Concept for the ideal 16MWth biomass gasification system to feed a synthetic natural gas production process

Abstract

Biological, synthetic natural gas (SNG) prepared to fulfill the necessary grid feeding guidelines has the potential to keep up with the rising energy demands. Common production technologies for the extraction of natural gas from fossil sources cause relevant carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Biological, synthetic natural gas from renewable energy sources is discussed as an alternative option to replace the traditional extraction process and can therefore be part of a low carbon energy system. This paper describes an optimized process for a biomass gasification system to feed a synthetic natural gas production process. The described investigations include the state of knowledge and the state of the art technology of large scale plants, simulation results from the software IPSEpro, economic analysis, and suggestions for an optimized equipment. The economic analysis shows promising results as well as measures to enable positive revenue surpluses for the optimized novel process concept. Furthermore, a guideline for an overall economic operation of an 16MWth biomass gasification system to feed a synthetic natural gas production process can be derived from the economic analysis. The max. investment costs may not exceed 36 mio. Euros while the operational costs, for the optimized process concept, should be reduced by 50%. The highest share of the operational costs is represented by the fuel costs and so the most challenging task will be, to find an appropriate low-cost or negative-cost opportunity fuel available the whole year with low compositional fluctuations. Facing the challenges of climate change in general respectively on a global level the implementation of the Clean Energy for all Europeans Package on a more regional level the optimization of developed technologies needs to gain more effort.