FAKULTT LIFE SCIENCES

Biogas Engineering
Power-To-Gas

Christoph Kaufmann, Tobias Reum

HAW Hamburg
WT 16/17
 1. Introduction- Storage Technologies

Source: Specht, 2014

Biogas Engineering Christoph Kaufmann and Tobias Reum HAW Hamburg 2

1. Introduction Current Situation in Germany

Source: https://www.eex.com/de/marktdaten#/marktdaten (Access: 21.11.2017)

Biogas Engineering Christoph Kaufmann and Tobias Reum HAW Hamburg 3

1. Introduction Outlook

Higher shares of RE higher fluctuations of the power supply

Balancing the temporal and spatial dimension of supply and demand with
Demand side management
Additional flexible power generation
Energy storage systems

Natural gas grid: storage potential of 220 TWh (about 60 days of electrical
supply) (2011)
H2-percentage: 2% today, 10% in the future

Ref. Jentsch et al. 2014, DVGW, 2016

Biogas Engineering Christoph Kaufmann and Tobias Reum HAW Hamburg 4

Outline

1. Introduction

2. Technology

3. Economic Aspects

4. Perspective

5. Conclusion

6. References

Biogas Engineering Christoph Kaufmann and Tobias Reum HAW Hamburg 5

 2. Technology - Process Chain Scheme

Source: Gtz et al. 2016

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2. Technology - Electrolysis

Alcaline Electrolysis

2 H2O 2 H2 + O2

state of the art: easy and well

known principle, low
investment costs

=54...85%

Ref. Gahleitner, 2012

Source: Foteini M. Sapountzi et al., 2016

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2. Technology - Electrolysis

Proton exchange membrane

(PEM) Electrolysis

= 53...79%

higher research potential,

theoretically up to = 94%,

Transient operation (seconds to

minutes)

Ref. Gahleitner, 2012 Source: Foteini M. Sapountzi et al., 2016

Biogas Engineering Christoph Kaufmann and Tobias Reum HAW Hamburg 8

2. Technology Electrolysis

Solid Oxide Electrolysis

runs with steam: high temperature,

= 500-850C

theoretically up to el > 100%, possibly

parallel catalytic methanation

very early development stage

Ref. Gahleitner, 2012

Source: Foteini M. Sapountziet al., 2016

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 2. Technology - Process Chain Scheme

Source: Gtz et al. 2016

Biogas Engineering Christoph Kaufmann and Tobias Reum HAW Hamburg 10

2. Technology - Methanation Reactions

Sabatier reaction and hydrogenation of CO

reverse water gas shift reaction

boudouard reaction

Source: Gtz et al. 2016

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2. Technology Reactions Conversion Rate

Source: Gtz et al. 2016

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2. Technology - Methanation

High requirements for the methanation reactor

Intermittent or dynamic behavior

Composition of natural gas:

contains more than 80 % CH4
Further higher hydrocarbons to increase calorific value, e. g. ethane,
propane etc.
Inert components such as N2 or CO2 lower the calorific value

Process criteria
Methane concentration
Required reactor volume and volumetric flow
conversion rate

Ref. Gtz et al. 2016

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 2. Technology - Methanation Reactors

Reactor Biological Methanation (BM) CSTR

Concepts (20 70 C, 1 -10 bar)
Others:
- Membrane
- Trickle-bed
- Fixed-bed

Catalytic Methanation (CM) Fixed-bed:

(250 550 C, 1-100 bar) -Adiabatic
-Isothermal
Fluidized-bed
Three phase:
- three phase fluidized-bed
- Bubble column
Structured:
- Honeycomb
- Microchannel
Source: Based on Gtz et al. 2016
- Sorption enhanced
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2. Technology - Catalytic Methanation

Operating Conditions
Heat removal and temperature control T=250 C 550 C
prevent thermodynamic limitations and p=1 100 bar
catalyst sintering

Novel reactor concepts for small plant sizes required

Steady-state or dynamic operations

Ni is often the optimum choice as a catalyst

High activity
Good CH4 selectivity
Low raw material price
High purity of the feed gas is required

Ref. Gtz et al. 2016

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2. Technology - Biological Methanation

Operating Conditions
Hydrogenotrophic methanogens
T=20 C 70 C
p=1 10bar
Efficiency depends on type of microorganisms, cell concentration, reactor
concept, pressure, pH-value and temperature

Gas liquid mass transfer resistance, poor solubility of hydrogen engineering

challenge

In Situ Digester
Limited to the CO2 production rate (from aceticlastic methanogens)
low methane formation rate
Process conditions cannot be adapted to the optimal conditions

Separated Reactor
Ref. Gtz et al. 2016

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2. Technology - Catlytic vs. Biological Mehanation

Catalytic Methanation Biological Mehanation

Requires high purity adittional High tolerances of impurities
purification required (higher cost)
Lower investment cost
Much higher process flow rate
(several order of magnitudes)
10% is of the output is used for
compared with BM
stirring

Higher efficiencies due to no stirrer

and waste heat utilization

BM for small plant sizes

CM for industrial application
Ref. Gtz et al. 2016

Biogas Engineering Christoph Kaufmann and Tobias Reum HAW Hamburg 17

2. Technology Plant Designs

Gas Grid
95 % CH4
50 % - 70 % CH4
H2 PSA
Electrolyser Biogas

50 % CH4 + 50 % CO2
Biogas BM/ 95 % CH4
Electrolyser H2
CM

50 % CH4 + 50 % CO2 95 % CH4

PSA
Biogas
5 % CH4
H2 95 % CO2 BM/
Electrolyser CM 95 % CH4

Continuous Discontinuous Source: Own scheme based on

Viessmann 2012, Gtz et al. 2016

Biogas Engineering Christoph Kaufmann and Tobias Reum HAW Hamburg 18

2. Technology Plant Designs

CO2 from e. g. power plants Gas Grid

Electrolyser BM/ 95 % CH4
CM

Chemical Industry
H2 + O2
Electrolyser

Source: Own scheme based on

Viessmann, 2012 Gtz et al. 2016

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2. Technology - Pilot Plant Audi Werlte

