In-situ biogas upgrading process: Modeling and simulations aspects.

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Chemical Engineering
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Biogas upgrading via in-situ hydrogen injection presents challenges.
• Mathematical modeling can predict and optimize these complex processes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a mathematical model for biogas upgrading with hydrogen injection.
• To simulate hydrogenotrophic methanogen kinetics and gas-liquid transfer.

Main Methods:

• An existing anaerobic digestion model was expanded to include hydrogenotrophic methanogen kinetics.
• Hydrogen's inhibitory effects on acetogenic steps were incorporated.
• Gas-to-liquid mass transfer of hydrogen was specifically addressed.

Main Results:

• The model accurately predicted biogas composition and hydrogen utilization, with deviations under 10%.
• Sensitivity analysis identified hydrogen injection rate and mass transfer coefficient as key parameters.

Conclusions:

• The developed model is an effective tool for predicting biogas upgrading performance.
• It aids in understanding and optimizing processes involving hydrogen injection.