A catalyst helps biomass be converted into natural gas, which is used as a fuel. The conversion typically happens in catalytic reactors that offer potential advantages compared to conventional reactors for biomass conversion.
Now, Professor LU Fang from the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics (DICP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) led a research group that proposed a novel catalytic approach that is more efficient in converting solid biomass into natural gas while also reducing carbon footprint.
Biomass heating power plant
New Catalytic Approach in Biomass Conversion
Natural gas is a raw material used to manufacture hydrogen and ammonia, but it can also be used as fuel to generate electricity, heating, and power transportation. According to the US Energy Information Administration, biological conversion of biomass into ethanol and anaerobic digestion through fermentation produce natural gas.
The two commonly used methods in biomass conversion are biogenic and thermogenic processes. However, these processes inevitably emit high carbon dioxide in gas products and are insufficient to satisfy the composition requirements of pipeline natural gas.
In the study, titled "Catalytic Production of Low-Carbon Footprint Sustainable Natural Gas," published in Nature Communications on January 11, researchers prepared a robust catalyst that contains Ni2Al3 alloy phase to convert solid biomass into natural gas.
According to a press release via CAS Newsroom, the total carbon yield during the conversion process of gas products reached up to 93% after many hours. That proves the capability of the new catalyst in processing the natural gas within 30 cycles.
Professor LU said that the life cycle assessment showed that the novel catalytic approach could reduce the life cycle primary fossil energy depletion and greenhouse gas emissions by 26% and 34%, respectively.
Furthermore, they found that the bio natural gas produced from hydrogen with lignocellulosic biomass when combined can be used in many applications in the industry, transportation, and electric power plant. The findings of the study can be utilized as guidelines in the transformation of raw biomass into natural gas.
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Biomass Classification Groups
Biomass is a general term used to describe a high number of materials and is used to describe their complexity and different origins and compositions, according to a paper in Science Direct. But they can be categorized by employing two classification methods - based on the type of biomass that exists in nature and industrial value or application.
The first classification method results in several groups of classification with subgroups each. For instance, natural sources including crops, trees, and grass are used as biomass to produce natural gas.
Often, this multidisciplinary subject is misunderstood in the academic or industrial community due to incorrect interpretations. But there is an easier way to summarize and divide them based on the sources available in the environment and the chemical characteristics. Below is the summary of their classification:
- Wood and Woody Biomass- This includes angiospermous, gymnospermous, deciduous, coniferous plants as well as stems, branches, foliage, chips, pellets, sawdust, ad other wood species.
- Herbaceous Biomass- Cakes, food, pulps, flowers, seeds, grass, fruits, shells, straws, and others.
- Aquatic Biomass- Freshwater and marine algae, macro-and micro-algae, lake weed, water hyacinth, and other plants.
- Animal and Human Biomass- animal and human dung, fertilizers, meat bone, and bones.
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