Direct catalytic methanation of liquid biomass wastes

Biomass waste products can be converted into a medium methane content gas (Bio-SNG). In this feasibility study, Aspen plus process modelling has been used to design processes for the conversion of empty fruit bunch from the palm oil industry and glycerol from the biodiesel industry into Bio-SNG. This article presents the justification for conversion to Bio-SNG, designs of each process and how they might be integrated into the biodiesel or palm oil refinery.