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PhD Thesis - Energy Systems Research Unit - University of Strathclyde

PhD Thesis - Energy Systems Research Unit - University of Strathclyde

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The amount <strong>of</strong> hydrogen that can be produced from this weight <strong>of</strong> methane is<br />

calculated by direct proportion, using the weights given in the above chemical<br />

equation, and the completion percentage is applied to find the weight actually<br />

produced. This is then added to the weight <strong>of</strong> hydrogen already in the biogas<br />

mixture to determine the total hydrogen production rate in kg/hr. If desired, the<br />

weight <strong>of</strong> methane remaining can also be calculated by direct proportion, in the<br />

same manner as for hydrogen, and the percentage applied should be 100 minus<br />

the completion percentage.<br />

The production rate <strong>of</strong> hydrogen and methane (in kW) is calculated using<br />

Equation 6.11, and the electricity required to put either or both gases into<br />

storage is calculated using Equation 6.12.<br />

Specified Gas = Gas x LHV (6.11)<br />

Production Rate (kW) Density x 3610.3<br />

Electricity Required (kW) = Gas x Elec (6.12)<br />

Density<br />

Where Gas = Specified gas production rate (kg/hr)<br />

LHV = Lower heating value <strong>of</strong> specified gas (kJ/Nm 3 )<br />

Density = Density <strong>of</strong> specified gas (kg/Nm 3 )<br />

Elec = Electricity to compress or liquefy specified gas (kWh/Nm 3 )<br />

Again, the total amount <strong>of</strong> hydrogen, and methane if desired, produced<br />

throughout the simulation period is given along with the final production rate<br />

graphs. The heat required to raise the steam necessary for this process may be<br />

added to the overall process energy requirements considered in section 6.1.2.<br />

4. Make methanol, via catalytic conversion<br />

As the biogas mixture produced will typically contain a mixture <strong>of</strong> hydrogen,<br />

carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide, this allows the production <strong>of</strong> methanol,<br />

via catalytic conversion, according to the following chemical equations [3]: -<br />

187

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