Periodic Reporting for period 1 - METHAREN (Innovative bioMETHAne system integration boosting production while managing Renewable energies intermittENcy)
Période du rapport: 2022-11-01 au 2024-04-30
Biomethane and other bio synthetic natural gas offer lower carbon footprint and independence for Europe energy supply. Yet current biomethane production processes offer limited potential to meet gas demand. METHAREN will demonstrate the cost-effectiveness, innovative, and sustainability of the whole production chain from feedstock to injection of biomethane into the grid, enabling renewable energy sources (RES) intermittency management.
WP1: All activities planned in WP1 have been carried out: T1.1: creation of a Conceptual Engineering Package with guidelines for the Metharen system. T1.2: creation of a Basic Engineering Package incl. process studies, operating philosophy, list of main equipment and preliminary layout of the plant. T1.3: creation of specifications for gasification and methanation units, definition of Energy Management System requirements and manufacturing of a small-scale methanation reactor for T3.3 lab tests.
WP2: Lab-scale gasification tests highlighted the differences in each feedstock behavior (yield, gas composition). Based on thermodynamic simulations, no feedstock should be problematic from an ash fusion point of view. Pilot-scale oxy-steam gasification tests were conducted and properties of the produced syngas at the gasification plant outlet determined. The basic engineering step for gasification plant design is done and technical documentation is ready. HTC parametric tests were performed.
WP3: Preliminary tests on catalyst deactivation gave sensitivity to gas contents. A purification system to reduce H2S is developed. A small scale membrane unit to separate CO2 from syngas is planned for the demo. The methanation process with a recycling membrane unit has been developed. Experimental tests demonstrated the good performance of the innovative catalytic reactor under Metharen conditions. A numerical model, including the specific kinetics, was developed and validated against experimentation. This model will be used in T3.4 to provide detailed specifications of the demo methanation reactor.
WP4: The v1 of the EMS was developed, considering the modeling of each brick and of the energy supply systems (non- and renewable sources) along with intermittency handling strategies. The SOEC model to predict the response outlet to the inlet operating conditions has been developed based on literature data. AWAM characterized liquor samples obtained from the hydrothermal carbonization of F-waste and specified the water purification package that will deliver ultrapure water to the electrolyser.
WP5: WP5 focused on detailed system design, component procurement, and site preparation. T5.1 involved TEN-R, GZT, CEA, ACEA, and HST, in detailed process engineering design, gathering information to prepare the engineering package. TEN-R optimized process documents to fit budgeting and space constraints, while T5.2 involved supplier inquiries. ACEA, in T5.3 gathered site preparation and permitting information, proposing to expand the site and upgrade power capacity to meet the project needs.
WP6: Not started yet.
WP7: Only 3 of 5 tasktasks have started and have proceedproceeded according to the planning: T7.1: 5 companies have joint tojoined the Industrial Cluster Board and listed in the project website. T7.2: the analysis of potential obstacles to this technology has started using a PESTEL methodology. T7.5: a common deliverable for proposing policy guidelines to help the development of new biomethane production technologies has been elaborated in collaboration with 3 EU funded projects.
WP8: Regarding communication and dissemination activities, this first period was dedicated to the elaboration of the plan for dissemination and exploitation including communication activities, the METHAREN website, the visual identity, and the communication materials. In parallel, an IPR management plan was developed as well as a first workshop on IPR aspects.
WP9: The three deliverables of WP9 were delivered in time: D9.1 with a project management plan and tools to facilitate the communication between partners; D9.2 to ensure the high quality of METHAREN developments and the deliverables produced in the project according to ethics and quality procedures; D9.3 explaining the data management policy (data generated, accessibility, curation and preservation within and between work packages).
WP2: Lab-scale gasification tests highlighted the differences in each feedstock behavior (yield, gas composition). Based on thermodynamic simulations, no feedstock should be problematic from an ash fusion point of view. Pilot-scale oxy-steam gasification tests were conducted and properties of the produced syngas at the gasification plant outlet determined. The basic engineering step for gasification plant design is done and technical documentation is ready. HTC parametric tests were performed.
