1. Biomethane as a road transport fuel
Steve Carroll
Cenex
September 2009

2. Biomethane as a road transport fuel Introduction
What is it?
How do we make it?
How do we store and dispense it into vehicles?
Vehicle technology
Biomethane vehicle emissions
Vehicle availability
Camden biomethane trial
Vehicles in the UK
Cenex biomethane toolkit and calculator capabilities
EU and UK legislation and incentives

3. Biomethane as a road transport fuel Definition & terminology
Biogas - is used to describe the gas made in anaerobic digesters or land fill sites typically 65% methane and 35% carbon dioxide, with contaminants in the form of water, hydrogen sulphide and siloxanes
CH4 CO2
Biomethane – is upgraded biogas. the upgrade process removes the contaminants and the majority of the carbon dioxide removed. Biomethane is typically 97% methane, 2% carbon dioxide and 1% oxygen
Natural gas – is used to describe a gaseous fossil fuel consisting primarily of methane but including significant quantities of ethane, propane, butane, and pentane
CH4
Petroleum gas (LPG) - is used to describe a gas produced when refining petroleum, typically supplied as a variable mix of propane and butane.
C3H8

4. Biomethane as a road transport fuel Anaerobic digestion process
Conversion of organic matter
to methane and CO2
Sewage
Manure
Slurry
Food waste
-Slaughter house waste
-Organic fraction on municipal solid waste (OFMSW)
-Green waste
-Energy crops
Pre-processing
Delivery
Photos courtesy of Monsal 4

5. Biomethane as a road transport fuel Biogas upgrading
Biogas from AD contains ~60% methane and 40% CO2 plus N, O2, CO, Moisture and contaminants of H2S & Siloxanes
Biomethane typically > 96% methane
Also,
Pressure swing adsorption
Cryogenic separation
PSA techniques
Adsorption of the carbon dioxide onto a material like activated carbon, separation through a molecular sieve, allows CO2, CO through but not CH4.
Required dry gas pre-separation of H2S. Vessels are regenerated through pressurisation.
Cryogenic separation
Methane boiling point of -160 deg C, CO2 -78 deg C. To avoid freezing and other problems water and H2S are removed before hand. Cryogenic separation compresses, cools, expands gas, CO2 removed during expansion.
- High nitrogen gas maybe suited to PSA 5

6. Biomethane as a road transport fuel Biomethane storage and dispensing
Station types
Compressed gas (CNG, CBM)
Fast fill: Refilling station has a large compressor and storage tanks to hold pre-compressed gas at rising pressures (storage cascades)
Slow fill: Overnight fill station compressing gas directly into vehicle tanks
Liquefied gas (LNG, LBM)
Refilling station holds liquefied gas in a cryogenic container, Liquid is passed to a similar container on the vehicle
Liquefied and Compressed gas (LCNG or LCBM)
Liquefied gas is stored as above, the station can also deliver compressed gas by gasifying the liquid and capturing boil off

7. Biomethane as a road transport fuel Vehicle technologies
Dedicated engine
SI engine optimised for running on gas. Low noise, low air quality emissions, limited to SI combustion efficiency.
Bi-fuel engine
SI engine modified to operated on gas but maintains the ability to run on petrol as a back-up fuelling system
Dual fuel
CI engine, vehicle modified to operate on a mixture of gas and diesel. Up to ~ 80% gas substitution achievable. Maintains CI efficiency and ability to operate on diesel fuel. Available as retrofit. Limited CO2 and noise benefit.
Heavy duty applications
Light duty applications
Heavy duty applications
Current use of technologies by vehicle type

8. Biomethane as a road transport fuel Biomethane energy density
Relative energy density of road fuels 8

9. Biomethane as a road transport fuel Carbon emissions
TTW (Tank-to-wheel) considers tail pipe emissions from vehicles
WTW (Well-to-wheel) considers emissions associated with fuel extraction, processing, delivery and dispensing
Emission data from CONCAWE, Gasrec analysis from CENEX Camden biomethane study 9

10. Biomethane as a road transport fuel Air quality and noise emissions
70dB(A) Vacuum cleaner 60dB(A) Dishwasher 50dB(A) Gentle rainfall 10

