scholarly journals Comparative analysis of carbon dioxide methanation technologies for low carbon society development

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gheorghe Lazaroiu ◽  
Dana-Alexandra Ciupageanu ◽  
Lucian Mihaescu ◽  
Rodica-Manuela Grigoriu

Conversion technologies able to transform renewable energy sources (RES) based electricity in gaseous fuels, which can be stored over long timeframes, represent a key focus point considering the low carbon society development. Thus, Power-to-Gas technologies emerge as a viable solution to mitigate the variability of RES power generation, enabling spatial and temporal balancing of production vs. demand mismatches. An additional benefit in this context is brought by the decarbonization facilities, employing polluting carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and RES-based electricity to produce synthetic natural gas with high methane (CH4) concentration. The fuel obtained can be stored or injected in the gas distribution infrastructure, becoming a clean energy vector. This paper investigates the functional parameters of such technologies, aiming to comparatively analyze their suitability for further integration in hybrid and ecofriendly energy systems. Given the stability of CO2 molecule, a catalyst must be used to overcome the methanation reaction kinetics limitations. Therefore, the required conditions (in terms of pressure and temperature) for CO2 methanation reaction unfolding are analyzed first. Further, CO2 conversion rate and CH4 selectivity are investigated in order to provide a detailed comparison of available technologies in the field, addressing moreover the particularities of catalyst preparation processes. It is found that Nickel (Ni) based catalysts are performing well, achieving good performances even at atmospheric pressure and low temperatures. It is remarkable that, within a [300,500]℃ temperature range, Ni-based catalysts enable a CO2 conversion rate over 78% with a CH4 selectivity of up to 100%. Last, integration perspectives and benefits are discussed, highlighting the crucial importance of the results presented in this paper.

2018 ◽  
Vol 141 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
William L. Becker ◽  
Michael Penev ◽  
Robert J. Braun

Power-to-gas to energy systems are of increasing interest for low carbon fuels production and as a low-cost grid-balancing solution for renewables penetration. However, such gas generation systems are typically focused on hydrogen production, which has compatibility issues with the existing natural gas pipeline infrastructures. This study presents a power-to-synthetic natural gas (SNG) plant design and a techno-economic analysis of its performance for producing SNG by reacting renewably generated hydrogen from low-temperature electrolysis with captured carbon dioxide. The study presents a “bulk” methanation process that is unique due to the high concentration of carbon oxides and hydrogen. Carbon dioxide, as the only carbon feedstock, has much different reaction characteristics than carbon monoxide. Thermodynamic and kinetic considerations of the methanation reaction are explored to design a system of multistaged reactors for the conversion of hydrogen and carbon dioxide to SNG. Heat recuperation from the methanation reaction is accomplished using organic Rankine cycle (ORC) units to generate electricity. The product SNG has a Wobbe index of 47.5 MJ/m3 and the overall plant efficiency (H2/CO2 to SNG) is shown to be 78.1% LHV (83.2% HHV). The nominal production cost for SNG is estimated at 132 $/MWh (38.8 $/MMBTU) with 3 $/kg hydrogen and a 65% capacity factor. At U.S. DOE target hydrogen production costs (2.2 $/kg), SNG cost is estimated to be as low as 97.6 $/MWh (28.6 $/MMBtu or 1.46 $/kgSNG).


Energies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 1448 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alberto Benato ◽  
Anna Stoppato

Renewable energy sources are the most useful way to generate clean energy and guide the transition toward green power generation and a low-carbon economy. Among renewables, the best alternative to electricity generation from fossil fuels is solar energy because it is the most abundant and does not release pollutants during conversion processes. Despite the photovoltaic (PV) module ability to produce electricity in an eco-friendly way, PV cells are extremely sensitive to temperature increments. This can result in efficiency drop of 0.25%/ ∘ C to 0.5%/ ∘ C. To overcome this issue, manufacturers and researchers are devoted to the improvement of PV cell efficiency by decreasing operating temperature. For this purpose, the authors have developed a low-cost and high-performance PV cooling system that can drastically reduce module operating temperature. In the present work, the authors present a set of experimental measurements devoted to selecting the PV cooling arrangement that guarantees the best compromise of water-film uniformity, module temperature reduction, water-consumption minimization, and module power production maximization. Results show that a cooling system equipped with 3 nozzles characterized by a spraying angle of 90 ∘ , working with an inlet pressure of 1.5 bar, and which remains active for 30 s and is switched off for 120 s, can reduce module temperature by 28 ∘ C and improve the module efficiency by about 14%. In addition, cost per single module of the cooling system is only 15 €.


