2011-11-03

ISBN: 978-91-7393-070-3

ISSN: 1650-3686 (print), 1650-3740 (online)

Abstract

This paper focuses on biogas and suggests methods for strongly increasing its production potential by combining gasification with hydrogen addition. By utilizing hydrogen produced from non-fossil energy sources; synthetic biogas can be obtained. The suggested methods are gasification combined with the Sabatier reaction; and hydrogasification. Both processes utilize hydrogen as a co-feedstock which can be produced via electrolysis from renewable electricity. Hydrogen addition to the gasification enhances the conversion efficiency and this synergy effect leads to higher fuel output compared to separate use of biomass and hydrogen.

The exploitation of renewable sources such as wind- and solar power is rapidly increasing since many countries have introduced incentives for these alternatives to expand. Since these are intermittent sources it would be highly beneficial to use electrolysis for balancing excess power in the grid during e.g. high loads or off-peak periods. Additionally; there would be an economical benefit as well since the price of electricity during these periods often is reduced.

The suggested methods could increase the biogas output by 130 – 150 % from the same amount of biomass as in conventional gasification. Contrary to upcoming fuels and solutions in the transport sector; biogas can be considered as conventional since a developed distribution system and storage capacity exists. It would also be a first step of introducing renewable electricity to the transport sector.

Keywords

Synthetic biogas; Gasification; Transport sector; Hydrogen; Renewable fuels Introduction

References

[1] IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change). Climate Change 2007: Mitigation of Climate Change. Chapter 5: Transport and its Infrastructure. Contribution of Working Group III to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change; 2007. Cambridge; United Kingdom and New York; USA; 2007. http://www.ipcc.ch/publications_and_data/ar4/wg3/en/ch5.html (Retrieved May 2010).

[2] Lindfeldt E.G; Saxe M; Magnusson M; Mohseni F. Strategies for a road transport system based on renewable resources – The case of an import-independent Sweden in 2025. Applied Energy 2010;87(6):1836-45. doi: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2010.02.011.

[3] Robèrt M; Hultén P; Frostell B. Biofuels in the energy transition beyond peak oil. A macroscopic study of energy demand in the Stockholm transport system 2030. Energy 2007;32:2089-98. doi: 10.1016/j.energy.2007.05.006.

[4] Åkerman J; Höijer M. How much transport can climate stand? –Sweden on a sustainable path in 2050. Energy Policy 2006;34:1944-57. doi: 10.1016/j.enpol.2005.02.009.

[5] Murphy J.D; McCarthy K. The optimal production of biogas for use as transport fuel in Ireland. Renewable Energy; 2005;2111-2127. doi: 10.1016/j.renene.2005.02.004.

[6] Van herle J; Membrez Y; Bucheli O. Biogas as a fuel source for SOFC co-generators. Journal of Power Sources; 2004;:300-312.

[7] Mozaffarian; M.; Zwart; R. & Boerrigter; H.; 2003. Biomass and waste-related SNG production technologies; technical; economic and ecological feasibility; EP Deurwaarder Energy research Centre of the Netherlands (ECN).

[8] Duret; A.; Friedli; C. & Maréchal; F.; 2005. Process design of Synthetic Natural Gas (SNG) production using wood gasification. Journal of Cleaner Production; 13(15); 1434-1446. doi: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2005.04.009.

[9] Brooks K.P; Hua J; Zhub H; Keeb R.J. Methanation of carbon dioxide by hydrogen reduction using the Sabatier process in microchannel reactors. Chemical Engineering Science 2007;62:1161-70. doi: 10.1016/j.ces.2006.11.020.

[10] Lunde P.J; Kester F.L. Carbon dioxide methanation on a ruthenium catalyst. Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Process Design and Development 1974;13(1):27-33. doi: 10.1021/i260049a005.

[11] Magnusson M; Mohseni F; Görling M; Alvfors P. Introducing renewable electricity to increase biogas production potential. International Conference on Applied Energy 2010 (ICAE 2010); April 2010.

[12] Olah G.A; Goeppert A. and Prakash G.K.S. Beyond Oil and Gas The Methanol Economy. WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH; Weinheim; Germany 2006]

[13] Takeuchi M; Sakamoto Y; Niwa S. Study on CO2 global recycling system. The Science of the Total Environment 2001;277:15-19. doi: 10.1016/S0048-9697(01)00830-0.

[14] Nordic electricity market where prices are set on a continuous basis. http://www.nordpoolspot.com/

[15] Swedish Gas Centre Development and demonstration of usage of methane/hydrogen mixtures as fuel in existing methane driven buses; Report SGC 170 1102-7371 (Utveckling och demonstration av användning av metan/vätgasblandningar som bränsle i befintliga metangasdrivna bussar). Malmö; Sweden (in Swedish) 2006.

[16] StatoilHydro (information handout) Hydrogen Technologies – World leader in electrolysis for hydrogen solutions. Norway; 2008.

Citations in Crossref