Periodic Reporting for period 1 - FlexSNG (Flexible Production of Synthetic Natural Gas and Biochar via Gasification of Biomass and Waste Feedstocks)
Reporting period: 2021-06-01 to 2022-11-30
New, more flexible conversion technologies are needed to improve the market up-take of sustainable advanced biofuels and bioenergy and accelerate their deployment for replacing the use of fossil fuels in the transport, power and heating sectors.
The H2020 project FlexSNG is an EU-Canada jointly funded action that aims at developing a flexible and cost-effective gasification-based process for the production of pipeline-quality biomethane (also known as bio-based synthetic natural gas), high-value biochar and renewable heat from low-quality biomass residues and biogenic waste feedstocks. The produced biomethane can be readily injected into the existing gas infrastructure for distribution to various end-consumers in the transport sector, heat and power production, industries, and households. The biochar product, on the other hand, is a solid and therefore easily storable bioenergy carrier that can be used to displace fossil feedstocks in energy production but also has wide markets in material use (e.g. soil amendment). The by-product heat recovered from the process is sold as steam to industrial customers or used for district heating.
The H2020 project FlexSNG is an EU-Canada jointly funded action that aims at developing a flexible and cost-effective gasification-based process for the production of pipeline-quality biomethane (also known as bio-based synthetic natural gas), high-value biochar and renewable heat from low-quality biomass residues and biogenic waste feedstocks. The produced biomethane can be readily injected into the existing gas infrastructure for distribution to various end-consumers in the transport sector, heat and power production, industries, and households. The biochar product, on the other hand, is a solid and therefore easily storable bioenergy carrier that can be used to displace fossil feedstocks in energy production but also has wide markets in material use (e.g. soil amendment). The by-product heat recovered from the process is sold as steam to industrial customers or used for district heating.
During the first half of the project, the experimental activities of the project have focused on the development and optimization of the gasification process, including gasification, filtration, catalytic reforming and sulphur removal, as well as the novel oxygen production method based on oxygen transport membranes. Three pilot tests have been carried out so far using bark, straw and clean wood pellets as feedstocks to optimize the process conditions especially for co-producing good-quality syngas and biochar. In parallel, lab-scale testing and screening of reformer catalysts and sulphur removal sorbents were performed to support the pilot activities. Oxygen transport membranes have also been tested in a lab-scale set-up in simulated gasification conditions. Based on the experiences gained in the lab tests, a proof-of-concept oxygen production module was designed and is currently under construction. Once finished, this module will be integrated with the gasification pilot and tested as a means to supply oxygen to the process.
Feedstock supply chain optimization activities aim to develop and tailor cost-effective feedstock supply chains for the new gasification process. The work has started with mapping of feedstock potential and gathering of relevant feedstock quality and cost data. The most eligible feedstocks were selected for FlexSNG based on the collected data and the assessment of their suitability for the gasification process. The pre-processing requirements, storage and collection methods were then determined for each of the selected FlexSNG feedstocks and the potential benefits of co-handling forest/agro/waste feedstocks were evaluated. This data is now being implemented into the optimization models that are developed for the FlexSNG feedstock supply chains. These optimization models will be used in the second reporting period to demonstrate the targeted 20% reduction in feedstock supply costs.
The two end products, biomethane and biochar, have various potential applications. In this reporting period, biochar samples produced in the pilot gasification test campaigns have been characterized to assess their quality and suitability for different end uses. The characterization results showed that the FlexSNG biochar is able to meet the quality requirements set out in the two voluntary biochar standards and can be considered suitable for most of today’s biochar applications, such as use as construction material additive or soil amendment. Regarding the biomethane product, different utilization options have been screened and evaluated by studying the current and future markets for biomethane, also considering the transport and distribution of biomethane. The characterization results and information on the potential applications and markets will be used later on in the project to define the most promising utilization options for both biomethane and biochar.
Techno-economic assessments are a core activity in the project. In this reporting period, the focus has been on defining the FlexSNG concept and its main unit operations in detail and setting up the process simulation model in Aspen Plus® accordingly. The partners have also made preliminary definitions of the case studies that will be further refined in the coming months.
Feedstock supply chain optimization activities aim to develop and tailor cost-effective feedstock supply chains for the new gasification process. The work has started with mapping of feedstock potential and gathering of relevant feedstock quality and cost data. The most eligible feedstocks were selected for FlexSNG based on the collected data and the assessment of their suitability for the gasification process. The pre-processing requirements, storage and collection methods were then determined for each of the selected FlexSNG feedstocks and the potential benefits of co-handling forest/agro/waste feedstocks were evaluated. This data is now being implemented into the optimization models that are developed for the FlexSNG feedstock supply chains. These optimization models will be used in the second reporting period to demonstrate the targeted 20% reduction in feedstock supply costs.
The two end products, biomethane and biochar, have various potential applications. In this reporting period, biochar samples produced in the pilot gasification test campaigns have been characterized to assess their quality and suitability for different end uses. The characterization results showed that the FlexSNG biochar is able to meet the quality requirements set out in the two voluntary biochar standards and can be considered suitable for most of today’s biochar applications, such as use as construction material additive or soil amendment. Regarding the biomethane product, different utilization options have been screened and evaluated by studying the current and future markets for biomethane, also considering the transport and distribution of biomethane. The characterization results and information on the potential applications and markets will be used later on in the project to define the most promising utilization options for both biomethane and biochar.
Techno-economic assessments are a core activity in the project. In this reporting period, the focus has been on defining the FlexSNG concept and its main unit operations in detail and setting up the process simulation model in Aspen Plus® accordingly. The partners have also made preliminary definitions of the case studies that will be further refined in the coming months.
The FlexSNG process is founded on the project partners’ advanced technologies and latest innovations in the field of oxygen production, gasification and gas clean-up, and methanation. Combining these technology innovations with feedstock supply chain optimization activities carried out during the project, the FlexSNG aims to lower the biomethane production costs by 30% compared to state-of-the-art biomethane production technologies that are based on gasification.
The FlexSNG concept is foreseen to have a significant impact in supporting the decarbonization of the transport and energy production sectors and the overall transition towards low-carbon economy both in Europe and in Canada. The FlexSNG project will boost Europe’s global leadership as a provider of sustainable biofuels/bioenergy technologies for domestic and export markets. The production of renewable methane from domestic biomass and waste resources will also reduce the dependency on natural gas imports, thus improving the security of energy supply in European countries. The commercialization of the FlexSNG technology will also bring new growth and jobs throughout the entire value chain from feedstock sourcing up to the distribution and end-use of biomethane and biochar.
The FlexSNG concept is foreseen to have a significant impact in supporting the decarbonization of the transport and energy production sectors and the overall transition towards low-carbon economy both in Europe and in Canada. The FlexSNG project will boost Europe’s global leadership as a provider of sustainable biofuels/bioenergy technologies for domestic and export markets. The production of renewable methane from domestic biomass and waste resources will also reduce the dependency on natural gas imports, thus improving the security of energy supply in European countries. The commercialization of the FlexSNG technology will also bring new growth and jobs throughout the entire value chain from feedstock sourcing up to the distribution and end-use of biomethane and biochar.