Abstract
Fluctuating energy sources require enhanced energy storage demand, in order to ensure safe energy supply. Power to gas offers a promising pathway for energy storage in existing natural gas infrastructure, if valid regulations are met. To improve interaction between energy supply and storage, a flexible power to gas process is necessary. An innovative multibed methanation concept, based on ceramic honeycomb catalysts combined with polyimide membrane gas upgrading, is presented in this study. Cordierite monoliths are coated with γ-Al2O3 and catalytically active nickel, and used in a two-stage methanation process at different operation conditions (p = 6–14 bar, GHSV = 3000–6000 h−1). To fulfill the requirements of the Austrian natural gas network, the product gas must achieve a CH4 content of ≥96 vol %. Hence, CH4 rich gas from methanation is fed to the subsequent gas upgrading unit, to separate remaining H2 and CO2. In the present study, two different membrane modules were investigated. The results of methanation and gas separation clearly indicate the high potential of the presented process. At preferred operation conditions, target concentration of 96 vol % CH4 can be achieved.
Highlights
The global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and decarbonization of power supply cause major changes in all sectors of the energy economy
As known from previous investigations of catalytic methanation [26,27,28], there is a strong dependency of CO2 conversion on GHSV and pressure level
The honeycomb catalyst is in its early development stage, its full potential has not been used yet
Summary
The global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and decarbonization of power supply cause major changes in all sectors of the energy economy. Since renewables are highly fluctuating, an increasing energy storage demand is predicted [1,2], which is necessary to ensure a secure supply. A shift from a fossil fuel based economy to an electric energy dominated system is expected. Fuel based networks like the natural gas grid offer enormous storage potential and are capable of transporting huge amounts of energy. A link between electric and chemical energy could be a promising option to fulfill the requirements of the energy transition. Power to gas technology can be used to convert electric power to chemical energy for storage
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