Catalysts ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 1201
Author(s):  
Danbee Han ◽  
Yunji Kim ◽  
Hyunseung Byun ◽  
Wonjun Cho ◽  
Youngsoon Baek

Biogas contains more than 40% CO2 that can be removed to produce high quality CH4. Recently, CH4 production from CO2 methanation has been reported in several studies. In this study, CO2 methanation of biogas was performed over a 20 wt% Ni-Mg-Al catalyst, and the effects of CO2 conversion rate and CH4 selectivity were investigated as a function of CH4, O2, H2O, and N2 compositions of the biogas. At a gas hourly space velocity (GHSV) of 30,000 h−1, the CO2 conversion rate was ~79.3% with a CH4 selectivity of 95%. In addition, the effects of the reaction temperature (200–450 °C), GHSV (21,000–50,000 h−1), and H2/CO2 molar ratio (3–5) on the CO2 conversion rate and CH4 selectivity over the 20 wt% Ni-Mg-Al catalyst were evaluated. The characteristics of the catalyst were analyzed using Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area analysis, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The catalyst was stable for approximately 200 h at a GHSV of 30,000 h−1 and a reaction temperature of 350 °C. CO2 conversion and CH4 selectivity were maintained at 75% and 93%, respectively, and the catalyst was therefore concluded to exhibit stable activity.


2014 ◽  
Vol 665 ◽  
pp. 517-520
Author(s):  
Qiang Zhao ◽  
Xiu Mei Li ◽  
Xiang Yu Cui

The research estimates the carbon dioxide emissions of energy consumption from 2003 to 2011 using the method in IPCC national greenhouse gases listing guidance, by adopting the method of Kaya identities and Laspeyres index decomposition technique to analyze the influencing factors and the influencing degree. The result shows that the main factors influencing carbon dioxide emissions are energy structure and per capita GDP, and to develop clean energy, to improve energy structure are important choice to reduce the carbon dioxide emissions of energy consumption, realize low carbon in the future. This research provides an important reference to protect the environment and to promote the sustainable development of economy.


Catalysts ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 812 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anastasios I. Tsiotsias ◽  
Nikolaos D. Charisiou ◽  
Ioannis V. Yentekakis ◽  
Maria A. Goula

CO2 methanation has great potential for the better utilization of existing carbon resources via the transformation of spent carbon (CO2) to synthetic natural gas (CH4). Alkali and alkaline earth metals can serve both as promoters for methanation catalysts and as adsorbent phases upon the combined capture and methanation of CO2. Their promotion effect during methanation of carbon dioxide mainly relies on their ability to generate new basic sites on the surface of metal oxide supports that favour CO2 chemisorption and activation. However, suppression of methanation activity can also occur under certain conditions. Regarding the combined CO2 capture and methanation process, the development of novel dual-function materials (DFMs) that incorporate both adsorption and methanation functions has opened a new pathway towards the utilization of carbon dioxide emitted from point sources. The sorption and catalytically active phases on these types of materials are crucial parameters influencing their performance and stability and thus, great efforts have been undertaken for their optimization. In this review, we present some of the most recent works on the development of alkali and alkaline earth metal promoted CO2 methanation catalysts, as well as DFMs for the combined capture and methanation of CO2.


Author(s):  
M. D. Simonova ◽  
V. E. Zakharov

The article focuses on the economic and statistical analysis of industries associated with the use of renewable energy sources in several countries. The dynamic development and implementation of technologies based on renewable energy sources (hereinafter RES) is the defining trend of world energy development. The uneven distribution of hydrocarbon reserves, increasing demand of developing countries and environmental risks associated with the production and consumption of fossil resources has led to an increasing interest of many states to this field. Creating low-carbon economies involves the implementation of plans to increase the proportion of clean energy through renewable energy sources, energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The priority of this sector is a characteristic feature of modern development of developed (USA, EU, Japan) and emerging economies (China, India, Brazil, etc.), as evidenced by the inclusion of the development of this segment in the state energy strategies and the revision of existing approaches to energy security. The analysis of the use of renewable energy, its contribution to value added of countries-producers is of a particular interest. Over the last decade, the share of energy produced from renewable sources in the energy balances of the world's largest economies increased significantly. Every year the number of power generating capacity based on renewable energy is growing, especially, this trend is apparent in China, USA and European Union countries. There is a significant increase in direct investment in renewable energy. The total investment over the past ten years increased by 5.6 times. The most rapidly developing kinds are solar energy and wind power.


