Biomethanation & Power to Gas

Researchers at the AD Centre have developed a 'Biomethanation' process that biologically combines gases including carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide with hydrogen to produce methane gas. Where the hydrogen is produced using renewable electricity (e.g. using an electrolyser) or where gases are recovered from an industrial process, the methane produced would be considered as 'green' or low carbon.

 Our vision for the biomethanation process is to contribute to the solution to problems including:

1. Electricity Grid Constraints limiting renewable energy production - Your PV array or wind farm could produce gas.

2. Optimising Productivity of Renewable Electricity Infrastructure - Produce gas instead of curtailing electricity.

3. 'Greening' the gas grid - maximize the amount of low carbon gas in the gas grid.

 The process has been proven at lab scale to be capable of producing 99% methane, is tolerant of contaminants such as hydrogen sulphide, is tolerant of extended periods of inactivity and has a small process footprint.

The process developed at USW has been trademarked as the "Aeriogen" process and is subject to a UK and International Patent application.

The following animation gives an overview of the biomethanation concept:

 

BIOMETHANATION ANIMATION (English)