11. Biomethane as a road transport fuel EU Vehicle availability
Light duty
Medium duty
Heavy duty
Buses

12. Biomethane as a road transport fuel Worldwide vehicle availability12

13. Biomethane as a road transport fuel UK Vehicle availability and cost
Example
Technology
Price premium
Cars
None -
Vans
Iveco Daily
Mercedes Sprinter
Bi fuel
Dedicated
£5000
HGVs
Mercedes Econic 18-26t
Iveco Eurotech 18-26t
£ £23000
Hardstaff (OIGI) - Volvo/DAF/MB/CAT/DE
Clean Air Power (Genesis)
Dual fuel
£ £25000
Buses
2009 Optare solo
£ £18000 13

14. Biomethane as a road transport fuel Summary
Low carbon fuel
Air quality benefits
Vehicle noise reduction
Reduces waste to landfill
Reduces cost?
dependent on application (annual mileage and mpg)
cost of biomethane vs diesel
asset life 14

15. Biomethane as a road transport fuel Performance and reliability
Sustainability
CNG Daily
CBG Daily
Trial mileage
86 km / day
(9642 km total)
53 km / day
(5590 km total)
Fuel consumption
26.3 kg
/ 100km
24.7 kg

16. Biomethane as a road transport fuel Sustainability
Performance
Reliability
Sustainability
Carbon dioxide emissions
Air quality emissions
Emissions kgCO2/MJ
Emissions Kg CO2 / kg fuel used
WTW
kg CO2 / 100 km
CBG
0.031
1.40
34.5
CNG
0.062
2.80
76.0
G25 CNG
HD g/kwhr
Euro VI
% reduction CO
1.15 4
62%
NMHC
0.019
0.16
88%
CH4
0.193
0.5
61%
NOx
0.28
0.4
30% HC
0.199 PM
0.0047
0.01
53%

17. Biomethane as a road transport fuel Conclusions
Performance
Reliability
Sustainability
BM CO2 saving 56% WTW over CNG
Engine wear and contaminants within normal levels except 2% WC
Reduction in PM and NOx of 30% and 53% against Euro VI legislation
New Iveco Daily displayed 6% improvement in fuel consumption

18. Biomethane as a road transport fuel Vehicles UK

19. Biomethane as a road transport fuel Toolkit

20. Biomethane as a road transport fuel Calculator
Allows initial bespoke analysis of AD facility capacity and feedstock required to fuel a transport fleet on biomethane, outputs environmental and cost benefit information
Detailed business case. Omits capital and maintenance cost for plant operation and any income generated from landfill tax avoidance
Calculate methane yields from a given type and quantity of feedstock from anaerobic digestion plants
Calculate the heat, power and revenues available from CHP systems
Calculate biomethane available for use as a vehicle fuel accounting for parasitic energy demands of the anaerobic digester and upgrading and compression facilities
Calculate biomethane required to power transportation fleets (dedicated or dual fuel technologies)
Compare environmental and cost implications of running a fleet on biomethane compared with fossil diesel or petrol 20