2021 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-81
Author(s):  
T.A. Zheliezna

The aim of the work is to develop recommendations for Ukraine on setting long-term integrated climate and energy goals and identifying ways to achieve them. The preconditions, main goals and objectives of the European Green Deal, which was presented by the European Commission in December 2019, are analyzed. The European Green Deal is a comprehensive strategy for the transition to a sustainable economy, clean energy and climate neutrality, i.e., zero greenhouse gas emissions, in Europe by 2050. The adoption of this Deal was preceded by several stages of a coherent EU policy in the relevant sectors. Possibilities for renewable energy development within the framework of the European Green Deal are considered. It is determined that preference is given to the production of green electricity, mobilization of the potential of offshore renewable energy, production of biogas and biofuels from biomass of agricultural origin, sustainable use of low-carbon and renewable fuels, including biomass and hydrogen, in hard-to-electricity sectors. In Ukraine, the document that is closest by its contents to the European Green Deal is the draft Concept of green energy transition until 2050 presented in January 2020. The draft Concept states the goal of achieving 70% of renewable energy sources in electricity generation by 2050 and the climate-neutral economy of Ukraine by 2070. It is recommended that this document should be finalized and adopted formally as soon as possible.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Momir Đurović

To meet new energy demands and climate targets for 2030, the EU member states and West Balkans countries are requested to introduce the National Energy and Climate Plans (NECP) for the period from 2021 to 2030. That implies implementing clean, affordable and renewable energies to reach a climate-neutral economy by 2050. This will require moving towards the long-term goals set by Power agreements, which means to perform economic transformations to reach broader sustainable development goals. To achieve those goals national long-term strategies in Western Balkan countries jointly with EU strategies have to cover, at least, the following in the coming 30 years: total greenhouse emission reduction, even elimination, to extend feasible socio-economic effects of the decarburization measures, to enable links to other national long-term objectives, to make progress on a low greenhouse gas emission economy by encouraging the use of renewable energy sources to approach the European green plan. All those measures will lead the energy sector in the Western Balkans (WB6) to be organized to function with diversified sources of energy, secure fully functional integrated energy market, the free flow of energy, improve efficiency by reducing needs for energy imports; move to low carbon economy by promoting research and innovations in low carbon and clean energy technologies, which will all lead to extensive implantation of renewable energy sources and control of climate change in the region.


2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 641-650
Author(s):  
Athirah Ayub ◽  
Hasliza Bahruji ◽  
Abdul Hanif Mahadi

The activity of reducible metal oxide Sm2O3, CeO2, and ZnO as Ni nanoparticles support was investigated for CO2 methanation reaction. CO2 methanation was carried out between 200 °C to 450 °C with the optimum catalytic activity was observed at 450 °C. The reducibility of the catalysts has been comparatively studied using H2-Temperature Reduction Temperature (TPR) method. The H2-TPR analysis also elucidated the formation of surface oxygen vacancies at temperature above 600 °C for 5Ni/Sm2O3 and 5Ni/CeO2. The Sm2O3 showed superior activity than CeO2 presumably due to the transition of the crystalline phases under reducing environment. However, the formation of NiZn alloy in 5Ni/ZnO reduced the ability of Ni to catalyze methanation reaction. A highly dispersed Ni on Sm2O3 created a large metal/support interfacial interaction to give 69% of CO2 conversion with 100% selectivity at 450 °C. The 5Ni/Sm2O3 exhibited superior catalytic performances with an apparent phase transition from cubic to a mixture of cubic and monoclinic phases over a long reaction, presumably responsible for the enhanced conversion after 10 h of reaction. Copyright © 2021 by Authors, Published by BCREC Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0). 


2021 ◽  
pp. 40-42
Author(s):  
Piyali Kumar

For thousands of years, the persistent use of conventional energies that has been driving economic progress, is now-a-day a being considered not only unsustainable but also environmentally destructive. India's abundant renewable energy sources is capable of generating clean energy and providing an attainable replacement of the polluting and expeditiously depleting conventional energy sources. Initially, this study embellished a scenario of fossil fuel dependency coupled with a looming conventional energy crisis in the foreseeable future followed by the non-renewable energy consumption and carbon footprint nexus. This paper briey explores the background, signicant achievement, potentiality of India's major renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, biomass, small hydropower and liberal environment designed by the Government. India has been able to make remarkable progress in shrinking its share of power generation from fossil fuels. Additionally, some hindrances regarding the massive harvesting in clean electricity and the smooth way forward are addressed here. Unwaving endeavour is going on in innovation and promotion of energy-efcient green technologies domestically and the current promotion policies, perspectives, and strategies of Indian government are supposed to transpire to be a success story.


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