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Numerical Modeling and Performance Evaluation of a New Biogas Purification System

Received: 24 February 2025     Accepted: 6 March 2025     Published: 21 March 2025
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Abstract

In order to meet the challenges posed by dependence on fossil fuels, it is essential to develop an energy alternative based on renewable sources. Among alternative energy solutions, biogas occupies a prime position. However, before biogas can be used, it must be purified, which involves removing the carbon dioxide (CO2) and recovering the methane (CH4), thereby increasing the calorific value of the methane. The most innovative purification solution is cryogenics. Our aim in this work is to use cryogenics to purify biogas by liquefying the carbon dioxide it contains. To achieve this, we have designed and dimensioned the various components of a cryogenic purification unit for biogas production. Using the incremental method based on heat conservation equations, we simulated this purification process on the Aspen plus calculation code. Using the ADMI calculation code, we modeled the model equations to visualize the behavior of the various parameters to be controlled. The temperature, pressure and mass flow profiles affecting the desublimation of carbon dioxide were obtained. Furthermore, the sizing results show that a 450 W compressor and a condenser with a capacity of 2.5 kg are required. The temperature and pressure of the biomethane and carbon dioxide at the condenser outlet are -130°C and 15 bars. Simulations show curves for variations in temperature, pressure, rate of bio-methane recovery and carbon dioxide evacuation. They show that it is possible to produce biomethane with a purity of 96%, with a very negligible amount of carbon dioxide and a high lower calorific value (LCV) than raw biogas (9.83 kWh/m3 higher than 6 kWh/m3), a significant value in energy terms, showing that this biomethane could be used for a variety of purposes.

Published in Applied Engineering (Volume 9, Issue 1)
DOI 10.11648/j.ae.20250901.11
Page(s) 1-8
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Biogas, Biomethane, Cryogenic Upgrading, Purification

References
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[8] Farhi M., (1982): Liquefaction of gases by the Philips machine: Final Dissertation: Mechanical Engineering: Algiers, National Polytechnic School France vol 110, pages 342.
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[17] Giauque W. and Egan C. (1937). Carbon dioxide. Heat capacity and vapor pressure of the solid. The heat of sublimation. Thermodynamic and spectroscopic values of entropy. J. Chem. Phys. Volume 5, Issue 1, Pages 45-54.
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Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Ghratien, T. A., Wilfred, G. T. N., Marcel, E., Maxwell, T. N., Alexis, K. (2025). Numerical Modeling and Performance Evaluation of a New Biogas Purification System. Applied Engineering, 9(1), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ae.20250901.11

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    ACS Style

    Ghratien, T. A.; Wilfred, G. T. N.; Marcel, E.; Maxwell, T. N.; Alexis, K. Numerical Modeling and Performance Evaluation of a New Biogas Purification System. Appl. Eng. 2025, 9(1), 1-8. doi: 10.11648/j.ae.20250901.11

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    AMA Style

    Ghratien TA, Wilfred GTN, Marcel E, Maxwell TN, Alexis K. Numerical Modeling and Performance Evaluation of a New Biogas Purification System. Appl Eng. 2025;9(1):1-8. doi: 10.11648/j.ae.20250901.11

