European workshop biomethane 140311 Svensson – Biomethane Standards 1
The sole responsibility for the content of this publication lies with the authors. It does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Union. Neither the EACI nor the European Commission are responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.
Dr. Mattias Svensson
Swedish Gas Technology Centre
European workshop Biomethane, Brussels 11 March 2014
Biomethane standards Gas quality standardisation of biomethane, going from national to international level
IEE/10/235 GreenGasGrids
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• Most biomethane standards are gas grid injection specs, predominantly in European countries
• Outside Europe: SoCalGas, “Rule 30” – more strict than the European ones
• Swedish SS 155438:1999 only one for direct utilization of biomethane as vehicle fuel
• Despite international work: national standards still important, and still revisioned – CEN work succeeding or not still an open
*Compilated public information available in Marcogaz report (2006) ”Injection of Gases from Non-Conventional
Sources into Gas Networks”; Health and Safety Executive (2010) “Guidance on hazards arising from the
conveyance and use of gas from Non-Conventional Sources (NCS)”; SoCalGas (2010). ”Rule 30 Biomethane
Gas Delivery Specifications”, www.socalgas.com/documents/business/Rule30_BiomethaneGuidance.pdf
National biomethane standards*
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*Sources: Marcogaz report (2006); HSE (2010)”; TC 234/WG9 (juli 2010), unpublished draft of Technical Report (TR): “Gases from
non-conventional sources — Injection into natural gas grids — Requirements and recommendations”; Proposed Decree by the
(Dutch) Minister of Economic Affairs, no. WJZ/13196684, establishing regulations for natural gas grid composition (03-02-2014)
National biomethane standards*
0.08
(Si)
6
-8
70 bar
0.5
16.5
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• Oxygen – corrosion and fouling in cavern storages • Dry pipelines allow higher levels; main source in biomethane is air
for H2S removal, alternative removal methods exist
• Siloxanes – forms SiO2 during combustion • Man-made, found in WWTP and landfill; Fouling of λ-sensors and
EATS; Abrasion and cloggings in engines
• Ammonia – corrosion risk • Easily removed during normal upgrading
• Halocarbons – corrosion and health concerns • Low risk probability since levels generally low, except some landfill
gas
Most important parameters for Non-Conventional Source Gases
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• Volatile metals, e.g. mercury, arsenic • Low risk probability, not present in biomethane
• Microorganism – unchartered risks: health, corrosion • Risks include the probability of transfer of pathogens from
manure to biogas, and MIC, Microbially Induced Corrosion; Swedish assessment indicated low health risk*, GTI study on MIC was not conclusive**
• Water – Drying gives less risk of corrosion • The corrosion impact of e.g. H2S, CO2 is water dependent
• Sulfur/H2S – No issue for well upgraded biomethane • H2S removal with excessive air addition may inflate N2 and O2
levels
• Main source in the grid is from odorisation and some natural gases
*Vinnerås et al 2006 ”Identification of the microbiological community in biogas systems and evaluation of microbial risks from gas usage”
**GTI 2012 “Guidance Document for the Introduction of Landfill-Derived Renewable Gas into Natural Gas Pipelines”
Less important parameters for Non-Conventional Source Gases
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• EU identified lack of standards as barrier for the implementation of biomethane
• 2011-2015: CEN standards CNG and biomethane • EC mandate** biomethane grid injection + vehicle fuel
• Formation of joint Project committee CEN/TC408 to facilitate joint work between the gas and automotive businesses
• 2012: CNG also included in the scope!
• Please note: NG specification work in CEN/TC234/WG11 has ”priority lane”, i.e. the limit values of joint parameters are decided by them***
**M/475 08/11/2010, “Mandate to CEN for standards for biomethane for use in transport
and injection in natural gas pipelines”; ***M/400 16/01/2007, “Mandate to CEN for
standardisation in the field of gas qualities”
(TC234 Gas infrastructure) PC408 (TC019 Petroleum products)
”Wide spec” (BAU) Gap! ”Tight spec” (Euro6, fuel efficiency)
Biomethane actors – somewhere in between …
Interest in biomethane CEN
work
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1. Grid injection
2. Blends of NG + biomethane
3. Non-grid gas qualities
TC234/WG11: NG grid spec.
CEN/PC408 scope of work
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• EG1 – Biocontent determination • Commission wants test method to settle disputes and deter fraud.
C14 very expensive. Ratio C1/C2, C1/C3 could be alternative. No report yet available
• EG 2 – Natural Gas/Biomethane as automotive fuel
• EG3 – Biomethane grid injection specification
• EG4 – Special missions Expert Group • Assessment, availability of test methods
• Health criteria assessment tool (Annex X, deterministic model based on actual usage and not unknown leaks)
• Quality control, Compliance schemes (Annex C)
• Collection of siloxane data
CEN – Different Expert Groups (EG)
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TC234/WG11 PC408-grid
PC408-fuel wanted
Sulphur (mg/m3) <20, excl. odoriz. <10, incl. odoriz.
Methane No. (MWM) >65 , Min 70, 80*
O2 (%) <1 (0.01, storage) -
CO (%) - 0.1** -
NH3, Amine - Tech. free -
Chlor. compounds (mgCl/m3) - <1 -
H2 (%) - (0.1-10, no limit better) 2, cylinder safety
Water dew temp. -8 °C (corrosion) Lower, climate***
Siloxanes (mg Si/Nm3) - <0.1-5 <0.1-0.5
Injection: Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and HCN awaits further discussion in the health criteria group
*Euro6: Emission guarantee not only for reference fuel, but for all fuels used
** Health criteria work gave 3 %, but for public acceptance reasons the lower limit was suggested. Might give problems for thermal gasification
***-10, -20 or -30 °C at 200 bars, national decision based on climate. Drivability issue (methane hydrates).
Have priority lane!
CEN: What limits are proposed? Highlighting differences, grid vs. fuel
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• Direct representation in the CEN/TC408 • EBA, NGVA Europe and NGVAE affiliate SGC; NGVAE chair of EG2
• Briefs from meetings collected, discussion papers published on GGG homepage; Final report on the biomethane standardisation work soon to be issued
• Aiding national actors with gas quality information
• UK: REA supplying vital info on oxygen and siloxanes to UK regulators
• Spain: EBA member AEBIG given vital info, relayed to regulators
• Italy: supplying information to regulators through Consorzio Italiano Biogas
Green Gas Grids impact on standardization work
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Thank you for your attention!
Any questions?
Biomethane standards
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