Biogas Buffer Storage System
AssigneeTrillium Transportation Fuels, LLC
InventorCarson Hoyt
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Abstract
Processes, systems, and associated control methodologies are disclosed that control the flow of biogas during the biogas cleanup process to create a more consistent flow of biogas through the digester, while also optimizing the output and efficiency of the overall renewable natural gas facility. In representative embodiments, a biogas buffer storage system may be used during the cleanup process to control the pressure and flow rate of biogas. The biogas buffer storage system may monitor and control the biogas flow rate to either bring down or increase the digester pressure, thereby maintaining a normalized biogas flow rate.
Claims20
A process for controlling the flow of biogas during the biogas cleanup process in a renewable natural gas facility, the process comprising:
- supplying biogas to a chiller and heat exchanger of a biogas digester, wherein the chiller and heat exchanger lowers the temperature of the biogas to allow water in the biogas stream to condensate and form liquid water, wherein the water is removed from the biogas stream, and wherein the biogas passes through a heat exchanger to raise the temperature of the biogas;
- detecting the biogas pressure at an outlet line from the chiller and heat exchanger;
- supplying the biogas to a buffer compressor, wherein the buffer compressor is controlled by a control system to either lower the biogas pressure or increase the biogas pressure to create a regulated supply of biogas;
- storing any excess biogas buildup in a buffer storage container;
- transferring the regulated biogas supply back to the biogas cleanup process;
- removing hydrogen sulfide from the regulated biogas;
- removing methane from the regulated biogas;
- and
- supplying the regulated biogas to an external utility network.
A process for controlling the flow of biogas during the biogas cleanup process in a renewable natural gas facility, the process comprising:
- supplying biogas to a chiller and heat exchanger of a biogas digester;
- detecting the biogas pressure at an outlet line from the chiller and heat exchanger;
- supplying the biogas to a buffer compressor and storage system, wherein the buffer compressor and storage system includes a buffer screw compressor that is controlled by a control system to either lower the biogas pressure or increase the biogas pressure to create a regulated supply of biogas, and a buffer storage container for storing biogas, wherein the control system further includes at least one pressure transmitter to measure the biogas pressure;
- transferring the regulated biogas supply back to the biogas cleanup process;
- storing any excess biogas in the buffer storage container;
- removing hydrogen sulfide from the regulated biogas;
- removing methane from the regulated biogas;
- absorbing residual contaminates from the regulated biogas after the methane has been removed from the biogas;
- and
- supplying the regulated biogas to an external utility network.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.