Biogas Cleaning For Efficient Energy Production
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<p style="text-align: justify;"><span data-contrast="none">Biogas is a gas mixture formed mainly by methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2), N2, O2, H2, and traces of other components such as H2S, water vapor, siloxanes, and hydrocarbons. All these traces are dangerous to its use or application. Therefore, it is considered a dirty gas that requires prior cleaning for energy production or as a raw material for Biomethane, H2, or Methanol production.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}"> </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span data-contrast="none">Currently, according to its production manner or source, we can find:</span></p><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>Biogas-Uncontrolled Process- Examples: Landfills, lakes, or swamps</li><li>Biogas-Controlled Process- Example: WWTPs</li></ul><p style="text-align: justify;"> </p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Cleaning Techniques for Biogas</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}"> </span></h2><p style="text-align: justify;"><span data-contrast="none">The biogas. Whatever its origin, it is a dirty gas. In biogas, two types of impurities can be distinguished that must be removed for the good work of the facility. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}"> </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span data-contrast="none">External Impurities</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}"> </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span data-contrast="none">External impurities are not part of the biogas flow. This must be the first to be removed. These are generally removed by mechanical operations such as filtration and/or change in the dimension or direction of biogas flow. Examples. Sediments, foams, particles, and condensates. These impurities are mainly found in the biogas stream, leaving the digester, mainly in WWTP. This biogas cleaning is defined as Gross removal.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}"> </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span data-contrast="none">Internal Impurities</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}"> </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span data-contrast="none">Internal impurities are part of the biogas flow. They are usually the last to be removed. Physical, chemical, biological techniques, or a combination of them, are used for their removal. Examples: Water vapor, siloxanes, hydrocarbons, NH3, or H2S. This biogas cleaning is defined as Fine removal or polishing.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}"> </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"> <br /><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}"> </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"> </p><p style="text-align: justify;"> </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><em>This article was contributed by our expert <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/joaqu%C3%ADn-reina-hern%C3%A1ndez-4078393/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Joaquín Reina Hernández</a></em></span><br /> </p><p style="text-align: justify;"> </p><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Frequently Asked Questions Answered by Joaquín Reina Hernández</span></h3><p style="text-align: justify;"> </p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}">1. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">What kind of internal impurities are found in the biogas flow? </span></h2><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span data-contrast="none">Water vapor or humidity</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}"> </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span data-contrast="none">Water vapor drastically decreases the LHV of biogas. It favors corrosive acid production, such as sulfidic acid (H2S) aq. Its accumulation causes blockage in the pipes and ice formation.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}"> </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span data-contrast="none">Hydrocarbons</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}"> </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span data-contrast="none">Halogenates, particularly those with Chlorine and Fluorine, cause corrosion in different parts of the machines involved in power generation.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}"> </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span data-contrast="none">The heavy ones in high concentrations fail to work in the engine, as well as they are the cause of the presence of aldehydes in the exhaust gases of the engines.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}"> </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span data-contrast="none">Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) g</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}"> </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span data-contrast="none">Corrosion in engines, machines, equipment, and parts. Formation of other acids. SO2, SO3, and H2SO4 contaminate lubricating oil.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}"> </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span data-contrast="none">Siloxanes</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}"> </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span data-contrast="none">Inlays on internal engine parts Increased clearance of moving parts. Lubrication oil leaks or loss Lubrication oil.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"> </p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">2. What are the different types of equipment for biogas drying? </span></h2><p style="text-align: justify;"><span data-contrast="none">Currently, there are two basic types of equipment in the biogas drying market, according to the position of the heat exchanger. They are the horizontal position and the vertical position.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}"> </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span data-contrast="none">The vertical biogas drying equipment presents the following advantages. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}"> </span></p><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li><span data-contrast="none"> Less space requirement</span></li><li><span data-contrast="none"> Better removal of the condensates</span></li><li><span data-contrast="none"> Less probability of tube freezing when working at low temperatures </span></li><li><span data-contrast="none"> Better heat transfer coefficients</span></li><li><span data-contrast="none"> Greater effectiveness in removing moisture and other contaminants </span></li></ul><p style="text-align: justify;"> </p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;" data-contrast="none">3. What are the different types of chillers?</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}"> </span></h2><p style="text-align: justify;"><span data-contrast="none">The core of these biogas drying facilities is the cooling machine (chiller). </span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}"> </span></p><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li><span data-contrast="none"> It is who generates the cooling medium for heat exchange with biogas </span></li><li><span data-contrast="none"> It is the only energy consumer in the facility</span></li></ul><p style="text-align: justify;"> </p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">4. What are economizers or energy recovery systems? </span></h2><p style="text-align: justify;"><span data-contrast="none">Economizers or energy recovery systems are used to minimize the energy consumption of the chiller. They are often used in biogas drying equipment. These are typically used under the following conditions. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}"> </span></p><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li><span data-contrast="none"> High biogas flow > 500 Nm3 /h </span></li><li><span data-contrast="none"> High biogas temperature > 45 ºC </span></li></ul><p style="text-align: justify;"><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}"> </span><span data-contrast="none">A good design of this equipment allows recovery of up to 30% of the energy of the drying system. Therefore, the OPEX of the drying equipment is reduced. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}"> </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"> </p><p style="text-align: justify;"> </p><p style="text-align: justify;"> </p><p style="text-align: justify;"> </p><p style="text-align: justify;"> </p><p style="text-align: justify;"> </p>
KR Expert - Joaquín Reina Hernández
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