The proposed facility comprises of three process blocks:
1. Gasification – production of synthesis gas (syngas) from biomass-rich waste-derived fuels, followed by cooling, cleaning and polishing.
2. Methanation – including water-gas shift and methanation of the clean synthesis gas – both established technologies.
3. Upgrading and distribution – ensuring product meets grid standards and injecting it into the grid.
The first step in the process is the gasification of waste, in the form of Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF), to produce a syngas that can be used in the methanation process. Any recyclable material is removed from the fuel prior to arrival at the plant. The syngas which is produced by the gasification process is rich in carbon monoxide and hydrogen and very low in contaminants. Downstream of the gasifier the syngas is cooled in a heat recovery boiler and passed through a number of other stages to remove almost all remaining impurities.
The methanation reaction to produce methane (CH4) requires a CO:H2 ratio of 1:3. The syngas from the gasifier has an excess of carbon monoxide, so steam is introduced and the gas is passed through an iron catalyst “water gas shift reactor”, reducing the carbon monoxide content and increasing the hydrogen content. Different feedstocks produce syngases with different CO:H2 ratios; the shift reaction can be ‘tuned’ to cater for different feedstocks.
The gas then enters a succession of methanation reactors with nickel catalysts. In these reactors, the quantity of catalyst and the gas flow rates are carefully selected to ensure a controlled reaction.
Upgrading and distribution
The gas exiting the reactors contains significant quantities of CO2, removed using a chemical scrubbing system, to produce a product with a high methane content. Part of the product gas is compressed to 250 bar and then transported by road to Howard Tenens, a local CNG filling station. Following the addition of an odorant, the remainder of the product gas will be injected into Wales & West Utilities’ gas network where it can be transported for use in homes or transport.
The technology is being showcased at a new pilot plant that has been built at Advanced Plasma Power’s headquarters in Swindon. This test plant is designed to demonstrate the technical potential of producing green gas, and has moved the technology from concept to reality. It will also act as a test bed to optimise the overall performance of the system, to inform the design and economic viability of subsequent commercial plants (including the Commercial Demonstration plant – see below).
The plant has been developed by the distribution arm of National Grid, advanced waste to energy and fuels company Advanced Plasma Power, clean energy firm Progressive Energy and Schmack Carbotech.
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The BioSNG Commercial Demonstration project is progressing well and the plant should start operation in the second half of 2018. Civils work is nearly complete and equipment is starting to arrive. ADI, who are responsible for mechanical and electrical...Read more
Cadent (formerly National Grid Gas Distribution) has hailed the success of the green gas trials in their latest press release: A report into a trial involving the production of gas made from household rubbish has hailed the project a...Read more