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Swinbourn R, Li C, Wang F. A Comprehensive Review on Biomethane Production from Biogas Separation and its Techno-Economic Assessments. CHEMSUSCHEM 2024; 17:e202400779. [PMID: 38958605 DOI: 10.1002/cssc.202400779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2024] [Revised: 07/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
Biogas offers significant benefits as a renewable energy source, contributing to decarbonization, waste management, and economic development. This comprehensive review examines the historical, technological, economic, and global aspects of biomethane production, focusing on the key players such as China, the European Union, and North America, and associated opportunities and challenges as well as future prospects from an Australia perspective. The review begins with an introduction to biogas, detailing its composition, feedstock sources, historical development, and anaerobic digestion (AD) process. Subsequently, it delves into major biomethane production technologies, including physicochemical absorption, high-pressure water scrubbing (HPWS), amine scrubbing (AS), pressure swing adsorption (PSA), membrane permeation/separation (MP), and other technologies including organic solvent scrubbing and cryogenic separation. The study also discusses general guidelines of techno-economic assessments (TEAs) regarding biomethane production, outlining the methodologies, inventory analysis, environmental life cycle assessment (LCA), and estimated production costs. Challenges and opportunities of biogas utilization in Australia are explored, highlighting and referencing global projections, polarization in production approaches, circularity in waste management, and specific considerations for Australia. The review concludes discussing future perspectives for biomethane, emphasizing the importance of technological advancements, policy support, and investment in realizing its full potential for sustainable energy and waste management solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ross Swinbourn
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, School of Science, Computing and Engineering Technologies, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, 3122, Victoria, Australia
- Victorian Hydrogen Hub, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, 3122, Victoria, Australia
- CSIRO Energy, 71 Normandy Road, Clayton North, 3169, Victoria, Australia
| | - Chaoen Li
- CSIRO Energy, 71 Normandy Road, Clayton North, 3169, Victoria, Australia
- Research Institute for Carbon Materials and Hydrogen Technologies, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, 325206, Zhejiang Province, The PR China
| | - Feng Wang
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, School of Science, Computing and Engineering Technologies, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, 3122, Victoria, Australia
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Akimoto S, Tsubota J, Angelidaki I, Hidaka T, Fujiwara T. Pilot-scale in-situ biomethanation of sewage sludge: Effects of gas recirculation method. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2024; 413:131524. [PMID: 39321937 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2024.131524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2024] [Revised: 08/28/2024] [Accepted: 09/22/2024] [Indexed: 09/27/2024]
Abstract
The methanation efficiency and operational stability of a 2 m3 pilot-scale in-situ biomethanation reactor were investigated using on-site sewage sludge as the substrate, at a wastewater treatment plant. In parallel, a laboratory-scale study was conducted. Hydrogen conversion efficiencies of 96.7 and 97.5 %, and average methane contents of 84.2 and 83.2 % were obtained, for the laboratory and pilot experiments, respectively. The pilot-scale digester was operated at various conditions for 137 d, of which the last 30 d were stable with a high biomethanation efficiency and an average pH of 8.2. Gas recirculation increased the hydrogen conversion efficiency. When hydrogen injection and gas recirculation were applied separately, a 96 % lower gas recirculation rate was needed to achieve the same hydrogen conversion efficiency, compared to a mixture of hydrogen injection and gas recirculation in the same line. These findings may facilitate the selection of suitable gas recirculation concepts for practical biomethanation applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinya Akimoto
- Energy Technology Laboratories, Osaka Gas Co., Ltd., Osaka 554-0051, Japan.
| | - Jun Tsubota
- Energy Technology Laboratories, Osaka Gas Co., Ltd., Osaka 554-0051, Japan
| | - Irini Angelidaki
- Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs, Lyngby DK-2800, Denmark
| | - Taira Hidaka
- Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Kyoto 615-8540, Japan
| | - Taku Fujiwara
- Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Kyoto 615-8540, Japan
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Ale Enriquez F, Ahring BK. Strategies to overcome mass transfer limitations of hydrogen during anaerobic gaseous fermentations: A comprehensive review. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2023; 377:128948. [PMID: 36963702 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2023.128948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Fermentation of gaseous substrates such as carbon dioxide (CO2) has emerged as a sustainable approach for transforming greenhouse gas emissions into renewable fuels and biochemicals. CO2 fermentations are catalyzed by hydrogenotrophic methanogens and homoacetogens, these anaerobic microorganisms selectively reduce CO2 using hydrogen (H2) as electron donor. However, H2 possesses low solubility in liquid media leading to slow mass transport, limiting the reaction rates of CO2 reduction. Solving the problems of mass transport of H2 could boost the advance of technologies for valorizing industrial CO2-rich streams, like biogas or syngas. The application could further be extended to combustion flue gases or even atmospheric CO2. In this work, an overview of strategies for overcoming H2 mass transport limitations during methanogenic and acetogenic fermentation of H2 and CO2 is presented. The potential for using these strategies in future full-scale facilities and the knowledge gaps for these applications are discussed in detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuad Ale Enriquez
- Bioproducts, Sciences, and Engineering Laboratory, Washington State University, Tri-Cities, Richland, WA 99354, USA; The Gene and Linda Voiland School of Chemical and Bioengineering, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Birgitte K Ahring
- Bioproducts, Sciences, and Engineering Laboratory, Washington State University, Tri-Cities, Richland, WA 99354, USA; The Gene and Linda Voiland School of Chemical and Bioengineering, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA; Biological Systems Engineering Department, L.J. Smith Hall, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA.
