Abstract
Global warming caused by increasing CO2 atmospheric levels is calling for sustainable fuels. For instance, biomethane produced by biogas upgrading is a promising source of green energy. Technologies to upgrade biogas include chemical absorption, water scrubbing, physical absorption, adsorption, cryogenic separation and membrane separation. Historically, water scrubbing was preferred because of the simplicity of this operation. However, during the last decade, membrane separation stood out due to its promising economic viability with investment costs of 3500–7500 €/(m3/h) and operational costs of 7.5–12.5 €/(m3/h). Here we review biogas upgrading by membrane separation. We discuss gas permeation, membrane materials, membrane modules, process configurations and commercial biogas plants. Polymeric materials appear as most adequate for membranes aimed to upgrade biogas. Concerning membrane modules, hollow fibers are the cheapest (1.5–9 €/m2). Multistage configurations provide high methane recovery, of 99%, and purity, of 95–99%, compared to single-stage configurations.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Adapted from European Biogas Association (2020)
Adapted from Angelidaki et al. (2018)
Adapted from Scholz et al (2013)
Adapted from Chen et al. (2015)
adapted from Zeman and Zydney (2017); b Second membrane module, a retentate recirculation and two compressors, adapted from Zhao et al. (2010); c Without recirculation of the second membrane module retentate, adapted from Bailón Allegue and Hinge (2014); d With sweep gas use and a second membrane module with permeate recirculation, adapted from Hasan et al. (2012)
Adapted from Chen et al. (2015)
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Angelidaki I, Treu L, Tsapekos P et al (2018) Biogas upgrading and utilization: current status and perspectives. Biotechnol Adv 36:452–466. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biotechadv.2018.01.011
Baena-Moreno FM, Rodríguez-Galán M, Vega F et al (2019a) Carbon capture and utilization technologies: a literature review and recent advances. Energy Sour Part A Recover Util Environ Eff 41:1403–1433. https://doi.org/10.1080/15567036.2018.1548518
Baena-Moreno FM, Rodríguez-Galán M, Ramirez-Reina T et al (2019b) Understanding the effect of Ca and Mg ions from wastes in the solvent regeneration stage of a biogas upgrading unit. Sci Total Environ 691:93–100. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.07.135
Baena-Moreno FM, Rodríguez-Galán M, Vega F et al (2019c) Converting CO2 from biogas and MgCl2 Residues into valuable magnesium carbonate: a novel strategy for renewable energy production. Energy 180:457–464. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2019.05.106
Baena-Moreno FM, Rodríguez-Galán M, Vega F et al (2019d) Synergizing carbon capture storage and utilization in a biogas upgrading lab-scale plant based on calcium chloride: Influence of precipitation parameters. Sci Total Environ 670:59–66. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.03.204
Baena-Moreno FM, Rodríguez-Galán M, Vega F et al (2019e) Review: recent advances in biogas purifying technologies. Int J Green Energy 16:401–412. https://doi.org/10.1080/15435075.2019.1572610
Baena-Moreno FM, Rodríguez-Galán M, Vega F et al (2019f) Biogas upgrading by cryogenic techniques. Environ Chem Lett 17:1251–1261. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10311-019-00872-2
Baena-Moreno FM, Vega F, Pastor-Pérez L et al (2020a) Novel process for carbon capture and utilization and saline wastes valorization. J Nat Gas Sci Eng. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jngse.2019.103071
Baena-Moreno FM, Pastor-Pérez L, Zhang Z, Reina TR (2020b) Stepping towards a low-carbon economy. Formic acid from biogas as case of study. Appl Energy. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2020.115033
Baena-Moreno FM, Pastor-Pérez L, Wang Q, Reina TR (2020c) Bio-methane and bio-methanol co-production from biogas: a profitability analysis to explore new sustainable chemical processes. J Clean Prod. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.121909
Basu S, Khan AL, Cano-Odena A et al (2010) Membrane-based technologies for biogas separations. Chem Soc Rev 39:750–768. https://doi.org/10.1039/B817050A
Bauer F, Hulteberg C, Persson T, Tamm D (2013) Biogas upgrading—review of commercial technologies. Swed Gas Technol Centre 270:83
Bright A, Bulson H, Henderson A et al (2011) An introduction to the production of biomethane gas and injection to the national grid. 280:11
