Biogas upgrading to natural gas quality in Germany & Ireland

Transcription

1 Biogas upgrading to natural gas quality in Germany & Ireland James Browne (B.E. Ph.D) Innovation Engineer 24 th of October 2017

2 Agenda Topics Introduction to Gas Networks and Renewable Gas Potential in Ireland Overview of Biogas Upgrading Technologies Biomethane Market Preparations in Ireland Gas Quality Standards GNI Renewable Gas Projects 2

3 Gas Networks Ireland Gas Networks Ireland owns, operates, develops and maintains the natural gas network in Ireland. World-class, modern and safe gas network. Over 13,954km 2,427km Transmission Network 11,527km Distribution Network Serving almost 680,000 gas consumers. More than 160 population centres. In 20 counties. 3

4 Renewable Gas to Grid 1 Sustainable Agricultural Resources 2 On-farm and off-farm Anaerobic Digestion (AD) Biogas Produced Renewable Gas 3 Gas processing and transport Renewable Gas available for Industry, Residential, and Transport Markets Renewable Gas Injection into Natural Gas Network

5 Renewable Gas Growth Forecast Ireland has the highest potential for biogas production per capita within the EU by European Commission Report: Optimal use of biogas from waste streams, An assessment of the potential of biogas from digestion in the EU beyond e_delft_3g84_biogas_beyond_2020_final_report.pdf Economic Assessment of Biogas and Biomethane in Ireland 28% Renewable Gas within direct access of Gas Grid 5

6 Overview of European Biomethane Market Top Biomethane Countries in 2016 Germany (185) United Kingdom (80) Sweden (61) Switzerland (35) France is quickly catching up with 38 biomethane projects as of Oct Biomethane Plants Data Source: EBA Statistical Report 2016 & GDRF

7 Biogas upgrading technologies in UK All technologies have been employed 25 Gas upgrading technologies Each technology has advantages and disadvantages Competitive market is now established, so price is significant factor Membrane Water wash Chemical absorption Pressure Swing Adsorption Based on DLC GQ/8 workshops 7

8 Overview of Biogas Upgrading Technology Removal of hydrogen sulphide Within AD process to suppress H2S content of biogas (O2/air injection; ferric chloride; ferric hydroxide) Absorption systems for final H2S removal (active carbon bed) Removal of contaminants (Siloxanes, VOCs) Absorption systems (active carbon bed) Removal of carbon dioxide Water wash used initially Solvent wash Membranes Pressure-swing adsorption (PSA) 8

9 Membrane Separation Advantages Few moving parts robust design Modular design ease of expansion Can be adapted for small flow rates e.g. 100 m3/hr Data sourced from Disadvantages Electricity requirements kwh/m3 of raw biogas Methane loss 0.5-2% 9

10 Water Scrubbing (absorption) Advantages of water scrubbing Well proven technology Low cost Low environmental hazard Disadvantages of water scrubbing Electricity consumption of kwh/m3 raw biogas Methane loss 0.5 2% vol Less selective than amine 10

11 Amine Scrubbing (absorption) Advantages of amine scrubbing Low electricity consumption ~ 0.1 kwh/m3 raw biogas High solubility of CO2 High methane purity Low methane loss ~0.1% Disadvantages of amine scrubbing High heat requirement for regeneration kwh/m3 raw biogas Amine is an environmental hazard 11

12 Pressure Swing Adsorption Advantages of PSA Prove technology with many references No solvents required No heat requirement Disadvantages of PSA Electricity consumption kwh/m3 raw biogas Methane losses % Lean gas burner required 12

13 Cyrogenic separation Advantages High methane purity >99.9% Low losses Recovery of high purity CO2 Higher energy density for storage/transportation Disadvantages Electricity consumption kwh/m3 biogas 13

14 Biomethane Market Preparations in Ireland

15 Overview of the Biomethane Market Structure Green Gas Certificatio n Customer Sector Biomethane Producer / Injection Plant Operator Gas Purchase Agreement [Renewable Heat Incentive] Gas Shipper / Supplier Code of Operations Entry Connection Agreement Connected Systems Agreement Gas Networks Ireland (Transporter) 15

16 Parties involved in Renewable Gas to Grid Biogas Producer & Delivery Facility Operator (DFO) can be the same entity Biogas Producer Delivery Facility Operator Gas Transporter Production Upgrading and purification Grid Entry Grid 16