WP3: Preliminary tests on catalyst deactivation gave sensitivity to gas contents. A purification system to reduce H2S is developed. A small scale membrane unit to separate CO2 from syngas is planned for the demo. The methanation process with a recycling membrane unit has been developed. Experimental tests demonstrated the good performance of the innovative catalytic reactor under Metharen conditions. A numerical model, including the specific kinetics, was developed and validated against experimentation. This model will be used in T3.4 to provide detailed specifications of the demo methanation reactor.
WP4: The v1 of the EMS was developed, considering the modeling of each brick and of the energy supply systems (non- and renewable sources) along with intermittency handling strategies. The SOEC model to predict the response outlet to the inlet operating conditions has been developed based on literature data. AWAM characterized liquor samples obtained from the hydrothermal carbonization of F-waste and specified the water purification package that will deliver ultrapure water to the electrolyser.
WP5: WP5 focused on detailed system design, component procurement, and site preparation. T5.1 involved TEN-R, GZT, CEA, ACEA, and HST, in detailed process engineering design, gathering information to prepare the engineering package. TEN-R optimized process documents to fit budgeting and space constraints, while T5.2 involved supplier inquiries. ACEA, in T5.3 gathered site preparation and permitting information, proposing to expand the site and upgrade power capacity to meet the project needs.
WP6: Not started yet.
WP7: Only 3 of 5 tasktasks have started and have proceedproceeded according to the planning: T7.1: 5 companies have joint tojoined the Industrial Cluster Board and listed in the project website. T7.2: the analysis of potential obstacles to this technology has started using a PESTEL methodology. T7.5: a common deliverable for proposing policy guidelines to help the development of new biomethane production technologies has been elaborated in collaboration with 3 EU funded projects.
WP8: Regarding communication and dissemination activities, this first period was dedicated to the elaboration of the plan for dissemination and exploitation including communication activities, the METHAREN website, the visual identity, and the communication materials. In parallel, an IPR management plan was developed as well as a first workshop on IPR aspects.
WP9: The three deliverables of WP9 were delivered in time: D9.1 with a project management plan and tools to facilitate the communication between partners; D9.2 to ensure the high quality of METHAREN developments and the deliverables produced in the project according to ethics and quality procedures; D9.3 explaining the data management policy (data generated, accessibility, curation and preservation within and between work packages).
WP1: Not relevant.
WP2: Testing the hydrochar in the pilot-scale gasifier and complete analysis of syngas to identify the needed cleaning steps. Identifying a potential application of the char generated by gasification: promote methane production, soil amendment.
WP3: Development of a validated numerical tool to design upscaled methanation reactor applicable for other system configurations. Scientific results on experimental studies on the gas composition and contents impact on catalyst deactivation and aging.
WP4: The work developed can contribute to pilot systems considering a holistic view of the system, where energy integration and handling intermittencye approach play an important role in harvesting renewable resources for the replacement of fossils fuels.
WP5: Not relevant yet.
WP6: Not started yet.
WP7: Deliverable D7.4 with an initial proposal of policy guidelines has been produced in collaboration with 3 EU funded projects.
WP8: Not relevant.
WP9: New budget transfers have been requested by partners and mitigations actions discussed to ensure the success of the WP and the future pilot plant installation. Main adjustments are related to reduction of equipment/costs while enhancing a good operation condition.
WP2: Testing the hydrochar in the pilot-scale gasifier and complete analysis of syngas to identify the needed cleaning steps. Identifying a potential application of the char generated by gasification: promote methane production, soil amendment.
WP3: Development of a validated numerical tool to design upscaled methanation reactor applicable for other system configurations. Scientific results on experimental studies on the gas composition and contents impact on catalyst deactivation and aging.
WP4: The work developed can contribute to pilot systems considering a holistic view of the system, where energy integration and handling intermittencye approach play an important role in harvesting renewable resources for the replacement of fossils fuels.
WP5: Not relevant yet.
WP6: Not started yet.
WP7: Deliverable D7.4 with an initial proposal of policy guidelines has been produced in collaboration with 3 EU funded projects.
WP8: Not relevant.
WP9: New budget transfers have been requested by partners and mitigations actions discussed to ensure the success of the WP and the future pilot plant installation. Main adjustments are related to reduction of equipment/costs while enhancing a good operation condition.