Brunetti A, Bernardo P, Drioli E, Barbieri G (2010) Membrane engineering: progress and potentialities in gas separations. Membr Gas Sep 6:279–312
Chen WH, Lin CH, Lin YL et al (2016) Interfacial permeation phenomena of hydrogen purification and carbon dioxide separation in a non-isothermal palladium membrane tube. Chem Eng J 305:156–168. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2016.01.036
Chen XY, Vinh-Thang H, Ramirez AA et al (2015) Membrane gas separation technologies for biogas upgrading. RSC Adv 5:24399–24448. https://doi.org/10.1039/C5RA00666J
Deng L, Hägg MB (2010) Techno-economic evaluation of biogas upgrading process using CO2 facilitated transport membrane. Int J Greenh Gas Contr 4:638–646. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijggc.2009.12.013
European Biogas Association (2020) Statistical Report 2019
Global Monitoring Laboratory (2020) Trends in Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide. https://www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/ccgg/trends/
Gonçalves AL, Pires JCM, Simões M (2013) Green fuel production: processes applied to microalgae. Environ Chem Lett 11:315–324. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10311-013-0425-3
Haider S, Lindbråthen A, Hägg M-B (2016) Techno-economical evaluation of membrane based biogas upgrading system: a comparison between polymeric membrane and carbon membrane technology. Green Energy Environ 1:222–234. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gee.2016.10.003
Hajilary N, Rezakazemi M, Shirazian S (2018) Biofuel types and membrane separation. Environ Chem Lett 17:1–18. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10311-018-0777-9
Hertel S, Navarro P, Deegener S, Körner I (2015) Biogas and nutrients from blackwater, lawn cuttings and grease trap residues—experiments for Hamburg’s Jenfelder Au district. Energy Sustain Soc 5:29. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13705-015-0057-5
Hoo PY, Hashim H, Ho WS (2018) Opportunities and challenges: landfill gas to biomethane injection into natural gas distribution grid through pipeline. J Clean Prod 175:409–419. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.11.193
le Saché E, Johnson S, Pastor-Pérez L et al (2019) Biogas upgrading via dry reforming over a Ni–Sn/CeO2–Al2O3 catalyst: influence of the biogas source. Energies 12:1007. https://doi.org/10.3390/en12061007
Li D, Wang R, Chung TS (2004) Fabrication of lab-scale hollow fiber membrane modules with high packing density. Sep Purif Technol 40:15–30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2003.12.019
Li H, Yan D, Zhang Z, Lichtfouse E (2019) Prediction of CO2 absorption by physical solvents using a chemoinformatics-based machine learning model. Environ Chem Lett 17:1397–1404. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10311-019-00874-0
Li S, Falconer JL, Noble RD, Krishna R (2007) Modeling permeation of CO2/CH4, CO2/N2, and N2/CH4mixtures across SAPO-34 membrane with the Maxwell–Stefan equations. Ind Eng Chem Res 46:3904–3911. https://doi.org/10.1021/ie0610703
Liu D, Li B, Wu J, Liu Y (2020) Sorbents for hydrogen sulfide capture from biogas at low temperature: a review. Environ Chem Lett 18:113–128. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10311-019-00925-6
Lu JG, Li X, Zhao YX et al (2019) CO2 capture by ionic liquid membrane absorption for reduction of emissions of greenhouse gas. Environ Chem Lett 17:1031–1038. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10311-018-00822-4
Lüdtke O, Behling RD, Ohlrogge K (1998) Concentration polarization in gas permeation. J Memb Sci 146:145–157. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0376-7388(98)00104-5
Makaruk A, Miltner M, Harasek M (2010) Membrane biogas upgrading processes for the production of natural gas substitute. Sep Purif Technol 74:83–92. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2010.05.010
Mushtaq A, Mukhtar HB, Shariff AM, Mannan HA (2013) A review: development of polymeric blend membrane for removal of CO2 from natural gas. Int J Eng Technol. https://doi.org/10.1080/0300443730020210
Niesner J, Jecha D, Stehlík P (2013) Biogas upgrading technologies: state of art review in european region. Chem Eng Trans 35:517–522. https://doi.org/10.3303/CET1335086
Peeva LG, Sairam M, Livingston AG (2010) Comprehensive membrane science and engineering. In: Drioli E, Giorno L (eds) Comprehensive membrane science and engineering. Newnes, London
Pellegrin M-L, Sadler ME, Greiner AD et al (2015) Membrane processes. Water Environ Res. https://doi.org/10.2175/106143015X14338845155345
