Pilot Plant Demonstrates that Fluctuating Amounts of Green Electricity Can Be Used Reliably by the Methanation of Biogenous Gases
Interlinkage of the power and gas grids is planned to make electricity supply sustainable and robust in the future. Fluctuating amounts of wind and solar power, for instance, might be stored in the form of the chemical energy carrier methane. Researchers of the KIT and DVGW have now proved that this element of the Energiewende is technically feasible. The DemoSNG pilot plant constructed by the KIT will be used in Sweden for the reliable and efficient production of methane from biomass-based carbon dioxide and variable amounts of hydrogen from green power.
“The variable operation modes were the biggest challenge during development,” says Project Head Siegfried Bajohr of the Engler-Bunte Institute (EBI) of KIT. From the products of a biomass gasification plant, i.e. hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide, the DemoSNG pilot plant directly produces methane and water by means of a nickel catalyst (SNG operation). If green power is available, it is used for electrolysis and the production of additional hydrogen. Then, the volume flow in the plant can be doubled, utilization of carbon from biomass will increase to nearly 100%, and a large amount of usable waste heat will be produced by the catalyst (PtG operation).
“As conventional methanation processes reach their limits at this point, we have developed a new reactor concept,” Bajohr says. The initial feedstock flows meet in a honeycomb catalyst carrier that can be designed for the efficient operation of both modes and mixing states.”The DemoSNG plant shows that our concept also works in a large-scale pilot plant.” Metallic honeycombs are already used as catalytic convertors of exhaust gas in cars. They are characterized by a high thermal conductivity and mechanical robustness with a low pressure loss during alternating operation modes.
The DemoSNG plant was installed into a standard shipping container (12 m x 2.4 m x 2.4 m) and is mobile. The first tests of operation at KIT have now been completed. The plant will be moved to Köping in Sweden. There, it will be integrated into the gas flows of a biomass gasification plant utilizing wooden residues. The honeycomb catalyst can be implemented easily in various plant sizes. In the future, it might be possible to efficiently operate even smaller decentralized units, e.g. at rural biogas facilities.
“DemoSNG shows the way to storing green power and transporting it in our gas grids in the form of methane,” Thomas Kolb, Head of the Engler-Bunte Institute of KIT, emphasizes. Frank Graf, Section Head of the test laboratory of the German Technical and Scientific Association of Gas and Water (DVGW) at KIT, adds: “So far, admixture of hydrogen in the natural gas grid has been limited to a few percent, as storage, distribution, and use require the solution of various technical problems.” Methanation has the advantage that the infrastructure existing for the distribution and storage of natural gas and the standard appliances can be used further without any modifications or readjustments being required. Via an effective methanation, wind and solar power can be fed into the natural gas grid without any limitations.
Read more: Flexible Methane Production from Electricity and Bio-mass
The Latest on: Green electricity
[google_news title=”” keyword=”Green electricity” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Green electricity
- How green is the power grid? An expert breaks it downon May 10, 2024 at 6:34 pm
Electric vehicles are known to reduce tailpipe emissions. However, these cars are still using electricity to charge their batteries.
- US plans to impose major new tariffs on EVs, other Chinese green energy imports, AP sources sayon May 10, 2024 at 4:07 pm
The Biden administration is planning to announce new tariffs on electric vehicles, semiconductors, solar equipment and medical supplies imported from China.
- China's green aluminium ambitions hit by erratic rains, power cutson May 10, 2024 at 12:26 pm
Erratic rainfall in China's southwest is frustrating a multibillion-dollar push to green an aluminium industry that accounts for almost 60% of global output and, by some estimates, emits more carbon ...
- If money talks, the green energy transition remains hushedon May 10, 2024 at 5:00 am
Current strategies to deploy public and private capital toward a green energy transition are experiencing mixed success, amid conflicting trends as both global oil demand and clean energy deployment ...
- ‘Green’ hydrogen energy production just got a lot easieron May 10, 2024 at 3:03 am
RIKEN scientists paired iridium with manganese oxide to maintain green hydrogen production for 3,000 hours at 82% efficiency.
- North Asia Desperately Needs a Green Energy Allianceon May 9, 2024 at 3:00 pm
Going it alone is too slow and expensive. Japan, South Korea and Taiwan can benefit from a trade pact that would encourage them to work together.
- Green Energy Breakthrough: Catalyst Slashes Iridium Use by 95% in Hydrogen Electrolyzerson May 9, 2024 at 11:01 am
A breakthrough in hydrogen production has been achieved by a Japanese research team, reducing the need for iridium by 95% without compromising efficiency, paving the way for sustainable, large-scale ...
- Green energy production in Italy boosts Enel's Q1 resultson May 9, 2024 at 10:58 am
By Francesca Landini MILAN (Reuters) -Italian utility Enel said on Thursday its first-quarter core profit rose 12% year-on-year driven by a strong recovery in renewable energy production at home.
- Towngas backs TERA-Award winner i2Cool in Series A to drive global green energy expansionon May 9, 2024 at 8:12 am
The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited (Towngas) is pleased to announce its participation in the Series A funding round ...
- Can Green Banks Fast-Track the Switch to Clean Energy?on May 9, 2024 at 7:14 am
A historic federal investment is allowing mission-driven lenders to leverage public funds to lower costs for residents.
via Bing News