biogas upgrading to natural gas quality in germany & … of hydrogen sulphide ‒within ad...
TRANSCRIPT
Biogas upgrading to natural gas quality in Germany & Ireland
James Browne (B.E. Ph.D)
Innovation Engineer
24th of October 2017
Agenda Topics
• Introduction to Gas Networks and Renewable Gas Potential in Ireland
• Overview of Biogas Upgrading Technologies
• Biomethane Market Preparations in Ireland
• Gas Quality Standards
• GNI Renewable Gas Projects
2
Gas Networks Ireland
• Gas Networks Ireland owns, operates,
develops and maintains the natural gas
network in Ireland.
• World-class, modern and safe gas network.
• Over 13,954km
− 2,427km Transmission Network
− 11,527km Distribution Network
• Serving almost 680,000 gas consumers.
• More than 160 population centres.
• In 20 counties.
3
Renewable Gas to Grid
4
Sustainable
Agricultural
Resources1
On-farm and off-farm
Anaerobic Digestion (AD)2
Renewable Gas Injection
into Natural Gas Network
4
Renewable Gas available for Industry,
Residential, and Transport Markets5
Biogas
Produced
Renewable
Gas
Gas processing
and transport3
Renewable Gas Growth Forecast
5
• Ireland has the highest potential for
biogas production per capita within
the EU by 2030.
• European Commission Report: “Optimal use of biogas
from waste streams, An assessment of the potential
of biogas from digestion in the EU beyond 2020”
• https://ec.europa.eu/energy/sites/ener/files/documents/c
e_delft_3g84_biogas_beyond_2020_final_report.pdf
• Economic Assessment of Biogas and Biomethane in Ireland
• 28% Renewable Gas within direct access of Gas Grid
• https://ee.ricardo.com/downloads/energy/assessment-of-cost-
and-benefits-of-biogas-and-biom
Overview of European Biomethane Market
6
• Top Biomethane Countries in 2016
‒ Germany (185)
‒ United Kingdom (80)
‒ Sweden (61)
‒ Switzerland (35)
‒ France is quickly catching up with 38
biomethane projects as of Oct 2017
187
232
282
367
459
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
450
500
Biomethane Plants
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Data Source: EBA Statistical Report
2016 & GDRF
Biogas upgrading technologies in UK
• All technologies have been
employed
• Each technology has
advantages and
disadvantages
• Competitive market is now
established, so price is
significant factor0
5
10
15
20
25
Membrane Water wash Chemicalabsorption
Pressure SwingAdsorption
Gas upgrading technologies
Based on DLC GQ/8 workshops
7
Removal of hydrogen sulphide‒ Within AD process to suppress H2S content of biogas (O2/air injection; ferric chloride; ferric
hydroxide)
‒ Absorption systems for final H2S removal (active carbon bed)
Removal of contaminants (Siloxanes, VOCs)‒ Absorption systems (active carbon bed)
Removal of carbon dioxide‒ Water wash – used initially
‒ Solvent wash
‒ Membranes
‒ Pressure-swing adsorption (PSA)
8
Overview of Biogas Upgrading Technology
Membrane Separation
9
• Advantages
‒ Few moving parts – robust design
‒ Modular design – ease of expansion
‒ Can be adapted for small flow rates
e.g. 100 m3/hr
• Disadvantages
‒ Electricity requirements 0.18-0.33
kWh/m3 of raw biogas
‒ Methane loss 0.5-2%Data sourced from www.biogas-to-biomethane.com
Water Scrubbing (absorption)
10
Advantages of water scrubbing
• Well proven technology
• Low cost
• Low environmental hazard
Disadvantages of water scrubbing
• Electricity consumption of 0.2-0.3
kWh/m3 raw biogas
• Methane loss 0.5 – 2% vol
• Less selective than amine
Amine Scrubbing (absorption)
11
Advantages of amine scrubbing
• Low electricity consumption ~ 0.1 kWh/m3 raw biogas
• High solubility of CO2
• High methane purity
• Low methane loss ~0.1%
Disadvantages of amine scrubbing
• High heat requirement for regeneration 0.4-0.8 kWh/m3 raw biogas
• Amine is an environmental hazard
Pressure Swing Adsorption
12
• Advantages of PSA
‒ Prove technology with many references
‒ No solvents required
‒ No heat requirement
• Disadvantages of PSA
‒ Electricity consumption 0.15-0.35
kWh/m3 raw biogas
‒ Methane losses 1.5-2.5%
‒ Lean gas burner required
Cyrogenic separation
13
• Advantages
‒ High methane purity >99.9%
‒ Low losses
‒ Recovery of high purity CO2
‒ Higher energy density for
storage/transportation
• Disadvantages
‒ Electricity consumption 0.35-0.55
kWh/m3 biogas
Biomethane Market Preparations in Ireland
Overview of the Biomethane Market Structure
Biomethane
Producer /
Injection Plant
Operator
Entry
Connection
Agreement
Connected
Systems
Agreement
Gas Networks Ireland
(Transporter)
Gas
Purchase
Agreement
[Renewable
Heat
Incentive]
Gas Shipper / Supplier
Code of
Operations
Green Gas