Persson M, Jonsson O, Wellinger A (2007) Biogas upgrading to vehicle fuel standards and grid. IEA Bioenergy 37:1–32
Pipatmanomai S, Kaewluan S, Vitidsant T (2009) Economic assessment of biogas-to-electricity generation system with H2S removal by activated carbon in small pig farm. Appl Energy 86:669–674. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2008.07.007
Rahman MA, Møller HB, Saha CK et al (2017) Optimal ratio for anaerobic co-digestion of poultry droppings and lignocellulosic-rich substrates for enhanced biogas production. Energy Sustain Dev 39:59–66. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esd.2017.04.004
Ryckebosch E, Drouillon M, Vervaeren H (2011) Techniques for transformation of biogas to biomethane. Biomass Bioenergy 35:1633–1645. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2011.02.033
Sánchez A, Artola A, Font X et al (2015) Greenhouse gas emissions from organic waste composting. Environ Chem Lett 13:223–238. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10311-015-0507-5
Scholz M, Melin T, Wessling M (2013) Transforming biogas into biomethane using membrane technology. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 17:199–212. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2012.08.009
Srivastava RK, Shetti NP, Reddy KR, Aminabhavi TM (2020) Biofuels, biodiesel and biohydrogen production using bioprocesses. a review. Environ Chem Lett. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10311-020-00999-7
Stroud T, Smith TJ, Le Saché E et al (2018) Chemical CO2 recycling via dry and bi reforming of methane using Ni–Sn/Al2O3 and Ni–Sn/CeO2–Al2O3 catalysts. Appl Catal B Environ 224:125–135. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apcatb.2017.10.047
Ullah Khan I, Hafiz Dzarfan Othman M, Hashim H et al (2017) Biogas as a renewable energy fuel—a review of biogas upgrading, utilisation and storage. Energy Convers Manag 150:277–294. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2017.08.035
Vega F, Baena-Moreno FM, Gallego Fernández LM et al (2020) Current status of CO2 chemical absorption research applied to CCS: towards full deployment at industrial scale. Appl Energy. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2019.114313
Wang B, Pan Z, Cheng H et al (2020) CO2 sequestration: high conversion of gypsum into CaCO3 by ultrasonic carbonation. Environ Chem Lett. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10311-020-00997-9
Wang J, Zhang X, Zhou Y (2011) Carbon dioxide capture under ambient conditions using 2-chloroethylamine. Environ Chem Lett 9:535–537
Zeman LJ, Zydney AL (2017) Microfiltration and ultrafiltration: principles and applications. CRC Press. https://doi.org/10.1201/9780203747223
Zhang N, Pan Z, Zhang Z et al (2020a) CO2 capture from coalbed methane using membranes: a review. Environ Chem Lett 18:79–96. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10311-019-00919-4
Zhang Q, Pastor-Pérez L, Jin W et al (2019) Understanding the promoter effect of Cu and Cs over highly effective Β–Mo2C catalysts for the reverse water-gas shift reaction. Appl Catal B Environ 244:889–898. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apcatb.2018.12.023
Zhang Z, Pan SY, Li H et al (2020b) Recent advances in carbon dioxide utilization. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2020.109799
Zhang Z, Yan Y, Zhang L et al (2014) Theoretical study on CO2 absorption from biogas by membrane contactors: effect of operating parameters. Ind Eng Chem Res 53:14075–14083. https://doi.org/10.1021/ie502830k
Zhang Z, Zhang W, Lichtfouse E (2020c) Membranes for environmental applications, environmen. Springer International Publishing. ISBN 978-3-030-33978-4
Zhao L, Riensche E, Blum L, Stolten D (2010) Multi-stage gas separation membrane processes used in post-combustion capture: energetic and economic analyses. J Memb Sci 359:160–172. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2010.02.003
Acknowledgements
This work was supported by University of Seville through V PPIT-US. This work was also partially funded by the CO2Chem UK through the EPSRC Grant (No. EP/R512904/1) and the Royal Society Research Grant (No. RSGR1180353).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Baena-Moreno, F.M., le Saché, E., Pastor-Pérez, L. et al. Membrane-based technologies for biogas upgrading: a review. Environ Chem Lett 18, 1649–1658 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10311-020-01036-3
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10311-020-01036-3