Assessment of Novel Routes of Biomethane Utilization in a Life Cycle Perspective

Abstract

Biomethane, as a replacement for natural gas, reduces the use of fossil-based sources and supports the intended change from fossil to bio-based industry. The study assessed different biomethane utilization routes for production of methanol, dimethyl ether (DME), and ammonia, as fuel or platform chemicals and combined heat and power (CHP). Energy efficiency and environmental impacts of the different pathways was studied in a life cycle perspective covering the technical system from biomass production to the end product. Among the routes studied, CHP had the highest energy balance and least environmental impact. DME and methanol performed competently in energy balance and environmental impacts in comparison with the ammonia route. DME had the highest total energy output, as fuel, heat, and steam, among the different routes studied. Substituting the bio-based routes for fossil-based alternatives would give a considerable reduction in environmental impacts such as global warming potential and acidification potential for all routes studied, especially CHP, DME, and methanol. Eutrophication potential was mainly a result of biomass and biomethane production, with marginal differences between the different routes.

Can farmers mitigate environmental impacts through combined production of food, fuel and feed? A consequential life cycle assessment of integrated mixed crop-livestock system with a green biorefinery

“…Methane loss was found significantly varying with the different upgrading technologies (0.15% to 3% of the produced biogas) (Bailón and Hinge, 2012). A reduction of biomethane loss by 0.5% would reduce the GWP by 14-18% depending on the utilization route (Moghaddam et al, 2016).…”

Process modelling and life cycle assessment coupled with experimental work to shape the future sustainable production of chemicals and fuels

“…However, ammonia based on biomethane may lead to lower environmental benefits compared to other utilisation pathways, e.g., methanol and DME production. 33 With regard to ammonia production from biomass, it was shown that the economic performance of biogas as the hydrogen source (via steam reforming) lies in between that of woody biomass gasification and electrolytic hydrogen from renewable sources. 34 Finally, ethylene, one of the most valuable petrochemicals, can also be produced from biomass through dehydration of bioethanol derived via fermentation.…”

Current state of biogas production in Croatia

“…This reduces the emissions of greenhouse gases and thus prevents climate change [23][24][25][26]. Furthermore, biomethane can be used as a platform chemical in various chemical and biochemical synthetic processes [28][29][30]. An example of biogas utilization is biomethanol production in the advanced biofuel plant BioMCN.…”