CO2 & H2S Removal Processes from Biogas:
S.
Method Advantages Disadvantages
No.
One of the easiest and cheapest
Absorption in Water pumping load is high.
1. methods for CO2 removal.
Water CO2 can not be recovered
Recommended for rural application.
The chemical absorbents are more Regeneration of the solvent requires a
Absorption by efficient in low pressure and can relatively high energy input. Disposal of
2. remove CO2 to low partial pressures
Chemicals by-product formed due to chemical
in treated gas. reactions is a problem.
By proper choice of the adsorbent, Adsorption is accomplished at high
Pressure
this process can remove CO2, H2S, temperature and pressure. Regeneration is
3. Swing
carried out by vacuum. It is a costly
Adsorption moisture and other impurities. process.
Membrane Modular in nature and separate CO2 High pressure requirement. The
4.
Separation and CH4 effectively. processing cost is also high.
Allows recovery of pure component
Cryogenic High cost involved makes it impractical
5. in the form of liquid, which can be
Separation for Biogas applications.
transported conveniently
Chemical Extremely high purity in the product Process is extremely expensive and is not
6.
Conversion gas. warranted in most Biogas applications.
Process flow chart of biogas enrichment and compression system
Biogas Digester
Biogas (CH4 CO2) Moisture Removal
Single Stage
Compressor
Gas Storage Pressure
Water Tank Vessel
Water
Pump Flow Meter
Biogas Dissolved CO2
Scrubber in Water
Enriched Biogas
Gas Storage Pressure
Vessel
Moisture Filters
Pressure Reducers
Three Stage Gas
Compressor
High Pressure Cylinders for
Storage of Enriched Gas
Biogas Enrichment and Bottling System
1-Biogas plant 11-Safety valve
2-Ball valve 12-Water sprayer NOT TO SCALE
3-Water remover 13-Flange
11
4-Receiver mounted compressor 14-View glass
5-Pressure gauge 15-Water outlet
6-Gas Storage Vessel 16-Water pump
7-Rotameter 17-Gas filter 12 13
14
8-Supporting stand 18-Pressure reducer
9-Reshching rings 19-Three stage gas compressor
10-Scrubber 20-CNG Cylinder
10
20
9 17
5 8
2
6 7
3
1
19
16
18
4
15
Fig.1: Experimental setup for biogas purification and bottling
Further R&D Work Required for Biogas Development
• Biogas production using easily available local
waste material preferably agricultural wastes.
• Development of new and low cost improved
designs of biogas plants for large sizes.
• Development of low cost technology for
separation of methane, CO2 and sulfur
compounds from biogas for easy bottling of pure
methane and to reduce the damages caused by
S-compounds on machines using the biogas.
• The effect of bio-wash (liquid from digested
slurry) on vegetables and crops.
• Design of kitchen waste biogas plant for
restaurants
• Testing of oil seed cake based biogas plant slurry
for nutrient value and its effect on crop
production
Engine performance
• There are three main engine types on the
market today.
• The first is pure gas SI engine. Most gasoline
SI engines in use today can actually be easily
switched to run on compressed natural gas,
propane, and methane (Emcon Associates ,
1980).
• There are two changes that must be made to ensure
proper operation when switching from gasoline to
biogas. First, a gas carburetor must be installed, which
can be purchased from any company that sells propane
burning equipment, and then modified to make up for the
slow flame velocity and increase air consumption of
methane burning
• Secondly, spark plugs with high temperatures must be
installed to counter the high combustion temperature of
methane
• A second type of engine that can utilize biogas
is the dual fuel modified CI engine.
• Due to the slow flame velocity of methane,
low speed CI engines are more conducive to
bio gas utilization (Constant & Naveau, 1989).
These systems are designed to burn diesel fuel
while burning biogas.
• The last type of engine that can be used with biogas
is the pure gas modified compression engine. A
diesel engine is modified and runs only on biogas
• The major modifications to the diesel engine
include: removal of the injectors, addition of spark
plugs, addition of a gas carburetor, and decreasing
of the compression ratio (Constant & Naveau,
1989). Even though this is the most complicated
way to make a biogas engine, it is the most suitable
for biogas.
A biorefinery is a facility that integrates biomass conversion
processes and equipment to produce fuels, power, heat, and
value-added chemicals from biomass.
• Biorefining is the sustainable processing of
biomass into a spectrum of marketable
products and energy.”
• “A biorefinery is a facility that integrates
biomass conversion processes and equipment
to produce fuels, power, and chemicals from
biomass.
Fossil Resources Products
PETRO - REFINERY -Energy
-Crude oil
-Natural gas -Chemicals
(speciality and
commodity)
-Materials (plastics,
other polymers)
Biomass Products
BIO - REFINERY
-Trees, -Energy
crops -Chemicals
-Grass, clover (speciality and
-Waste, etc. commodity)
-Materials (plastics,
other polymers)
-Food and feed
E-1
(Lemon Grass) 100kg
P-1
BIOMASS
Combustible Gases
P-5
Nitrogen
STEAM
450-500 C
P-4 P-14 P-6 P-16
CONDENSOR
P-15
Pyrolysis P-2
Reactor
P-13 E-4 E-5
&
Steam Distillation
P-8
P-11
ESSENTIAL Con
CHAR water
OIL BIO-OIL
15kg 30kg 18kg
20kg
P-9
E-7 E-2 E-8 E-3 E-9 P-7
P-8
E-6
Fig IntegratedThermochemical Biorefinery