ABSTRACT
Production of substitute natural gas (SNG) from wood and lignocellulosic biomass through thermochemical gasification and catalytic methanation allows using the existing natural gas infrastructure for storage and distribution of bioenergy. The relatively old and well-developed technology has been established in particular for the conversion of coal and lignite during the last decades. A first semicommercial SNG plant operates successfully in Gothenburg, Sweden. However, the technical and economical key challenge for a more widespread application is simplified process chains for decentralized polygeneration units. Combined heat and methane production may improve the economic performance of the technology. Particularly interesting for upcoming SNG plants seems to be the biological methanation of biomass-derived syngas.
