Project Portugal 2030

Summary

Biogas2Hy project proposes an innovative and integrated solution aiming to produce renewable gas (biohydrogen) using biogenic biogas as feedstock – cf. project concept in Fig. 2 (Attached). For this purpose, Biogas2Hy is focused on developing and optimising a novel multifunctional membrane reactor to be applied in the biogas reforming process, also using CO2 as reactant feed (not being wasted) without the need to separate the biomethane from the CO2 in the mixture. Therefore, a ground-breaking reactor concept is proposed that is clearly distinguished from the state-of-the-art as most of the research (including dry and steam reforming) predominantly involves a conventional reactor or technology. The project addresses the unique needs of (conventionally) small, remote, or unsubsidised biogas plants, offering an alternative path to valorise biogas efficiently and in a cost-competitive way. Biohydrogen production from biogas can further increase the versatility and flexibility of biogas plants, by diversifying the energy products and thus potential off-takers of anaerobic digestion plants. This approach leads to reduce GHG emissions while producing a clean and renewable fuel, which is perfectly aligned with the goals of the REPowerEU plan, the European Green Deal and the National Plan and Strategy for Hydrogen launched by the Portuguese Government in 2020. By using the novel intensified reactor, direct conversion of biogas to ultra-pure biohydrogen is accomplished in a single step, resulting in an increase in overall efficiency and a strong decrease in volumes and auxiliary heat management units. Several advantages are expected to be reached using a membrane reactor compared to the conventional packed-bed reactors: • Enhance the CO2 and CH4 conversion, clearly above the thermodynamic equilibrium conversion values and at much lower temperatures (500 – 550 ºC compared with 900 ºC in the traditional reformer reactor) due to the shifting effect on the equilibrium conversion. Lower temperatures also will extend lifetime of the catalyst; • Enhance yield, selectivity and recovery of H2, while obtaining an fuel-cell purity H2 stream (in the permeate side); • Reduce the capital cost due to the combination of the reaction and H2 separation/purification processes in one single device (process intensification), eliminating the need for additional H2 purification units and decreasing the membrane permeation area. • Contribute to developing a circular economy by creating valuable products from renewable sources (biomass); • Development of a more compact reformer technology compared to the conventional reforming process; by using the novel intensified reactor, direct conversion of biogas to pure hydrogen is achieved in a single step. In Biogas2Hy, a novel approach is proposed, addressing important challenges at the catalyst and membrane level. Biogas2Hy goes a step beyond previous works, targeting the development of noble-free DRM catalysts with enhanced activity and selectivity under the working conditions of the membrane reactors (< 550 °C) and thin/ultra-thin membranes (below 10 µm) to decrease their cost. Optimisation of the materials and configuration of the hybrid reactor is aimed, which can lead to a promising technology, certainly innovative, for high-purity H2 production. Besides, process intensification is envisaged, which is an important advantage as compared to the traditional or state-of-the-art processes.