Power Generation by Methane

[joshi]

Does any one have idea about how much power generation from cubic meter of Methane (Methane from UASAB)

[Faisal Siddiqui]

1,000 Nm3 of methane could give you approximatly 1 MW of electrical energy output. 

[Dr. Sudhanshu Kumar]

The calorific value of a methane is around 55.530 kJ/kg OR 17.8 kWh/kg, trust, this will help you to calculate the powe generation.

[Faisal Siddiqui]

Very correct Dr S Kumar.. useful input. How are you doing?  

[Danish Khan]

Dear Sir,

As your calculation 1000 Nm3 gas will generate 1 MW  electrical energy ...

is it 1000X24=24000=1 MW??

or 1000X24=24000= 24 MW is it correct..

Faisal Siddiqui said:

1,000 Nm3 of methane could give you approximatly 1 MW of electrical energy output. 

[Ramesh Ukidve]

If Methane is generated from UASB process, this biogas would contain methane & CO2, if you want to generate power you would have to increase methane concentration by either

1. Using amines column to absorb CO2 or

2. Using membranes to separate methane from CO2

Calorific value of methane on 100% basis is around 5600 Kcal/Nm3, check from textbooks

Ramesh Ukidve

[Dr. Atul Takarkhede]

Most of the biogas engines gives approx 2 KWh/Nm3 of biogas.

[GOPI KANTA GHOSH]

Thanks for information

[SANJAY JAGTAP]

Yes.. We have done few power projects using methane into gas engines. The purity of methane decides the no. of units. In LPG/CNG methane % much higher. In that event, the gas engine can generate upto 3-4 units of electricity per cubmic meter. Whileas, methane being 65% in biogas, gas engine can generate upto 2 units. Please feel free to call me 09822394170 for any further clarification. Regards

[Vivek Shah]

Let me be Very Clear: if methane is generated from UASB you can assume 55% Methane in the Gas: The density of the gas would be 0.82. The Total Energy(kcal) value would be 4800kcal. The potential Power would be /861/24. and the actual power conisdering generator with 38% Efficiency (Highest currently available)

e.g. 1m3 of Gas:

1 x 0.82 then x 4800 then /861 /24 and then again x .38 would give you your available power in KWH.

Hope it would be now very clear.

[T Raghavendra Rao]

Calorific value of pure Methane is 14,600 kcal/kg which is equivalent to 5600 kcal/m3. For calculating the power output from this gas, divide by 860. 860 kcal = 1 kw. So, for 1 m3 methane gas theoritically you can generate 6.5 kw. However, when you convert this cal vale to electric energy, there is a loss of efficiency in the conversion process. Typically IC engines run on gas will have 30 to 35% efficiency. So, when you convert 6.5 kw with 30% efficiency, you will get 1.95 to 2 kw. This is how you can calculate the power generation from any fuel source if you know the calorific value.

[DR. KAWALJEET SINGH]

I belive a m3 of methane has GCV of ca 39000 kj. Convert!

[Vikram]

"A cubic foot of natural gas gives off 1000 Btu, but the range of values is 500 to 1500 Btu." [Std. 37 MJ (average) & 19–56 MJ (range)] Ref: naturalgas.com

 

"The net heating value of natural gas served by a utility company is often 1000 to 1100 Btu/ft3." [Std. 37–41 MJ] Ref: "Fuel Gas." McGraw Hill Encyclopedia of Science & Technology. McGraw Hill, Inc., 1982.