Integrated Biomass Gasification and Methanation System for Sustainable Synthetic Natural Gas Production: Experimental and Simulation Study

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Mansoura University, Department of Agricultural Engineering, Mansoura 35516, Egypt.

2 Institute for Energy Engineering, Technical University of Berlin, Berlin 10587, Germany.

Abstract

This work presents the design and evaluation of an integrated system that combines process simulation
and experimental research to produce synthetic natural gas (SNG) from biomass. Using steam and wood waste, a
lab-scale, indirectly heated dual fluidized bed gasifier was run at 800°C to produce syngas. A multi-stage gas
cleaning system was used to eliminate contaminants like tar, HCl, NH₃, and sulfur compounds in order to facilitate
effective catalytic methanation. The methanation process was carried out in a fixed bed reactor using a Ni/Al₂O₃
catalyst, with hydrogen supplied from high temperature electrolysis.A comprehensive Aspen Plus simulation
model was created to assess the effects of operational parameters like methanation pressure, steam to biomass ratio,
and gasification temperature on syngas composition, SNG yield, and heating value in order to improve the
experimental work. The predictive accuracy of the model was confirmed by its strong agreement with experimental
results after applying Gibbs free energy minimization.Optimal process conditions were achieved at a gasification
temperature of 800 °C, a steam-to-biomass ratio of 0.6, and methanation at 10 bar and 350 °C, leading to a methane
yield of 72% using the Ni/Al₂O₃ catalyst and an improved heating value of the produced SNG. This ensured
catalyst longevity and stable reactor performance throughout methanation.The integrated strategy demonstrated
both technical viability and energy efficiency, providing a viable path toward the production of renewable SNG.
A trustworthy tool for system optimization is offered by the validated model.

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