Open AccessInnovative CO 2 separation of biogas by polymer resins: Operation of a continuous lab‐scale plant
Author(s) -
Raab Katharina,
Lamprecht Martina,
Brechtel Kevin,
Scheffknecht Günter
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
engineering in life sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.547
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1618-2863
pISSN - 1618-0240
DOI - 10.1002/elsc.201100066
Subject(s) - biogas , process engineering , methane , polymer , scale up , adsorption , natural gas , waste management , energy demand , materials science , environmental science , chemical engineering , engineering , chemistry , organic chemistry , composite material , physics , classical mechanics , natural resource economics , economics
Upgrading biogas allows for the injection of biomethane into the natural gas grid and thus a decentralized use. Since the currently available techniques have a high energy demand, there is a high potential to improve biogas upgrading. Innovative CO 2 separation of biogas by the use of polymer resins can reduce the energy demand, the capital expenditure, and the operational costs. In this study, we show the ability of polymer resin to selectively adsorb CO 2 . Desorption tests showed the potential for continuous use of the resin. In a continuous lab‐scale plant, numerous variations of process parameters were carried out and optimization possibilities were demonstrated. Methane purity up to 98% was achieved. The favorable estimated energy demand indicates the great potential of the demonstrated improved process.