Pablo Sanz Monreal

@article{SANZMONREAL2025107871,

title = {Techno-economic assessment of a plant for the upgrading of MSW biogas to synthetic natural gas by thermocatalytic methanation},

author = {P. Sanz-Monreal and V. D. Mercader and P. Aragüés-Aldea and P. Durán and E. Francés and J. Herguido and J. A. Peña},

url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S096195342500282X},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2025.107871},

issn = {0961-9534},

year  = {2025},

date = {2025-01-01},

journal = {Biomass and Bioenergy},

volume = {198},

pages = {107871},

abstract = {This study evaluates the techno-economic feasibility of a plant designed to produce synthetic natural gas (SNG) from biogas through direct catalytic methanation. The proposed facility is simulated with Aspen Plus® v14, using a comprehensive approach that covers the entire process, from biogas pretreatment to the production of the final product. The installation aims to contribute to the development of Power-to-Gas (Power-to-Methane) strategy for decarbonization. The plant, to be located in northeastern Spain, operates at an industrial scale with a production capacity of approximately 1100 Nm3/h of SNG, obtained from a 1425 Nm3/h biogas plant. The process includes five main stages to meet Spanish gas quality standards for grid injection: desulfurization, using amines for sulfur removal; electrolysis, for the generation of renewable hydrogen; thermocatalytic methanation, which combines CO2 from the biogas with hydrogen to enrich the methane content; dehydration, to meet SNG moisture specifications; and cogeneration, intended for the joint production of electricity and steam to meet the plant's energy demands. A detailed analysis of investment costs (CAPEX) and operational expenses (OPEX) is conducted, identifying the key factors influencing the project's profitability. The economic assessment indicates a total capital investment of 21.83 M€ and operational expenses nearly 8 M€ annually. The profitability threshold for the base scenario is estimated at 91.75 €/MWh, exceeding the 2023 natural gas market average in the Iberic peninsula (39.11 €/MWh), highlighting the current economic challenges of SNG production.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}