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Cryo Pur develops breakthrough biogas process

Published by , Editor - Hydrocarbon Engineering
Hydrocarbon Engineering,


French startup Cryo Pur has selected the UK AD & BIOGAS tradeshow held in Birmingham, England, on July 2016 to be its official launch into the British biogas industry. With its cutting edge technology, Cryo Pur can produce bio-LNG using an energy efficient process that effectively minimises polluting emissions. The breakthrough in Cryo Pur’s approach is in how it recovers the CO2 byproduct in liquid form, thereby creating a high level of purity that can be reused industrially.

"Protected by seven worldwide patents, Cryo Pur technology offers concrete solutions to the issues surrounding biogas, employing cutting edge processes to push the limits of energy efficiency. This breakthrough technology produces biofuel using organic waste,” explains Denis Clodic, President and founder of Cryo Pur, member of the French Academy of Technologies, and co-winner of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize for his work with IPCC (the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change).

The UK is renewable energy friendly

The UK market is currently very open to renewable energies and the possibilities offered by biomethane fuel. Already, the country has begun using LNG, which has helped decrease the cost paid for biomethane injections into the gas grid. In this favourable environment, Cryo Pur is bringing a unique solution to the market, bio-LNG at a competitive cost.

Many biogas project stakeholders are lending strong support to Cryo Pur’s efforts to position itself as a strategic leader in the UK and European markets. In particular, Cryo Pur is working in collaboration with agricultural and industrial waste collectors, as well as engineering companies.

By launching into the British market the startup expects to begin commercialising its first compact liquid methane production unit, designed to work off of organic waste.

A sign of the times

Beyond the UK market, governments around the world are now beginning to agree on the future of renewable energies. In December 2015, the historic Paris Agreement concerning climate issues was concluded, which will be followed by a signing ceremony on 22 April. Once fully committed in writing, countries will begin to implement the big projects that were initiated at the Paris climate conference (COP21), with concrete rules and actions to be implemented starting in 2020 – when the agreement is due to enter into force. Europe has been working in this direction since 2009. Its aim is to source 20% of the EU’s energy from renewable energy before 2020.1

2016 is hailed to be a significant year for NGVs (natural gas vehicles). Transportation continues to be the sector that is most dependent on fossil fuels, and new solutions are needed. EU member countries will be proposing their own alternative fuel solutions in keeping with the European Directive – The Alternate Fuel Infrastructure (AFI) Directive and for the development of biogas. With its innovative technology that produces bio-LNG and bio-CO2, Cryo Pur seeks to position itself as a strategic player on the biogas sector.

Biogas to other renewable energies

According to an EU 20132 study, biogas was fourth place among available renewable energies, with 7% of the total production. In comparison, wind turbine energy took 10% of the market share, whereas solar energy took only 4%.

In the EBA’s (European Biogas Association) latest report published at the end of 2015, biogas and biomethane production had shown marked growth in Europe with over 17,000 operating sites. In particular, the study noted:

  • 23% increase in 2014 due to 87 new biomethane plants (Source EBA).
  • Market multiplied by 4 since 2003 for Natural Gas Vehicles (NGV), including CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) and LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas), in other words 1.2 million vehicles in circulation throughout Europe.3

The EBA report specifies that the United Kingdom is among the top three leaders, along with Germany and Sweden, in terms of plants and infrastructures for using biomethane.4

Recognition for expertise

Recognised by governments, professionals and journalists, this innovative company has received many awards, such as the French Tech Ambassador at the COP 21, the Biogaz d’Argent award at the Biogaz Europe 2016 held in Nantes, and the Innovation Trophy 2015 awarded by Expo Biogaz 2015 in Paris. This breakthrough innovation is the at the heart of the BioGNVal project, completed as part of the ‘Invest in the Future’ programme run by ADEME (French Environment and Energy Management Agency) in partnership with SUEZ, IVECO, GNVert (ENGIE) and SIAAP.

The technology

After 14 years of research and development by Denis Clodic and his Mines ParisTech team, Cryo Pur designed a unique solution to use biogas to produce liquid biomethane (bio-LNG) and bio-CO2. This biogas is generated by all kinds of waste, such as agricultural, industrial, sewage, and household wastes. The Cryo Pur system combines cryogenic biogas upgrading and biomethane liquefaction in one single energy-efficient process.

It separates CO2 at a grade of purity high enough for industrial valorisation. It also separates nitrogen and oxygen (air gases) during the biomethane liquefaction. Because it has a density that is 600 times greater than in gas, transport of bio-LNG is more efficient. In this way, this liquid biomethane is a sustainable supply of renewable fuel for heavy goods vehicles, characterised by:

  • Zero-impact fuel for greenhouse gas emissions.
  • No emissions of fine particles.
  • Significant reduction in NOX emissions.
  • Reduced noise pollution.

References

  1. http://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/strategies/2020/index_en.htm.
  2. Biogaz and biomethane study 2015, decisive year for the French subsidiary, Sia Partners, sources Eurobserv’er and Eurostat.
  3. Interview with Matthias Maedge, Secretary General of NGVA Europe Secrétaire Général, given to gaz-mobilite.fr on 17 February 2016.
  4. p19&21 BIOMETHANE & BIOGAS REPORT 2015 - Annual statistical report of the European Biogas Association.

Adapted from press release by Rosalie Starling

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/the-environment/01042016/cryo-pur-develops-breakthrough-biogas-process-2920/

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