Liquefaction of biomethane

Thanks to the new biomethane liquefaction (BioLNG) plant, built in partnership with Ham Italia, Caviro Extra's biomethane, previously produced in gaseous form, is now liquefied to become a valid solution for the decarbonisation of heavy transport.

More information

The new plant for the production of liquid biomethane (also known as BioLNG), developed in collaboration with Ham Italia, makes the advanced biomethane of Caviro Extra liquid through a cryogenic liquefaction process performed at -150°C.

The biomethane obtained from agri-food chain waste through the anaerobic biodigestion process and the subsequent biogas upgrading phase is then transformed into BioLNG and represents a tangible solution for the decarbonisation of heavy transport.

The plant has a production capacity of almost 9,000 tonnes of liquefied biomethane a year, enough fuel for heavy goods vehicles to travel 20 million kilometres.

Potential

Parameter Average value
Biomethane gas in 1.600 Nm³/h
Liquid biomethane out 27 tonnes/day
Max. production 8,900 tonnes/year, equivalent to 12,000,000 m3/year
LNG storage capacity 49,2 tonnes

Technology

  • Purification with CO2 removal (selective absorption in solvent) up to 50 ppm residual
  • Thrust dehydration (TEG absorption) up to 1 ppm H2O residual
  • Double compression closed cryogenic cycle – inert nitrogen gas expansion (reverse Brayton cycle)
  • Biomethane Liquefaction in Cold Box
  • Cryogenic tank storage: -150°C at 2 barg
  • Measurement and analysis at liquefier inlet and before loading into a tank

Liquefaction – Cold Box

schema liquefazione coldbox
  • Biomethane liquefaction takes place by countercurrent cooling in a multi-channel plate “cold box” heat exchanger
  • The fluid used for cooling is inert nitrogen in a closed cycle that reaches cryogenic temperatures (-155°C) by compression at 30 barg and subsequent expansion in a 4 barg turbine
  • The nitrogen is self-produced through filtration of the ambient air in a membrane module, in order to reach a purity of 99.99%
  • In addition to the refrigeration cycle, nitrogen is also used to maintain the flow of the insulation chamber with perlite around the cold box and LNG storage tank

Plant construction

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Alessandro Nespeca

Alessandro Nespeca,
Eco-Energy Contact Person

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