El upgraded biogas
The project shall on a scale of 10 Nm3/h demonstrate highly efficient upgrading of biogas to pipeline
quality by catalytic conversion of the CO2 content in the biogas to methane by reaction with hydrogen
produced from steam in a Solid Oxide Electrolyzer. In parallel a full scale plant will be designed and the
economical aspects evaluated.
The project objectives are
• to design, construct and operate a pilot plant for methanation of CO2 in biogas by means of hydrogen
produced from steam in a Solid Oxide Electrolyzer (SOEC) at a scale of approximately 10 Nm3/h
corresponding to 40 kW SOEC capacity.
• to monitor the efficiency and durability of the process steps and estimate costs of a full scale plant, that
can compete with traditional upgrading of biogas and elaborate a plan for market introduction and market
development.
• to analyze the value of the technology for the Danish electricity and gas infrastructure.
Methanation of biogas will at the same time offer storage possibilities for wind produced electricity (and
thus reduce the need of power transmission), upgrading of biogas and extend the biogas resource with 50 –
80 % (and thus reduce natural gas supply insecurities and CO2 emissions).
Previous projects have indicated that a conversion efficiency from electrical power input to lower heating
value of methane of 74-76 % can be achieved. In addition the efficiency of waste heat for district heating of
will be 14 %.
These high efficiencies are obtainable due to the inherent high efficiency of the SOEC technology and the
synergy with advanced methanation technology capable of producing the steam used in the SOEC unit.
The project partners cover the complete value chain from agricultural raw materials and electrical power to
the utilization of the upgraded biogas.
Haldor Topsøe A/S will be the project coordinator and perform the design of the demonstration unit and the
full scale commercial plant. Topsøe will also supply the SOEC module and cleaning masses for the biogas
and catalyst for the methanation step.
Aarhus University will supply biogas feedstock from their existing biogas reactor in Foulum. AU will be
responsible for day to day operation and advanced sulfur analyses
Based on pilot plant data a feasibility study will be done for a full scale plant. PlanEnergi together with Ea
Energy Analyses will optimize the full scale plant design based on dynamic models of the predicted, future
price structure for electricity.
HMN Naturgas and Naturgas Fyn will do the engineering work for pipelines and will also contribute with
their knowledge the quality demand from the natural gas system
Energi Midt will install electricity connection.
Xergi have built the existing test plant at Foulum and will participate with their knowledge of biogas plant
design.
DGC will perform certified analysis of biogas and product gases.
Cemtec will look into certifications of components and permits.
Ea Energy Analyses will combine the obtained information into a dynamic model. Based on this model the
value for society for integrating a biogas methanation plant into the energy system will be evaluated.
Key figures
Category
Dokumenter
Participants
Partner | Subsidy | Auto financing |
---|---|---|
HALDOR TOPSØE A/S | 4,98 mio. DKK | 7,47 mio. DKK |
Aarhus Universitet | 18,16 mio. DKK | 3,21 mio. DKK |
PlanEnergi | 1,08 mio. DKK | 0,72 mio. DKK |
HNG/Midt-Nord | 0,16 mio. DKK | 0,25 mio. DKK |
Naturgas Fyn | 0,14 mio. DKK | 0,20 mio. DKK |
Eniig Forsyning A/S | 0,24 mio. DKK | 0,35 mio. DKK |
DANSK GASTEKNISK CENTER A/S | 0,34 mio. DKK | 0,51 mio. DKK |
Nature Energy Construction A/S | 0,16 mio. DKK | 0,24 mio. DKK |
EA ENERGIANALYSE A/S | 0,35 mio. DKK | 0,24 mio. DKK |
CEMTEC FONDEN | 0,30 mio. DKK | 0,20 mio. DKK |