Upgrading biogas quality through the application of gas hydrates

Abstract

For a long time gas hydrates have been investigated as a problem in pipeline gas transport and as potential energy source. This property of water to form Gas Hydrates has been proposed as a novel technology in gas handling, mainly as a gas storage and transport alternative and lastly as a promising technology for gaseous mixture separation and purification as the case of biogas, a mixture of gases mainly composed of CH4 and CO2 and small amounts of H2S, is normally converted into Renewable Electric Power fuelling proper CHP (Combined Heat and Power systems). Nowadays, Biogas technology is moving towards the production of Biomethane along with Electric Power, an upgrading that requires the development of processes aimed at effectively storing and refining the Biogas. The aim of the present work is to evaluate the applicability of Biogas Hydrates (BGH) formation as a novel technology for Biomethane production with particular attention to the plant scale applicability. Particular attention has been paid to the embedding of the Gas Hydrate technology within the standard Biogas production technology both in terms of energy yields, economic balances and plant integration. Interesting results have been obtained regarding the effect of Biogas composition on the BGH formation and on the efficiency Biogas separation. The added value connected to the capability of treating Crude Biogas, obtaining directly stored undesired gas, has also evaluated.