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Potential for Biomethanisation of CO2 from Anaerobic Digestion of Organic Wastes in the United Kingdom. Processes (Basel) 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/pr10061202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The United Kingdom (UK) has a decarbonisation strategy that includes energy from both hydrogen and biomethane. The latter comes from the growing anaerobic digestion (AD) market, which in 2020 produced 23.3 TWh of energy in the form of biogas. According to the strategy, this must be upgraded to biomethane by removal of carbon dioxide (CO2): a goal that could also be fulfilled through CO2 biomethanisation, alleviating the need for carbon capture and storage. Results are presented from a survey of publicly available datasets coupled with modelling to identify potential scale and knowledge gaps. Literature data were used to estimate maximum biomethane concentrations by feedstock type: these ranged from 79% for food wastes to 93% for livestock manures. Data from various government sources were used to estimate the overall potential for CO2 biomethanisation with current AD infrastructure. Values for the uplift in biomethane production ranged from 57% to 61%, but the need for more consistent data collection methodologies was highlighted. On average, however, if CO2 biomethanisation was applied in all currently operating UK AD plants an energy production uplift of 12,954 GWh could be achieved based on 2020 figures. This is sufficient to justify the inclusion of CO2 biomethanisation in decarbonisation strategies, in the UK and worldwide.
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Biological Aspects, Advancements and Techno-Economical Evaluation of Biological Methanation for the Recycling and Valorization of CO2. ENERGIES 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/en15114064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Nowadays, sustainable and renewable energy production is a global priority. Over the past decade, several Power-to-X (PtX) technologies have been proposed to store and convert the surplus of renewable energies into chemical bonds of chemicals produced by different processes. CO2 is a major contributor to climate change, yet it is also an undervalued source of carbon that could be recycled and represents an opportunity to generate renewable energy. In this context, PtX technologies would allow for CO2 valorization into renewable fuels while reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. With this work we want to provide an up-to-date overview of biomethanation as a PtX technology by considering the biological aspects and the main parameters affecting its application and scalability at an industrial level. Particular attention will be paid to the concept of CO2-streams valorization and to the integration of the process with renewable energies. Aspects related to new promising technologies such as in situ, ex situ, hybrid biomethanation and the concept of underground methanation will be discussed, also in connection with recent application cases. Furthermore, the technical and economic feasibility will be critically analyzed to highlight current options and limitations for implementing a sustainable process.
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de Jonge N, Poulsen JS, Vechi NT, Kofoed MVW, Nielsen JL. Wood-Ljungdahl pathway utilisation during in situ H 2 biomethanation. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 806:151254. [PMID: 34710425 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.151254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Biogas production from organic waste is a waste-to-energy technology with the potential to contribute significantly to sustainable energy production. Upgrading of biogas using in situ biomethanation with hydrogen has the potential for surplus electricity storage, and delivery of biogas with a methane content of >90%, allowing for easier integration into the natural gas grid, as well as conversion to other products. Microbial communities in biomethanation reactors undergo changes, however, these changes are largely unexplored. In the present study, metagenome-resolved protein stable isotope probing (Protein-SIP) was applied to laboratory scale batch incubations operating under anaerobic digestion, and (pre-adapted) biomethanation conditions, fed with 13C-labelled bicarbonate, in order to gain insight into the microbial activities during CO2-reduction. The strongest and most microbially diverse isotopic incorporation was observed in the pre-adapted biomethanation incubation. Furthermore, divergent incorporation of 13C-labelled bicarbonate was also observed in the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway, with the anaerobic digester incubations primarily showing labelled proteins in the peripheral pathways leading toward production of energy and biomass. The pre-adapted biomethanation incubations consumed H2 and CO2, but did not convert it to CH4, suggesting the production of acetate in these incubations, which was supported by heavy labelling of key enzymes in the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway. Twelve (ten high quality) metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) coding for 13C-incorporated proteins were extracted from the metagenome, eight of which contained one or more of the key genes in the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway, one of which was affiliated to Methanosarcina. Together, the findings in the present study deepen our knowledge surrounding microbial communities in biomethanation systems, and contribute to the development of better strategies for implementation of biogas upgrading and microbial management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadieh de Jonge
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Fredrik Bajers Vej 7H, DK-9220 Aalborg E, Denmark.
| | - Jan Struckmann Poulsen
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Fredrik Bajers Vej 7H, DK-9220 Aalborg E, Denmark.
| | - Nathalia Thygesen Vechi
- Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Aarhus University, Hangøvej 2, DK-8200 Aarhus N, Denmark.
| | | | - Jeppe Lund Nielsen
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Fredrik Bajers Vej 7H, DK-9220 Aalborg E, Denmark.
