Cetna Energy, an alternative-energy development and operating company, has commissioned MAN Energy Solutions to deliver the detailed engineering for a methanation plant. With a capacity of close to 1 MMBTU, the plant will generate synthetic methane. The carbon dioxide and hydrogen required for this is derived from woody biomass. The synthetic methane produced in the process is considered climate-neutral and in this case is classified as renewable natural gas (RNG). It is expected that the reactor will provide approximately 125 MMBtu, or about 2.7 tons, of RNG per hour while simultaneously consuming around 7.2 tons of CO2. The plant will produce 1 bcf (28.3 x 106 m3) of RNG annually.
The Brent, Alabama, plant will produce syngas (H2+CO) from local wood mill residues, which will then be processed into hydrogen and CO2 in a water-gas shift reaction. MAN Energy Solutions’ methanation reactor will subsequently convert these gases into RNG, and will be fed into the local gas grid.
Under the terms of the project, MAN Energy Solutions is responsible for the methanation package, employing an MAN DWE SNG solution. The system features a compact design with only a single reactor followed by a small quality booster stage to make the RNG compliant with US pipeline specifications. This not only reduces space requirements but also operating costs.
In this project phase, MAN Energy Solutions will adapt the plant design at its Deggendorf, Germany, site to meet applicable US standards, delivering the technical specifications and final scope of delivery which ultimately form the basis for the customer’s investment decision.
Specialty construction company Primoris Services Corp. is acting as general engineering contractor in charge of detailed planning and control, procurement, as well as the execution of construction and assembly work. Burkes Mechanical provides the land and state of the art mechanical fabrication as well as support for construction, installation, electrical, and instrumentation.
