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European biomethane standards for grid injection and vehicle fuel use

Biosurf Workshop5 December 2017, Amsterdam

Dr Arthur WellingerEuropean Biogas Association

CEN TC 408

In the framework of Biosurf, EBA participated in the CEN Technical Committee establishing a standard on

Natural gas and biomethane for use in transport and biomethane forinjection in the natural gas network

❖ Part 1: Specifications for biomethane for injection in the natural gas network (EN 16723 – Part 1)

❖ Part 2: Automotive fuel specifications (EN 16723 – Part 2)

Both standards were formally accepted in Nov 2016 resp. March 2017

Workshop in Amsterdam, 5 December 2017

EN 16723


Why do we need a European Biomethane Standard?

Mandate was given by DG Energy Unit C2 on the background that:

❖ The number of NGV’s was continuously increasing

❖ All biomethane producing countries (and even some others) hadstandards for injection – but they were all different

❖ Standardization brings legal and technical security

❖ Allows easier market access

❖ Is a helpful precondition for free trade


Development of Biomethane upgrading Plants


Number of vehicles and filling stations (2016)

Country Number of CNG filling stations

Italy 1 104

Germany 913

Austria 173

Sweden 169

Netherlands 162

Switzerland 136

Total 3 170

EU countries Light Vehicles Buses Trucks

All European NGV

countries

1 427 467 275 716 195 037

Italy 880 000 2 300 3 000

Germany 95 708 1 735 176

Sweden 43 795 2 163 755

Switzerland 11 278 173 129

France 10 050 2 400 1 100

Source: CNG Europe


Scope of the work and mandate

➢ Scope :Standardisation of biomethaneSpecifications for use as vehicle fuel and injection in natural gas grid.

CEN/TC 408 did not focus on the biomethane production process or source nor on the origin of the source.


Biomethane Processes

➢ Anaerobic digestion followed by biogas upgrading

➢ Gasification of renewable organic matter followed by syngas conversion to biomethane

➢ Power-to-Gas: producing methane fuel from biogenic carbon or utilizing biological pathways


Mandate M/475 – EN 16723-1 (grid injection)


Mandate M/475 – FprEN 16723-2

Mandate M/475 – EN 16723-1

Requirements, limit values and related test methods for natural gas and biomethane as automotive fuels with normal MN grade (methane number 65 as in EN 16726)

At the time, the limit values are the same for higher MN grades (methane number 80 or higher)

Mandate M/475 – EN 16723

❖ A range of limit values for siloxanes is proposed for this standard: Boiler tests (biogas only): 0,10 mg Si/m3Analytical measurement: 0,30 mg Si/m3.

No mitigating effects of dilution of injected biomethane considered Low value only for direct fueling Higher value of 1mg/m3 for grid injection


DNV GL report on effect of siloxanes

Silica deposits inside engine cylinderSilica deposition on a heat exchanger of a domestic boiler and Ionization probe


Switching type lambdasensors



For a test period of about 2 months the VW Caddy Maxi was operated under realistic operating conditions following drive cycles representing different driving behaviour

Summary of experimental conditions during final endurance test


The results were rather positive despite the extreme conditions chosen


• During the experiment, the conversion of NOx and CO by the catalyst

was not affected by the silica deposition

• A white deposit was found on the spark plugs, but no misfires were

observed

• A close examination of the cylinder revealed that the cylinder head and

valves show grey deposits. The compression ratio was not affected by

this deposit.

• The silicon content in the lubrication oil increased with the amount of

silica formed

• SiO2 was formed, corresponding to a maximum silicon fraction of 25.84 mg

Si/m3n.

• The wide band type lambda sensor installed upstream of the catalyst and

the switching type lambda sensor after the catalyst did not fail during

the experiments


In most of the grids 10% hydrogen would not be a problem but

▪ Underground porous rock storage: hydrogen is a good substrate forsulphate reducing bacteria Clogging of cavern storage

▪ Steel tanks have a limit value of 2% H2

▪ Gas turbines <1% (>5% is possible)

▪ Gas engines <2% (up to 10% possible)

Limits of Hydrogen

Source: Altfeld


Mandate CEN/TC 234 WG 11 – EN16726:2015

EN 16726 is the standard for natural gas in the grid. It is also applicable for values after grid injection of biomethane.

➢ Relative density➢ Sulphur content➢ Carbon dioxide➢ Dew point➢ Methane Number (MN)

➢ Crucial for biomethane is the oxygen limit: 0.001 or 1At network entry points and interconnection points the mole fraction of oxygen shall be no more than 0,001 % (24 h average). Where the gas can be demonstrated not to flow to installations sensitive to higher levels of oxygen, e.g. underground storage systems, a higher limit of up to 1 % may be applied.


Open questions

❖ Wobbe-Index (EN 16726:unsolved discussion on band width)

❖ Sulphur content (EN 16726: Unsolved discussion on odorization, etc)

❖ Siloxanes (EN 16723: OEM’s vs analysis vs production)

❖ Hydrogen (ongoing discussion in several CEN groups)

❖ Health (Sulphur emission, bacterial danger)


H2020 Research project by CEN TC 408

❖ Impact of siloxanes on heavy duty engines

❖ Impact of Sulphur on catalytic converters and performance of engines

❖ Impact of oxygen on underground storages

❖ Impact of components on health


Thank you

Renewable Energy House

Rue d'Arlon 63-65

B - 1040 Brussels

+32 24.00.10 – [email protected]

European Biogas AssociationDr Arthur WellingerSenior [email protected]

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