Certificatio
n
Customer Sector
15
Parties involved in Renewable Gas to Grid
ProductionUpgrading
and purification
Grid Entry Grid
Delivery Facility Operator Gas TransporterBiogas Producer
Biogas Producer & Delivery Facility
Operator (DFO) can be the same entity
16
GNI’s Connection Process
1. Initial Enquiry with preliminary Network
Assessment
2. Detailed Analysis Study
3. Customer Application to Connect
4. Economic Test (if applicable)
5. Impact Assessment
6. Final Technical Assessment & Design
7. Connection Agreement
8. Connected Systems Agreement
9. Build & Installation
10. Sign-up/Register with Shipper(s)
11. Testing & Commission
12. Project close out & Business as usual17
Gas Quality Standards
Gas Quality Specification in Germany
19
Characteristics Unit Germany Ireland
Calorific Value MJ/m3 30.2 – 47.2 36.9 – 42.3
Wobbe Index MJ/m3 49.0 – 56.5 47.2 – 51.4
Total Sulphur mg/m3 <8 - 30 <50
Hydrogen Sulphide mg/m3 <5 <5
Water mg/m3 <50 >10bar
<200 <10bar
<50
Hydrogen vol% <2 <0.1
Carbon Dioxide vol% L-gas <10
H-gas <5
<2.5*
Oxygen vol% < 3 in dry grids
<0.5 in wet grids
<0.2
Continuous Monitoring Required at Network Entry Facility
Parameter to be monitored☻
Delivery temperature
Delivery pressure
Biomethane flowrate
Wobbe index
Incomplete combustion factor
Sooting index
Gross calorific value
Oxygen (O2)
Carbon dioxide (CO2)
Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S)
Water dew temperature
Odorant injection rate
Odorant injection status
ROV status
• The Delivery Facility Operator (DFO) is responsible for Controlling Gas Quality
• GNI is responsible for Assuring Gas Quality
• Network Entry Facility serves both the DFO and the Network Operator (GNI)
‒ Fully integrated into the DFOs Gas Purification and Process Control system; live streaming data, automatic interface controls.
‒ It will provide interval data (repeat signals) to GNI Grid Control to provide Assurance of quality conformance and consumer protection.
Includes a Remotely Operated Valve (ROV), required for Network Control.
20
Constituents that may requiring routine monitoring
POTENTIAL CONSTITUENTS
Total Sulphur
Hydrogen Sulphide
Ammonia
Hydrogen Chloride
Hydrogen Fluoride
Total halogenated hydrocarbons
Xylenes
Arsenic
Siloxanes, as Silicon
• GNI will conduct a Measurement Impact
Assessment (MIA) with the DFO as part of
the connection process.
‒ Among the expected outputs of this
MIA will be identification of constituents
that may only be present in very small
quantities, but may require sample
monitoring
• DFO must also notify GNI in advance of any
material change in the type of feedstock;
‒ E.g. a farm based operator obtaining
an EPA license to take in Brown Bin
waste
‒ MIA may need revising, and increased
monitoring may be required21
GNI Renewable Gas Projects
• Dublin Port CNG Filling Station
• 13 additional Public Access CNG Filling Stations
• Gas Entry Hub – Green Gas Generations
‒ 2% Gas Residential Heat, or
‒ 600 CNG Buses
• AD @ Green Generation, Nurney, Co. Kildare
• 3 additional AD's within Catchment area
23
Causeway ProjectProve & Demonstrate
Causeway Project –
• 1st AD Site; Green Generation , Nurney,
Co. Kildare
‒ EPA license to take in 25,000 t/annum of
biodegradable waste plus 25,000 t/annum of pig
slurry from farm
Type 1, Category 2 & 3 feedstock
‒ Biogas Purification Unit - Membrane
Methane concentration > 97.8%
‒ Compressor Station & Disperser
‒ Transportation Trailers - ADR Regulations
24
Causeway Project – Grid Entry Hub
25
• The Network Entry Facility will contain;
‒ Fiscal and Operational Metering
‒ Propane Infusion (if CV of gas needs to
be increased)
‒ Gas Analysers
‒ Divert valves
‒ Pressure regulators
‒ Fiscal Flow Meter
‒ Odorant plant
• Phased Deployment - illustrative
• Rapid growth in Renewable Gas Volumes
‒ Gas Entry Hub enables development and growth by
catchment area
• Target: 20% Renewable Gas by 2030
26
Gas Entry HubsWider Deployment
5- Renewable Gas available for markets:Green Gas Certification Scheme for Ireland
27
TCBB Resource
Renewable Gas Forum Ireland (RGFI)
RGFI Board
Producer Sector Delivery Sector Customer Sector
Renewable Gas
ProducerRenewable Gas
TransporterHeat & Power
Shipper/Supplier Transport
Academic & Technology Centres
• Match Demand with Supply - Demand driven (pull, not push)
• Technical Committees:
Developing Guidelines & Best Practices
Facilitate adoption of common standards and controls28
Summary
29
• Significant biomethane potential in Ireland
• Ireland can learn from German biomethane experience
• Opportunities for collaboration and business with German & Irish companies
