In this work, a system for upgrading biogas to biomethane was developed consisting of a continuous water
absorption - regeneration using microbubble technology. The biogas upgrading system was tested using a 30% CO2–
N2 simulated biogas. Microbubbles in the water absorbent were generated using a 0.5-inch venturi ejector before
introducing into a gas separation unit. Various flow rates of the simulated biogas between 2 and 10 L/min were
tested, at a constant water flow rate of 15 L/min, operating at pressure of 7 bar and their CO2 removal efficiency was
monitored. The bubble bottle was initially tested the absorbent regeneration by distributing air into CO2 rich liquid
to make CO2 desorption. The regeneration unit was designed to create a counter current between air and used water
with air flow rates of 5–30 L/min. The optimum absorption conditions were found to be a liquid/gas ratio of 7.5
achieved with a simulated biogas flow rate of 2 L/min and 15 L/min water. An optimum air flow rate of 30 L/min in
the regeneration unit produced a CO2 removal efficiency from the simulated biomethane of over 90%.
Keywords
biomethane, CO2 removal, microbubbles, regeneration, water absorption.