Substitute natural gas

About: Substitute natural gas is a(n) research topic. Over the lifetime, 1216 publication(s) have been published within this topic receiving 23604 citation(s). The topic is also known as: synthetic natural gas.

Production of synthetic natural gas (SNG) from coal and dry biomass - A technology review from 1950 to 2009

Abstract: SNG production from coal or biomass is considered again due to rising prices for natural gas, the wish for less dependency from natural gas imports and the opportunity of reducing green house gases by CO2 capture and sequestration. Coal and solid dry biomass (e.g., wood and straw) have to be converted to SNG by thermo-chemical processes (gasification followed by gas cleaning, conditioning, methanation of the producer gas and subsequent gas upgrading). During the 1970s, a number of methanation processes have been developed comprising both fixed bed and fluidised bed methanation. Meanwhile several new processes are under development, especially with a focus on the conversion of biomass. While coal based systems usually involve high pressure cold gas cleaning steps, biomass based systems require, due to the smaller unit size, different gas cleaning strategies. Moreover, the ethylene content of a few percent, typical for methane-rich producer gas from biomass gasifiers, is a challenge for the long-term catalyst stability in adiabatic fixed bed methanation due to the inherent high temperatures. This paper reviews the processes developed for the production of SNG from coal during the sixties and seventies and the recent developments for SNG production from coal and from dry biomass.

A thermodynamic analysis of methanation reactions of carbon oxides for the production of synthetic natural gas

Abstract: Synthetic natural gas (SNG) can be obtained via methanation of synthesis gas (syngas). Many thermodynamic reaction details involved in this process are not yet fully understood. In this paper, a comprehensive thermodynamic analysis of reactions occurring in the methanation of carbon oxides (CO and CO2) is conducted using the Gibbs free energy minimization method. The equilibrium constants of eight reactions involved in the methanation reactions were calculated at different temperatures. The effects of temperature, pressure, ratio of H-2/CO (and H-2/CO2), and the addition of other compounds (H2O, O-2, CH4, and C2H4) in the feed gas (syngas) on the conversion of CO and CO2, CH4 selectivity and yield, as well as carbon deposition, were carefully investigated. In addition, experimental data obtained on commercial Ni-based catalysts for CO methanation and three cases adopted from the literature were compared with the thermodynamic calculations. It is found that low temperature, high pressure, and a large H-2/CO (and H-2/CO2) ratio are favourable for the methanation reactions. Adding steam into the feed gas could alleviate the carbon deposition to a large extent. Trace amounts of O-2 in syngas is unfavourable for SNG generation although it can lower carbon deposition. Additional CH4 in the feed gas almost has no influence on the CO conversion and CH4 yield, but it leads to the increase of carbon formed. Introduction of a small amount of C2H4, a representative of hydrocarbons in syngas, results in low CH4 yield and serious carbon deposition although it does not affect CO conversion. CO is relatively easy to hydrogenated compared to CO2 at the same reaction conditions. The comparison of thermodynamic calculations with experimental results demonstrated that the Gibbs free energy minimization method is significantly effective for understanding the reactions occurring in methanation and helpful for the development of catalysts and processes for the production of SNG.

Progress in biofuel production from gasification

Abstract: Biofuels from biomass gasification are reviewed here, and demonstrated to be an attractive option. Recent progress in gasification techniques and key generation pathways for biofuels production, process design and integration and socio-environmental impacts of biofuel generation are discussed, with the goal of investigating gasification-to-biofuels’ credentials as a sustainable and eco-friendly technology. The synthesis of important biofuels such as bio-methanol, bio-ethanol and higher alcohols, bio-dimethyl ether, Fischer Tropsch fuels, bio-methane, bio-hydrogen and algae-based fuels is reviewed, together with recent technologies, catalysts and reactors. Significant thermodynamic studies for each biofuel are also examined. Syngas cleaning is demonstrated to be a critical issue for biofuel production, and innovative pathways such as those employed by Choren Industrietechnik, Germany, and BioMCN, the Netherlands, are shown to allow efficient methanol generation. The conversion of syngas to FT transportation fuels such as gasoline and diesel over Co or Fe catalysts is reviewed and demonstrated to be a promising option for the future of biofuels. Bio-methane has emerged as a lucrative alternative for conventional transportation fuel with all the advantages of natural gas including a dense distribution, trade and supply network. Routes to produce H2 are discussed, though critical issues such as storage, expensive production routes with low efficiencies remain. Algae-based fuels are in the research and development stage, but are shown to have immense potential to become commercially important because of their capability to fix large amounts of CO2, to rapidly grow in many environments and versatile end uses. However, suitable process configurations resulting in optimal plant designs are crucial, so detailed process integration is a powerful tool to optimize current and develop new processes. LCA and ethical issues are also discussed in brief. It is clear that the use of food crops, as opposed to food wastes represents an area fraught with challenges, which must be resolved on a case by case basis.