Power-to-gas process: development of a catalytic reactor concept

风能和太阳能是加拿大增长最快的电力来源。例如，2016年加拿大的风电装机容量约为12,000兆瓦(占电力需求的6%)。然而，它的电力供应与能源需求并不一致。在这种背景下，能源储存对于弥合时间和地理差距变得越来越重要。电能转化为天然气是一种将电能转化为化学能(甲烷)并储存在天然气电网中的很有前途的技术。这样，就可以充分利用现有的输气基础设施和成熟的终端技术。在P2G过程中，多余的电能通过水电解转化为氢气，然后与捕获的二氧化碳(例如，来自沼气厂的二氧化碳)转化为甲烷。P2G过程中的主要挑战与后面的步骤有关--将H2和CO2催化转化为CH4。NSERC CRD项目的目标是开发一种可集成到Xebec吸附公司制造的沼气升级设施中的小型反应器概念。该项目将(1)研究可产生高二氧化碳转化率和CH4选择性的现有催化剂，(2)确定相应的动力学参数，(3)设计并测试一种新的原型反应器，类似于具有交替反应和非反应通道的催化热交换/反应器。通过开发可靠的CO2甲烷化阶段，可以建造加拿大首个此类中试工厂，使Xebec公司处于行业领先地位。其他好处包括获得基础知识，并结合技术开发，这一过程可以显著塑造能源储存市场。

Wind and solar photovoltaic energy are the fastest growing sources of electricity in Canada. For example, in 2016 the installed wind power in Canada was ~12,000 MW (6% of the electricity demand). However, its electricity supply is not aligned with the energy demand. In this context, energy storage becomes more and more important to bridge temporal and geographical gaps. The Power-to-Gas process (P2G) is a promising technology in which electrical energy is converted into chemical energy (methane) and stored in the natural gas grid. Thus, the already existing gas distribution infrastructure and mature end-use technology can be fully utilized. Within the P2G process, excess electricity is converted to hydrogen via water electrolysis and subsequently converted with captured CO2 (e.g., from biogas plant) to methane. The main challenges in the P2G process are related to the later step - the catalytic conversion of H2 and CO2 to CH4. The aim of proposed NSERC CRD project is the development of a small-scale reactor concept that can be integrated into a Biogas upgrading facility, which are manufactured by Xebec Adsorption Inc. This project will (1) investigate available catalysts that yield high CO2 conversion and CH4 selectivites, (2) determine the corresponding kinetic parameters and(3) design and test a new prototype reactor that resemble a catalytic heat exchange/reactor with alternate reactive and non-reactive channels.By developing a reliable CO2 methanation stage, the first-of-its-kind Canadian P2G pilot plant can be built, which would place Xebec Inc. at the forefront of the industry. Additional benefit include the gain of fundamental knowledge combined with technology development for a process that can significantly shape the energy storage market.