Carbon and energy footprint of the hydrate-based biogas upgrading process integrated with CO2 valorization

Castellani, Beatrice; Rinaldi, Sara; Bonamente, E.; Nicolini, Andrea; Rossi, Federico; Cotana, Franco

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.09.254

Cited by 54 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 32 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Chemical absorption processes with aqueous solution of mono-ethanolamine (MEA), sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and potassium hydroxide (KOH) were also compared through a simulation software, showing that MEA solution provides the best performances [22]. More recently, Castellani et al assessed the carbon and energy footprint of a hydrate-based biogas upgrading system in combination with CO 2 valorization, pinpointing that this scenario has an overall energy efficiency of about 0.82, higher than the worldwide average energy efficiency for fossil-based methane (0.75) [23]. Shanmugam et al compared the environmental performance of liquefied bioCH 4 (LBM) and Diesel operated Tractor Trailer (TT) through LCA, concluding that the highest reduction in global warming potential and fossil depletion potential impacts is achieved by LBM, which can be an environmentally preferred alternative to diesel for operation of TTs [24].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Life Cycle Assessment of Biomethane Production from Waste Feedstock Through Different Upgrading Technologies

et al. 2019

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Upgrading consists of a range of purification processes aimed at increasing the methane content of biogas to reach specifications similar to natural gas. In this perspective, an environmental assessment, based on the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) method, of different upgrading technologies is helpful to identify the environmental characteristics of biomethane and the critical steps for improvement. The aim of this work is to conduct an LCA of biomethane production from waste feedstock, using the SimaPro software. The study focuses on the comparison of several upgrading technologies (namely, membrane separation, cryogenic separation, pressure swing adsorption, chemical scrubbing, high pressure water scrubbing) and the on-site cogeneration of electricity and heat, including the environmental benefits deriving from the substitution of fossil-based products. The results show a better environmental performance of the cogeneration option in most of the impact categories. The Fossil resource scarcity is the impact category which is mainly benefited by the avoided production of natural gas, with savings of about 0.5 kg oil eq/m3 of biogas for all the investigated technologies, with an average improvement of about 76% compared to conventional cogeneration. The results show that the membrane upgrading technology is slightly more environmentally convenient than the other upgrading technologies.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Life Cycle Assessment of Biomethane Production from Waste Feedstock Through Different Upgrading Technologies

et al. 2019

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The end product is a mixture of methane and carbon dioxide gas along with traces of hydrogen sulfide gas. The lower cost and smaller footprint of biogas plants gives them an edge over competing renewable energy sources [11,12]. In general, biogas is a mixture of 40-60 % methane (CH 4 ), 60-40 % carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), hydrogen (H 2 ), traces of hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S), nitrogen (N 2 ), ammonia (NH 3 ), oxygen (O 2 ), carbon monoxide (CO), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) [13].…”

Section: Benefits Of Biogas Technologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Technical Challenges and Optimization of Biogas Plants

Afridi

Qammar

2020

ChemBioEng Reviews

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Countries with a large agricultural sector have enormous potential for energy production using biogas technology. This paper analyses the situation in Pakistan as a representative example. Although many biogas plants were installed, only very slow growth in the biogas sector can be observed. Since the last three decades the country is facing a severe energy shortfall. To overcome this challenge, energy from organic waste is one of the best possible solution. This study reviews the key technical challenges associated with the operation and sustainability of biogas plants. The problems in basic infrastructure such as leakages due to gas pressure, inadequate removal of digestate, no mechanism for scum avoidance, and steel corrosion were identified, and solutions were proposed. Moreover, organizational structures for renewable energy, critical flaws in plant design, operational challenges, and updated technology aspects to attain maximum and sustainable growth in biogas sector are discussed, which could help the countries in the region to enhance their biogas production.

show abstract

“…A gas chromatograph (model CP 4900 Micro-GC Varian, Agilent, Santa Clara, California, United States) was used for gas chromatographic analyses. Periodic measurements with certified mixtures were performed to evaluate the uncertainties, which are always lower than 1%, ensuring an excellent repeatability on sequences of samples [34]. The CO 2 inlet is equipped with 1 4 " tube to inject the CO 2 inside the hydrate sediment.…”

Section: Experimental Apparatusmentioning

confidence: 99%

Energy and Environmental Analysis of Membrane-Based CH4-CO2 Replacement Processes in Natural Gas Hydrates

et al. 2019

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Natural gas hydrates are the largest reservoir of natural gas worldwide. This paper proposes and analyzes the CH4-CO2 replacement in the hydrate phase and pure methane collection through the use of membrane-based separation. The investigation uses a 1 L lab reactor, in which the CH4 hydrates are formed in a quartz sand matrix partially saturated with water. CH4 is subsequently dissociated with a CO2 stream supplied within the sediment inside the reactor. An energy and environmental analysis was carried out to prove the sustainability of the process. Results show that the process energy consumption constitutes 4.75% of the energy stored in the recovered methane. The carbon footprint of the CH4-CO2 exchange process is calculated as a balance of the CO2 produced in the process and the CO2 stored in system. Results provide an estimated negative value, equal to 0.004 moles sequestrated, thus proving the environmental benefit of the exchange process.

show abstract

Carbon and energy footprint of the hydrate-based biogas upgrading process integrated with CO2 valorization

Cited by 54 publications

References 32 publications

A Life Cycle Assessment of Biomethane Production from Waste Feedstock Through Different Upgrading Technologies

A Life Cycle Assessment of Biomethane Production from Waste Feedstock Through Different Upgrading Technologies

Technical Challenges and Optimization of Biogas Plants

Energy and Environmental Analysis of Membrane-Based CH4-CO2 Replacement Processes in Natural Gas Hydrates

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About