OPPS BIOGAS UPGRADING PLANTS

Possessing decades of technology and proven successful experience.

Membrane research and design began in the 1970s, and the first commercial system was installed in 1980.
Approximately 20,000 membrane modules are produced annually for various gas separation processes (the total length of hollow fiber membranes produced each year is equivalent to twice the distance from the Earth to the Moon).
The 625+ system is installed in process gas applications (petrochemical, refining, natural gas).
Over 300 custom-designed nitrogen systems have been installed in petrochemical plants, offshore platforms, and oil field sites.
Over 1500 nitrogen systems have been installed on naval vessels.
175 global cases utilize the OEM method for biogas purification.
Our partners who use and resell Prism® membranes for gas separation systems are located all over the world.

Biogas Introduction

Since 1994, our research and development and design efforts have focused on biogas upgrading.
The first commercial equipment was installed in 1983 – a test facility for landfill gas upgrading.
We have over 175 installations in biogas membrane upgrading.Our business covers the United States, Europe, and Asia.We offer the largest biomethane system (12,000 Nm³/h).
 Various raw materials are available:
Landfill waste –
BiowasteManure –
Food waste
Agricultural waste – Wastewater
 Biogas upgrading for:
Mobile refueling station
fuel CNG bottling
fuel LNG production
fuel Conversion to H2

       

What is biogas?

Overview of the Biogas Industry Chain

biogas plant

The core technology of AP membranes is the use of polymer fibers in gas separation.

Air Products membranes are polymeric fibers used for separating compressed gas mixtures. Membrane technology can be used as a standalone solution, coupled with other AP technologies (such as absorption and distillation), or integrated into larger plants.

In membrane separation, the compressed gases are located at both ends of the permeation spectrum.

Typical configuration

Performance characteristics of APPM biogas membranes

Various patented designs are used in membrane separation.
System Performance:Low energy consumption: < 0.2 kW/Nm³ of raw gas  
High CH4 recovery rate: >99.8%In actual application cases, the CH4 recovery rate reaches 99.95% High CH4 purity: >97%
Modular design of the membrane system – "plug-and-play" principleOperating flexibility: ~80 to 12,000 Nm³/hr
A variety of membranes with different performance characteristics are available for design selection.
Membrane modules with backflushing capabilities are available.
Dehydration membranes are used to remove moisture from compressed biogas.

Comparison of Upgrading Technologies

The first biogas-to-hydrogen production facility.

USA - Based on the OEM model

Smithfield Foods ---Hog finishing farms
5 projects in 2019
25 projects by 2023
The APPM team worked with OEM engineers to configure the system, achieving a reduction of over 90% in H2S compared to the original scrubbing method using membrane separation.The methane recovery rate reached >99%, and the methane concentration was >97%.

France –Based on the OEM model

Upgrading existing anaerobic digesters
Mobile refueling station
500 Nm3/hr

Reference list in china

Anhui Riyu Co., Ltd.  2023
The biogas methane purification pilot plant was put into operation in 2023.Raw gas processing capacity: 100 Nm³/hRaw gas composition: CH4 60%, CO2 39%, with the remaining 1% consisting of H2S, H2O, and O2.The plant utilizes four PB6050-P3 biogas membranes in a 1+2+1 three-stage separation configuration.The purified product gas has a CH4 content of 96.8% and a recovery rate of 96%.

Hubei Qianfeng New Energy Technology  2019

Design processing capacity: 400 Nm³/hRaw gas CH4 purity: 50%Required CH4 purity after purification: 95%; Recovery rate: 80%.The raw gas passes through desulfurization, filtration, and heating before entering the membrane separator, which consists of 10 PA4050-P3 modules for single-stage concentration.After commissioning and operation, both the product gas CH4 purity and recovery rate met the design requirements, and the system has been in operation for more than two years.The product is mainly sold as CNG (Compressed Natural Gas).

Yangzhou Jingchu Ecological and Environmental Protection Co., Ltd.  2022

Design processing capacity: 15,000 Nm³/day, raw gas CH4 purity: 72%;Required CH4 purity after purification: 95%; Recovery rate: 95%.The raw gas passes through desulfurization, filtration, and heating before entering the membrane separator, which consists of 15 PA6050-P3 membranes (3 in the first stage, 12 in the second stage).After commissioning and operation, the product gas CH4 purity is higher than 95.5%, and the recovery rate is higher than 96%.The product is integrated into the city gas pipeline network.

Tangshan Kangchuang Bioenergy Project

Design processing capacity: 20000 Nm³/day, raw gas CH4 purity 66%;Required CH4 purity after purification: 96%; Recovery rate: 96%.The raw gas passes through desulfurization, filtration, and heating before entering the membrane separator, which consists of 12 PA6050-P3 modules, 4 in the first stage and 8 in the second stage.After commissioning and operation, the product gas CH4 purity is higher than 95.5%, and the recovery rate is higher than 96%. Product gas CNG

System Configuration and Packaging Options

The overall system can be configured in two primary formats based on client requirements: containerized or skid-mounted (open-frame).
1. Containerized System
For maximum flexibility and rapid deployment, the purification system can be fully integrated within a standard ISO shipping container.
Mobility and Convenience: The containerized structure makes the entire system easy to transport and relocate.
Weatherproof Enclosure: Upon arrival at the site, the equipment is already housed in a durable, weatherproof enclosure, eliminating the need for constructing a separate building or providing rain protection.
Plug-and-Play Installation: The design facilitates a "plug-and-play" setup. Once on-site, the unit only requires connection to the biogas inlet and a power supply to be fully operational, significantly simplifying installation and commissioning.
2. Skid-Mounted / Site-Specific Design
Alternatively, the system can be provided as a skid-mounted (open-frame) assembly, designed specifically according to the client's site layout and existing infrastructure. This option is ideal for permanent installations inside a dedicated plant building