Solid waste landfills are
commonly used to dispose
of garbage around the
world. The organic
content of the solid waste
decomposes to release
large quantities of
methane and carbon
dioxide, making landfills
a significant source of
greenhouse gas
emissions.
MEDALTM membrane
systems for
Biogas/Landfill gas
From Landfill
or Biogas
collection
5900 SCFM
0 PSIG
44.7% CO2
54% CH4
0.3% O2
1% N2
Membrane
2nd stage
Compressor Regenerable Carbon
filter
16 bar a
VOC removal
Membrane
1st stage
Booster
Gas to
pipeline
CO
rich
Tire Permeate
inflation
2
VOCs, CO2 to Flare
Permeate recycle
3000 SCFM
97.2% CH4
1.0% CO2
0.18% O2
1.76% N2
Flow schematic: biogas/landfill gas purification unit
Objective
Processing of biogas/landfill gas to recover high purity methane.
MEDAL Membrane solutions
The MEDAL Biogas
membrane system offers a
uniquely simple way to
process Biogas /Landfill
gases and recover
valuable methane.
The Biogas is a mixture of gases (typically 45% CO2 and 54% CH4). After
collection and compression , medium pressure Landfill gas or Biogas passes
through a pre-treatment unit. Before being sent to the pipeline and city
consumers, the CO2 content must be reduced below 2%. MEDAL membrane
systems will selectively separate methane and CO2. High selectivity makes
90%+ methane recovery available with a two stage membrane system.
Benefits
On site production of substitute natural gas. The MEDAL Biogas membrane
system is an economical (investment and operation) and environment friendly
alternative to conventional membrane, amine wash technology or Kryosol
technology. Modular membrane systems can be designed to accommodate
volumes and concentrations specific to each location.
Technology
Permeate gas
4 PSIG
CO2 ,H2O, O2...
CO2 is selectively separated from from
methane (CH4) by permeation through a
polymeric hollow fiber membrane (see the
illustration). The driving force is the
partial pressure difference across the
membrane for CO2, CH4 and other gas
components.
Residue gas
150 PSIG
CH4 ,N2….
CH4
CO2
Feed gas
200 PSIG
CH4 ,CO2 , N2 , H2O,O2...
CH4 , CO2...
MEDAL membrane element flow chart
CO2 is the “fast” gas, whereas CH4 is the
“slow” gas. MEDAL membrane
technology is based on polymeric hollow
fiber. The pressurized feed gas enters the
membrane element from the tube side, the
methane stays under pressure, and the
CO2 is collected at a lower pressure.
References
Project/Location
Start-up
Laurel Highlands (Raeger Mtn, PA)
Jul-06
4
Nov-06
2
Jul-07
12
Sep-07
6
Shade (Cairnbrook, PA)
Jun-07
4
Southern (Davidsville, PA)
Jun-07
2
Oklahoma City (OKC, OK)
May-08
2
Carter Valley (Church Hill, TN)
Nov-08
2
Winder (Winder, GA)
Dec-08
6
Live Oak (Atlanta, GA)
Feb-09
7
Cedar Hills (Seattle, WA)
Feb-09
16
Seneca (Pittsburgh, PA)
Dec-10
4
River Birch (New Orleans, LA)
May-10
9
Meadow Branch (Athens, TN)
Est'd mid 11
4
Iris Glen (Johnson City, TN)
Greentree (Kersey, PA)
Imperial (Imperial, PA)
MEDAL Membrane system (USA)
Raw Feed
(MMSCFD)
MEDAL a division of Air Liquide Advanced Technologies U.S. LLC
305 Water Street Newport, DE 19804 USA - Phone (302) 225-1100 - FAX (302) 225-0412
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.medal.airliquide.com