Value creation by automation in biogas upgrading
Norja, Jussi (2020)
Norja, Jussi
2020
Konetekniikan DI-ohjelma - Master's Programme in Mechanical Engineering
Tekniikan ja luonnontieteiden tiedekunta - Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences
This publication is copyrighted. You may download, display and print it for Your own personal use. Commercial use is prohibited.
Hyväksymispäivämäärä
2020-10-26
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:tuni-202010267491
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:tuni-202010267491
Tiivistelmä
Biogas upgrading is the process of removing carbon dioxide from biogas to achieve a quality equivalent to natural gas. In the upgrading process, automation has great importance for the operation and control of the process. The goal of automation is to improve quality, reliability and energy efficiency. In addition, automation has the potential to create value for customers. The goal of this Master of Science thesis is to study value creation by automation in biogas upgrading, various upgrading technologies available and the companies offering upgrading technology. To create an overview and reference base, the background theory of biogas, the most common biogas upgrading technologies and the utilization of carbon dioxide and automation were also covered. Along with an overview of the literature, the research was based on expert interviews and analyzing problems and the availability of three biogas upgrading plants. The plants examined in this thesis used water scrubbing technology.
The biogas sector has experienced problems with an inadequate automation system. Many companies in the industry have had challenges with black-box automation, reports and measuring instruments. Most biogas plants are small in capacity, which means investment costs of the plants must be kept to a minimum. This has caused deficiencies in or poor implementation of important features of the automation system in several plants.
Thirteen experts working in the biogas sector were interviewed for this thesis. The interviews and data analysis revealed what kind of problems biogas upgrading plants have had and how they can be solved. The study found that black-box automation, reports, trends and measuring devices are areas needing improvement. Black-box automation solutions – secure automation that cannot be changed without authorization – have caused problems at the plants. Data analysis supported the results of the interviews. Reports and trends have been poorly implemented in several plants, causing extra work. Opinions differed in the interviews about the use of measuring instruments, as they increase plant investment costs. However, reliable and accurate measuring devices can create value for customers and help reduce process disruptions. Improving the operation and reliability of biogas upgrading plants and determining the causes of disturbances is the overall goal in creating value for customers.
Based on the literature, interviews and a comparison of upgrading technologies, the most suitable upgrading technology for Valmet’s strategy was determined. The criteria for the technology were high quality, low methane loss and the possibility of utilizing carbon dioxide without further treatment of the off-gases. The use of technology in other applications was also considered. According to the research, the most suitable technologies are amine washing and membrane separation technologies.
The biogas sector has experienced problems with an inadequate automation system. Many companies in the industry have had challenges with black-box automation, reports and measuring instruments. Most biogas plants are small in capacity, which means investment costs of the plants must be kept to a minimum. This has caused deficiencies in or poor implementation of important features of the automation system in several plants.
Thirteen experts working in the biogas sector were interviewed for this thesis. The interviews and data analysis revealed what kind of problems biogas upgrading plants have had and how they can be solved. The study found that black-box automation, reports, trends and measuring devices are areas needing improvement. Black-box automation solutions – secure automation that cannot be changed without authorization – have caused problems at the plants. Data analysis supported the results of the interviews. Reports and trends have been poorly implemented in several plants, causing extra work. Opinions differed in the interviews about the use of measuring instruments, as they increase plant investment costs. However, reliable and accurate measuring devices can create value for customers and help reduce process disruptions. Improving the operation and reliability of biogas upgrading plants and determining the causes of disturbances is the overall goal in creating value for customers.
Based on the literature, interviews and a comparison of upgrading technologies, the most suitable upgrading technology for Valmet’s strategy was determined. The criteria for the technology were high quality, low methane loss and the possibility of utilizing carbon dioxide without further treatment of the off-gases. The use of technology in other applications was also considered. According to the research, the most suitable technologies are amine washing and membrane separation technologies.