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ae.20250901.11,
      author = {Tchatcha Abanda Ghratien and Gnepie Takam Nicolas Wilfred and Edoun Marcel and Tientcheu Nsiewe Maxwell and Kuitche Alexis},
      title = {Numerical Modeling and Performance Evaluation of a New Biogas Purification System
    },
      journal = {Applied Engineering},
      volume = {9},
      number = {1},
      pages = {1-8},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ae.20250901.11},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ae.20250901.11},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ae.20250901.11},
      abstract = {In order to meet the challenges posed by dependence on fossil fuels, it is essential to develop an energy alternative based on renewable sources. Among alternative energy solutions, biogas occupies a prime position. However, before biogas can be used, it must be purified, which involves removing the carbon dioxide (CO2) and recovering the methane (CH4), thereby increasing the calorific value of the methane. The most innovative purification solution is cryogenics. Our aim in this work is to use cryogenics to purify biogas by liquefying the carbon dioxide it contains. To achieve this, we have designed and dimensioned the various components of a cryogenic purification unit for biogas production. Using the incremental method based on heat conservation equations, we simulated this purification process on the Aspen plus calculation code. Using the ADMI calculation code, we modeled the model equations to visualize the behavior of the various parameters to be controlled. The temperature, pressure and mass flow profiles affecting the desublimation of carbon dioxide were obtained. Furthermore, the sizing results show that a 450 W compressor and a condenser with a capacity of 2.5 kg are required. The temperature and pressure of the biomethane and carbon dioxide at the condenser outlet are -130°C and 15 bars. Simulations show curves for variations in temperature, pressure, rate of bio-methane recovery and carbon dioxide evacuation. They show that it is possible to produce biomethane with a purity of 96%, with a very negligible amount of carbon dioxide and a high lower calorific value (LCV) than raw biogas (9.83 kWh/m3 higher than 6 kWh/m3), a significant value in energy terms, showing that this biomethane could be used for a variety of purposes.
    },
     year = {2025}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Numerical Modeling and Performance Evaluation of a New Biogas Purification System
    
    AU  - Tchatcha Abanda Ghratien
    AU  - Gnepie Takam Nicolas Wilfred
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    AB  - In order to meet the challenges posed by dependence on fossil fuels, it is essential to develop an energy alternative based on renewable sources. Among alternative energy solutions, biogas occupies a prime position. However, before biogas can be used, it must be purified, which involves removing the carbon dioxide (CO2) and recovering the methane (CH4), thereby increasing the calorific value of the methane. The most innovative purification solution is cryogenics. Our aim in this work is to use cryogenics to purify biogas by liquefying the carbon dioxide it contains. To achieve this, we have designed and dimensioned the various components of a cryogenic purification unit for biogas production. Using the incremental method based on heat conservation equations, we simulated this purification process on the Aspen plus calculation code. Using the ADMI calculation code, we modeled the model equations to visualize the behavior of the various parameters to be controlled. The temperature, pressure and mass flow profiles affecting the desublimation of carbon dioxide were obtained. Furthermore, the sizing results show that a 450 W compressor and a condenser with a capacity of 2.5 kg are required. The temperature and pressure of the biomethane and carbon dioxide at the condenser outlet are -130°C and 15 bars. Simulations show curves for variations in temperature, pressure, rate of bio-methane recovery and carbon dioxide evacuation. They show that it is possible to produce biomethane with a purity of 96%, with a very negligible amount of carbon dioxide and a high lower calorific value (LCV) than raw biogas (9.83 kWh/m3 higher than 6 kWh/m3), a significant value in energy terms, showing that this biomethane could be used for a variety of purposes.
    
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Author Information
  • Laboratory of Energetics and Applied Thermics, High National School of Agro-Industrial Sciences, University of Ngaoundéré, Ngaoundéré, Cameroon

  • Laboratory of Energetics and Applied Thermics, High National School of Agro-Industrial Sciences, University of Ngaoundéré, Ngaoundéré, Cameroon

  • Laboratory of Energetics and Applied Thermics, High National School of Agro-Industrial Sciences, University of Ngaoundéré, Ngaoundéré, Cameroon

  • Laboratory of Energetics and Applied Thermics, High National School of Agro-Industrial Sciences, University of Ngaoundéré, Ngaoundéré, Cameroon; Department of fundamental science and Engineering Techmics, School of Chemical Engineering and Mineral Industries, University of Ngaoundéré, Ngaoundéré, Cameroon

  • Laboratory of Energetics and Applied Thermics, High National School of Agro-Industrial Sciences, University of Ngaoundéré, Ngaoundéré, Cameroon

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