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Enhanced ex-situ biomethanation of hydrogen and carbon dioxide in a trickling filter bed reactor. Biochem Eng J 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bej.2021.108311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Khan A, Akbar S, Okonkwo V, Smith C, Khan S, Ali Shah A, Adnan F, Zeeshan Ijaz U, Ahmed S, Badshah M. Enrichment of the hydrogenotrophic methanogens for, in-situ biogas up-gradation by recirculation of gases and supply of hydrogen in methanogenic reactor. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2022; 345:126219. [PMID: 34813923 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2021.126219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
During in situ biogas up-gradation by supplying hydrogen from an external source and enrichment of hydrogenotrophic methanogens, high pressure of H2 negatively affects hydrolytic and fermentative activities. To overcome this problem, the present study aimed to enrich the hydrogenotrophic methanogens by optimization of various parameters associated with gas recirculation along-with hydrogen supply from the external source. Due to recirculation of gases and supplied hydrogen, methane generation was two-fold higher in the optimal condition than in conventional anaerobic digestion, with the highest methane content of 99%. Additionally, the hydrogenotrophic methanogens were enriched, with a decrease in acetoclastic methanogens and an increase in Bathyarchaeia population, which utilizes H2 and CO2 to produce acetate and lactate as end products. The study concludes that recirculation increases methane production by converting H2 and CO2 into methane and enhances the degradation of organic matter left over undigested in the hydrolytic reactor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alam Khan
- Sustainable Bioenergy and Biorefinery Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan
| | - Sedrah Akbar
- Sustainable Bioenergy and Biorefinery Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan
| | - Valentine Okonkwo
- Water Engineering Group, School of Engineering, The University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Cindy Smith
- Water Engineering Group, School of Engineering, The University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom; Department of Microbiology, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway H91 TK33, Ireland
| | - Samiullah Khan
- Sustainable Bioenergy and Biorefinery Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan
| | - Aamer Ali Shah
- Sustainable Bioenergy and Biorefinery Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan
| | - Fazal Adnan
- Atta-ur-Rahman School of Applied Biosciences, National University of Sciences & Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Umer Zeeshan Ijaz
- Water Engineering Group, School of Engineering, The University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Safia Ahmed
- Sustainable Bioenergy and Biorefinery Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan
| | - Malik Badshah
- Sustainable Bioenergy and Biorefinery Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan.
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Zhao J, Li Y, Dong R. Recent progress towards in-situ biogas upgrading technologies. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 800:149667. [PMID: 34426339 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhao
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, the Netherlands.
| | - Yu Li
- College of Engineering, China Agricultural University, Qinghuadonglu No.17, 100083 Beijing, China.
| | - Renjie Dong
- College of Engineering, China Agricultural University, Qinghuadonglu No.17, 100083 Beijing, China.
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Biological conversion of carbon monoxide and hydrogen by anaerobic culture: Prospect of anaerobic digestion and thermochemical processes combination. Biotechnol Adv 2021; 58:107886. [PMID: 34915147 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2021.107886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Waste biomass is considered a promising renewable energy feedstock that can be converted by anaerobic digestion. However, anaerobic digestion application can be challenging due to the structural complexity of several waste biomass kinds. Therefore, coupling anaerobic digestion with thermochemical processes can offset the limitations and convert the hardly biodegradable waste biomass, including digestate residue, into value-added products: syngas and pyrogas (gaseous mixtures consisting mainly of H2, CO, CO2), bio-oil, and biochar for further valorisation. In this review, the utilisation boundaries and benefits of the aforementioned products by anaerobic culture are discussed. First, thermochemical process parameters for an enhanced yield of desired products are summarised. Particularly, the microbiology of CO and H2 mixture biomethanation and fermentation in anaerobic digestion is presented. Finally, the state-of-the-art biological conversion of syngas and pyrogas to CH4 mediated by anaerobic culture is adequately described. Extensive research shows the successful selective biological conversion of CO and H2 to CH4, acetic acid, and alcohols. The main bottleneck is the gas-liquid mass transfer which can be enhanced appropriately by bioreactors' configurations. A few research groups focus on bio-oil and biochar addition into anaerobic digesters. However, according to the literature review, there has been no research for utilising all value-added products at once in anaerobic digestion published so far. Although synergic effects of such can be expected. In summary, the combination of anaerobic digestion and thermochemical processes is a promising alternative for wide-scale waste biomass utilisation in practice.
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