Sogol Mottaghi-Tabar will discuss their research into the economic feasibility of constructing a SNG production facility for upgrading biogas through the Sabatier reaction at their closed MASc oral exam.
Abstract
Raw biogas can be upgraded to produce pipeline grade synthetic natural gas (SNG) via thermo-catalytic hydrogenation of CO2. This method reduces GHG emissions through offsetting natural gas emissions while providing an avenue for financial gain. The H2 needed for this reaction is generated via water electrolysis using surplus or inexpensive electricity.
This study assesses the economic feasibility of constructing a SNG production facility for upgrading biogas through the Sabatier reaction. For this, a novel heat exchanger type reactor is analyzed using a transient mathematical model and integrated with a chemical process simulation. Process studies and conventional equipment design have addressed the technical challenges surrounding reactor operation. Production values obtained from the combined model were used to generate the economic outlooks for the overall system. The economic analysis shows that the SNG production feasibility is highly dependent on electricity price with SNG production cost as low as $15/GJ possible at an electricity price of $0.05/kWh.
Supervisor: Professor David Simakov