Source: Rieke 2016

6.3 MWel total Demand Fixed bed methanation with utilizing

Biogas plant the waste heat
3 x 2 MWel Electrolyser SNG: 77 Nm3 /h
approx. 0.8 MW
1 300 Nm3 /h H2 95.1 % CH4
approx. 4 MW 2.9 % CO2
2.0 % H2
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 2. Technology - Process Chain Scheme

Source: Gtz et al. 2016

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3. Economical Aspects Efficiencies

Gas [%] Comment

Power to Gas
Hydrogen 56-73 compression to 80 bar
(gas grid)
Methane (accumulated) 50-64
Re-electrification via CHP (heat and electricity)
Hydrogen (accumulated) 48-62 over gas grid, 40%
electrical energy, 45%
Methane (accumulated) 43-54 heat

Source: Sterner et. al., 2011

severe losses when looking at exergy

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3. Economical Aspects Investment Costs

Technology Investment costs Investment costs

[/kW] (2015) [/kW] (predicted)
Alcaline electrolysis 1000 -
PEM electrolysis 1800 1250 (2020)

SOEC electrolysis - 1000 (2030)

Source: Gtz et. al., 2015

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4. Perspectives PTG Scenario: Optimistic

investment costs reduced

85% renewables energy sector

increased costs for natural gas and CO2-emissions

Source: Jentsch et. al., 2014

Biogas Engineering Christoph Kaufmann and Tobias Reum HAW Hamburg 24

 4. Perspectives PTG Scenario: Pessimistic

Low efficiency: high losses for

re-electrification
Methanation not useful while
hydrogen is still produced
from natural gas
Alternatives:
Short-term storage:
batteries, fly wheels
Long-term storage:
improve pump storage
power plants

Source: Hermann et al., 2014

Ref. Jentsch et al. ,2014

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5. Conclusion

Large storage potential to cover the electricity demand for 60 days

Not cost-competitive to natural gas so far (cost

Electrolysis dominates the production costs

Utilizing the by products such as the waste heat to increase the overall efficiency

Dynamic behavior as linkage to the renewable energy sources

Ongoing research for process improvements and cost degression

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5. Conclusion

Time frame Application

Short-term (2020) research

pilot plants
niche product
Mid-term (2030) Increasing feed into the natural gas grid
Power-to-chemical
Long-term (2050) Storage system for summer and winter shifts
complementary to other systems (large capacity)
CHP in district heating
Vehicles, planes etc.
Hydrogen for industrial chemical processes

Ref. Gtz et al. 2016, Hermann et al., 2014, Jentsch et al. ,2014

Biogas Engineering Christoph Kaufmann and Tobias Reum HAW Hamburg 27

FAKULTT LIFE SCIENCES

Let the fossils rest in peace (Triebel)

Thank you for your for attention

6. References

Specht, 2014 Impulsvortrag: Aktueller Stand der Power-to-Gas Technologie, M. Specht, 2011
Jentsch et al., 2014 Optimal Use of Power-to-Gas Energy Storage Systems in an 85% Renewable
Energy Scenario, M. Jentsch, T. Trost, M. Sterner, 2013
Drr et al., 2016 Untersuchungen zur Einspeisung von Wasserstoff in ein Erdgasnetz, Dr. H. Drr, K.
Krger, Dr. F. Graf, W. Kppel, F. Burmeister, J. Senner, Dr. P. Nitschke-Kowsky, W. Weing, DVGW,
2016
Gtz et al., 2016 Renewable Power-to-Gas: A technological and economic review, M. Gtz, J.
Lefebvre, F. Mrs, A. Mc Daniel Koch, F. Graf, S. Bajohr, R. Reimert, T. Kolb, 2015
Gahleitner, 2012 Hydrogen from renewable electricity: An international review of power-to-gas pilot
plants for stationary applications, G. Gahleitner, 2012
Foteini M. Sapountzi, 2016 Electrocatalysts for the generation of hydrogen, oxygen and synthesis gas,
Fonteini M. Sapountzi, J. M. Gracia, C.J. Weststrate, H. O.A. Frederiksson, J.W. Niemantsverdriet, 2016
Sterner et al., 2011 Energiewirtschaftliche und kologische Bewertung eines Windgas-Angebotes, Dr.
M. Sterner, M. Jentsch, U. Holzhammer, Fraunhofer IWES, 2011
Hermann et al., 2014 Prfung der klimapolitischen Konsistenz und der Kosten von
Methanisierungsstrategien, H. Hermann, L. Emele, C. Loreck, ko-Institut e.V., 2014
Viessmann, 2012 Viessmann, Schmack, Power to Gas: Biologische Methanisierung Integration der
Methanisierung in Biogasanlagen, 2012
Rieke, 2016 Rieke, Stephan, ETOGAS GmbH,Power-To-Gas-Anlage Bau und Betrieb einer 6-MW-
Anlage in Werlte

Biogas Engineering Christoph Kaufmann and Tobias Reum HAW Hamburg 29