17 GNI s Connection Process Initial Enquiry with preliminary Network Assessment 2. Detailed Analysis Study 3. Customer Application to Connect 4. Economic Test (if applicable) 5. Impact Assessment 6. Final Technical Assessment & Design 7. Connection Agreement 8. Connected Systems Agreement 9. Build & Installation 10. Sign-up/Register with Shipper(s) 11. Testing & Commission 12. Project close out & Business as usual

18 Gas Quality Standards

19 Gas Quality Specification in Germany Characteristics Unit Germany Ireland Calorific Value MJ/m Wobbe Index MJ/m Total Sulphur mg/m3 <8-30 <50 Hydrogen Sulphide mg/m3 <5 <5 Water mg/m3 <50 >10bar <200 <10bar Hydrogen vol% <2 <0.1 Carbon Dioxide vol% L-gas <10 H-gas <5 Oxygen vol% < 3 in dry grids <0.5 in wet grids <50 <2.5* <0.2 19

20 Continuous Monitoring Required at Network Entry Facility Parameter to be monitored Delivery temperature Delivery pressure Biomethane flowrate Wobbe index Incomplete combustion factor Sooting index Gross calorific value Oxygen (O2) Carbon dioxide (CO2) Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S) Water dew temperature Odorant injection rate Odorant injection status ROV status The Delivery Facility Operator (DFO) is responsible for Controlling Gas Quality GNI is responsible for Assuring Gas Quality Network Entry Facility serves both the DFO and the Network Operator (GNI) Fully integrated into the DFOs Gas Purification and Process Control system; live streaming data, automatic interface controls. It will provide interval data (repeat signals) to GNI Grid Control to provide Assurance of quality conformance and consumer protection. Includes a Remotely Operated Valve (ROV), required for Network Control. 20

21 Constituents that may requiring routine monitoring 21 POTENTIAL CONSTITUENTS Total Sulphur Hydrogen Sulphide Ammonia Hydrogen Chloride Hydrogen Fluoride Total halogenated hydrocarbons Xylenes Arsenic Siloxanes, as Silicon GNI will conduct a Measurement Impact Assessment (MIA) with the DFO as part of the connection process. Among the expected outputs of this MIA will be identification of constituents that may only be present in very small quantities, but may require sample monitoring DFO must also notify GNI in advance of any material change in the type of feedstock; E.g. a farm based operator obtaining an EPA license to take in Brown Bin waste MIA may need revising, and increased monitoring may be required

22 GNI Renewable Gas Projects

23 Causeway Project Prove & Demonstrate Dublin Port CNG Filling Station 13 additional Public Access CNG Filling Stations Gas Entry Hub Green Gas Generations 2% Gas Residential Heat, or 600 CNG Buses Green Generation, Nurney, Co. Kildare 3 additional AD's within Catchment area 23

24 Causeway Project 1 st AD Site; Green Generation, Nurney, Co. Kildare EPA license to take in 25,000 t/annum of biodegradable waste plus 25,000 t/annum of pig slurry from farm Type 1, Category 2 & 3 feedstock Biogas Purification Unit - Membrane Methane concentration > 97.8% Compressor Station & Disperser Transportation Trailers - ADR Regulations 24

25 Causeway Project Grid Entry Hub 25 The Network Entry Facility will contain; Fiscal and Operational Metering Propane Infusion (if CV of gas needs to be increased) Gas Analysers Divert valves Pressure regulators Fiscal Flow Meter Odorant plant

26 Gas Entry Hubs Wider Deployment Phased Deployment - illustrative Rapid growth in Renewable Gas Volumes Gas Entry Hub enables development and growth by catchment area Target: 20% Renewable Gas by

27 5- Renewable Gas available for markets: Green Gas Certification Scheme for Ireland 27

28 Renewable Gas Forum Ireland (RGFI) RGFI Board Producer Sector Delivery Sector Customer Sector Renewable Gas Producer Renewable Gas Transporter Heat & Power Shipper/Supplier Transport Academic & Technology Centres TCBB Resource Match Demand with Supply - Demand driven (pull, not push) Technical Committees: Developing Guidelines & Best Practices Facilitate adoption of common standards and controls 28

29 Summary Significant biomethane potential in Ireland Ireland can learn from German biomethane experience Opportunities for collaboration and business with German & Irish companies 29

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