During a trial held today, 15th September, Asahi Kasei showcased the system, which uses its K-GIS zeolite adsorbent to selectively adsorb CO2 from biogas released from sewage.
According to the company, K-GIS differs from conventional adsorbents by adsorbing almost no methane, enabling the system to efficiently separate and recover high-purity methane while recovering high-purity CO2.
Consisting of around 60% methane and 40% CO2, waste-derived biogas can be used in its upgraded form – biomethane – as a substitute to natural gas.
Source: Asahi Kasei
The importance of biogas as a natural gas alternative has been emphasised by UK-based Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas Association (ADBA) , which recently called for the country to increase investment into waste-derived biogas as a response to the ongoing Russian gas crisis, which has sent EU countries scampering for energy alternatives.
According to ADBA Chairman Chris Huhne, the EU plans to double biogas output to meet 9% of last year’s gas demand.
“By contrast, in the UK, current government plans would meet less than 1% of our 2021 consumption,” he said.
The adoption of biogas and biomethane could also help meet or bring forward ambitious net zero targets.
By combining biomethane producing using their system with carbon capture and utilisation and storage (CCUS), Asahi Kasei revealed that it could create a carbon negative cycle.
Source: Asahi Kasei
In the demonstration trial, the separated gases are recombined to biogas as fuel for generating electricity.
To be installed in May next year, the partners aim to begin operations at the end of 2023. Following additional trials, the Asahi Kasei intends to commercialise its purification system by 2025 or 2026.