Techno-Economic Analysis for Biogas Reforming using PSWA: Case Study on Methanol Synthesis

The production of biogas, a mixture of methane and carbon dioxide, from anaerobic digestion from different biowaste sources has been interesting for its application in chemical processes. Currently, it is invested in the production of thermal and electrical energy, but it has also been investigated for the production of syngas, which is usually derived from fossil fuels. A fundamental step for this application is the conditioning of biogas to produce valuable syngas, this can be achieved through a water absorption column among other technologies. This study aimed at the optimal configuration of a pressure swing water absorption (PSWA) tower for the optimal operation of a biogas reforming process. Results show how the placement of the water column has an impact on capital and operating costs, and how the level of conditioning can be useful for chemical synthesis.