Evaluation of Biogas Upgrading Technologies using a Response Surface Methodology for Process Simulation

CAMPANELLA , ENRIQUE A.; GROPPELLI, EDUARDO; MORERO, BETZABET

JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION

ELSEVIER SCI LTD

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2016 vol. 141 p. 978 - 988

0959-6526

Biogas is commonly upgraded tobiomethane to produce a better biofuel. The aim of this work is to comparedifferent types of solvents in biogas upgrading while using anabsorber-stripper process. A conventional single-loop absorber-stripper processconfiguration was simulated with ProMax® for three types of solvents: diglycolamine(DGA), dimethyl ethers of polyethylene glycol (DEPG) and water. Absorptiontemperature, absorption pressure, CO2 concentration, solvent circulation rateand steam rate (only for DGA) were considered as varying parameters. Theeffects of these parameters on energy consumption, CO2 capture and CH4 recoverywere studied by applying response surface methodology (RSM) to the simulationsof the processes. The comparison of the processes at the optimum operatingconditions for RSM with the three solvents has shown that the process withwater is the simplest and most robust of the three, obtaining high levels ofCO2 capture and CH4 recovery with the lowest energyconsumption.