21. Biomethane as a road transport fuel Biomethane calculator sample output21

22. UK Legislation and incentives
Biomethane as a road transport fuel Policy drivers and market instruments
European legislation
UK Legislation and incentives
Other fiscal incentives
EU Biofuels Directive % by energy content for 2010
The Renewable Energy Directive – 10% bio-fuel content by 2020
European Emissions Trading Scheme – include surface transport post 2012
EU Landfill Directive – sets landfill reduction target across member states
Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation 2008 (RTFO)
3.25 % Biofuels April 2010 (Sustainability criteria apply) ~ 9 p/kg
Landfill Allowance Trading Scheme (LATS)
Cap and trade system, buy out price £150/tonne
Fuel Duty – 19.2 p/kg biomethane vs 54.2p/litre (45.2p/kg) for diesel
Bus Service Operators Grant (BSOG) – 6p/km
EU biofuels directive
EU set indicative targets for member states for 5.75% by energy content for Member states can set own targets, which must be justified - in 2005 UK set 0.3%
Euro emissions trading scheme
Cap and trade for large fixed sources of carbon emissions, transport is expected to become part of the scheme in post Defra investigating a national scheme in preparation for the expected European scheme.
RED
Overall 20% RE and 10% biofuels in transport 2020, UKs proportion in 15% RE and 10% biofuels in transport.
UK Energy White Paper
Biomass strategy????????
Climate Change Act
Introduced to help transition to LC econamy. Legally binding targets for GHG reductions in the UK 26% by 2020, 80% by 2050, against 1990 base line through carbon bugeting over five year periods. 1st due June 2009?????. Creation of Committee on Climate Change, a independent body to advise government.
LATS
Allowances on the amount of biodegradable waste sent to landfill by councils. Allowances traded be traded between councils. Fine £150 per tonne over allowance. Targets set to meet EU Landfill diective and are 75% 2010, 50% 2013, 35% by 2020 (of 1995 levels). Should equate to 5.2 mt in 2020.
Fuel Duty
19.2 p/kg biomethane, 54.2p/litre (45.2p/kg).
RTFO
Requires fuel suppliers to provide evidence that fuel sales included a certain percentage renewable transport fuels. RTFO targets 2.5% 2008/09, 3.25% 2009/10, 3.5% 2010/11. RTFO buyout price for suppliers failing to meet targets are 15p/litre for first 2 years. Guaranteed duty + RTFO of 35p/litre in 2009/10 and 30p/litre in 2010/ Compliance demonstrated through production of tradable RFC Renewable fuel certificates. Buyout pot redistributed between certificate holders.
BSOG
Provides fuel duty rebate to bus services, 81% for low sulphur diesel, 100% bioethanol, biodiesel, LPG. April 2009 introduced 6p per km payment for operating a Low Carbon Emission Bus LCEB (emission figure is 30% less than Euro 3 diesel). Do not qualify as a LCEB by switchinf fuel unless than fuel is a biogas)
The competition
Biogas can be used to generate electricity – 2 x ROCs = ~10p/kWhe
Renewable Heat Incentive due 2011 (consultation) = ~ £2.25 per therm ~ £7.7p/kWh 22

23. Biomethane as a road transport fuel Information available from Cenex
Camden biomethane trial report
Projects - Biomethane Vehicle Trial
Feasibility study for the installation of a regional AD facility producing biomethane as a road transport fuel
Consultancy – Regional Anaerobic Digestion Facility
Cenex biomethane toolkit and calculator
Enquiry form
Request your free copy
EU biofuels directive
EU set indicative targets for member states for 5.75% by energy content for Member states can set own targets, which must be justified - in 2005 UK set 0.3%
Euro emissions trading scheme
Cap and trade for large fixed sources of carbon emissions, transport is expected to become part of the scheme in post Defra investigating a national scheme in preparation for the expected European scheme.
RED
Overall 20% RE and 10% biofuels in transport 2020, UKs proportion in 15% RE and 10% biofuels in transport.
UK Energy White Paper
Biomass strategy????????
Climate Change Act
Introduced to help transition to LC econamy. Legally binding targets for GHG reductions in the UK 26% by 2020, 80% by 2050, against 1990 base line through carbon bugeting over five year periods. 1st due June 2009?????. Creation of Committee on Climate Change, a independent body to advise government.
LATS
Allowances on the amount of biodegradable waste sent to landfill by councils. Allowances traded be traded between councils. Fine £150 per tonne over allowance. Targets set to meet EU Landfill diective and are 75% 2010, 50% 2013, 35% by 2020 (of 1995 levels). Should equate to 5.2 mt in 2020.
Fuel Duty
19.2 p/kg biomethane, 54.2p/litre (45.2p/kg).
RTFO
Requires fuel suppliers to provide evidence that fuel sales included a certain percentage renewable transport fuels. RTFO targets 2.5% 2008/09, 3.25% 2009/10, 3.5% 2010/11. RTFO buyout price for suppliers failing to meet targets are 15p/litre for first 2 years. Guaranteed duty + RTFO of 35p/litre in 2009/10 and 30p/litre in 2010/ Compliance demonstrated through production of tradable RFC Renewable fuel certificates. Buyout pot redistributed between certificate holders.
BSOG
Provides fuel duty rebate to bus services, 81% for low sulphur diesel, 100% bioethanol, biodiesel, LPG. April 2009 introduced 6p per km payment for operating a Low Carbon Emission Bus LCEB (emission figure is 30% less than Euro 3 diesel). Do not qualify as a LCEB by switchinf fuel unless than fuel is a biogas) 23

24. Thank you for your attention